• This Forum is for adults 18 years of age or over. By continuing to use this Forum you are confirming that you are 18 or older. No content shall be viewed by any person under 18 in California.

Posted by Request-NRA Mid-Range Prone Tactical AR .223 Rifles

A little over a year ago my oldest son(Dylan...now 16) & I began shooting NRA Mid-Range Prone Tactical AR. In less than a year Dylan made High Master, I won the 2019 TSRA Mid-Range State Championship and most recently, my youngest son(Logan @ 8 years old) scored a 197-12x on match #2 of his first mid-range tournament(at 600 yards).

A couple folks have shown interest in the rifles & scopes we are using.

Dylan's rifle is mostly a combination of stuff we had laying around.
  • Lower Receiver: Select Firepower(Baytown, Texas) 6061 Billet Lower Receiver.
  • Upper Receiver: Noreen Firearms 6061 Billet Slick Side Upper Receiver. No Dust Cover Installed.
  • Barrel: A 16" Wilson Arms 4140 Chromoly 1/8 twist 5.56mm Carbine Length Air-Gauged Bull Barrel with a Phosphate finish.
  • Bolt & BCG: Palmetto State Armory MPI(PN#516446953). Nothing special here.
  • Trigger: Rock River Two-Stage Varmint(Blue Card) w/Springs Replaced(4.5# Trigger Pull).
  • Handguard/Rail: Radical Firearms 15" FGS Rail.
  • Stock: A2 Rifle with a Anderson Receiver Extension, Buffer & Spring.
  • Scope & Mount: SWFA 10x Mil-Quad w/SWFA "S.S.A.L.T" Mount.
  • Charging Handle: Roush Sports Extended Latch(https://rouschsports.com/shop/ar15-...xtended-charging-handle-mil-spec-223-5-56-22/).
  • Bipod: Leapers UTG Heavy Duty Recon 360(PN# TL-BP01).

Upper/Lower Receivers Fitment: The Select Firepower Billet Lower is mated to a Noreen Billet Upper with no shimming required. I prefer the upper & lower to fit with minimal slop between them. When fitting receivers.....if the fit is not tight I recommend using a National Match Shim Kit(http://nationalmatchshim.com/nationalmatchshim.htm). This shim kit takes a few minutes to fit, but it is metal to metal and works better than the accu-wedges(IMHO). Note: In a pinch I still recommend the accu-wedges and carry them in my range bag in case I have to swap lowers or to assist other folks.

Fitting Barrel to Upper Receiver: I use an electric heat gun and shims cut from repurposed aluminum cola/beer cans to "Thermal-Fit" the barrel to the upper receiver. This has to be done carefully. You could split the upper receiver, gall the threads on the receiver or even damage the barrel crown. I cut several small strips of the aluminum can to various lengths. Usually, the strip(only use one) that works will wrap around the barrel extension between a Quarter & One-Third the OD of the extension. I clean the receiver & barrel extension, then with the upper receiver in an aluminum vice block I heat the upper receiver(using a Harbor Freight Electric Heat Gun). The Heated Aluminum Receiver will grow allowing the room temperature barrel extension and shim to be quickly inserted into the receiver. DO NOT Beat on the Barrel Crown! If the barrel becomes stuck, apply additional heat removing the barrel and start again. The Aluminum Receiver will grow at a faster rate than the Steel Barrel allowing you to remove it. Let the barrel cool down again, trim the shim, reheat the upper and try again.....be patient(this is worth all the effort). Also, be cautious not to allow part of the shim to slip forward while installing the barrel...it will get pinched in between the face of the receiver and the flange on the barrel extension, resulting in the Barrel Extension and Receiver not mating up properly. Also, the room temperature barrel/barrel extension will transfer/suck the heat right out of the Aluminum Upper Receiver. DO NOT Install the barrel nut until everything has cooled back down to ambient temperatures. Also, Lubricate the threads before installing the barrel nut. I usually torque the barrel nut to 75-80 ft lbs. I personally feel this really helps to accurize any AR15 Rifle. I Thermal Fit all my AR Barrels(including factory assembled rifles). Its easy to check on a factory rifle. Just loosen the barrel nut and check to see if the barrel will just slide-out of the receiver. You can also feel the slop between the Barrel Extension & Upper Receiver with the Barrel Nut Removed. Note: Bravo Company Manufacturing(BCM) makes a Forged Upper Receiver(PN# BCM4-UR-M4) that is Undersized. It will still need to be heated to install a Barrel, but no shims should be required. AGAIN DO NOT BEAT ON BARREL CROWN TO INSTALL!

