Building A Sniper Rifle

[Jimd]

Thanks to my buddy, Darryl (he writes some articles in Surefire's Combat Tactics, and has some good gear connections), I now have an HBAR for my AR-15. I did a bit of trading with Darryl, who gave me quite a nice deal.

It started out as a CAR-15, complete with 11.5-inch barrel and permanently attached, 5-inch flash supressor.

I've been hankerin' for something with a bit more reach for a couple years now. Ever since I was forced to sell my Remington 700 PSS.

Enter Darryl, stage left. We strike a deal, and he sends me the AR barrel, gas rod, handguards, bipod, and ARMS mount for upcoming scope.

The barrel is from a Colt HBAR, is 20", and is **** heavy; the heaviest one Colt makes. Standard A2 flash suppressor is in place, which makes me happy; I have tons of experience with night firing, and the A2 suppressor works very efficiently.

So, some time this week, the barrel should be plugged into the receiver.

Some time in the near future, he'll be shipping me the scope. The CRS (Combat Rifle Scope) is a new design with an interesting range-finding reticle. It was designed with speed and ease of use in mind, and from what I've seen, it delivers. It's a 1 - 4X piece, which is fine for the AR system. It also has an optional illuminated reticle, which acts as a red-dot sight when on low power. It's retailing for $350 at the moment, with discounts to military/LEOs. Reports are that this scope is extremely robust and durable, which is one of my requirements. Since it's variable power, and goes up to 4-power, it offers magnification that the other red-dot scopes (EOTech and Aimpoint) don't offer, yet it'll still be an asset at very close range.

I'm looking to use the rifle out to around 600 yards, max., and even that would be pretty rare. Next, I'll need to pick up some match ammo for it. Black Hills comes to mind. I'm thinking something in the 69-grain range, which will be heavy enough to deliver a little more energy at extended distance.

With that said, I realize the 5.56mm isn't meant to drop Cape Buffalo and beasties like that. It's what I have to work with at the moment.

It will fill my CQB needs, as well as a longer-range role. Sort of a do-it-all rifle.

At some point, I'll also want to add BUIS (back-up iron sights), depending on how much room is left after the scope/mount are fitted. I'd like the versatility of iron sights, if possible.

As for the stock...at the moment, all I have is the collapsible, M-4 stock on hand. I'll want to change that early on in the process. My lust points me toward the PRS (Precision Rifle Stock) by Magpul Industries; it has adjustable length and cheek piece, and is of extremely sturdy construction. I'm in love with that stock for sniping purposes! Unfortunately, the price for these is $255! Quite a salty price!

For the moment, however, I may have to settle for an M-16-A1 standard stock. Reasoning: they're pretty inexpensive, and the length of pull is shorter than the A2 stock. I like a shorter length of pull, so the A2 is out for me.


Here's a link to the website that's selling the scope: http://www.grsc.com/
It's the CRS scope; the designer has also designed scopes for various other makers, including IOR.

[Domanfp]

I like how they sit some poor kid on an office chair on the side of the road to show the diff. reticles.

Looks like a nice scope thought, a lot better than the one I got from wal mart to throw on my pawn shop .22

[The Deacon]

Sounds like just the thing for assassinating woodchucks Jim. :D Have fun!

[Hannibal Lecter]

My Dear Friend,

At one time I was very much into the "Precision Rifle" thing. I owned a Savage 10FP .223 Remington that would consistently shoot ¼ MOA groups at 100m from the bench with one particular ammo (Remington 55gr JHP - who would have thought?) if I did my part. Of course, the 3.5x10x50mm Vari-X III Leupold helped a bit also. :rolleyes:

I think the best thing you can do for the life and accuracy of your barrel is sweetening - if you are unfamiliar with this procedure let me know and I will explain it in detail. The associated micropolishing of the bore tremendously improves accuracy.

Also - after sweetening, try to obtain several different brands/weights of ammo to test for group. Out of about 12 different types I tried, seven types shot poorly, three or four shot passably well, and one was just *outstanding*.

Most importantly, let us know how it turns out!

--------
Hannibal

[KaliGman]

Good luck with the rifle, Jim. Sounds like a fun project. I have had both good and bad luck with the Colt barrels. The quality seems to be on the way up, now, so hopefully you have a good one. The last M-4 I was issued had a really good trigger for a factory gun and the barrel shot very well (a lot better than I could shoot). Keep us up to date on the scope. I haven't used that one. My favorite so far is the ACOG, but it is pricey. Should you need any odds and ends, you might want to check out DPMS. I have had really good luck with DPMS parts and a DPMS rifle that I have set up in the old M-16 A1 configuration. It sounds like your project gun is going to be more along the lines of the military's SPR (Special Purpose Rifle) or a designated marksman's rifle, rather than a true sniper gun. Should be plenty of fun out to 500 - 600 yards.

[bigkahunasix]

Han, Your wide range of knowledge never ceases to amaze me.


Jim, I build both bolt and gas guns for law enforcement and civilian target shooters. If you have questions or ideas just ask. Do you know the rate of twist for your barrel? That will pretty much dictate your bullet weight range.

If you can, get the scope on an LEO trial (manufacturers or distributors will usually do this with a letterhead request) as I cannot tell you how many "trick" scopes I have sold at a loss for myself or my customers.

Have fun.

Jim

[Fred Sanford]

Jim,

We need pics bro. :) That sounds like a really nice setup.

[Jimd]

Thanks for the input, guys!

Yes, this will be along the lines of the SPR rifle; not necessarily a "sniper" rifle per se.

