I’d like to put together a 20 inch barreled A2 (or preferably A4) style rifle for medium/long range hog/coyote hunting. I dont need a ‘fighting’ rifle per se, I have an AK and MP5 type that fill that role nicely.
I’d prefer a fixed A2 style front sight, standard handguard, but with a flattop. As far as I can tell, this is the A4 style, right? I’m a long time shooter but never owned an AR.
I dont want some bargain bin cobbled together job, but I dont need a Noveske or Larue or whatever. Any suggestions on a 20in upper that might fit the bill? Thanks for the advice, again new to AR’s here.
ETA I looked at the BCM 20in offering but its out of stock, any idea how often they get new stuff, or is it a ‘when its gone its gone’ type of thing?
Thanks for the replies guys. I’ll probably check into the BCM upper. I’ve heard good things about them. I’d like to ultimately build up an A4 clone with ACOG, etc. Seems like it would make for a good hog/coyote weapon that could be pressed into service as a manstopper if need be.
Are you the same guy who was just spamming the “Other Assault Rifles” forum for AK pics? You need to read more, and post less. This is not the kind of forum where “post count” matters much. Pump the breaks.
If you are building a coyote/hog rifle with optic, leave off the A2 front sight. They leave an annoying shadow in the field of view that makes precise shot placement more difficult unless you get the height of the optic high enough that the reticle is above the front sight. This I know from experience.
You could try contacting DEZ Arms to see when they’ll have their 1/7 pencil 20" in stock again.
Standard forearms will work, but you’ll see better consistency with your accuracy using a free float tube
I have a BCM 20" upper and I love it. Flat top upper with ‘F’’ marked FSP makes life easy for rear sight/optics options. I built an A4 style lower to complete the package (although I use an A1 length buttstock for a better fitting LOP).
BCM is worth the wait and they sell out kind of quick once they are back in stock. If you put yourself on their “email me when back in stock” list you’ll have no problems getting one. When you have so much knowledge available here to make an informed decision there is no excuse to screw it up an buy sub par. Good luck!
Shouldn’t have too much to do with not having a FF handguard. I put a 20" FNMI A2 build together and that thing shoot 2MOA at 100 with irons and the standard handguard.
Palmetto State Armory has a good selection of 20" guns now, some with FN hammer-forged barrels. I’d suggest you check them out. If you’re using it to hunt and need it to be more precise, a free-float tube (Midwest Industries SS-12 would work well, not too expensive, I run one and love it) would be a good investment.
I was shooting 2 MOA at 300 yards with this as well. (Its in the thread)
I’m just saying it seems like an aweful lot of extra weight to carry around when a 14.5" does it just as well. I was under the impression that longer barrel = better accuracy.
If I were going to build a 20" barreled gun I would take advantage of the velocity and weight gained by making the barrel a top quality stainless steel varient and give it a free floating handguard. We all have our own opinions, but I don’t see the point in getting a 20" standard barrel over a 16" standard barrel.
I see… yeah… not the case at all. Although I can shoot a 20 more accurately due to the improved sight radius. I won’t even shoot carbine sights for groups/zeroing at 100… just can’t see the target well enough.
We all have our own opinions, but I don’t see the point in getting a 20" standard barrel over a 16" standard barrel.
I like the gas system, sight radius, and velocity. That said it’s more of a Target shooting gun for me. The USGI barrel isn’t heavy at all to me. But yeah… the size makes it an “outside” gun, or recreational/target shooting only.
I’ve heard that a 20 inch barrel puts somewhat less stress on the internals than a carbine length weapon. I’m not sure that would make any meaningful difference to the recreational shooter in terms of parts replacement costs. Possibly to a high-volume shooter?
It’s the gas system that makes it softer or harsher. The rifle length gas system (on 20") will cycle the action more softly than a carbine length (on 16", 14.5"). That’s the reason for the necessary improvements to the carbines: M4 feed ramps, heavier buffers, black extractor spring and o-ring, etc. In conjunction with the gas system, the 20" rifle length normally comes with an A1/A2 stock and receiver extension. Longer buffer spring = softer (felt) recoil.
All else being equal a shorter barrel will be more accurate because they are stiffer, and will flex less during firing.
Longer barrels will give more velocity which can help with getting the bullet to the target quicker (less time for wind to push the bullet around) and less drop.
I think the accuracy you got with your 20" is in the acceptable category especially with M855 loadings. Its not really known as a good round for accuracy. If you really wanted an accurate 20" gun I would build either a SAM-R or DMR type gun with an SS barrel and FF hand guard. I would also be shooting rounds known for accuracy like 77 grain SMK’s, 75 BTHP, ect.
I just took my 20" BCM out today for probably the 3rd time since I put it together, its an M16A4 clone with the M5 RAS and an RCOA4 ACOG.
I’ve been missing out. Stoner got it right with the 20" and rifle system setup. With the 20" barrel and an A2 FH the recoil and muzzle rise is less than any <16" barreled carbine I’ve ever fired regardless of muzzle device. I guess I got so sick of lugging an A4 around that I forgot there actually are some benefits.
I have a Plain-Jane A2 20inch HBAR. I don’t mind the extra weight since it’s a range plinker/fun gun, but I don’t think I’d want to lug it around all day. It does help mitigate an already mild recoil.
