[BrewGuyTim]

So, I finally pulled the trigger (sorry about the pun) on my new AR upper.

I currently have the CMMG .22lr AR, but wanted something a little beefier for distance.

After doing a lot of research and examining my bank account, I decided to go the "value" route with my upper. The X-Treme comes from Red X Arms (MN). Being from Wisconsin and also loving to help the little guy, I was impressed with their responses. 1) Responded within 2 hours of my emails (sent 8:30pm, responded 10:30pm). 2) Told me everything I needed to hear about the company, how the work is done and how they can keep prices low.

I will post my results after I get it, get it mounted, and get some rounds down range. For $435 (chrome BCG upgrade), I'm hoping that they are as good as their emails.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Side View:

Front-ish

Barrel Stamp:

What are you seeing?

Red X Arms X-Treme 20" Bull SS Upper
- BARREL - 20" 416 STAINLESS STEEL BULL BARREL CONTOUR. HARDENED TO 26-32 RC AND STRESS RELEIVED. CHAMBERED IN 5.56 NATO (ALSO ACCEPTS .223 ROUNDS). 1-8 RH TWIST 6 GROOVE BUTTON RIFLED. .936 UNDER GAS BLOCK. TARGET CROWNED. M4 FEEDRAMPS.
- A3 FLAT TOP UPPER RECIEVER - MADE FROM CERTIFIED 7075-T6 ALUMINUM FORGINGS. BLACK HARDCOAT ANODIZED AND TEFLON COATED TO GOV. SPECS. PROPER WHITE "T-MARKS" ON RAILS. FORWARD ASSIST AND DUST COVER INSTALLED. M4 FEEDRAMPS.
- GAS SYSTEM - MADE FROM AIRCRAFT QUALITY ALUMINUM AND BLACK HARDCOAT ANODIZED. RIFLE LENGTH GAS TUBE. SINGLE TOP RAIL GAS BLOCK.
- HANDGUARDS - 2 PIECE KNURLED FREE FLOATING HANDGUARD. MADE FROM AIRCRAFT QUALITY ALUMINUM AND BLACK HARDCOAT ANODIZED.

SCOPE - NCSTAR MARK III TACTICAL 3-9X40MM WITH THE QUICK RELEASE BASE. THE RISER IS, WELL, A RISER.

MAGAZINE - BRAVO COMPANY 30RD TEFLON COATED MAGAZINE.

CMMG LOWER - CAME WITH MY CMMG .22lr AR. STOCK TRIGGER.

BI-POD - NCSTAR ABUQ14 EXTENDING BI-POD.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Impressions: This weighs a metric crap ton. Shipping weight on it was 6 lbs. Add in the clamp-on bi-pod along with the riser and scope, and it's probably coming close to 9 lbs.

All in all, I'm very impressed with the craftsmanship. This is a beefy barrel (.936) and at 20", it's heavy. Have I mentioned it heavy? But most importantly, everything goes together tightly. My take down pins are very snug, there's no movement in the free floating handguard, or the joint between upper and lower. Literally, there is no rattling anywhere on this rifle. Granted, I haven't shot it yet, but I'm very confident that nothing's going to be moving.

The only thing I'm considering is whether or not I'm going with a quad-rail gas block or dropping the nurled handguard in favor of a quad-rail handguard with the low-pro gas block. We'll see.

One more thing. I placed the order on Saturday night. I got it today. Granted, it's only traveling from Minnesota to Wisconsin, but still. That's insanely fast.

I will again update this after shooting it tomorrow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Alright, it took an additional day to recover from seeing the Brewers dismantle the D-Backs in Milwaukee, so we went out today.

At 50 yds, my scope was a bit off, but we got it moved to where it should have been.

At 100 yds, it needed a little more fine tuning. And then I was making really cool patterns. All neatly tucked inside the 2" bulls-eye. Trying to fine tune it a bit more, I was able to stick 6 inside of the 1" circle. For anything that I'm going to be doing, that's just fine.

So, no new scope, mine works just fine thanks. And only considering a new foregrip or gas block so that I can ditch the clamp-on mount for the bi-pod. I would do the sling mount but I don't have that adapter for my bi-pod. But if I can just leave the clamp on the .22, I can move it back and forth without any trouble at all.

Was shooing Federal .223 Remington, 55 gr. FMJ ammo. Got about 75 or so down range today. I can't say that I've been happier shooting a rifle before. This thing will reach out and touch someone without any problems at all.

Now I just have to remember not to over-stuff my magazines.

 

[willow]

Yeah, let us know how you like it. I have been wanting to build a AR since I bought my first one in back in May. I really want to do a .308 and these guy look like a great place to start.

