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Posted: 10/12/2015 7:44:46 PM EDT
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I know the times I've seen this asked before, the answer is always that it's cheaper to buy an upper than to build (built at cost then find a good deal vs me building at retail prices, etc.) but what about an 18" upper?
I don't know much about all of the clones and stuff, but what I'm looking for is a rifle length gas system with an 18" barrel I can use to hunt deer and also for defensive use. My last (and only) AR was a RRA 20" which I liked a lot (really accurate), but I think if I go with a free-floated 18" barrel I could get the accuracy I'm after and still have a little handier platform. The lower I built is a PSA classic with the collapsible buttstock. Any thoughts? |
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I guess it all depends on if you wanna wait for deals on specific parts, vs finding a vendor with a complete upper on sale- me personally I build my lowers and buy complete bcm uppers. As far as accuracy, the length of the barrel is not gonna matter at all, there are plenty of 14.5" barrels much more accurate than some 20" barrels. It's all gonna be about the quality of that specific barrel, length is only gonna guarantee a higher velocity. |
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1) you don't need 18" for hunting deer and other medium sized game, it's just extra weight.
2) You don't need an 18" for self defense, it's unnecessary weight and bulk. For hunting, humping into the field, get a pencil barrel. With a lightweight FF handguard. And a lightweight scope and scope mount. No reason to drag a 10 lb varmint rifle around. Here's a "good" hunting .223: 
.625 gas block mid length 16" stainless 1:7 twist barrel, 12" lightweight handguard, lightweight 3-9x40 scope. The whole barreled upper with handguard is 2lbs, 13oz with no special lightweight parts. Has a FA and DC. You don't need/want a thick barrel for hunting, because groups opening up faster as the barrel heats up is moot, unless you plan on dumping mag after mag after mag in rapid fire at the Deer. And for likely SD ranges that heavy barrel heat effect doesn't matter either. Dump 4 mags thru this rifle in rapid fire and it'll still shoot a kill zone out to a few hundred yards. So that's my wordy ass thought-stream on that. Only go >16" for these purposes if you're looking to do something like pop prairie dogs at 400 all day. These are the same principles ppl use for bolt action hunting rifles. You don't hump a bench rest rifle into the hills. |
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