This is topic AR-15: A2 or A3 Flat Top? in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-14-2008, 12:35 PM:
 
I've decided to get mine before the Big Potato gets his claws on the Constitution.

I've got a line on the lower receiver which is the only FFL part of the gun. Trigger parts, stock and action parts are fairly academic. I'm still deciding on what kind of barrel to use. But, before I decide on the barrel, I have to decide on the upper receiver configuration.

I really don't want a super-custom, revved up, futuristic unit that looks like something out of "The Terminator." I want to stay close to the "classic" design of the AR-15. I've narrowed it down to the A2 or the A3 (Flat Top) design.

The A2 is the classic M-16 style with the ramp front sight and the carry handle on top. The Flat Top is very similar but it takes off the handle and replaces it with a Picatinny accessory rail.

I'm leaning toward the A3 Flat Top but I was wondering if anybody had opinions.

I've already got a couple of 7.62mm/.308 cal units so I was thinking I should get this new one in .223 as is the usual case. Anybody got any opinions on caliber?

Yes, I know many people believe that .223 cal is an "underpowered" round. I'm not going to use this as a primary defense weapon. I've got plenty of those. This is going to be, primarily, a target shooter or a hobby gun.
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 11-14-2008, 11:50 PM:
 
A .223 rifle round is underpowered? It works a hell of a lot better than most handgun rounds. Unless you have to bring down a 12 point buck, or an elk, or perhaps a moose.

As far as rifles go, I'd rather get a really good quality single shot, bolt action hunting rifle. My father has a Winchester Model 70 .300 Magnum. It's very accurate. I'm not very fond of shooting it over the kick.

Regarding what the new incoming federal administration will do, it seems that drafting new gun laws (such as reinstating the assault weapons ban or limiting the capacity of handguns) would be down the list of priorities compared to other issues that need more immediate action.

I have no plans on buying an assault rifle since they're generally not nearly as accurate as a well made hunting rifle. My concern on gun legislation centers more on things like conceal carry permits.

I would probably already be well on the way to having my carry permit (or have it already), but I've been trying to get some sort of "schedule" together where a couple of friends could take the class the same day. One of my closest friends is general manager of a major higher quality chain restaurant. He doesn't get very many Saturdays or Sundays off. And the gun dealers and ranges around here don't hold conceal carry classes every week like clockwork either. Nevertheless, we agree we're going to need to get the classwork done ASAP or risk not having the permit at all.

With times getting tougher, robberies and other various crimes are going to be on the rise. Crystal-meth used to be the illegal drug of choice here in Lawton -when users could still make it themselves. The murder of OHP trooper Nik Green on 12/26/2003 not very far from Lawton gave way to laws in Oklahoma and then many other states limiting the sale of pseudoephedrine. Drug addicts can't get their meth so easily. As a result, crack cocaine has been making a comeback. And so have the brazenly stupid acts of criminal mayhem some crack addicts will resort to in order to get money for their next hit. I'm not getting dragged out of my truck and knifed by some base-head for his next hit. He's going to be Mister Bulletcatcher instead.
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-15-2008, 01:00 AM:
 
I have a nice single shot rifle that'll shoot the flies off a cow's ass 100 yds. out. I also have a Ruger 10-22 that I rebuilt from an old receiver and it will shot 10 shots into a group as big as a dime from 50 yds. I've got a .54 cal. Thompson Center flintlock and several other items, too numerous to list.

I've been wanting to get an AR-15 for a while. They are good guns to tinker with. If you are careful about your work, you can build an AR-15 that's as accurate as a man can shoot.

I like to shoot NRA silhouettes. With my Ruger 10-22, I can shoot 20 out of 40 targets. I expect a well built AR-15 to do at least as well but, instead of being confined to ranges of 50-100 yds., it should be able to do it at 200 yds. or more. I have seen videos of guys using AR-15s to reliably peg targets, 18" in diameter from distances of 500 yds. or more.

Granted, an AR-15 is no benchrest gun. I want something that shoots well from the offhand position that I can work on and build up the way I like. I've been looking at ARs for a couple of years, now... Right after I finished the 10-22.

If I wanted real accuracy I'd go for a benchrest gun in 6 mm PPC.

