Posted: 8/30/2012 5:16:37 PM EDT
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My 11yr old son has just started shooting .22 pistol in steel challenge. All he wants to do is shoot now but he is really small for his age so we are staying with .22's for now although he has shot a .223 AR and my .40 STI.
OK, here are my questions: I want to put together a .22 AR rifle but configure it very closely to a 3 gun type rifle with hopes of converting from .22 to .223 later if he still loves to shoot. I am thinking of getting a .22lr CMMG rifle (at least upper 18" WASP barrel) - any other suggestions? How does the Nordic compare to the CMMG? Does it matter what lower I get and what MFG I get? What trigger? I assume lowere will work without changes between the .22 and the .223? Which handguards/forearms? Which stock? What sights and or scope (mfg and mag power)? I would like to get the rifle to the point when I want to switch to a 3 gun .223 rifle that I just switch the upper and everything is same as it was when it had the .22 upper on it. This way of course everything is very much the same in handling characteristics yet when he shoots .22 the cost and noise is much less. I just don't want to waste buying components for the .22 set up that will not carry over to the .223 set up. Am I approaching this wrong in going from a .22lr to .223 in that I should buy a .223 3 gun and then put the CMMG .22lr upper on it? (I just don't think I have the budget to go this route as it basically forces me to buys 2 guns now). Thanks for any suggestions you can give me. Mike |
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Consider building a .223Rem upper from the start and drop in a .22LR conversion unit. I run a Ciener .22LR conversion in an old burned out 1:9 match barrel I chopped down with a hacksaw, and it shoots reliably and accurately enough for me... <2" @ 50 yards with bulk pack ammo. When he wants to upgrade, just give the barrel a good cleaning and you are off to the races. My only recommendation would be to stick with an A2 flash hider for the moment, as a muzzle brake will be prone to filling up with lead from the . 22LR ammo, and apply some RTV sealant around the charging handle to mitigate blowback that is common with .22LR AR15s.
Here is the chopped barrel on my registered SBR, and one of my better 5-shot groups at 50 yards with Federal Bulk Pack ammo: 
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