Truing a new AR receiver

[flyboy3394]

About to begin building my SPR/Precision AR Build after gathering all the necessary parts.

The lower is built, and now all that is left is to build the upper.

Since this is a precision build, I am really concerned about accuracy. That said, I am seeing a few threads about people building uppers that aren't accurate, then going back and "truing the receiver face", fixing the problem.

Can someone please enlighten me as to what this means? Should I be concerned?

The upper is an Aero Precision forged upper, and the barrel is a WOA SPR 18".

[Kwikvette]

Tagged

[shooter1975]

I true all my uppers but never noticed a difference. It won't hurt if you do true it up.

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/rifle-tools/receiver-tools/ar-15-m16-upper-receiver-lapping-tool-prod20220.aspx

[Rusty_Shackleferd]

Aero Precision has some of the tightest tolerances in the industry. Unless you got a blemished model, you won't need to modify it in any way. If you want a "true" precision rifle, then you should seek out boutique barrel manufacturers that sell a bolt face that has been properly head-spaced to a corresponding barrel. White Oak Armament is a decent company, and you will shoot sub MOA, but there are a lot of other factors you must consider in a precision AR build, such as:

Do you reload?
What caliber are you looking to build this AR in?
What's your barrel's twist rate?
Is your barrel length optimized for the cartridge you are shooting?
What kind of trigger do you have in your lower?
What kind of glass are you going to use?
what is your scope mounted on?
Is your hand guard freeloading?

[flyboy3394]

Aero Precision has some of the tightest tolerances in the industry. Unless you got a blemished model, you won't need to modify it in any way. If you want a "true" precision rifle, then you should seek out boutique barrel manufacturers that sell a bolt face that has been properly head-spaced to a corresponding barrel. White Oak Armament is a decent company, and you will shoot sub MOA, but there are a lot of other factors you must consider in a precision AR build, such as:

Do you reload?
What caliber are you looking to build this AR in?
What's your barrel's twist rate?
Is your barrel length optimized for the cartridge you are shooting?
What kind of trigger do you have in your lower?
What kind of glass are you going to use?
what is your scope mounted on?
Is your hand guard freeloading?

Good to know about AERO. Thats what I like to hear. How will I know if it is or isn't trued?

To answer your questions:
1. Caliber is .223 Wylde (so I can use both 556 and .223) I dont reload yet
2. Barrel twist is 1-8 with rifle gas system
3. Barrel length is 18" so yeah, its a fine length
4. Trigger is a Geissele SSA
5. Glass is my Vortex Strike Eagle (for now, until I can save up for a good 4-16 or 6-18) Its a placeholder for now.
6. Scope is mounted on an ADM Cantilever QR mount
7. Handguard is a DD Omega X 12' free floater.

I have thought this build through, and made my buying decision based on my experiences and knowledge of what works well (plus budget).

[Exdc]

I love my Aero upper. No issues. My other upper... I cut my group from 3"@ 100 yards, to 0.7"@ 100 yards, by using an upper reciever lapping tool. 6.8SPCII


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[flyboy3394]

I love my Aero upper. No issues. My other upper... I cut my group from 3"@ 100 yards, to 0.7"@ 100 yards, by using an upper reciever lapping tool. 6.8SPCII


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Your thread is what led me to post here. So thanks for that. Is there a way to check the true-ness of the receiver when I get my barrel?Some formula or tool?

[Drew Eckhardt]

Your thread is what led me to post here. So thanks for that. Is there a way to check the true-ness of the receiver when I get my barrel?Some formula or tool?

Turn a piece of metal to fit inside your receiver with a step on it, apply dykem to the receiver front, and see if there are any spots which don't rub off when you turn the plug.

Of course, if you own a lathe you can use an expanding mandrel and face the receiver for the same effort.

Bedding is also prudent.

[Exdc]

Your thread is what led me to post here. So thanks for that. Is there a way to check the true-ness of the receiver when I get my barrel?Some formula or tool?

Not that I know of. But if you're building multiple ARs, it's worth it to buy the kit. I asked around because of my terrible results at the range, and truing the reciever was one of the suggestions.


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[milotrain]

Good to know about AERO. Thats what I like to hear. How will I know if it is or isn't trued?