In terms of protection, I'm not worried. I have what I need to do the job if it ever comes down to it. I keep Tactical Tupperware in the nightstand and, should I need to carry something for protection outside the home, I have at least 3 pieces of hardware to choose from.

I hunt, occasionally, and protection is important too but, for the most part I like shooting as a sport for its own sake. There's something satisfying about building up a gun and getting it to shoot just the way you like then taking it out to the range (or the "south forty") and seeing how well you can shoot with it.
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 11-15-2008, 01:31 AM:
 
For customizing a rifle, do you have access to a machine shop for creating custom parts? Some folks can use such access to alter a semi-auto device to where it can illegally waste a hell of a lot of ammo very very fast.

What sort of "tactical tupperware" do you use? Glocks are very popular -although I don't like the grip angle on them.

I have a Springfield Armory XD-40 as my piece of Tupperware (intended for carry purposes). I'm interested in the Heckler and Koch HK-45c as a better choice. I don't have a .45 right now and that could fill the void in the collection. My father is trying to sell me on one of his friend's $5000 NCO .45 pistols. I just don't feel like spending $5000 on a pistol. I'm probably only going to shoot pop bottles, cans and paper targets with the thing.

For home defense, I like my "highway patrol" special: the SigSauer P226 chambered in .357 Sig. Picatinny rail and tritium night sights. I have a .40 S&W barrel for it to use for plinking purposes. The .357 round is freaking LOUD. I would really hate to have to fire that thing indoors.

And that brings up another thing regarding gun laws. Oklahoma is one of a good number of states where it is legal to own a handgun fitted with a suppressor. The HK-45 and HK-45c can be bought with threaded barrels ready for a suppressor. SigSauer has a P220 Tactical ready for the same thing. It's just a pain in the ass to go through all the paperwork and pay the extra fees to legally own a handgun suppressor.
 

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Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 11-15-2008, 01:21 PM:
 
Randy -

You've only got about 2 billion different combinations possible for your AR, so good luck and have fun with it! My opinion is you want a free floating barrel and a two stage trigger. I also like the A3. For what it sounds like you want to do, I would definitely stick with .223, unless you have a lot of wind in your area. You can make a very nice 400-600 yd rifle with a .223 and your wallet and shoulder will thank you later. Twist rate seems to make a good deal of difference, but the thing about the AR-15 is (as with many things) you can find about a million different opinions on what to go with. The nice thing about what you're doing is that parts are relatively cheap, so if you're not happy with something, you can literally make it an entirely different gun for a hundred bucks. When you get to building your AR-10, however, things will get more expensive. When in doubt, look at what Barrett does on their rifles. They are, in my opinion, the best.

I love my Ruger 10-22 as well. That thing is just crazy accurate.
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-15-2008, 02:22 PM:
 

quote: Bobby Henderson

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What sort of "tactical tupperware" do you use? Glocks are very popular -although I don't like the grip angle on them.

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Glock 19. 9mm.
The grip is not 100% my faveorite either but, from 25 ft. away, I can put 10 shots inside a circle as big as a coffee can lid.

12 Ga. shotgun loaded w/ tactical buckshot under the bed.

The stated procedure in this house in case of "emergency" is to retreat up the stairs to the bedroom and close the door. Hunker down behind the bed, get said Tupperware from night stand and lay the shotgun across the bed. Pick up the phone and call 9-1-1.

If anybody comes through that door without knocking first, pull the trigger.

Though I don't have access to a machine shop directly, I can have things machined if I need to. I'm really not into full-auto machine guns. They're fun to play with for a while but I wouldn't want to own one. Like you said... Waste of perfectly good ammo. I just wouldn't want to modify the AR-15 for full-auto. Not only would I not want to take the risk, I'm just not interested in doing it.

I think I'm leaning toward the A3.
Thanks for the advice on the freefloat barrel. I did that on the 10-22 but I wouldn't have thought of it for the AR-15.

I'm not afraid of a .308/7.62mm. Yes, I wouldn't want to fire one all day long but I've got no problem shooting them. I have one. I use it occasionally but, as you say, the expense of ammo is important to consider.

If this project ever gets finished... and what project like this EVER gets finised?... Maybe I can shoot a couple of videos: "AR-15 vs. Xenon Bulb."

