DMR build

[badkarmamib]

I guess I get bored easily, and am a sucker for good deals. Primary Arms has Anderson closed-ear lowers for $30. PSA has their mil-spec lower build kit for $70 shipped. Both are on their way.

I have a middy "patrol carbine" already. Red dot, flashlight, collapsible stock, so on. I want to build something for 150 yards. I am thinking of ditching the furniture in the build kit, and going Magpul fixed stock and Ergo deluxe grip, and polishing the trigger myself (again, sucker for cheaper).

Now the upper. BCG, charging handle, and stripped upper will be boring. Deals on mil-spec will dictate. Planning on some kind of stainless, 20", rifle gas. Some kind of 15" free-float tube that can accommodate a bipod. Muzzle break.

This will all be as budget allows, per SWMBO, and I am not the Lamborghini and French cuisine type. Also, have built an AR pistol from bare parts, so assembly is no issue for me. What I am looking for is ideas for cosmetics, glass, and hardware. Stuff like Midwest Industries rails and Leupold glass are awesome, but more than I need to spend for MOA hits within 200 yards. At the other end, NcStar is not going to give me durability. I am thinking Bushnell or Primary Arms for glass. Barrel, don't know. Really want to keep the barrel under $200, under $150 would be even better. UTG has some nice-LOOKING rails, but not sure about stability. Nuff boring, what suggestions do you have of what works well on a budget? TIA.

 

[ZGunner]

When I built a budget gun sort of like that a while back, I landed on a Faxon 18” Gunner. http://faxonfirearms.com/18-gunner-5-56-nato-rifle-length-4150-qpq/
I seem to remember getting it on sale, but don’t remember how much. I’m happy with the barrel, i could almost even stand a little more weight to it. However, my guns usually get carried through the woods and over obstacles, so this length and weight have been perfect.

The rail I went with was a little-known brand (don’t even remember) I found on Aimsurplus for $99. But it was 15” and M-lok, which is what I was looking for.

If I were building it today I would look very hard at Aero Precision. I’ve just finished an M5 build and am extremely impressed with the quality of parts. Aero rails can be had for around $130 regular price. I wouldn’t hesitate to source any parts from them at this point in time.

 

[badkarmamib]

When I first started thinking about this, a Faxon barrel was the first part I thought of. There are a couple of threads here, on Faxon barrels, that are making me want to see if they need to make some QA adjustments. But, I have not ruled them out yet.

 

[adcoch1]

I built an 18" faxon barreled upper for my brother a few months ago, and it was shooting .75 moa from the get go. I think they have something figured out right... But mine is a sample of one so ymmv....

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I built a DMR, but got carried away a little. Went with a side charger, 18” barrel and 17” rail. I did get a different scope mount.

 

[badkarmamib]

@GunnyUSMC I have just about settled on the Vortex Crossfire 2-7 for mine. How would you rate it? Comparable to Bushnell or Nikon at the same price point? I understand that the Crossfire is Vortex's budget offering, and I am not familiar with the premium (Zeiss, Swarovski) glass, so I guess I am simply asking, are you pleased with it?

 

[GunnyUSMC]

@GunnyUSMC I have just about settled on the Vortex Crossfire 2-7 for mine. How would you rate it? Comparable to Bushnell or Nikon at the same price point? I understand that the Crossfire is Vortex's budget offering, and I am not familiar with the premium (Zeiss, Swarovski) glass, so I guess I am simply asking, are you pleased with it?

I really like it. It’s better then the Bushnell and pretty much on par with the Nikon. Watch Primary Arms. They put the Crossfire on sale with a free mount about every other month.

 

[ZGunner]

I like that Burris PEPR mount. I have it on my RPR, its a pretty robust piece. What rail to you have there, Gunny?

If you are looking at Vortex, don’t forget they have very good discounts for military and veterans... that is, if that applies to you.

 

[HB]

Cheap optics are a waste of time. Everything else sounds good. I put a close out “zombie green” hogue float tube on mine. Cut off the neon green rubber off the tube and its just a tube.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

I like that Burris PEPR mount. I have it on my RPR, its a pretty robust piece. What rail to you have there, Gunny?

If you are looking at Vortex, don’t forget they have very good discounts for military and veterans... that is, if that applies to you.

I don't remember the Band. I got it from Delta Team Tactical.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

When I first started thinking about this, a Faxon barrel was the first part I thought of. There are a couple of threads here, on Faxon barrels, that are making me want to see if they need to make some QA adjustments. But, I have not ruled them out yet.

Primary Arms just put a Failzero BCG and a Bear Creek Arsenal 18" .223 Wylde 1:7 Mid-Length SOCOM Barrel - Straight Flutes - Stainless Steel for $159. That's like getting the barrel for free.
http://www.primaryarms.com/failzero...rm=SLOT_3&utm_campaign=18_07_Ad_29_Ammo_Happy

 

[badkarmamib]

Primary Arms just put a Failzero BCG and a Bear Creek Arsenal 18" .223 Wylde 1:7 Mid-Length SOCOM Barrel - Straight Flutes - Stainless Steel for $159. That's like getting the barrel for free.
http://www.primaryarms.com/failzero...rm=SLOT_3&utm_campaign=18_07_Ad_29_Ammo_Happy

I had also looked at Bear Creek barrels, since they can be had for half the price of a Faxon. However, after digging into reviews, it looked like Bear Creek is literally half "Best barrel in the world, .5" groups", and half "complete crap, chatter marks, can't keep it on paper at 50 yards". Not sure I am willing to take the chance of falling into the latter camp.