I recently went through the process to sbr a lower and am trying to decide which upper receiver group to put on it.
Right now I am looking at uppers made by noveske and Bravo company. I noticed that Bravo company doesnt make any 10.5 uppers. Is there a reason for this? Would I better off going with a 11.5? I dont want to have to use a KX3 and dont plan on using a suppressor.
I’d go with BCM’s 11.5" BFH barrel, or wait until they come out with a 12.5" BFH. You get higher muzzle velocity (ergo lethality) in 11.5" vs. 10.5"
Noveske’s 12.5" stainless match Crusader barrel is legendary for accuracy.
Depends what your needs are.
The BCM is a pretty large savings over the Noveske. I realize the Noveske is a going to be a little more accurate but I am just looking for something that is reliable and form what I have read the BCM barrels are still nice.
I got the 11.5 from BCM. I shaved the front site base and installed a DD omega 9.5. With a pws 5.56 fsc and h2 buffer it is softer shooting than a lot of 16 inch rifles.
I can hit a 6 inch plate at 200 yards consistantly. The optic is a Aimpoint M4s. So it is way more accurate than I expected.
It has been utterly reliable and I would make the same choice if I were to do it over again.
why not build your own. i picked up a MUR upper and plan on grabbing a 12.5 inch DD barrel for my SBR.
Nothing wrong with the BCM 11.5. I carry one every day.
Breadman, How is the muzzle blast with the FSC on a short barrel?
I have had incredible success with my LMT 10.5" upper on my Colt 6920 lower…LMT makes quality stuff.
Veclro
I went with the Noveske 6.8 12.5" Crusader with switchblock ( I will run mine suppressed from time to time) . Both are good choices.
I was waiting on a BCM 11.5, but a Noveske 10.5 N4 came available first and my impatience got the best of me. I’m not complaining though. The 10.5 N4 shoots as accurate as my GTS 16 middy. I use a Spike’s ST-T2 heavy buffer and have a Levang comp on it. The recoil feels no worse than the middy.
Oh so tempted to get one of those 6.8 Crusader uppers. Got to finish my DMR first though. Priorities.
Can’t go wrong with the BCM though. You may want to look at Daniel Defense’s new offerrings too.
I understand. I ordered a JP 308 before I purchased my Noveske 6.8 Crusader. I try to stick to one project at a time.
The FSC is more concussive than a regular flash suppressor, but not painful to others shooters next to you. The blast is directed up and to the sides. The only time it has been a problem was when practicing for a 3 gun team event. I was on the right shooting while kneeling and my partner was standing on my right. We switched sides and he was not bothered by the blast anymore. Some or the blast was surely from the fact that this is a sbr and he was shooting a middy. His muzzle was past the barricade and mine was on the back side of it.
I have also used a flaming pig and (of course this is subjective) it sounded “louder” to me although it does eliminate side blast.
I went with the BCM 11.5 (my current favorite) but I also love my Noveskes. The reason that BCM went with the 11.5 is that that the one inch increases dwell time by nearly 40% therefore Paul thought the benefit was too great not to go with 11.5 instead of 10.5. Because of this, my advice would be to go with an 11.5 BCM or 12.5 Noveske. You will be extremely happy with either.
It looks like I am going to get the BCM 11.5. I think I am going to get the one without a rail and put the magpul handguard on it. The only thing I want to attach is a foregrip. With no rail I save a couple hundred bucks and a little weight.
I have a 10.5 N4 Noveske. The next gun and go to gun will be a Crusader. With the right load it will exceed or match the velocity of a 14.5 C/L.
I have a BCM 11.5 and couldn’t be happier.
If you’re running without a can, then the 12.5" is my recommendation. That extra inch over 11.5" won’t affect maneuverability much, add dwell time and velocity, but if the BFh 11.5" looks best to you, it’s certainly still a great choice.
Stainless steel would be another improvment for velocity, but there are plenty of options.
The KX3 isn’t necessary, but choosing between a brake and a hider is a tough choice. VC-1’s aren’t a bad choice, but there are lots.