Talked to a buddy yesterday wanting an accurate, longer barreled AR in .223 for prairie dogs and coyotes. Wants accuracy out to 400 yds.

I'm a short barreled AR guy...all I know. I have experience with accurate bolt guns, but my AR knowledge is with 16" light weight guns. My LWRC is accurate but he wants a long barrel.


I know Remington makes a varmint AR.

What's out there with a 24" or longer barrel, heavy barrel?

Budget?

There is a Sig M400 Predator in the classifieds that looks like a good one, 18” though.

http://www.predatortechnologygroup.com Seem to get good reviews.

The two I know of right off the bat. I'm sure there are others. I would go with at least a heavy barrel contour.

I currently have a 24" PSA but it is more a A2 style contour (thin under hand guards). Not enough meat for real varmint accurcy after the barrel starts to heat up. Works OK for coyotes but not enough for prairie dogs. Smaller targets more frequent shots.

Compass Lake Engineering offers AR varmint uppers with up to 26" barrels.

Rock River Arms offers AR 24" varmint rifles complete or just uppers



http://www.compasslake.com/ind...h=25&products_id=136

https://www.rockriverarms.com/...A29C4A4E905B.cfusion

White Oak Armament has some very accurate 24 and 26 inch uppers in .223.

https://www.whiteoakarmament.c.../varmint-uppers.html

You are going to have to ping the long range guys on this one.

If you don't mind my asking, why 24" for 400 yards?

Stag offers 24" stainless steel barrels.

As noted above, Compass Lake and White Oak make very accurate uppers, and rifles. The uppers and rifles from Wilson Combat will be very close to these two in accuracy. The Larue rifles that I've shot will be in the same league.

Building your own AR is option. A quality receiver set, a decent BCG, crisp trigger break, and a first rate barrel. My Krieger AR barrels produce outstanding accuracy.

IMO "out to 400 yards" means a bunch of 200-350 yard shots. A 24" barrel isn't necessary for good AR ballistics out to 400 yards. Sure, the additional barrel length will produce some additional MV, thereby decreasing drop and drift. My 20" Krieger shoots only slightly slower than my 24" (can't recall the barrel manufacturer now), with the ballistics difference in the 300-400 yard ballpark being immaterial.

The requirements are NOT mine. They are my Buddies. He has deep pockets, and wants....What he wants. He wants something with a 24-26 inch heavy barrel, with good accuracy.

Thanks for the information so far....I'll get on the sites and see what they offer.

Tried to talk him into an 18 or 20 inch DMR type with a good trigger. But he wants a long barrel, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:

http://www.compasslake.com/ind...h=25&products_id=136

They stock Kreiger, Bartlien barrels. They are very easy to work with. Send them some stuff, upper/lower....or send them nothing and build on their stuff.

Lots of guys around me have JP AR's, all very accurate.

Have your pal look at uppers and assembled rifles -- very few will have barrels over 20" or 22". There's a reason for that.

I have AR-15 uppers with barrel lengths of 12, 14.5, 16, 18, 20, and 24. And an AR-10 at 26". The 18" and 20" AR-15 uppers are for competition, and have the capabilities of chipmunk-sized targets, not just prairie dogs.

I've shot with those who value their own financial wealth over the experience-related wealth of others. Best of luck.

quote:

Originally posted by offgrid:

quote:

Originally posted by Jelly:

http://www.compasslake.com/ind...h=25&products_id=136

They stock Kreiger, Bartlien barrels. They are very easy to work with. Send them some stuff, upper/lower....or send them nothing and build on their stuff.

Lots of guys around me have JP AR's, all very accurate.

Thanks Offgrid/Fritz.

I think that will be a good option for him. He can opt for whatever he wishes.

FN

I'll recommend a Rock River Varminter.

Until it was stolen, I owned a 24" RRA Varminter with the Elevated Optical Platform (EOP) in 1-12" twist. I got it specifically for shooting my favorite varmint handload, and it would easily do 3 shots under half MOA and keep 10 shots in an inch. The 24-inch barrel allowed every bit of velocity out of the load. The only option I got (other than the EOP) was the ACE skeleton stock. The standard RRA triggers are good. I miss that rifle...

I'll edit to add that they are now available with a 1-8" twist if your friend wants to go to heavier bullets, which probably isn't necessary for his stated needs/goals.

I would suggest a home built upper featuring a Gibbz Arms Side Charging G4 upper with the enlarged ejection port. Add a 24 inch Shilen barrel in 223 Wylde to that and he will have a rifle that is as accurate as can be in a semi.

BTW this statement is based on my own home build featuring the Gibbz G4 and a 20 inch Shilen barrel in 223 Wylde with 1:8 rifling. In my case I am seeing sub 3/10 at 100 yards for 3 shot groups using front and rear rests. BTW, the two loads producing this accuracy featured a 60 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip and a 68 grain Hornady BTHP Match. For 400 yards loads about the only viable option I see is a 77 grain or heavier bullet and it will take a bit of testing to determine a length that fits within a magazine and feeds well in his rifle. I will also note that for optimum accuracy he should he planning on working up his own loads and I will say based on my experience that Varget is the most accurate rifle powder I've used in 223.

BTW, my recommendation should provide for at least 450 yards of supersonic with even moderate powder charges but maintaining that potential requires the use of longer ballistically efficient bullets. Meaning 77 grain or even heavier bullets which may reduce case capacity for powder.

I've got a brand new/unfired 24" Stainless Steel bull barreled .223 by DPMS. Has free float front end, and std lower and A2 stock. I was going to put it up for sale soon. I don't believe they make these any more. I had another a few yrs ago and it would shoot very very small groups at 100 yds. Email me at clawsonbob928 at gmail dot com if you want pics or more info. I will make him a hard to beat deal as well......I have waaaay too many long guns.



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Colt CR6724 fits the bill. 1 in 9 twist for lightweight varmint bullets.

Bruce