I want to build a precision AR with a 24" barrel, but I do not want to use a billet type upper- forged only please. With that in mind, which manufacturers are currently putting out the better machined standard flat top uppers? This build will have a FF tube, so I’d like the barrel threads to be as square to the reciever face as possible.
The Vltor MUR is a forged upper.
Mega has a strong following - CNC machined forged upper. I just got one and workmanship, finish and fit with lower (also Mega) are all superb.
Out of curiosity, why do you exclude billet uppers?
Because forged uses a stronger series of aluminum, and I will be hanging a 24" barrel off it.
I have two forged Vltor MURs on other rifles, and want this new build (a 6.5Grendel) to be different.
VLTOR, Sun Devil and HKS.
Rich
Let me clarify: by “regular flat top upper”, I meant the US military style basic forged type.
Truest forged flat tops?
Colt, LMT, BCM, & Daniel Defense.
For guns I’d be expecting extreme accuracy out of I would recommend a rigid billet upper like a VLTOR MUR or LaRue stealth upper and using a mount that reinforces the flat top like a ADM Recon scope mount or a LaRue SPR scope mount.
Dang, I learn something new every day! Scope mounts can reinforce the upper, eh? Interesting!
aren’t billet receivers generally stouter anyway?
I think, though, that billet receivers are machined from 6061 alloy which is not as strong as the 7075 alloy commonly used in forged receivers. So they may be stouter but that may not compensate for the “weaker” alloy used in their manufacture.
Anyone know what Vltor uses?
For a precision based weapon, you REALLY need to stick with either billet or the VLTOR MUR.
Just about all forged uppers are going to be canted in some way.
We feel that the best uppers out there are ones produced by AO. These are the only ones we stock.
C4
7075 I believe.
C4
Not generally.
C4
I’ve heard that before but I don’t find it to be a very useful comment by itself. The question is how much, and does it affect anything? There is always going to be some variation if you measure to enough digits, the question is does it matter for what you’re doing. Got data?
Who is AO…I see LaRue and Vltor uppers on your site. I also see CMT but they are out of stock so I guess that’s consistent with your statement. 
The cant of an upper receiver really matters ONLY if you are using a scope (not a red dot).
AO is the initials of a company that does a lot of .Mil contract work and where FN used to buy their receiver from (and may still).
We stopped stocking CMT uppers quite some time ago.
C4
Grant built me an upper using a Noveske N4 barrel and what I believe is one of these AO uppers. It is very nice. Nothing fancy, just a well made, high quality mil-spec M4 upper. It was exactly what I wanted.
Derek
Yes, you got an AO upper.
C4
I struggle to understand how a superior receiver results in any quantifiable improvement.
Does anyone have empirical evidence?
Thanks for the info on the upper. I’m very pleased with it!
Derek