22 ARC Upper Recommendations

[Spartan1810]

Looking to purchase a 22 ARC Upper during the holiday sale this week. The two options I am considering currently are Odin Works and Ballistic Advantage. With the sale, OW is $792 with charging handle and BCG. BA is $391 NOT INCLUDING BCG/CH. I'm more interested in the quality of the barrels. This will be a dedicated coyote rifle. shooting factory ammunition.

My experience with AR-15 style barrels has been BCM and Centurion Arms, which I was both impressed with (no 22 ARC offerings currently from those companies).

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[jefe]

Actually considering the same thing at this very moment. Considering a 22arc 16" Odin works upper. Strictly for coyote hunting.

 

[Spartan1810]

Actually considering the same thing at this very moment. Considering a 22arc 16" Odin works upper. Strictly for coyote hunting.

I’ve done a lot of research lately. Satern/Liberty barrels seem to have the quality and precision I’m looking for in my price range. I’m on the fence with Odin and BA. Starting to lean towards Grendel Hunter with the Satern/Liberty or waiting for more of the market to bring out a few other options.

Let me know if you have any other insight.

 

[jefe]

Have saw those, I am def leaning towards a rifle+1 length gas system if I go 18", trying to end up with a light rifle if possible.

 

[Spartan1810]

I want to go 18 with a suppressor. What offerings are you seeing with the +1?

 

[brockel]

18" 22 ARC Complete Upper - Ballistic Adv SPR Premium Series Barrel - 15" Rail - Comp Brake - BCG - CH

Enhance your AR 15 with a 18" 22 ARC Complete Upper featuring a 18" 22 ARC Ballistic Adv SPR Bead Blast 416R Premium Series Match Grade Barrel w/1x7 Twist & 1/2x28 Threads. Fitted with a 15" Rail & Competition Muzzle Brake. Includes Nitride BCG and Mil-Spec Charging Handle.

ar15parts.com

Recently put one of these together and it shoots very well. 75 grain eldm factory rounds are going 2900fps and 62 grai. Eldvt go 3150fps.

 

[Spartan1810]

18" 22 ARC Complete Upper - Ballistic Adv SPR Premium Series Barrel - 15" Rail - Comp Brake - BCG - CH

Enhance your AR 15 with a 18" 22 ARC Complete Upper featuring a 18" 22 ARC Ballistic Adv SPR Bead Blast 416R Premium Series Match Grade Barrel w/1x7 Twist & 1/2x28 Threads. Fitted with a 15" Rail & Competition Muzzle Brake. Includes Nitride BCG and Mil-Spec Charging Handle.

ar15parts.com

Recently put one of these together and it shoots very well. 75 grain eldm factory rounds are going 2900fps and 62 grai. Eldvt go 3150fps.

How’s the quality of the upper receiver from that company? What were your group sizes with the 75 ELD-M’s and 62 ELD-vt’s?

 

[brockel]

How’s the quality of the upper receiver from that company? What were your group sizes with the 75 ELD-M’s and 62 ELD-vt’s?

It seems like a nice upper. I’m not much an ar guy but it’s definitely better than the bear creek arsenal and seems better than the aero precision I had. The 75 eldm was under 1” and 62 was just over 1”. That was just 3 shot groups as I only have a box of each. Shot steel out to 500 with it pretty easily.

 

[jefe]

I want to go 18 with a suppressor. What offerings are you seeing with the +1?

Not many, i thought at one time i spotted a BA 18" with +1 gas but must have been mistaken, I believe proof research and craddock both have them listed, ill keep looking.

 

[Spartan1810]

Not many, i thought at one time i spotted a BA 18" with +1 gas but must have been mistaken, I believe proof research and craddock both have them listed, ill keep looking.

I’ve called a few manufacturers and companies. Most said they did not see it as an issue with thr regular rifle length gas tube especially (under 20”). I’m going to go with a 18” Satern/Liberty Barrel.

I’ll shoot it and report back after some initial range time.

