thinking about a varmint rifle, questions

[Andrew Tacquard]

I was considering building a varmint type with a 24" barrel. I built a RRA m-4 type and really like it. I thought about getting one of their varmint complete uppers instead of building it all. Any opinions?

[RMTactical]

Are you training with the Marines or FBI in Quantico or something?? Just curious.

Well, buying a complete upper suits some people just fine, esspecially if they aren't going to modify it much. I always assemble my own though.

I'm not a fan of the 24" barrel. I think it's a bit overkill, I'd much rather have the shorter/lighter 18-20" barrel.

[Andrew Tacquard]

Well I don't mind assembling the upper, as it ain't' hard. I don't plan on doing anything to it, but adding a scope. I was looking for info on how well the Wilson barrels shoot.

I was in Quantico (Marine Corps). I need to update my profile, now Cherry Point (Harrier pilot).

[JellyBelly]

I'm thinking about a varmint-style AR as well. I'll either be going for the RRA matched upper & lower or the same by Les Baer, then building my gun around it.

Les Baer sells an AR with a 30 inch barrel!

I've yet to hear anything bad about Wilson's barrels. I'm thinking about getting a Kreiger (http://www.kriegerbarrels.com/) barrel for the faster twists they offer. Wilson's (http://www.wilsonarms.com/) site is under construction so I don't yet know what they offer.

[DJ Niner]

More info here:
http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=444074

I have a 24" AR I built for hunting/varminting with a Bushmaster National Match chrome-lined heavy barrel. It shoots under 1 MOA out to 200 yards, and the last couple of 5-shot groups at 300 averaged 1 MOA. I've seen/heard that most Bushmaster Varminters will do as well or better.

I almost bought the Rock River Arms varmint upper, but decided I really didn't like the looks of the stainless barrel on a matte-finish weapon, and a bull barrel was more than I wanted to carry while hunting fur animals on foot. They apparently shoot very well.

[Jim in MI]

Lots of things to consider with a varmint AR

twist 1-8,1-9,1-7

Barrel length, stainless or not

Raised rail on upper

Fluted barrel

I would get a 20", but that is just me.

[USMC79to83]

"Shooting Times" Magazine just had an article about AR's and long-range accuracy (November 2005). The RRA Varmint faired very well in their tests. This may be the best value.

Here's some more info:

http://www.glocktalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=445833

Just to mix things up..

Bravo Company sells a "custom" barreled upper in SAM-R (Squad Advanced Marksman - Rifle) style using the Wilson barrel and a number of other brand-name parts. I have no experience with these folks, but it's an interesting option.

http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/CustomBuiltBarreledUppers.html