Trigger Springs
: Rock River Two-Stage Varmint(Blue Card) w/Springs Replaced. I used JP & KAW Springs of various weights until I obtained the 4.5# Trigger Pull desired. Due to the RR Light Weight/Bobbed Hammer, When I got the pull I really liked...the Federal 205M Primers would only light-off about half of the time. I had to really work with the Hammer Springs for it to function correctly...it ended up slightly greater than 4.5# trigger pull weight. Good luck if you decide to go this route, it was very time consuming and required testing at the range for best results and reliability. The RR National Match(Yellow Card) Trigger would have also been fine....but we already had the Varmint Trigger. If you have the extra coin...I would just spring for the Geissele National Match.

Stock: A2 with Homemade Kydex Adjustable Cheek Riser. I have also made an adjustable bag rider that attaches to the A2 stock using the same attaching bolts as the cheek riser. The Storage Compartment is Filled with BB's(or Lead Shot) to make the 14 lbs. Max. Weight. I fabricate an aluminum cover and use it under the Butt Plate to keep the BB's from falling out if the trap door is accidently opened(It's OK to use some of the left over soda/beer can from shimming the barrel). It's very important to be right at Max. Weight. You are mitigating the negative impact of the mandatory 4.5# minimum trigger weight by maximizing the total rifle weight.

Rail Length & Bipod Mounting: I prefer the Bipod to be mounted as far down the barrel as possible. It makes the Muzzle less sensitive to movements at the Rear Bag. This gives the shooter better control when adjusting the bag. We used a 15" Rail on a 16" Barrel.....I'd recommend a 19" Rail on a 20" Barrel with a rail mounted bipod mounted all the way on the end. Kinda looks goofy but this ain't no fashion show.

The 16" Barrel: I'm a sucker for a bargain and when JSE Surplus had it on sale for $94 shipped a couple years ago.....well this is one of the parts we had "laying-around". This barrel is very rigid and being short it should be even more so. The Shot Marker Electronic Targets at Bayou Rifles show a 66 fps lower velocity at the 600 yard targets than my 18" Barrel with the same 77 grain SMK load. Early on Dylan didn't realize it but he was having to work slightly harder on his wind calls(compared to a 20" Barrel). He had bigger fish to fry than a couple extra inch's wind call at 600 yards when he first started. Now he's pretty darn good calling the wind with a carbine.

Scope: The SWFA 10x is really about the minimum scope I would recommend. The magnification is adequate to Hold-Off for wind calls at 600 yards. They are reasonablly priced(IMHO). Over the holidays they were on sale for $199. A variable power optic(up to 15x) would be better as long as the tracking is good. Dylan did get into a situation where the conditions were changing rapidly and the mirage was so great he could barely see the target at 600 yards. If he would have had a variable power optic he could have dialed it down to mitigate the mirage. This really poor condition only lasted about 5 minutes. It occurred mid way though the last match of the day. Dylan shot through it dropping 19 points shooting 181-4x(His first two match's of the day=198-8x & 198-5x). He finished the last match with 6 minutes to spare. Dylan regretted not being patient and waiting for a few minutes....he had the time remaining and conditions did get better....oh well....live & learn.


I hope this helps....

If anyone is interested I can give more details on the Rifle Logan is shooting and the ammo/loads we are using.

Dylan, Logan & Andy Legg:)
 
Last edited:
Andy,
That is a great heap of well laid out info. Im saving for my archives. Congratulations to you and your boys. Thanks so much for sharing.
Happy New Year!
Tom
 
Good stuff, Andy.

Last year was my first foray into match shooting of any kind. My bone-stock Daniel Defense with an 18" SPR-type profile did much better than I expected a 5.56 chambered gun to do. The buttstock is a DD carbine(!) setup. Not ideal for precision prone shooting.

I initially ran my 12X SWFA but they switched over to my 3-1 Vortex PST once I learned the mag limit was 15x and not 12x. (Not that the SWFA 12x is inadequate in any way here).

Have a few cleans in the year. A couple at 300 and one at 600 (500 eluded me, plenty of 199, 198 performances but never cleaned).

Still, I really like the AR Tactical division because it's a very cost-effective way to compete. One need not have an expensive rig to do well and to have a lot of fun. Although I suspect that some hardcore guy with a 6mm AR10 would mop up the division against us .223 shooters.
 
Here is concept scope from March that would be perfect for the AR Tactical matches. I am thinking about using one for hunting once they become available, and dabble into AR Tactical to take a break from sling shooting

"New Concept Model – ① 1.5-15x42mm SFP Compact

Hunters and tactical competitors need optics that perform under the harshest of conditions.