(Anybody want to donate an old xenon to the cause? )
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-16-2008, 02:44 AM:
 

quote: Randy Stankey

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(Anybody want to donate an old xenon to the cause? )

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At the end of the month, I can have a good dozen 2k bulbs that needs to be put to rest...lol
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-16-2008, 01:12 PM:
 
Hmmm...
I could do a series:

Xenon vs. .177 cal. RWS Diana Air Rifle.
Xenon vs. .22 cal. Ruger 10-22.
Xenon vs. .223 cal. Ruger Mini-14.
Xenon vs. .30-06 ca. Remmington Deer Rifle.
Xenon vs. .308 cal. FN-FAL.
Xenon vs. .54 cal. Thompson/Center Renegade Flintlock.

We could make some real bang-up videos! Literally!

How much do you think the postage would be?
 

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Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 11-16-2008, 09:57 PM:
 
I'll donate my Remington 870 for use in that video (the "don't even have to aim" segment).

I too love the Ruger 10-22. And the High Standard Victor. As mentioned above, very accurate, very nice.
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-16-2008, 11:06 PM:
 
How about a xenon bulb shoot?

Collect up a whole bunch of bulbs and stand them up at the 50 yd. backstop and charge people a five bucks to shoot at them.

 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-17-2008, 02:55 AM:
 

quote: Randy Stankey

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How much do you think the postage would be?

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I've got a few big Christie boxes that 9 bulbs are shipped in, which includes the packing foam.

I would say, to be safe, 40 bucks UPS ground...and I take paypal.

..PM me if interested. Thx again, Randy

Yet, what is kinda odd is that no matter what shot you take at these things - either with that .177 "BB" gun, or that .54cal "fire stick", they gonna pop real pretty....and no "blue bulbs" either.

I even still have an LTI that I'll send to you. Them things are NASTY when they pop due to the thickened quartz and higher pressure in the envelope.

Really if you wanna make some horrible noise, is find a way to hook up a rectifier to them, ignite then and when they are white hot, take a poke at them. Get that pressure built up in them

-Monte
 

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Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 11-17-2008, 03:04 PM:
 
Randy -

What accessories are you considering?
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-17-2008, 09:52 PM:
 
Chad,

I was thinking of just a red dot sight. Maybe one of those holographic ones.

I have a 3-10X scope on the 10-22. For silhouettes, that's a bit under power. I was toying with the idea of buying a new one for the 10-22 and putting the old one on the AR-15.

It's a mil-dot reticle. Would be perfect for range and windage estimation on the AR. That's what they were designed for. It has parallax set for 100+ yards so it's a bit difficult to shoot if you are shooting from 50 yds. However, since the AR is a 100+ yard gun, it would be more suited for the job.

Then I could get a higher power scope for the 10-22 that has an adjustable objective and target knobs for range adjustment.

Monte;

I'll be sending you an message in the next couple days.

BTW: I've got a way to make some noise!
Ever heard of what happens when you mix ammonium nitrate and zirconium perchlorate and stir briskly with a bullet?
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-18-2008, 12:55 AM:
 

quote: Randy Stankey

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ammonium nitrate and zirconium perchlorate

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..sounds like you wanna create a easy passageway to China though the center of the earth...
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-19-2008, 11:31 AM:
 
Oh... Just small containers! Like a 20 oz. soda bottle full. Most of the time they are even smaller than that. Probably doesn't even come out to 1/2 pound of material.

You set up 5 paper targets. The last one has the bottle behind it.
You start shooting the targets in order from left to right. Start the stopwatch at the sound of the first shot. Stop the timer when you hear the "KABOOM!" from the last target being hit. The guy with the shortest time wins.

You dare not play this game at any distance shorter than 100 yds!
 

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Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 11-19-2008, 07:09 PM:
 
Don't know if you're considering adding lights or not, but I really like Surefire's vertical forearm. I think they call it millennium. The on/off for the light runs along the sides of the vertical tube making it super easy to use. It's slick.

Also, be a little careful if you go with extendable butt stocks. Some of the springs/buffers that go in them get compromised with the shorter length.
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-19-2008, 08:35 PM:
 
I think I'd like to stay with a more traditional stock.
I don't think a buffer spring or an extension tube is a bad thing but it's just one more thing to go wrong. If there are adjustable stocks that are adjusted and screwed down tight so they'll stay put I might like that. I've seen a few that have sliding extension tubes and all sorts of strange contraptions in them. I don't think I care for those.

