Time for my first Black Gun

[cyberlogicx]

Since moving to the great free state of NH, I've replaced all my 10 round mags with 12-15 rounders, and am almost done with my evil Saiga 12 conversion and now I have my sights set on the obligatory AR. My question is, as never having built a gun from the ground up, should I buy a prebuilt RAA/Yankee Hill 6.8SPC and replace parts as I go along to my liking, or should I just start out with a stripped lower and go from there? Any input would be appreciated!

 

[Rob Boudrie]

If it's your first black gun, you may wish to consider a .223/556 as a starting point due to the lower cost of ammo and readily available supply of brass. If you are rich, or plan on use that does not involve many shots, a 6.8SPC will offer better performance, but at a non-trivial co$t.

If you go with .223/5.56, you can add a 6.8SPC upper later.

As to build or parts - it really depends on how many parts you plan on replacing. I would avoid buying a gun if the plan is to replace the major components. If you add doodads, that's one thing, but if "replacing parts" included rebarrelling, replacing a conventional handguard with a free float one, etc. you'll be better off starting with what you want.

 

[dwarven1]

He should get a Red Jacket Saiga conversion, just to piss off all the Internet cowboys on NES who can't stand the TV show. That'd be a twofer - gets a great gun AND pisses off busybodies at the same time!

 

[lupis42]

If it's your first black gun, you may wish to consider a .223/556 as a starting point due to the lower cost of ammo and readily available supply of brass. If you are rich, or plan on use that does not involve many shots, a 6.8SPC will offer better performance, but at a non-trivial co$t.

If you go with .223/5.56, you can add a 6.8SPC upper later.

As to build or parts - it really depends on how many parts you plan on replacing. I would avoid buying a gun if the plan is to replace the major components. If you add doodads, that's one thing, but if "replacing parts" included rebarrelling, replacing a conventional handguard with a free float one, etc. you'll be better off starting with what you want.

Not to mention the greatly increased array of prebuilt and partially prebuilt options - you can pick up a completed lower and build the upper, or vice versa, you can find barreled uppers and fit your choice of handguard, sights, bolt, &c.

 

[lupis42]

He should get a Red Jacket Saiga conversion, just to piss off all the Internet cowboys on NES who can't stand the TV show. That'd be a twofer - gets a great gun AND pisses off busybodies at the same time!

I've got an RJF Saiga - I've got to say, TV show notwithstanding, their day to day work is excellent.

 

[joshh]

+1 on building a 5.56 1st. you can always build other cal uppers later but 5.56 is way to go for all purpose. i ordered a massified complete midlength from spikes tactical and couldnt be happier with it but i do plan on building my own carbine soon. these guns are simple enough and there is a ton of instruction out there for building your own. now that i am more familiar with the platform i have no worries about building my own and am in the early stages of planning it now. so far ive decided on carbine with a spikes punisher lower and thats it. i havent decided on a caliber yet but i keep coming back to 5.56. i eventually wanna build a midlength free floated upper in 6.8 for the lower i already have. if you do decide to build the ar, take a look at spikes, spec for spec their quality is top notch, especially for the price. good luck to you.

 

[Admin]

He should get a Red Jacket Saiga conversion, just to piss off all the Internet cowboys on NES who can't stand the TV show. That'd be a twofer - gets a great gun AND pisses off busybodies at the same time!

Are you trying to start a s-storm or being a smarta$$?

 

[cyberlogicx]

If it's your first black gun, you may wish to consider a .223/556 as a starting point due to the lower cost of ammo and readily available supply of brass. If you are rich, or plan on use that does not involve many shots, a 6.8SPC will offer better performance, but at a non-trivial co$t.

If you go with .223/5.56, you can add a 6.8SPC upper later.

As to build or parts - it really depends on how many parts you plan on replacing. I would avoid buying a gun if the plan is to replace the major components. If you add doodads, that's one thing, but if "replacing parts" included rebarrelling, replacing a conventional handguard with a free float one, etc. you'll be better off starting with what you want.

The cost of ammo doesn't bother me, and I do plan on hand loading in the very near future, and I really like the ballistics of the 6.8 round. I do love to tinker so I think I will buy a pre built and go from there. thanks for your input!

