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Posted: 9/24/2011 9:04:24 PM EDT
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I've had a dedicated .22 AR up and running for a couple of years now, and am considering some barrel work. However, I'm uncertain of the feasibility of the approach that I'd like to take.
My rifle is built around a KKF 20" A2 profile barrel with a railed gas block. The barrel is .222" and has a twist rate of 1/16", with a 5.56mm chamber. I use a standard Ciener conversion unit that drops into the chamber. The barrel is free-floated, and while I have not shot it for groups, it has no problems staying on miniature plastic army men 50 yards out. However, I'm coming to the conclusion that I would like this rifle even more (and it's already my favorite) if it weighed less. At the same time, I'd like to add an accessory or two, but would still prefer for the full-up weight with accessories to be at least a little bit lighter than it is now without a them. To accomplish this, it appears that I have several options: 1) Ditch the gas block and turn the barrel down to pencil length. This option appears to be the simplest and least risky, which is very tempting. However, it also removes the least weight from the rifle. 2) Ditch the gas block, turn the barrel to pencil length, and cut it to 18". As I see it this can be accomplished in two ways: A) Remove additional length from muzzle end. Again, this method does not seem very risky, as I image most professional gunsmiths can pull this off. B) Remove additional length from chamber end. I have read in the past about shooters shortening barrels with worn throats from the chamber end, and reclaiming barrel life. While I know that throat erosion is almost certainly a joke in .22lr, my bullets do have a huge freebore before they hit rifling, which I've always heard limits accuracy. I love the accuracy of this rifle, but if I'm going to knock two inches off of the barrel, is it feasible, and does it make sense to take it from the chamber end? If such a surgery were successful, I would like a dedicated .22lr chamber in the barrel, if I could get it. Otherwise, I would be happy to have my existing Ceiner kit modified to fit. Which of these options make the most sense to you? ' |
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Get a new upper. I will IM re: the your KKF.
The true dedicated ought some improvement, though KKF we thought make. .22 barrels get no real wear, especially in a KKF one; the wear will be from the insert, so doing barrel is a waste on to time. A CMMG bolt and Beyer barrel with a true (chamber) will variable on weight and length. |
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I agree, Clint Beyer's Barrel will drastically drop the weight and set up for a CMMG Conversion
will be totally Kick Ass Accurate.... Best 25 yard group I've shot is 0.025 CTC, 5 shot group, Works great with most ammo, most groups at that range are around 1/4" or less. The CMMG Conversion in a dedicated upper is super reliable.. The above was accomplished with a 16" M4 Profile... CMMG offers this build as an option. Good Luck.... Dave S |
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I have a 16" KKF upper/barrel with a float tube and rail gas block which I really like. For the money you would spend on cutting down the barrel you could buy a new upper or build an upper using a 16" barrel from CMMG. I just purchased a new upper from CMMG and found I couldn't build a new upper for the price I could buy a new upper. Considering I have BRD it was no problem for me to buy another upper however I did use a CMMG 22 conversion bolt I already had. I switched out the chamber insert for the CMMG barrel collar and it has worked perfect since I took the upper out of the box.
CMMG currently is building a 16" , 18" and 20" barrel/ uppers dedicated for 22 rimfire. For the price and features it would be hard for me to go any other route than CMMG. I really like the 16" barrel length in AR's and particularly in 22 rimfire. |
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