Help me find the "perfect" upper

[wash]

I don't know about Bushmaster but I find it odd that they use a cut down A2 front sight for a gas block. How much could they possibly save over something like a YHM low profile gas block?

I get nervous when I see things that I don't understand. Look for reviews.

[Noah3683]

My dad had a predator upper a few years ago. It was a solid performer and very accurate, but the BCG wasn't the greatest. You can replace that gas block and still be out under your budget. I'm not sure it was a cut down a2 either, It was nicely machined that way. still could've been, but I take that pinned gas block over a clamp on YHM any day of the week and twice on Sunday

[Omega13device]

A cut-down front-sight base is pinned to the barrel so it has less chance of loosening up than a clamp-on or set-screw gas block. May not make a big difference for hunting but it's certainly not a bad thing.

[Norcal Industries]

http://rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?f...ategory_id=270 i had a few of these over the last few years, and with the chrome bolt it was pretty accurate out of the box, and pretty cheap. has most of the criteria youre looking for except its not threaded and its stainless.

[Sleighter]

Norcal Industries: Thanks for directing me to the RRA upper. I have looked at that upper before, but after comparing it to the Bushmaster A3 sold by Primary Arms for $450, it's hard to justify the cost of the $630 for the RRA. They seem to be very similar in spec, except for the barrel material...so I don't know that I consider the stainless worth an extra $180.

If I am overlooking something, please let me know. As I've said before...I'm coming to the community for advice...not as an expert.

[cattledoggie]

Primary Arms has just what you are looking for. Bushmaster Predator upper for about $470. Meets all your specs except for the flash suppressor, but you could have the barrel threaded for that later as funds permit.

[cattledoggie]

Opps, looks like I should have read all the posts before replying. Looks like you already found the Bushmaster.

[Sleighter]

Thanks CattleDoggie.

[Omega13device]

If you want advice, my advice would be buy once cry once. The Bushmaster might seem appealing on cost but you don't really know what you're getting. Save up your pennies and build a nice upper. Something like:

$300 WOA stainless match barrel
$100 CMT upper
$180 Troy TRX Extreme 13" handguard
$75 Low profile gas block and gas tube
$130 LMT BCG

$785 Total

Yes it's a little over your budget but when you consider what you'd spend in ammo over the life of the barrel the cost difference is relatively small.

There are plenty of shops that will build this for you, probably for free if you buy the parts from them.

[Quinc]

Re-read my Original post...