Rock River Arms Upper .223 W/24" HB?

[kcofohio]

I've been kicking it around about getting a longer barrel in 223. I mentioned it to a guy I work with, and he asked if I'd be interested in a RRA upper chambered in .223. He specifically said it's not a 556 chamber. Searching on the web, I see no listing of .223 Rem, but I do see a lot in .223 Wylde. I'm looking to use a longer HB for at least 300 yds. target shooting, but there is the option to go out to 500. I forgot to ask what the twist rate is on it. I don't think he has used it. He is mostly into .338 Lapua and .204 Ruger.
How is the quality of Rock River Arms?
If it is a 1:12 twist, will a heavier bullet, say 55-62 gr., stabilize in a 24" barrel? Or does length not play any part in it?
TIA

 

[gotboostvr]

I've had good, but limited experiences with RRA.

A 55gr SHOULD be just fine in a 1:12 barrel, a 62gr might not.

 

[kcofohio]

I've had good, but limited experiences with RRA.

A 55gr SHOULD be just fine in a 1:12 barrel, a 62gr might not.

Thanks! From the web searches, there is only a slight chance of it being a 1:12 twist. And the owner never has talked about varmint hunting. I will find out tomorrow afternoon.
If it is a 1:8, that'll be a bonus. And the price is hard to pass on.

 

[Charlie98]

I find it unlikely a target barrel would be in 1:12 unless it was intended as a varmit barrel; even my lightweight RRA built upper barrel is 1:9. I would bet even money it's a .223 Wylde chamber, too.

My RRA upper has been stellar, I have about 5000 rounds through it and it's not had problem one.

 

[kcofohio]

I find it unlikely a target barrel would be in 1:12 unless it was intended as a varmit barrel; even my lightweight RRA built upper barrel is 1:9. I would bet even money it's a .223 Wylde chamber, too.

My RRA upper has been stellar, I have about 5000 rounds through it and it's not had problem one.

I got the upper Monday. I can't see a cartridge or twist marking on the barrel. The handguard screws in just in front of the upper receiver. The gas block prevents removal of the guard. Made up a quick gage (made out of brass) that attaches to a cleaning rod. Got a 1/2 rev. in 4". So I'm confident that it is a 1:8 twist.
The guy threw in a Leupold Rifleman 3-9x40 and a Nikon M223 scope mount for 1/2 the cost of new. Nice entry level scope, BTW.
Tuesday, I mounted it onto one of our carbine lowers, and off to the range I went. It shot well, I wish I would have, with a couple 5 shot 2" patterns @ 100 yds. I shot 30 reloads of 62 gr. FMJBT and 10 of Winchester 45 gr. Varmint rounds. No discernible difference in accuracy.
Now I see a need to build a good quality lower over the winter. The mil-spec trigger and collapsable stock showed they were the weak links.
Overall, I think I got a good deal, only paying half of what I would have for new everything.

 

[Charlie98]

My RRA barrel... and my Colt barrel for that matter.... are marked between the FSP and the muzzle..

 

[kcofohio]

My RRA barrel... and my Colt barrel for that matter.... are marked between the FSP and the muzzle..

Same with both Palmettos here. This upper has HBar (bull barrel?), approx. .900" O.D., with no threading at the muzzle. The face of the muzzle is a concave surface. A 12" knurled tube handguard with only the gas block exposed outside of the grip, on the barrel.

 

[Skylerbone]

What you have should be a Wilson air gauged 1:8 twist in .223 Wylde. That’s what RRA would have used for a bull barrel or varmint barrel. The NM would be threaded. They did offer their 24” barrels with a 1:12” so it is a possibility, and the handguard you have should be a Hogue free float.

Should be a very good shooter.

 

[kcofohio]

What you have should be a Wilson air gauged 1:8 twist in .223 Wylde. That’s what RRA would have used for a bull barrel or varmint barrel. The NM would be threaded. They did offer their 24” barrels with a 1:12” so it is a possibility, and the handguard you have should be a Hogue free float.

Should be a very good shooter.

Okay, thanks for the added info!
Looking forward to seeing how it will do with a customized lower.