First service competition AR (posted on other boards)

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Binny

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Jul 27, 2007
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Minneapolis, MN
Looking for some thoughts experiences with service competition ARs.

1. I don't plan on making any purchase for at least a couple of months, probably spring at the earliest.

2. During that time I will be saving my money (college kid, it's a premium), speaking with other shooter, playing with whatever equipment they will let me, and working with my .22 religiously.


Here are the options as I see them as of right now taking into account my projected budget (<1100):

1. Complete RRA NM w/ trigger tuned by John Hollinger

2. WOA upper w/ RRA NM lower w/ trigger tuned by John Hollinger

3. Complete Bushmaster DCM (w/ or w/o RRA tuned trigger?)

4. Complete Armalite NM (w/ or w/o RRA tuned trigger?)

5. Used versions of any of the above

6. Piece together MY rifle from the best new/used parts


The questions associated w/ the options:

1. Is there a clear cut "best" option in terms of accuracy or quality of production? Or are the differences negligible enough to warrant certain ones be "equal"?

2. If I go used, what do I need to watch out for (I am new to shooting and the AR)?

3. What is an "acceptable" round count for a used barrel?

4. Should a let the unknowns about the '08 election impact my decision?

5. Will I regret beginning this obsession? (j/k, I already do while planning my budget, but I don't care)

Thanks for any advice in advance, and I am in no hurry to purchase, so I will be mulling over these for quite some time, give me something to chew on. And sorry about all the numbering.
 
As far as a used upper, anything over say 1500 rds, and I'd expect to get a pretty good deal on. Button rifled barrels are good to about 4000-6000rds and cut rifled barrels (Kreiger) are good to about 8000 for competition purposes. I'd strongly recommend a 1:7" twist and would not even consider a 1:9".

It's not hard to build an excellent shooting AR. I'd go with RRA, White Oak, Compass Lake, or build it yourself. The AR isn't like an M14 which takes a master craftsman to build up.

Ty
 
#1-4 are all good options. The two stage trigger in the Bushmaster is a problem area, if you decide to go that route I'd replace it with at least an RRA two stage.

If I had $1100 to spend, it'd go something like:
Stripped lower (RRA, DPMS, Stag, don't matter) - ~$100-150.
Lower parts kit and A2 buttstock - ~$100 (and sell the stock trigger group on Arfcom's EE or EBay or something)
Holliger tuned RRA trigger - $120
White Oak Armament CMP Upper with pinned sights - $750

That'll put you right at $1000, maybe a little over depending on where you shop, and you'll have an honest to goodness, no holds barred AR service rifle that'll take you as far as you can go. You'll have no reason to doubt your equipment.
 
Don't forget ammo. You'd hate to get a nice rifle and have no $$$ for ammo.

Based upon that, your budget may in fact be lower.

Check with the local shooters to see if there are any rifles for sale.

Personally, I'm going to get a RRA upper to mate with one of my existing lowers.

And, for what it's worth, I'd really consider the effects of the political climate (read: ban) for November.
 
Thanks guys.

Adventurer_96: I have considered much of what you've stated.

I am playing around with the idea of building a plain Jane A2, w/ Stag lower and two stage RRA trigger. I am a new shooter, so does that sound like something acceptable (not the greatest) to work up my skills on? That would leave more $$$ for ammo and all the other equip I am gonna end up needing, and club fees (all the good ranges in my area require membership).

And the whole Nov. '08 thing... ugh. If I could use all my college loan money to stock up, I would.
 
Binny,

Save the money and get the rifle you'll be competitive with in the first place. Spending money on lesser alternatives will only get you frustrated. This applies to ALL of your shooting gear, not just your rifle and ammo.

Now, don't read that to say that you have to buy the most expensive, "bestest" every time, but get good, solid stuff. Of the options you listed, I'd either get a straight RRA NM rifle, a straight Armalite NM rifle, or do the RRA lower/WOA upper option. Either of the three will get you where you need to be. And I doubt you'll have to have the Armalite's trigger replaced with a tuned RRA, at least at first.

Round counts on used stuff? 30Cal has given you good advice on that.

Oh, and ammo is going to be a big problem. You'll almost HAVE to reload to shoot much. You can try practicing with ball-type ammo at first, maybe, but your skills may improve beyond the accuracy of that kind of ammo quickly. Do you really want to be questioning the ammo for that 9 you knew was a 10?
 
Go with the RR,I have one as a back up and it is just fine right out of the box.If you have some extra cash send it to White Oak for a tune up. You could also try High Preformance International bout $1500 for Mikes rifles,the best.As far as shooting I use Black Hills reman. Blue box 75gr.You could start by shooting the reduced course match and use 55gr. Most important,have FUN.
Paul
 
I may be able to get a very attractive deal on a new Armalite NM A4. Is this a gun I can work may way up with as a newb? Only downside is a may have to act fast in getting the deal done.
 
The problem with the A4 is the sights. The detachable carry handle sights will not adjust high enough for the 600 yard line.
 
Bushmaster used to sell their DCM model at a very attractive price to members of an "accredited" rifle club. Check at your local club and see it this is still the case. If so, they are a very good choice. If you hand load you can use the Sierra 69 gr. bullet very well to 300...........use the 80 gr for the 600. Enjoy the sport.
 
I'll look into the club deals. Problem with that is, I have to do some shopping around as to which club to join. In the Minneapolis area, we have several clubs that are HP focused and have 600 yrd and plus ranges. It's a nice problem to have. There is a CMP focused club, but they have a smaller range. Decisions decisions.
 
HP and CMP are basically the same game. You will find there are more service rifles than match rifles in NRA matches any way.

Shoot the full length course. Its good to start out at a reduced course to get the hang of the sport but shooting the full 600 yards is where its at. Find the clubs web pages and send an email inquiring about getting started. I am the POC at our club and welcome those types of emails. I wished I got more of them.
 
Another thing you should consider, browse around on the high power boards for used stuff. A guy just sold a killer service rifle (RRA lower, Geissele trigger, White Oak upper with pinned sights, Hart 1:7, blah, blah, blah) for like $900 on Nationalmatch.us

High power guys ain't gonna sell you junk, most times it's left overs when they upgrade and especially in the case of some service rifle shooters, they may sell their service rifle gear after they've legged out/made High Master/P100/etc. or can't see a post sight anymore and transitioned over to a match rifle.
 
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