A traditional style stock in polymer or fiberglass, etc., would be okay by me if it's got a good recoil pad on it.
(C'Mon... It's .233 cal. It doesn't kick that much! )

Haven't thought much about a light.
The gun club I shoot at has a dawn-to-dusk rule. I wouldn't have much call to shoot at night. But, if the picatinny rail can have an adaptor for a MagLite that might be good if I'm ever in a pinch.
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-19-2008, 08:38 PM:
 

quote: Randy Stankey

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C'Mon... It's .233 cal. It doesn't kick that much

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Yea, it's a .22 on steriods They're a fun little gun to shoot rockchucks with.
 

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Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 12-01-2008, 06:03 PM:
 
I shot a DPMS last week that I had shot when it was newish and now was shooting again after the owner put a Rock River 2-stage trigger on. It made all the difference in the world.

Randy - I'm mad at you. Since you started this topic I keep thinking about getting an AR-10. I've wanted a .308 for awhile, but couldn't justify the cost. I was going to get a Remington 700, but now that you're building your own AR-15, I keep going back to wanting a semi-auto. Prices are shooting up!

Anyone have a semi-auto .308 (7.62) they love?
 

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Posted by Tristan Lane (Member # 1169) on 12-01-2008, 08:18 PM:
 
Ahhhh rifles.

Browning BAR .308 is probably the finest semi-auto .308 I've shot. Very little recoil, and I found the open sights to be accurate. The only fault I could find is that it was more of a showy hunting rifle (I know that is what it was designed for). It had high gloss bluing that I felt I always had to be careful not to smudge or scratch.

Regardless of the negative stuff I hear about the Carbon 15, I still want one. I love the feel of it.... I may change my mind once I shoot one.

Chad, I used to shoot with a guy who had changeable uppers and barrels for his Bushmaster. He had a .22 caliber and .308 caliber uppers for it in addition to the standard .223. It seemed to work well with any of the three.

I'm also a fan of Browning's A-bolt bolt action rifles. Currently, my only .223 is a Stevens 200. It's an okay gun, based on the Savage 110 action with a cheaper stock, but I don't see a reason to hold onto it for much longer.

The most satisfaction I've gotten from a gun is also from the 10/22. It just can't be beat! Don't shoot blazer ammo through it or it will stovepipe like hell. Remington is the only thing I buy now.
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 12-01-2008, 10:06 PM:
 

quote: Tristan Lane

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The most satisfaction I've gotten from a gun is also from the 10/22. It just can't be beat! Don't shoot blazer ammo through it or it will stovepipe like hell. Remington is the only thing I buy now.

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Take out the steel bolt buffer and replace it with a polymer one. It will take some of the force out of the bolt sliding backward and hitting the rear of the receiver.

Replace the spring with a progressively wound extra power spring.
That will also take some of the force out of the bolt.

Do not shoot "Stingers" out of a Bentz chambered barrel. They are just a hair longer than standard and will eventually destory the chamber and the rifling at the throat. If you're target shooting hi-velocity ammo is not what you want, anyway. You want accuracy over speed/power.

Don't shoot cheap ammo. Sorry, Remmington, I have never found any "Thunderbolt" or "Golden Bullet" or virtually any Remmington rimfire ammo to shoot well. It always leaves the gun dirty.
Some of their centerfire is good. Just not the rimfire.

Finally, keep the action clean.
A lot of guys don't like to clean rimfires because they say a nominal amount of fouling improves accuracy. But that doesn't mean you can't keep the action clean. A clean action is key to keeping a semiauto rimfire working well.

If I do all these things I can go 1,000 rounds or more before I have to do a through cleaning. I just wipe out the action and clean the outside of the gun and it will be fine.
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-01-2008, 11:06 PM:
 
...and I bet even FG would clean guns real well also...
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 12-02-2008, 10:37 AM:
 
Y'Know, I've thought of that!

The only thing I wonder about is whether the parafin oil will cause the action to stick if it gets cold.

