Posted: 1/16/2015 2:39:18 PM EDT
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I had decided to build a SPR type AR15 but now I'm second guessing the decision. I already have a .223 bolt gun set up for longer range(for my area that is around 400yds)and was starting to think if I really need a SA SPR. What do you guys think? I was going to go all out on the SPR and use quality parts, but maybe I should just build something more basic with my money and just stick with the bolt gun for the longer range stuff.
ETA. the bolt gun is a Rem 700 .223 with a timney trigger and Nikon scope. Primary use is varmint hunting and plinking. AR would also be chambered the same for cheaper cost of shooting. |
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I built a SPR and feel the Rem 700 is basically worthless once you have a simi auto that will do near the same accuracy.
I built a 20 1/2'' bull barrel that I machined the barrel down to about 13/16'' to help with weight. It is the most accurate gun I own and about the only bad thing is the heavy weight if I wanted to change it's role to a carry rifle. As a specific .223 bipod rifle it is unbeatable and a lot of fun to shoot. |
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I kind of came here to post something similar, but I don't have the bolt gun yet. I've been trying to decide between the SPR and an off-the-shelf bolt gun.
Since I already have several parts towards another AR, I'm kind of leaning that direction. It seems with a good barrel, the AR's can hang pretty well with the bolt guns. I personally don't think I'd really have a need for both, in the .223/5.56 platform. I'd probably end up only shooting one or the other. I think I'd rather have the bolt gun in a larger caliber. |
Surplus Ammo & Arms upper & lower Black Hole Weaponry 18" 1:8 5.56 rifle length gas HBAR barrel Midwest SS15G2 handguard Surplus Ammo & Arms gas tube, lo-pro gas block, flash hider & crush washer, charging handle, forward assist & dust cover Palmetto State M16 bolt carrier group Palmetto State MOE lower build kit (sold the MOE stock and replaced it with the ACS-L as pictured) Geissele SSA-E trigger I'm into the rifle itself for less than $1100 and it has shown enough 3/4 MOA 5-shot groups with my Mk262 clone load to give me confidence in its raw accuracy potential - I think most times, I am the limiting factor and not the rifle. That said, I shoot my 223 Ackley bolt gun about 4x more than I shoot the FrankenSPR. The Ackley is more accurate, has less recoil (it does weigh 3lb+ more), shoots 80s @ 2950fps, and I don't lose brass which may or may not be an issue for others. In the end, there are pros and cons to both platforms - I say GET BOTH but obviously each person's needs/wants/desires/budget is different. |
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What's the twist rate in your bolt gun? Most of the shelf bolt .223s I've seen were 1-9 or slower and don't handle the heavy bullets well. A well built high-end bolt gun will outshoot a well built high-end semi. However with .223, I don't think you'd benefit from the accuracy difference quite so much because the wind will have a much greater effect on the bullet.
My vote: sell the bolt gun to put into optics or higher quality components into the SPR. I sold mine to get a spare barrel once my current one is shot out. |
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I have had two 1:9 Savages that shot the Hornady 75gr HPBT very well, half MOA at 100 & 200 yards and easily making hits on a 8" round plate at 650 yards (assuming I didn't screw up the wind call).
One 1:9 barrel shot the 75gr A-Max well too even though it "shouldn't have", putting 10 shots into about 1.6" at 200 yards and the other barrel was a hair under 1" @ 100 yards using the same load (ie. untailored) from the first barrel. This was at 500' ASL elevation too, BTW. |
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Remember that the SPR was a band-aid to fill a niche.
once the mk11 got online, the mk12 was redundant. it filled the void left when the m21 was retired, that of a semi-auto "sniper" rifle. the 7.62x51 will always outperform 5.56x45 
that being said, spr's are a blast, and a buddy of mine shot a dude @ 600yds with one. didn't DRT, they followed the blood trail to where he bled out. |
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Quoted:
Remember that the SPR was a band-aid to fill a niche. once the mk11 got online, the mk12 was redundant. it filled the void left when the m21 was retired, that of a semi-auto "sniper" rifle. the 7.62x51 will always outperform 5.56x45
that being said, spr's are a blast, and a buddy of mine shot a dude @ 600yds with one. didn't DRT, they followed the blood trail to where he bled out. Very correct. They took our M21's away and give us M24's. 5th SFGA wasn't happy. We wanted a semi auto 7.62mm and they said "No, your not going to get one" So, we envisioned a match upper for our M4A1s. After others SF groups/Rangers/SEALs got on board and we all agreed on the specs NAS Crane started building them. Then the ask "Do you want just an upper or complete rifle?" (as they had bunch old M16A1 lowers) That's how it got change from "Special Purpose Receiver" to "Special Purpose Rifle". I was one of the testers. Now I work in support of Crane and Mk12s have been retired. I'm engaging targets with 14.5" using irons or ACOGs out to 500yds. SPRs should reach out to further out if you read the wind correctly. CD |
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Here's what I have so far.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_16_4/1190_New_build__18_JP_Supermatch__jp_trigger_.html Working on a 77 gr load now. Txl |