varmint/long range target, your recipe?

[texlurch]

So I am getting ready to get the parts for a varmint/target AR. Just curious what YOU would like in yours, and why.

Here is what I am looking at:

24" stainless A3, fluted, aluminum free float handguards

Stainless is said to be the best for accuracy, 24" will keep the velocity at it's highest possible, fluting will stiffen the barrel, and take off some of the nose weight (plus it looks cool). 1:8 gives me the most options so far as bullet weights. If it was going to be for max range only, I would rethink twist, but it has to do 100-500 or better, different grains.
Anyone familiar with ER Shaw barrels?

I am going with the ACE ARFX stock, length of pull fits me to a "T", and the cheek weld is just right

ERGO RH grip, for same reasons as above

2-stage trigger. I like them the best for slow, accurate shooting. I am getting the Rock River and will polish and tweak as needed.

Scope. This gets into different strokes for different folks. I like an AO scope, so I can get clear focus at varied range. For long range and my so-so eyes, there is no such thing as too much power.
I have a Simmons 8-32 x 44 AO I took off a 308. Was good on there so I think the low recoil .223 should suit it fine. Very clear optic.

I don't see any need for BUIS.

I plan on adding a Harris style bipod as well.

What do y'all think?

[turbothis]

i have yet to try my ruger .204. it goes boom!!! for a little bullet. it is only a new england single shot but at the price of bullets i like to reload every time.

[Jacobite]

Sounds like you got it down.
I built a 20 inch flat top with a 20 inch stainless 1 in 9 twist. Mine has a ER Shaw barrel. It took mine awhile to settle down as I don't think they finish the inside as much as some companys. I used aluiminum free float handguards and a RR two stage trigger. I am really happy with mine. I wish I would have saved a bit longer and used a chrome bolt carrier and bolt though. I think it would have put the finishing touches on it.

[texlurch]

Well, parts are on order. Will reply back on this post when I git-r-done.

Anyone use the mon-pod on the stock? Just toying around for bench rest use....

[cimmaronkid]

Sounds like you are there. However, the fluting doesn't strength the barrel (had to talk to several engineers) but allows more area for cooling which you will need it you go after prairie dogs. Good choice on the scope, but the mirage will run really heavy on hot days at max power, so be prepared to dial it down some. AO is a must have on a gun like this.

Shaw barrels would not be my first choice and with said, I use the hell out of them because after you send a couple of hundred rounds down the bore or fire lap the things, they shoot well. Fire lap the thing and save the ammo cost. 24" is also the way to go.

Mono-pod is good for the range where the target isn't moving and you can set it at one position. However, for me, in the field they don't work as well so I still tote around my little Hoppe's front rest and rear sandbag as the bag can be squeezed to change aiming position easier then fiddling with that round knob.

Trouble with the .223 round is the fact that you can't get some of the really nice VLD bullets into the case without limiting powder capacity. Really a shame as if they were seated properly, you couldn't put them in the mag.

Post some pictures as you build as I have the hots to do something like this as well.

[texlurch]

The ER Shaw was what comes with the base kit, and I am not going for competition, just plinking, so I figured I would give it a try.

I use bags at the bench normally, with my left hand under the stock. So I am thinking a mono pod may or may not give me a benefit. I am putting a Harris on the front tho, 'cause you just never know when you might want to pop something at 3-400 yds, and not have a bag handy...


It was a toss up between this or a Thompson parts kit. Since I can't build the Thompson like I would want, and I like to shoot, this won out for now.

[Geilt]

Cimmaronkid is right about the ER Shaw barrels not being as finely finished as other barrel makers . They do make a decent barrel, in fact they're a lot better than a junk you typically get with an AR kit. Fire lap or manually slug lap the barrel before you start shooting for accuracy. There are tight spots which will need to be evened before the barrel will settle down. Brownells and Midway USA both sell lapping kits. If you reload I would highly recommend the fire lapping kit (the actual manfacturer's name escapes me at the moment).

As for the stock monopod I don't think you're supposed to use them while shooting. They are meant to hold the weapon steady when you're at rest or otherwise not behind the trigger. This is based Accuracy International's information on their stocks which include a similar monopod. When varmint shooting you need to be able to swing the buttstock left and right to aquire new critters as they come in to view. I would think constantly having to manually adjust the height of the monopod each time you move would get tiresome.

[texlurch]

It wouldn't be for varmints, just bench rest

Never messed with lapping in a barrel; this will be one of my very few "new" guns. Guess I'll look into what is involved, although shooting is what I am building it for, so it may just have to shoot in.

Still need to do the same thing to my R22, it groups for crap.

[weasel_master]

I am thinking about getting a setup similar to the varminter Bushmaster offers. Probably just build it on my own. My dad's been wanting one so I figured I'd piece one together as I got time/money. He's leaning towards a Remington .204 now though so maybe that's out the door and I'll keep it for myself. Mind to say what you have into your kit so far?