There are a lot of gun cleaners out there that work okay in the warm weather but are HELL on guns when it gets cold. The stuff gets cold and turns to jelly, thus freezing up the gun's action.

I also wonder about whether it will attract dirt and burned powder residue.

BTW: Do NOT use FG in a muzzle loader!
You do not want to use petroleum based products in contact with black powder. You'll foul the shit out of the gun and cause a whole lot of other problems. The use of petroleum products in muzzle loaders is probably one of the chief reason why the unwashed masses think they are unreliable.
The pioneers never used petroleum to clean their guns. They used soap and hot water to clean them and lard or "bear grease" to lube them.
 

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Posted by Tristan Lane (Member # 1169) on 12-02-2008, 01:44 PM:
 
Randy,

I've replaced the bolt buffer, and also use a Volquartzen stainless match barrel.

I've had the opposite experience with Remington rimfire. It always seems to perform the best. I admit that it's a little dirty, but it fouled less than the CCI blazer ammo I was using previously.

Stingers and Velocitors are fun for varmiting

(sorry for contributing to thread drift.... )
 

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Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 12-02-2008, 03:48 PM:
 
Off-topic...but can any of yous recommend a good snub-nosed .38 cal?
 

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Posted by Tristan Lane (Member # 1169) on 12-02-2008, 05:37 PM:
 
Smith and Wesson 642 Airweight 1.87 inch barrel.


 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 12-02-2008, 07:40 PM:
 
I like the Smith & Wesson 686 Plus a bit more than the 642. It costs more. The cylinder holds 7 shots in either .38 Special +P or .357 Magnum.

Here is a beautiful photo of the 686p wearing some custom wood grips. Photo is by Ken Lunde. That guy has one hell of a pistol collection. Lots of great pistol photos at his web page.

The 340PD is a smaller .357 snubbie. Very nice carry pistol. But pricey.

Here is the product page on the 686p at the Smith & Wesson web site.
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-03-2008, 03:41 AM:
 
Who made the "Dirty Harry" pistol and wasn't that a .454 calibre?
 

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Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 12-03-2008, 12:40 PM:
 
The classic Dirty Harry pistol is the Smith & Wesson model 29 .44 magnum with 6.5" barrel and blued finish.
Linky Linky
 

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Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 12-03-2008, 01:13 PM:
 

quote: Phil Hill

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Off-topic...but can any of yous recommend a good snub-nosed .38 cal?

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quote: Chad Souder

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Anyone shot the shorter 7.62 x 39

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Does Browning make a BAR chambered for that? My only experience with that Caliber is the SKS variety.... Unimpressed for the most part.

I thought about getting a Ruger mini 30 to shoot, because that ammo is so abundant.
 

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Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 12-03-2008, 04:01 PM:
 
The Mini 30 is what I was looking at. I have a hard time making up my mind.
 

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Posted by Tristan Lane (Member # 1169) on 12-03-2008, 04:19 PM:
 
The rifle itself is fantastic. It has the classic M1 action, but I would lean more towards a Mini-14 unless you plan on hunting larger game.
 

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Posted by Todd McCracken (Member # 4718) on 12-03-2008, 06:34 PM:
 
I loved my mini-30, but the clips not so much.
 

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Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 12-08-2008, 11:24 AM:
 
Tristan -

You win. I order a Browning BAR .308 today. I'll admit, I'm pretty jacked. Now to start looking into ammo...
 

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Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 12-27-2008, 01:25 PM:
 
Bought a Mini-14 target at a gun show this morning. .223 ammo is getting hard to come by. I may have to seriously consider getting into reloading.
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 12-27-2008, 10:58 PM:
 
Have you tried looking at Midway?

www.midwayusa.com

If you still don't like the ammo prices/availability, they've also got all the goods on reloading.

I have only ever reloaded shotgun shells, not rifle ammo.
 

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Posted by Tristan Lane (Member # 1169) on 12-28-2008, 03:54 PM:
 
I've always liked Cabela's Pricing on ammo. If you purchase 250 rounds, they send it in a dry box.

[URL=http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602007-cat20839&rid=&indexId=cat20839&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=1&parentType=index&parentId=cat2 0839&id=0022901]Cabela's .223 remington[/URL]

Chad, Good to hear! Hopefully you are impressed with the rifle.
 

