Considering the new cmp rules... (upper selection)

[fritztkatt]

Would going with an A4 NM upper be a good choice as an all around rifle?

Foreward: I already have a 16" m4gery for general blasting, close shooting, shtf, whatever. Coming up within the next few months, I'll be in a position where I can have a reloading set-up. I'd also like to have an AR that's oriented towards accuracy, not for blasting of any kind. Bench, varmint, cmp/nm shooting, all within one rifle.

I'm thinking that a NM A4 would be a good choice for this. Fairly affordable, definitely accurate, already have a stripped lower that needs a purpose in life... something that can have optics added to it, and at the cost of a few rounds swap back to irons for competion.

What say you, calguns?

[highpower790]

Get the A4 ,and if you want to shoot irons just add the A2($230) carry handle ,available WOA.
Right now new rules don't take effect until next year ,and there really isn't a proper scope and mount for us at this time.
Get the upper from WOA,CLE.
If the money is there get one with a Krieger barrel,they will last twice as long,about 6000rds.

[fritztkatt]

I have an unmolested carry handle right now, figured at my skill level I could get away with an aperture change.

Is barrel life really only expected to be 3k rounds with a criterion?

[highpower790]

I have an unmolested carry handle right now, figured at my skill level I could get away with an aperture change.

Is barrel life really only expected to be 3k rounds with a criterion?

everything depends on your skill level.For a skilled shooter accuracy loss is very noticeable if the shots are off call.For me that barrel will start to hiccup between 6-7k,but I shoot Krieger with a CLE chamber.A Wilson barrel with a Wylde chamber will only go 3500rds for me.This is due in part to the longer throat making the use for of heavier bullets suitable for most shooters. A shorter throat Krieger barrel will last twice as long for the service rifle shooter,steel quality may play a part here.
Im a shooter not a metallurgist,I know what works and don't want to change a barrel every year.

[rero360]

How about Bartlein barrels? I've heard great things about them for bolt guns.

[highpower790]

How about Bartlein barrels? I've heard great things about them for bolt guns.

Bartlien are good barrels,but from CLE they are $50 more than a Krieger.

[fritztkatt]

Thanks for the advice highpower. For how much I'd be shooting this rifle, even 3k rounds might be a few years. When that time comes, doing upgrades would likely happen. I'm a good shot, but I'm sure that an off the shelf Wylde chamber criterion wI'll out shoot me any day. I'll respect the common though that you need to learn first. Chances are I'd have to burn a barrel before I'd really be competitive, at least.

I'd like to record every round, true log book. Hopefully start reloading sooner than later. Learn the sport, do some bench shooting to develop a load, eventually upgrade to higher budget barrel and sights. Treat it like a queen and hopefully it acts like one.

Maybe I'm putting too much thought into it?

[SoCalGoldenBearsHPRClub]

Are you looking to get into the service rifle/highpower competition, or are you just looking for use an A4 NM upper as an accurate plinker?

Either way you can't go wrong with WOA or CLE be it chambered in wylde or CLE match chamber.

All you need is 24 or 24.5 grains of Varget or RL15. Use the 75 or 77 grain match bullet for mag length/short line ammo and for 600 use the 80 grainers. No need for bench rest load development since its all been figured out.

[fritztkatt]

I'd like to get into service rifle competition, but not balls deep on the first date. Seems like something I'd do when there's no practical/run-n-gun going on or I could only afford 80 rounds not 300.

Accurate plinker with or w/o optics would be it's primary use.

Could you explain the compass lake match cambering? Just a tight chamber with short throat?

[highpower790]

Op ..You have it on the CLE chamber .

[ocabj]

If I were going to build a new competition Service Rifle right this very second, I would go with an A4 flat top upper with the White Oak A2 carry handle with pinned rear option, then add a WOA SR barrel with the windage adjustable WOA A2 front sight base, and a Geissele MK7 National Match rail.

This will give you the iron sight configuration, but the flexibility to go optics if you want to go optics for SR competitions (based on proposed 2016 rules changes). As far as a Geissele MK7 National Match rail instead of the 'traditional' free float tube with A2 clamshells, the MK7 will give you easier flexibility in terms of adding weights.

[fritztkatt]

Would it still be safe to push hotter loads of 77 or 80gr as a 600yd load in that tight chamber? Someone who has no clue about hand loading past the most basic of concepts.

Would I still be able to load something cheaper like a 62gr on the mild side for accurate plinking or 55gr to blast squirrels? I know 55gr in a 1/7 isn't super accurate but good bullets and load should be enough to make hits at maybe 300 yards.

[highpower790]

Op the load sent by pm is about as hot a load as one should push for I get 2800 fps with a 75 & slightly less with an 80.For me I see no pressure signs .
Also55&62s wouldn't be ideal for 7&8 twist You may shoot them for fun then be dissatisfied in a match

[fritztkatt]

Ok thanks. Like I said I know they wouldn't be very good internal or externally, but it's good that you agree it'd be cool for plinking.

I appreciate the help guys. I'm gonna move forward with a A4 NM upper when I get the $, now I'll just have to look into RRA, CLE, or WOA. Figure there's enough info out there already on the subtleties between the 3 so I will need not ask about them here. Although I will heed any good advice.

[SoCalGoldenBearsHPRClub]

Would it still be safe to push hotter loads of 77 or 80gr as a 600yd load in that tight chamber? Someone who has no clue about hand loading past the most basic of concepts.

Would I still be able to load something cheaper like a 62gr on the mild side for accurate plinking or 55gr to blast squirrels? I know 55gr in a 1/7 isn't super accurate but good bullets and load should be enough to make hits at maybe 300 yards.

Tight chamber? Are you talking about the CLE match chamber? Just because the word "match" is between the words "CLE and "chamber" does not make that into a tight chamber. Go read this - http://www.compasslake.com/images/Chamber.jpg

Since you want an accurized upper with the optics option, please re-read Ocabj's comment, post #11. Everything you need is there. This is the approved service rifle rail - https://geissele.com/12-7-super-modu...mk7-black.html

Also, the service rifle practitioners load for their rifles. The load that were provided to you is what everybody is using regardless of Wylde or CLE chamber. It has been tested.

If you want to get into service rifle, why don't you check out a highpower match so you can check out the gear and ask questions.

Heck, you may even unknowingly get to shoot that day!