To buy or build.....

[Les]

That's my question. I have an existing lower with a 5.56 upper, the 6.5 upper would be used for Deer (SW Ne) Coyote (E Ne.) and hopefully someday Hogs. Not looking for match accuracy per say but it'd better shoot moa or I'm not going to own it long. It will be suppressed (Omega) I've been considering barrel lengths as well, hoping to not have 26-28" hanging off the front as it will be used as a truck gun as well. I've been hanging around here perusing every thread possible, lots of good info. I'm leaning toward a 16" and fairly light and looking to not break the bank. Opinions?

[1075 tech]

I guess it depends on what you want on it. Hard to beat the AA 16" lightweight upper for $680. (http://www.shopalexanderarms.com/Upp...ete_Upper.html)

I built my first Grendel using that barrel and it will shoot sub-moa with factory SST's.

My second build will be using the Faxon 16" from the group buy.

[biodsl]

Most hunters on the forum seem to be pretty happy with a 16" tube. Just an FYI...the AA barrels are threaded 9/16x24. Something to consider when suppressing.

[diddlyv]

I've got right at $500 in a bolt, barre,l gas tube, gas block and flash hider
Right at 100 in an upper and charging handle.
$70 in the Key mod 15 inch free flot

so in many cases a complete upper can be a bargain.
I also bough a barrier defense complete upper for 479. After about 130 rounds today I shot a sub moa 4 round group with factory hornady 123 SST

Look around if you find something that excites you go for it. You can always seek input on a particular barrel or complete upper.

THe horde is not bashful and are willing to express opinions and in my experience willing to share and help a newb

[Rickc]

Yep

Only reason I build them myself is it is so much fun!

[thedave1164]

Building gives you the option to get exactly what you want instead of settling for what someone else decided to group together.

The AA is a good value if it is configured the way you want it, but if you customize it, it goes up quick.

[Les]

I have a line on a complete upper thats an Anderson upper and 16" barrel and BCG, some generic keymod rail (owner says it came from amazon doesn't remember who's) Hornady dies, non-adjustable gas block, 50 pieces of brass and a strange looking flash hider. He claims it shoots MOA with handloads, wolf not so much. Price $525 What's the experience of the Horde?

[1075 tech]

I would try to find out whose barrel and if it is true SAAMI chamber..

[Les]

He claims it's an Anderson barrel, upper, BCG, gas block and tube, sorry I didn't make that more clear from my previous post and from Anderson's website hard to tell if it's SAAMI or not, just seems too good to be true.

[Drillboss]

I talked with Anderson today and it appears that what's being called the Grendel I chamber has a compound throat, but with a 0.295" neck. They don't chamber the barrels themselves and can't disclose where they get the barrels.

[Les]

So it's like buying a "pig in a poke", I did read in one of the upper reviews on their website, one of Andersons people responded to accuracy questions as 1.5MOA from factory. Guess I should keep looking.

[1075 tech]

He claims it shoots MOA with handloads, wolf not so much.

I would suspect that with enough practice and patience, you coul find a handload to shoot MOA from any piece of pipe. That's not really that impressive for the Grendel that many standard, run of the mill barrels will do with factory ammo.

Maybe I got lucky, but I have gotten sub-MOA groups with factory SST's from my AA 16". Wolf 120 MPT were about 1" and Wolf steel about 1 1/2".

Upper $50
AA Barrel $195
ALG M-Lok handguard $100
Adjustable gas block and gas tube $120
BCG w/bolt $150

Total $615

[Frank45]

Yep

Only reason I build them myself is it is so much fun!

+1 I enjoy doing the research and figuring out exactly what I want. I have gone the complete upper route as well with a couple of 5.56 builds and while happy with them I won't do it again.