To answer your questions:
1. Caliber is .223 Wylde (so I can use both 556 and .223) I dont reload yet
2. Barrel twist is 1-8 with rifle gas system
3. Barrel length is 18" so yeah, its a fine length
4. Trigger is a Geissele SSA
5. Glass is my Vortex Strike Eagle (for now, until I can save up for a good 4-16 or 6-18) Its a placeholder for now.
6. Scope is mounted on an ADM Cantilever QR mount
7. Handguard is a DD Omega X 12' free floater.

I have thought this build through, and made my buying decision based on my experiences and knowledge of what works well (plus budget).

It's unlikely that the Aero is far out if out at all, if it is out of true then you should have it turned true on a mandrel fit to the bore of the receiver.

Because it is likely not far out it's quite likely that you won't see a benefit from truing the receiver with your intended use. It's all about weakest link, and your current weakest link is reloading. Even if you started reloading your next weakest link is going to be either the generic WOA barrel, the BCG, or your abilities.

As a thought experiment however there are a number of people who recommend truing the face for accuracy, and they do so based on tests with rifles in free recoil setups built just to test accuracy. Again, unless the face is far out of true you won't see a benefit unless all other aspects of the build are paid as much attention as you are paying the receiver face (and currently in your build the barrel and BCG are not paid that amount of attention).

[flyboy3394]

It's unlikely that the Aero is far out if out at all, if it is out of true then you should have it turned true on a mandrel fit to the bore of the receiver.

Because it is likely not far out it's quite likely that you won't see a benefit from truing the receiver with your intended use. It's all about weakest link, and your current weakest link is reloading. Even if you started reloading your next weakest link is going to be either the generic WOA barrel, the BCG, or your abilities.

As a thought experiment however there are a number of people who recommend truing the face for accuracy, and they do so based on tests with rifles in free recoil setups built just to test accuracy. Again, unless the face is far out of true you won't see a benefit unless all other aspects of the build are paid as much attention as you are paying the receiver face (and currently in your build the barrel and BCG are not paid that amount of attention).

Im a bit confused. Are my barrel and BCG not good? BCG is an Odin Works. I know the barrel is no Bartlein or Lilja, but this build is not an uber precision. I am looking for 3/4-1moa accuracy (once I get a better scope). Did I just waste a lot of my money on subpar components?

[FMJBT]

Bedding is also prudent.

Good advice for a precision build. Bedding the barrel extension into the upper receiver with red Loctite or Loctite 640 Sleeve Retaining compound:

http://www.na.henkel-adhesives.com/industrial/product-search-1554.htm?nodeid=8797709664257

This will make disassembly later on for barrel changes a bit..... interesting, but works wonders for unitizing the barrel/receiver assembly.

[milotrain]

Are my barrel and BCG not good? this build is not an uber precision. I am looking for 3/4-1moa accuracy. Did I just waste a lot of my money on subpar components?

No, your build will 100% get you what you want. Truing the face of the receiver (if it is not significantly out of ture) is something you do when you are trying to get your AR to shoot better than 1/2MOA or even better than 1/4MOA.

It's in the realm of "point of diminishing returns." You are going to get what you want without having to true the face.

[flyboy3394]

Good advice for a precision build. Bedding the barrel extension into the upper receiver with red Loctite or Loctite 640 Sleeve Retaining compound:

http://www.na.henkel-adhesives.com/industrial/product-search-1554.htm?nodeid=8797709664257

This will make disassembly later on for barrel changes a bit..... interesting, but works wonders for unitizing the barrel/receiver assembly.

I have heard of people going this route before. When you say, "interesting", how interesting are we talking?

[Rusty_Shackleferd]

Im a bit confused. Are my barrel and BCG not good? BCG is an Odin Works. I know the barrel is no Bartlein or Lilja, but this build is not an uber precision. I am looking for 3/4-1moa accuracy (once I get a better scope). Did I just waste a lot of my money on subpar components?

If you are a good shot, your components will give you the results you want, especially for the money you seem to want to spend.

What you won't get with your components are the absolute tightest groups possible with the AR platform. You will have to invest much more research, time and money into your rifle, ammunition, and shooting skills in order to reach the fabled point of diminishing returns. And at that point, you also won't be here asking us goons what works best.