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Posted: 1/6/2015 12:03:08 AM EDT
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I picked up a couple lowers from PSA on black Friday, and after some consideration, I decided to build a long range oriented SPR type AR15. This is not intended to be a Mk12 clone. My specifications for an SPR are pretty straight forward, 18" barrel with 1/7 or 1/8 twist, rifle length gas system, magnified optic, free floated hand guards, muzzle brake with the ability to host a suppressor, and an enhanced trigger.
I decided on a Faxon Firearms 5.56 1/8 gov't profile barrel. I don't know much about these barrels, but it fit all my specifications, and I liked that they are nitride finished instead of chrome lined. The muzzle brake is a SilencerCo Specwar trifecta which not only excels at reducing recoil, but will also act as a nice host for the SilencerCo Specwar 5.56 I'm currently waiting on (no hurry, ATF...). The hand guards are what I was most undecided about. I originally wanted the PRI or KAC hand guards that the MK 12 uses, but I found there are better hand guards available for much less money. I was leaning towards a modular tube that allowed for rails to be custom mounted, but eventually decided on Midwest Industries T-series free float rails. They are good value for money, and fit my specifications. Since weight isn't a primary concern on an SPR, like it is a carbine, I prefer to have the rails available, even if I don't use them. And they just work. It didn't require a lot of reading to determine that Geissele is where I wanted to look for an upgraded trigger. Since this is my first non mil-spec trigger, I went with the Geissele G2S which offers similar performance to the SSA for a lower price. If I ever want to upgrade to the SSA, or SSA-E, it will be easy to just move the G2S to another AR. I am a big fan of Nikon optics, as I feel they offer a great product for the price. So it was easy to choose the Nikon M-223 3-12x42SF with a Nikon mount. The BDC reticle is designed for a 55gr .223 bullet, but it's better to think of the drop marks as reference points in my opinion. I will mostly be shooting 69-77 gr match loads, but Nikon makes it easy to adjust, by offering a ballistic calculator with BDC references on their website. I went with an A2 stock, as I feel it will balance out the rifle better, especially when using a suppressor. I also prefer the A2 stock for prone shooting. The upper is still attached to a 16" barrel that I haven't decided what to do with yet, but will be mounted on my 18" barrel and FF rails as soon as I receive my gas tube. I will update the thread as I put everything together and shoot it, but my goals are simple, sub MOA 5 rd groups at 100 yards, and repeatable hits on a man sized target at 500 yards. I feel that is the niche the SPR fits into best, and am building this rifle for that role. Before: 
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Nice! I am a mk12 guy, and love SPRs. Brownell's has a G2S-E (SSA-E without the laser markings) for much cheaper than the pretty trigger, and I can highly recommend it. Getting an SSA isn't an upgrade from a G2S, per se, and there is no difference in performance. |
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Nice! I am a mk12 guy, and love SPRs. Brownell's has a G2S-E (SSA-E without the laser markings) for much cheaper than the pretty trigger, and I can highly recommend it. Getting an SSA isn't an upgrade from a G2S, per se, and there is no difference in performance. I wasn't aware of the G2S-E, I got a pretty good deal on my G2S from primary arms. I'll look into the G2S-E if I want more though. |
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Damn sexy. I am considering an A2 swap on my DD MK12. The collapsible is nice but I agree that the A2 fits the bill better. Did you rockset your brake? Thanks. I'm happy I went with the A2 stock, I find it very comfortable. Collapsible stocks are nice for storage, but I usually have them extended all the way while shooting anyway. Yes I did put some rockset on the brake, need a solid mount for the can. A couple more pics: 
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Just checking since my SAKER didn't come with any (but my 51T did). I put the Saker on my AR pistol to help the blast baffle. Will rockset everything once it arrives.
I have no clue why DD doesn't have a fixed stock on the MK12. Their collapsible is nice but its not as comfortable when prone. Post pics of her groupings. You breaking her in with M262 or are you hand loading. My cheap ass went to the range with some bulk green tips lol. |
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Just checking since my SAKER didn't come with any (but my 51T did). I put the Saker on my AR pistol to help the blast baffle. Will rockset everything once it arrives. I have no clue why DD doesn't have a fixed stock on the MK12. Their collapsible is nice but its not as comfortable when prone. Post pics of her groupings. You breaking her in with M262 or are you hand loading. My cheap ass went to the range with some bulk green tips lol. I've only been able to shoot steel so far, but I'm hoping to get some groups this week sometime. I plan to shoot Wolf gold 55 gr, PPU 69 gr, CBC 77gr, and SSA 77gr. You should have sold the M855 on the EE for some SMK, they demand a premium now lol. |
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I've only been able to shoot steel so far, but I'm hoping to get some groups this week sometime. I plan to shoot Wolf gold 55 gr, PPU 69 gr, CBC 77gr, and SSA 77gr. Quoted:
Quoted:
Just checking since my SAKER didn't come with any (but my 51T did). I put the Saker on my AR pistol to help the blast baffle. Will rockset everything once it arrives. I have no clue why DD doesn't have a fixed stock on the MK12. Their collapsible is nice but its not as comfortable when prone. Post pics of her groupings. You breaking her in with M262 or are you hand loading. My cheap ass went to the range with some bulk green tips lol. I've only been able to shoot steel so far, but I'm hoping to get some groups this week sometime. I plan to shoot Wolf gold 55 gr, PPU 69 gr, CBC 77gr, and SSA 77gr. Let me know how that CBC works out. I saw some on lucky gunner and am tempted to buy a ton of it. I believe its a 77gn SMK just like the M262. .50 cents a round ain't bad compared to the Black Hills asking price. |
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Let me know how that CBC works out. I saw some on lucky gunner and am tempted to buy a ton of it. I believe its a 77gn SMK just like the M262. .50 cents a round ain't bad compared to the Black Hills asking price. Went to the range today. Shooting five 5 rd groups, my average with CBC 77gr was 1.439 MOA, and with PPU 69gr was 1.14 MOA. This was my first time shooting groups with a two stage trigger, so I feel like I can do better with practice. 
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We just saved all your photos to brag about your rifle! Thank you for choosing us and its a real pleasure to be on such a nice piece of kit. Let us know if you need anything and we will always be here to support you. |
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We just saved all your photos to brag about your rifle! Thank you for choosing us and its a real pleasure to be on such a nice piece of kit. Let us know if you need anything and we will always be here to support you. Thanks! I look forward to getting some more groups together. |
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Nikon scopes are awesome because you can use the free nikon spot-on technology ballistic calculator online. I have the P-223 scope on my 18" rifle gas system SPR build and all you have to do is input your load into the calculator (they have a huge library) and then you have it made. I can hit at 500 yards (range limit) so easily I feel like I am cheating. Nice looking rifle though for sure.
Oh and word to the wise, PPU "match" ammo is the worst stuff I have used for sure, green tip shoots tighter groups, at least for me. |
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