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[PaulD]

The cost of ammo doesn't bother me, and I do plan on hand loading in the very near future, and I really like the ballistics of the 6.8 round. I do love to tinker so I think I will buy a pre built and go from there. thanks for your input!

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Not that I'm any expert, but the ballistics of 6.5 Grendel seem to be better at longer ranges, if that interests you. I wish either would catch on to the point where ammo (or even brass) wasn't so expensive.

Anyway, if you're going after something like that, I think it makes sense to custom build the upper. If you don't want to build it yourself, there's plenty of places that will let you pick and choose your parts and they'll build it for you. I wouldn't go off the rack for that.

I'd still want a 5.56 upper also.

 

[dwarven1]

He should get a Red Jacket Saiga conversion, just to piss off all the Internet cowboys on NES who can't stand the TV show. That'd be a twofer - gets a great gun AND pisses off busybodies at the same time!

Are you trying to start a s-storm or being a smarta$$?

Just being a smarta$$, Derek. Although Lupis really likes his RJ conversion so it should be a viable option.

 

[cyberlogicx]

Not that I'm any expert, but the ballistics of 6.5 Grendel seem to be better at longer ranges, if that interests you. I wish either would catch on to the point where ammo (or even brass) wasn't so expensive.

Anyway, if you're going after something like that, I think it makes sense to custom build the upper. If you don't want to build it yourself, there's plenty of places that will let you pick and choose your parts and they'll build it for you. I wouldn't go off the rack for that.

I'd still want a 5.56 upper also.

Thanks, but I'll keep my 600m+ shooting for the .338 LM that I also plan on getting. I think the 6.8 is what I really want.

 

[ChevyGuy91]

If I may, why the 6.8?

When I stop being lazy and SBR one of my lowers, I plan on doing a 300BLK upper along with a 556. Same mags, same bolt, pretty awesome numbers out of short barrels.

 

[cyberlogicx]

If I may, why the 6.8?

When I stop being lazy and SBR one of my lowers, I plan on doing a 300BLK upper along with a 556. Same mags, same bolt, pretty awesome numbers out of short barrels.

I just really like the round, and everyone and their cousin has a 5.56. Plus, COD fanboys have no idea what it is

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[ChevyGuy91]

I just really like the round, and everyone and their cousin has a 5.56. Plus, COD fanboys have no idea what it is

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That's not true, I have an ACR that is 6.8SPC and I PWN n00bs 4L.

 

[Harkes2k]

That's not true, I have an ACR that is 6.8SPC and I PWN n00bs 4L.

hahahahaha thissssssss

 

[flintoid]

I just really like the round, and everyone and their cousin has a 5.56. Plus, COD fanboys have no idea what it is

That's fanboi 7.62x39 AK Talk Right There.

 

[drgrant]

The cost of ammo doesn't bother me

Everyone says this until it comes time to feed the beast. Guns you can't afford to feed will get used less, which sucks. Course, in saying that, I have no idea of your usage patterns. For example, I know a few guys that have .50 BMG rifles that are happy bringing them out twice a year. I couldn't be that guy- and that rifle would be wasting space in my safe.

If you intend to load for it I would almost plan on doing that in paralell to your gun build. Also keep in mind that you'll need a bunch of crap for rifle reloading that isn't necessary for pistols, eg, case trimmer, etc.... and case prep can be a huge time sink without the right equipment.

-Mike

 

[cyberlogicx]

Everyone says this until it comes time to feed the beast. Guns you can't afford to feed will get used less, which sucks. Course, in saying that, I have no idea of your usage patterns. For example, I know a few guys that have .50 BMG rifles that are happy bringing them out twice a year. I couldn't be that guy- and that rifle would be wasting space in my safe.

If you intend to load for it I would almost plan on doing that in paralell to your gun build. Also keep in mind that you'll need a bunch of crap for rifle reloading that isn't necessary for pistols, eg, case trimmer, etc.... and case prep can be a huge time sink without the right equipment.

-Mike

Thanks much. I don't really shoot enough right now to be concerned with the cost. I'm a very casual plinker. I also have a 7mm Rem Mag that I've saved the brass from so I have an excuse to buy the hand loading equipment anyway.

 

[Rob Boudrie]

The cost of ammo doesn't bother me

Damn, I envy you