 

[ID-Muley]

Curious as well. Wish more companies made this caliber. Looking 16ish light weight and accurate with the 62’s I have. Is star line making brass yet? I’m kind of holding off til a company has a barrel that peaks my interest.

 

[jefe]

I would prefer 16" also, there is a YouTube video out, can't remember the name, he is shooting a 16.5" barrel made by old south gun works? Also just saw another build on YouTube from Kentucky tactical with a 16" faxon barrel, waiting to see him accuracy test that one as well.

 

[ID-Muley]

Anyone else? Really curious other peoples experiences etc

 

[SloppyJ]

Why not put one together with the parts you want? That's the way to go.

 

[vj88]

Any other updates on 22 arc upper receivers?

 

[jefe]

Follow up: built two rifles, 16" faxon barrels with faxon bcg, aero upper and handguard. Tooke them out to the range yesterday, amazingly they like to shoot 75gr eldm, average fps 2830, 62 gr elvdt shot 2600fps which makes no sense to me at all. I may have swapped the 88gr with the 62gr without knowing will test again.

75gr shot just under moa, keep in mind this was with a thermal.
62gr shot over 1 moa, but will retest as I may have been shooting 88s by mistake.

 

[Spartan1810]

Anyone else? Really curious other peoples experiences etc

I ended up purchasing a complete 18 inch upper from Grendel Hunter. I was impressed with the quality of the upper receiver, bolt, and bolt carrier. The barrel is a Satern Lliberty barrel. It shoots the factory 62 grain ELDVT’s consistently at about an inch with only approximately 50 rounds through the barrel.

I will be primarily using the 22 arc for Coyotes this winter and plan on tracking all my shots. So far I am two for three. I took a shot on a coyote at approximately 200 yards and believe I hit one of the front legs on a frontal shot. I was unable to recover the Coyote, but believe it was killed. The other two coyotes were anchored -shot placement was good on those.

I chose the 22 arc in a gas gun for Coyotes. My big game set up will be the 6mm Creedmoor shooting a Straightjacket armory barrel in a Rokstok. If I had to choose just one gun I would consider 6 arc. But I like having the 22 arc gas gun and the 6 creed in the bolt gun.

I believe there is a gentleman that allegedly shot a bull moose with the 88 ELDm’s recently.

 

[Gettincloser]

Any new updates? Are you still pleased with your component / upper choices? I am thinking about buying an upper or just putting one together. Either way, about the same cost. One one end, a factory puts it together with reassurance. On the other, I get to hand pick the components. Any suggestions on individual components?
Favorite barrel?
Gas block?
Gas length?
If you were to do it again? What would you do now?
I want to run suppressed so I am thinking 18" or 20" as I want to keep some of the velocity for distance with the 88gr eldm.

Insight is always appreciated.

 

[jefe]

Went with faxon 16", faxon bcg,sa adjustable gas block, 80% billet lower with aero upper lower, also added JP buffer springs.

I love the gun, actually built 2. Have shot under moa at 100 yds.

Have been reloading 75gr Hornady, with 31.9gr of h4350 I am hitting 2850fps with the 16", about a 9fps SD.

Hope it helps, asks anything.

 

[Spartan1810]

I will say this. Specificity on your use and application of the firearm is the best place to start. I knew exactly what I was going to use my gas gun for. Day hunting coyotes.

So far, I don’t think I would do anything different. The one most important component if you are going to build or purchase an upper is the barrel in my opinion. I would suggest starting there. I do not reload and it appears if you use factory ammunition, the barrel selection is even more critical. If you reload, I think there is a higher likelihood you will be able to get the barrel to shoot well. I chose an 18 inch barrel with a suppressor. I would not go any longer for my specificity and use. If anything I would consider a 16 inch but I am very pleased with 18. I am running a rifle gas length with an adjustable gas block and have had no issues running it suppressed.

After barrel selection, there are lots of quality upper receiver parts. Just choose a quality BCG and charging handle. In terms of the lower receiver, I chose to replace the trigger with a Geissele trigger and made sure I upgraded the buffer.

If you have any other specific questions, I’d be happy to answer. Let me know.