Tried a PSA 7.5 and the accuracy sucked. Now I have a lower that needs an upper. I dont mind building, though it would be my first upper. Money is tight. What are my options?

http://www.beyerbarrels.com/

Call him up and talk to him, tell him what you want to do, and he'll fix you up with a barrel/collar.

how accurate do you want it to be?

.22 lr tend to be not greatly accurate - but a lot depends on the ammo..

brian

Psa barrell was about 30 moa. Id be happy with 2-3, maybe 4.

A 10/22.  Badum-ching.

I will recommend my set up.  Prices are approximate

Anderson lightweight sport upper receiver - $50-ish
CMMG heavy taper 16.1 inch barrel Optics Planet - $135
CMMG bolt and collar - Right to Bear Arms - $165
Knock off ambidextrous charge handle - Omega Manufacturing - $20
Thread protector - $6
A couple of S&W magazines - $40
Boonie Packer adapter or Catch-22 bolt catch and spacer - $40
Cheap free float tube - $30

$486 - I've built this upper twice, but with different handguards.  Both shoot a bit less than 1.5moa with Aguila SV and an aluminium thread protector.  (Groups get bigger with most muzzle devices).

CMMG also makes an M4 contour barrel I used to make a dedicated iron sight upper, but I think an optic only upper would be less expensive.

For less than that you can buy a 10/22 that will shoot 1moa.  I still enjoy the AR22 though.

Right to Bear Arms & Supply has the best prices I’ve seen on CMMG 22 LR parts and uppers.  Lothar Walther has started selling their 22 LR barrels on their web site.   The barrels are supposed to be the same as when Spike’s parterned with Lothar Walther several years ago.   The L/W barrels were a good value back in the day and might be worth consideration for a little more accurate barrel than CMMG.  The Lothar Walther current 22 LR barrels are set up to use CMMG bolts.

Nordic sells a dedicated 22 LR upper which get good reviews on accuracy.  The Nordic uses a bolt patterned after a Ruger 10/22 and is not compatiable with the Better Mag Adapter.

https://www.righttobear.com/22LR-parts-upgrades-accessories-s/1873.htm

I have one of these.  It's a dedicated 1:16 twist and it will do what you want for MOA. The bolt is based on 10/22 and feeds everything I've thrown at it. It does work with Black Dog mags

https://nordiccomp.com/categories/nc-22rb-upper/

Rebarrel it and send me your take off for my sbr. Cool? Cool.

Fwiw, I have a 16" on it right now. Dont remember the make, but maybe I can figure it out later. Shoots plenty well.

my tac sol AR22 upper is amazingly accurate. reliable too. not inexpensive but i think its well worth it.