[Geilt]

It wouldn't be for varmints, just bench rest

Never messed with lapping in a barrel; this will be one of my very few "new" guns. Guess I'll look into what is involved, although shooting is what I am building it for, so it may just have to shoot in.


Lapping a barrel, especially fire lapping, is a piece of cake. When you buy a fire lapping kit it should come with a series of bullets which have the lapping compound imbedded in the bullets themselves. Each series of bullets has a progressively finer grit compound.

You'll need to create each round using your loading press following a reduce powder charge but not overly reduced. You then shoot the rounds in each series with by a good barrel cleaning between each series. The cleaning is needed to remove any residual compound that may be left in the barrel. The first series should consist of approximately 10 rounds at the largest grit and then fewer in the following series. The final series of bullets is really more of a polishing than a lapping.

I think the kit runs in the neighborhood of $40. If you do decide to do it be sure to clean the heck of your bullet seating die as there will be minimal residue from the imbedded lapping compound left in it.

Not lapping an ER barrel isn't the end of the world. Eventually you will be able to break in the barrel by just shooting it enough. You'll probably never be able to break it in as well as a lapped barrel though. If you're going for the tightest groups possible you'll get better results with a lapped barrel.

Did you check the chamber to see how out of spec it is? ER's barrels typically have good chambers but they are not true match quality. Knowing the chamber dimensions will help you create the best possible rounds for that barrel.

Its all up to you. The bottom line is that you enjoy what you have and get trigger time.

[cimmaronkid]

Shaw cuts their chambers to almost the SAMMI max dimensions so that any ammo can be used in them which is not a problem with me as I reload everything and just neck size only. I notice that I get better groups with the neck sized cases as they have been fire formed to that chamber. Internal capacity is also raised a little. While not a true match barrel, I think they are damn good and the people there are very customer oriented. Only problem I have with them is that they are around 8 months backlogged for mounting barrels on bolt actions, so they must be doing something right.

[Geilt]

I am seriously considering a ER Shaw blued barrel with spiral fluting for one of my 10/22s. I've also heard they are really in to customer service. Definitely good people to work with.

[texlurch]

Well, I don't have a reloading set-up, so that is out the window. You can specify .223 or 5.56 chamber when you order. I went 5.56 since I shoot a lot of surplus.

If I get serious down the road, I may upgrade the barrel.

Haven't looked at it at all yet, since I just ordered it yesterday... !

[Jacobite]

Don't worry if you can't lap the barrel. My ER Shaw barrel on my AR settled in just shooting it. I didn't even do the shoot, clean, shoot, clean method. I just took it out and shoot the snot out of it and cleaned it when I got home each range session. That said Cabelas sells pre loaded fire lapping kits also.

[texlurch]

Parts kit arrived today (that was quick). Fit and finish on the upper look fine. The RR two stage feels "just right"
Have to get taller rings for the scope, and the fire lapping stuff should be here tomorrow from Cabelas.

Pics and range report soon.

[Jacobite]

I used a riser from Tapco instead of tall rings. It looks and feels more sturdy.

[texlurch]

I used a riser from Tapco instead of tall rings. It looks and feels more sturdy.


Yeah, I am not happy with the rings. Going to look at other options...

[weasel_master]

I've got a riser on mine as well. I like it better than the high rings.

[texlurch]

It seems like the scope needs to sit farther forward, to get proper eye relief...

Still in the fine tuning phase.

[Hoot]

While opinions about Millet Steel rings vary, I've had excellent experiences with them. They carry a Super High set specifically for an A3 flat top. Like the Rock of Gibraltar, I swear. Just picked them up Saturday. With the Bushnell Elite 4200 6-24X40, it's a perfect mate. Before the 4200 arrived, I had a longer eye relief (4 inch) scope I was playing with and could not get it far enough away from my eye to my satisfaction, without having the scope and rings way up front on the riser. Looked very odd and unstable. A shorter eye relief scope was all it took.

Rain has set in upon us and I haven't been able to get this rig out to the range yet. Forecast is for rain the entire week. I've got the "Monkey Bites" waiting to get out.

If you don't want to reload your fire-lapping bullets. They also sell ones already loaded, ready to shoot.

Hoot

[weasel_master]

Make sure you get some pictures up once you get it finished. I'm interested to see it.

[texlurch]

Took it to the range today; tired of waiting on the hot lapping rounds, so I just used the British surplus 62 g. I have. Then I forgot to take the new, off the shelf stuff. Oh, well!

Sent 60 rds. down range without any issues, need to change the scope mount to something a little more forward, eye relief is too close.

100 yds, 15-25 mph cross wind, did "ok" but needs more tuning. I think all 60 ended up in the 5" shoot-n-c anyhow... :)

The RR 2-stage is nice. Real clean break on it.


Put the pics in the picture thread....