I'm thinking AR

[muggsy]

I'm thinking of building an AR-15 as a winter project. I want to go as light as possible, but prefer a 16" H-Bar with a 1 in 9 twist. My intended use is informal target and occasional varmint shooting. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. I'm thinking a flat top receiver with optics. I'd also like to equip it with a bi-pod.

[joshh]

Why 1:9?
Ar's are pretty lightweight as is but a pencil barrel and small gas block will save you the most. Also could consider a free float fore with a carbon fiber hand guard. Ace stocks are pretty light and well built too
http://www.lancer-systems.com/Images/LCH_SPR.gif

[yqtszhj]

I agree with the H-bar for target and shooting accuracy. I have a full competition barrel on one and the lighter barrel on the other one. After 5 shots and a warm barrel the Heavier barrel still shoots straight. The lighter barrel starts to drift at 100 yards.

[les strat]

If you want light, it's hard to beat the Magpul MOE foregrip and adjustable stock. The slots in the foregrip keep it cool NS allow you to only puton the rails you need. And it is super light.

Definitley go flat top for using an optic.

Also, 1:7 will spin lighter bullets just fine and allow you to use heavier if ever needed. Just make sure your upper is for 5.56 so you can shoot that and .223.

[muggsy]

Why 1:9?
Ar's are pretty lightweight as is but a pencil barrel and small gas block will save you the most. Also could consider a free float fore with a carbon fiber hand guard. Ace stocks are pretty light and well built too
http://www.lancer-systems.com/Images/LCH_SPR.gif

I plan on using 55-62 gr. projectiles. A 1:9 twist is ideal for that bullet weight. A free float and carbon fiber hand guard is in the rough draft of my build sheet. I'm thinking a Magpul CTR adjustable stock. I haven't seen the Ace, but will check it out. Who made your flash hider and flared mag well?

[muggsy]

If you want light, it's hard to beat the Magpul MOE foregrip and adjustable stock. The slots in the foregrip keep it cool NS allow you to only puton the rails you need. And it is super light.

Definitley go flat top for using an optic.

Also, 1:7 will spin lighter bullets just fine and allow you to use heavier if ever needed. Just make sure your upper is for 5.56 so you can shoot that and .223.

Definitely the 5.56 the only way to fly. Wouldn't 1:7 be too much spin for the varmint type bullets? The 52 Gr. HPBT and 55 gr. SBT are what I use in my Sako .223 sporter.

[jdavis]

You will be fine with the H-Bar 1:9 twist for the bullets that you plan on using. I am using a DTI upper with a 1:9 H-Bar chrome molly barrel. I shoot 50-55 gr. varmint rounds with deadly results. I use 55 and 62 gr. rounds on the range. The 1:7 twist rate would work well for heavy bullets of 70 grs. or more, if that were your intended use. The MOE furniture is a great addition to an AR in both form and function. I used their black MOE furniture on mine but will use FDE if and when I do another build.

[les strat]

Definitely the 5.56 the only way to fly. Wouldn't 1:7 be too much spin for the varmint type bullets? The 52 Gr. HPBT and 55 gr. SBT are what I use in my Sako .223 sporter.

I mainly shoot 55gr in my Colt, and my groupings (with an unmagnified Eotech) are tight at 100 yds. It spins them fine. I imagine with a magnified scope, I could cloverleaf them easily. You could always do a compromise and go 1:8, which a lot of people are doing now.

[joshh]

I plan on using 55-62 gr. projectiles. A 1:9 twist is ideal for that bullet weight. A free float and carbon fiber hand guard is in the rough draft of my build sheet. I'm thinking a Magpul CTR adjustable stock. I haven't seen the Ace, but will check it out. Who made your flash hider and flared mag well?

thats actually just a pic i grabbed from the co that builds that handguard. i looked at it myself but was out of my budget. heres a pic of the ace stocks. a guy at my club built an ultralight carbine with the ace UL and a carbon tube handguard. i am not sure the barrel he used but it was fluted and very light. his rifle felt toy-like in your hands but it was solid and a pretty good shooter.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Lfq3GIB2XE/Ty7V2uI4GVI/AAAAAAAABxo/nN8kFQs1dJg/s1600/Imgp1946.jpg

[muggsy]

I mainly shoot 55gr in my Colt, and my groupings (with an unmagnified Eotech) are tight at 100 yds. It spins them fine. I imagine with a magnified scope, I could cloverleaf them easily. You could always do a compromise and go 1:8, which a lot of people are doing now.

Thank, Les, I'll take your suggestion into consideration. Everything in life seems to be a compromise. I wasn't aware that a 1:8 was available. From what I'm seeing, I've just scratched the AR surface.

[muggsy]

thats actually just a pic i grabbed from the co that builds that handguard. i looked at it myself but was out of my budget. heres a pic of the ace stocks. a guy at my club built an ultralight carbine with the ace UL and a carbon tube handguard. i am not sure the barrel he used but it was fluted and very light. his rifle felt toy-like in your hands but it was solid and a pretty good shooter.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Lfq3GIB2XE/Ty7V2uI4GVI/AAAAAAAABxo/nN8kFQs1dJg/s1600/Imgp1946.jpg

That'a a fine looking piece.