When I was on the sniper team, we used Colt HBARs as our cover weapon, and had excellent accuracy from them. The twist rate on this barrel is 1:9, so bullets in the 50 to 70 grain range should work well. I have some Black Hills 52-grain OTM on hand now. I'd like to also pick up some Federal HPBT Match in the 69-grain weight to try, along with some others.

BigK-6, thanks for the offer of help, I'll give ya a shout if I find myself in need. I'm getting the scope on a trade deal from my buddy. I've corresponded with quite a few people who have been pretty satisfied with it so far. I really have nothing invested in it, so if it doesn't pan out, I can unload it and replace it pretty easily.

Initially, I was just going to get a 1.5 to 5 or 6-power scope that many people mount on shotguns and use for turkey hunting. The lower-power scopes are usually just the ticket for AR-15's, and one tough enough for a shotgun should be pretty durable. But as the opportunity for this scope arose, I'll give it a whirl.

One day, I'd love to get my hands on an ACOG, but for now, finances only permit me to dream of such a piece of glass.

I'll post pics in a week or two when the barrel gets plugged in. My local gunshop does that for around $20, which can't be beat!

[The Mastiff]

Jim, We used Rem 700 bull barrell "Varmint Specials" on our PERT team, in .243. They did dime size groups with regular 100 gr. sp, non match. Better with match ammo. I always got a kick out of the name Varmint special. It seemed fitting. .243 had very good terminal effect at the ranges we needed. Of course the Mini 14's in the gun towers were entirely adequate. I only know of one inmate that survived a torso hit from 55 grsp, and he was no threat any longer....permanantly. His insides were mostly gone, needing a tube and colostomy bag permanantly.

Not so the Shotguns. We had so many failures to stop it was rediculous. I would not consider using one past 15 yards, if that, with oo. Less with 1 or 4 buck. Most "experts" don't believe that but I know what I know. That was 28 inch barrell, full or modified chokes. Good ammo. I still have nightmares of failures to stop with the shotgun.

I got rid of my 7mm mag and .300 win mag rifles recently mostly for money, but also realisticly the recoil wasn't compatible with my surgicly repaired shoulder(s). .308/0-6 is as far as I go now.

I've still got a couple AR's. Nice shooters. Joe

[KaliGman]

Jim, We used Rem 700 bull barrell "Varmint Specials" on our PERT team, in .243. They did dime size groups with regular 100 gr. sp, non match. Better with match ammo. I always got a kick out of the name Varmint special. It seemed fitting. .243 had very good terminal effect at the ranges we needed. Of course the Mini 14's in the gun towers were entirely adequate. I only know of one inmate that survived a torso hit from 55 grsp, and he was no threat any longer....permanantly. His insides were mostly gone, needing a tube and colostomy bag permanantly.

Not so the Shotguns. We had so many failures to stop it was rediculous. I would not consider using one past 15 yards, if that, with oo. Less with 1 or 4 buck. Most "experts" don't believe that but I know what I know. That was 28 inch barrell, full or modified chokes. Good ammo. I still have nightmares of failures to stop with the shotgun.

I got rid of my 7mm mag and .300 win mag rifles recently mostly for money, but also realisticly the recoil wasn't compatible with my surgicly repaired shoulder(s). .308/0-6 is as far as I go now.

I've still got a couple AR's. Nice shooters. Joe

Mastiff,

You know what you know because you actually used the gun. I have done pattern testing on various shotguns with 00, 000, and 4 buck. I test anything that I might have to use for "serious social purposes" and at one time my main long gun for duty use was a 14 inch barrelled, rifle sighted Remington 870 with an improved cylinder bore. With 00 buck it was devasting at 7 yards. It was good at 10 yards. At 15 yards, you started losing projectiles (not just off the "A" zone but off the target). At 25 yards, I was just making noise (OK, a hit or two occurred, but one or two out of a nine to 12 pellet load is not good). For most shotguns, anything past 10 or 15 yards means "use a slug."

[DamnYank!]

sounds like a pretty good setup you are aiming toward. do you have a 2 stg trigger already? if not i'd recommend going to one. i'm running a scope very similar to the one you are looking at (a millett dms, same mgr in china, different reticle & plane). if you decide you want a bit more 'reach' millett has a very nice illuminated 4-16x for around $300.

here's my current blaster:

[The Mastiff]

From : KaliGman

You know what you know because you actually used the gun. I have done pattern testing on various shotguns with 00, 000, and 4 buck. I test anything that I might have to use for "serious social purposes" and at one time my main long gun for duty use was a 14 inch barrelled, rifle sighted Remington 870 with an improved cylinder bore. With 00 buck it was devasting at 7 yards. It was good at 10 yards. At 15 yards, you started losing projectiles (not just off the "A" zone but off the target). At 25 yards, I was just making noise (OK, a hit or two occurred, but one or two out of a nine to 12 pellet load is not good). For most shotguns, anything past 10 or 15 yards means "use a slug."

That sounds like you were using the weapon as it should have been. One thing I saw with my own eyes was people shrugging off #4 buck pellets as if they were from a pellet gun. #1 buck isn't much better at past short ( room distance) range. The #00 and #000 buck have more striking power but 1 pellet out of 9 or 2, or 3 in non critical areas won't stop determined people.

Keep in mind our guys only had magazines and winter coats as body armor. Anything less than #00 can glance off skulls at around 12 to 15 yards so even what should be stops don't really always work. I'm not even talking about PCP'ed up zombies. Just determined guys with loads of adrenalin.

Give me a rifle anyday. I do have a benelli for home use but that is only for home defense. Anything else gets a AR or HK91. That fortunately has never happened. I don't think I'm really the type that would be a target of a home invasion, if you know what I'm getting at. I'm quiet, polite, law abiding, and mind my business as I wish all others would do. Thanks for the input by the way. I appreciate the benefit of your experience. Joe