The March 1.5-15X42 SFP Compact rifle scope delivers high optical performance in a light and compact package.

From close-up scenarios in thick forests to long range shots on the open plain, the 10X zoom ratio of this rifle scope delivers for the hunter or the tactical competitor.

This versatile March 1.5-15X42 SFP Compact is the ideal choice for those who have wide ranging optical requirements.

The March 1.5-15X42 SFP Compact scope will be right at home on top of the best rifles with its compact design, and lightweight yet rugged construction."

Nez Rongero
 
Still, I really like the AR Tactical division because it's a very cost-effective way to compete. One need not have an expensive rig to do well and to have a lot of fun. Although I suspect that some hardcore guy with a 6mm AR10 would mop up the division against us .223 shooters.

I am hoping the "New" NRA Rules will move the 6mm's & AR10's into an Open type class and leave the .223/5.56 NATO's still in a more "Restricted Class". That would give the "Open" guys a place to shoot if they don't fit the Restriced rules(current rules but limited to .223/5.56). Also, the two could be combined if needed much like I have seen F-Open & F-TR if too few folks show up.
 
I agree with you Andy. There's a fellow shooter that I shoot with that has shot pretty much all the classes. Palma, FTR, F Open, XTC. He is now shooting AR Tactical with a 6FatRat. Man that thing will hold the 10 ring. He truly shoots for fun competing against himself. But I believe that separation of calibers is a must, and again a good thing for newcomers and young shooters.
 
It even crossed my mind that the "Open" Class shooters might possibly need to use the F-Class Targets. I'm sure some of the wildcats with proper prep. should be able to hold the 10 Ring(F-Class Target) @ 600 yards in fair conditions.

There's always been debate regarding the Tactical AR Class using the "Sling" Targets. In my observations, I have not yet seen a .223/5.56 AR-15 that will shoot 1 MOA(600 yards) for extended round counts(120 shot string).

I'm still waiting to see someone shoot a 600-60+x.....I may change my mind then:)

I could however see the High Master qualification for Tactical AR changed to 99%(currently 98.5%).
 
Last edited:
It even crossed my mind that the "Open" Class shooters might possibly need to use the F-Class Targets. I'm sure some of the wildcats with proper prep. should be able to hold the 10 Ring(F-Class Target) @ 600 yards in fair conditions.

There's always been debate regarding the Tactical AR Class using the "Sling" Targets. In my observations, I have not yet seen a .223/5.56 AR-15 that will shoot 1 MOA(600 yards) for extended round counts(120 shot string).

I'm still waiting to see someone shoot a 600-60+x.....I may change my mind then:)

I could however see the High Master qualification for Tactical AR changed to 99%(currently 98.5%).
Moving AR Tactical to F class faces has a certain logic to it- it is a supported rifle, albeit by a $100 Harris vs a Joypod.

I got my first clean at 600 last match, but x count was more like 20x than 60x. So at least with a .223 limited to 20” barrels, the sling faces are tough enough for relatively even competition, although I can see X counts getting pretty high at 300. Even a Grendel or 6mm AR won’t shoot substantially inside an 80 ELD because of the 20” barrel limit. That short OAL and 20” barrel kind of equalize things.

The longer AR10 OAL is another case entirely. Any .243, 6.5, or even 7-08 will stomp a 5.56 in any conditions.

The rules were a dumpster fire of poor draftsmanship, so hopefully they’ve cleaned up things like whether mag length ammo is required, whether you must feed from a mag, etc.
 
I am hoping the "New" NRA Rules will move the 6mm's & AR10's into an Open type class and leave the .223/5.56 NATO's still in a more "Restricted Class". That would give the "Open" guys a place to shoot if they don't fit the Restriced rules(current rules but limited to .223/5.56). Also, the two could be combined if needed much like I have seen F-Open & F-TR if too few folks show up.
Where can I learn more about these new rules? I’m not seeing anything at SSUSA.
 
Haven't seen anything "Official"...just rumblings on the interwebs.

Someone had posted(I believe on this forum) something about the NRA taking the Tactical AR Class and making 2 classes out of it. One similar to the original rules and the other an "Open" type class.

I agree....the original rules had a couple gaps...but I am hopeful we end up with a set that will promote the sport & get some of the guys with rifles in the safe out to the range:)
 

Upgrades & Donations

This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.


Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.

You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.


To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.

Forum statistics

Threads
165,970
Messages
2,207,763
Members
79,278
Latest member
MBRAD
Back
Top