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Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 12-28-2008, 08:19 PM:
 
I like the prices, but everything is back ordered!
 

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Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 11-08-2009, 11:31 AM:
 
So Randy, did you ever build your AR? I've actually bought 3 rifles since the start of this thread. The Browning BAR in a .308 I mentioned, a mini-14 and a bolt action .308.

On a side note, anyone get any good hunting in this fall? I took a smaller buck last week with my bow. He should make for some good eating. Our locker has a new teriaki flavored stick they make that I'm very excited to try. Now the tree stand is down until late-muzzle loader season. I don't have a black powder gun, but we can use handgun here during that season so I have my Super Blackhawk .44 which is pretty much my favorite revolver ever. Next week is pheasant hunting with the guys once the corn gets in. The dog knows it's time. Anyone else a fall hunter?
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-08-2009, 12:57 PM:
 
I've got the lower unit all built.

It's a Smith and Wesson M&P-15 receiver. DPMS lower parts kit. A DPMS Mil-Spec buffer kit. (Mil-Spec buffer tube, spring and standard buffer weight.) An A-2 standard butt stock and a pair of NHMTG 20-round magazines. (The ones with the green followers.)

It's all assembled and ready to go. I just need the upper unit and I'll be ready to hit the range.

The lower receiver is the serial-numbered part. That's the "hard" part to get because it's the piece that's regulated by the BATF. All the rest of the parts can be bought anywhere.
I think I'm going to buy a complete upper assembly rather than try to assemble one from parts.

The lower assembly is easy to build. You can pretty much do it on the dining room table. (As long as the wife isn't home! ) In order to assemble the upper unit, you need to affix the barrel and get it aligned and timed to the action. You also need to guage the headspace and set it correctly. Although these are things I can figure out how to do, I don't have all the tools and guages necessary to do the job efficiently. The cost of the tools would negate any savings achieved by building it myself.

I still haven't entirely decided on what to do for the upper. I'm either going to buy a barreled upper receiver and install the bolt carrier group, charging handle and forward assist button myself or else I'm going to bite the bullet and buy a complete upper unit.

One contender for the upper is from Rock River Arms: http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=270

I'm looking at a couple more choices for uppers but I haven't fully decided.

Regardless of the choice of manufacturer, I definitely like the .233 cal. "Wylde" chamber. It is capable of firing civilian .223 cal. civilian ammo as well as NATO 5.56mm military ammo. If you went with either the .223 or the 5.56 chamber you could have some potential problems. The 5.56 doesn't fire .223 as accurately as it should and, if you put NATO ammo into a .223 civilian chambered rifle, you could have some potentially dangerous overpressure situations on your hands.
The "Wylde" chamber has different dimensions on the shoulder of the cartridge to allow both NATO and .223 ammo to fire safely and accurately.

For the optics, I think I'll pull the scope off my Ruger 10/22 and mount that on the AR. It's a Sightron Mil-Dot, 3-9 power scope. It's parallax is factory set for 100 yds. That is more suited to the AR-15 than the Ruger. As much as I THOUGHT I would do 100 yd shooting with the Ruger, I mostly shoot between 50 and 75 yards. I think it would be better to get an adjustable objective scope for the Ruger and put the Mil-Dot scope on the AR. Aside from being a better choice, I think it will be more cost effective too.

Yeah, this whole project was coming along real nice until I had that damned bicycle accident! That stupid shit sidelined a whole bunch of things I was hoping to do over the summer. Once all that bullshit gets cleared up I can get back on track with building this rifle.

I am 90% physically healed up. I still have occasional brain farts from the concussion. They are becoming less frequent but they are still there. The doctors say it could be several months before they go completely away.

I'm hoping to be done with this project after Christmas or by the New Year.

Hunting...

I got a .54 cal. muzzle loader last year I've been itching to take out and shoot a deer with. It's a Thompson/Center renegade.
I was practicing with it a few times. I can hit a CD from 50 yards, offhand, pretty regularly. That's plenty accurate to shoot dinner with. If I can brace the gun, I'll be able to shoot even smaller groups.

I was hoping to go out and shoot a deer with it last year but Melanie's mother got sick and we spent a whole week visiting her in the hospital every day and nursing her back to health at home.

Shit! When am I ever going to get a break?
 

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