 

[XDm_Shooter]

So, I finally pulled the trigger (sorry about the pun) on my new AR upper.

I currently have the CMMG .22lr AR, but wanted something a little beefier for distance.

After doing a lot of research and examining my bank account, I decided to go the "value" route with my upper. The X-Treme comes from Red X Arms (MN). Being from Wisconsin and also loving to help the little guy, I was impressed with their responses. 1) Responded within 2 hours of my emails (sent 8:30pm, responded 10:30pm). 2) Told me everything I needed to hear about the company, how the work is done and how they can keep prices low.

I will post my results after I get it, get it mounted, and get some rounds down range. For $435 (chrome BCG upgrade), I'm hoping that they are as good as their emails.

Glad you took the leap BrewGuy! You wont regret the upgrade from the .22, but do post back with results once you get it. I am still looking at these guys for my next build this winter!!

 

[BrewGuyTim]

If this turns out well, you guys will probably get tired of me posting in every AR thread: "You should have bought from Red X!!!! Could have saved $200+"

I'm very hopeful. Should have it end of the week-ish...

 

[BrewGuyTim]

OUT FOR DELIVERY!!! Now to make my life a little more dreary, I have a 3 hour drive today so I'll have to pick it up at UPS.....Ugh...FML...

 

[Mercmar]

I used an 18" RRA bull barrel for my first build. Have moved the scope back since pic was taken. If I'd known how accurate RRA's NM stainless barrels are, I'd have gone with one of them instead, to save weight.

Whether a chrome bcg is an upgrade probably depends on to whom you're talking. Bushmaster doesn't recommend them. I don't think you can go wrong with anybody's mil-spec bcg.

 

[BrewGuyTim]

I have it. It's on the lower. I'll be posting pics in the OP once my wife gets off the big computer. This thing weighs a metric **** ton.

 

[warmachine]

Let me know what your initial thoughts are if you would. My dad is looking for a 20 inch Upper and is considering this one. I appreciate it

 

[BrewGuyTim]

OP updated with pictures and impressions.

 

[Mercmar]

I think you'll probably need a better scope, in order to fully realize the accuracy potential. Should shoot dimes @ 100 yds, with good ammo!!

I'd probably replace the trigger before the scope, though. I'm using the JP trigger/hammer combo.

 

[mtcraigco]

That clamp on bi-pod is defeating the entire purpose of your bbl being free floated.

Get one the mounts on the forearm tube, you'll be glad you did

Looks like a sweet rig other than that one thing.

 

[BrewGuyTim]

Mark - You are absolutely correct on that. Unfortunately, that's what I have on hand right now. with the quick release, I should be able to keep the bbl adapter on the .22lr upper, while moving it over to the .223 when I need to.

In regards to the scope, I figured i would give this one a shot (since it will maintain zero since the mount is integrated with the scope) to see how it actually does. With it on the .22lr, I'm about as good as I can shoot at 50yds (25 shots within the size of a silver dollar). That scope was part of what came with my initial .22lr purchase. I will say, I don't regret my purchase at all to this point. We'll see when I push it out to 100 yds later today.

 

[BrewGuyTim]

Did not get to shoot today. It's been raining and blowing (gusts up to 40mph) so we're shooting for Sunday (nice pun, huh?) since we'll be in Milwaukee on Saturday for the playoffs! Should be sunny and calm on Sunday though.

 

[XDm_Shooter]

The only thing I'm considering is whether or not I'm going with a quad-rail gas block or dropping the nurled handguard in favor of a quad-rail handguard with the low-pro gas block. We'll see.

One more thing. I placed the order on Saturday night. I got it today. Granted, it's only traveling from Minnesota to Wisconsin, but still. That's insanely fast.

I will again update this after shooting it tomorrow.

Hey BrewGuyTim, looks good man! Glad to hear it all fits together nice and snug too! I went with the quad rail on mine...thinking about changing it out again as is seems the quad rail is more "tactical" than the rifle this size really is...doesn't look like it belongs on it...jmo tho. Bet it shoots as good as it looks...

 

[XDm_Shooter]

I think you'll probably need a better scope, in order to fully realize the accuracy potential. Should shoot dimes @ 100 yds, with good ammo!!

I'd probably replace the trigger before the scope, though. I'm using the JP trigger/hammer combo.

Went with the RRA National Match 2 stage in mine and added David Tubb National Match Spring Set. This trigger is like running your hand over glass it is so smooth, nice crisp and clean break right at about 4# I think!

 

[BrewGuyTim]

Hey BrewGuyTim, looks good man! Glad to hear it all fits together nice and snug too! I went with the quad rail on mine...thinking about changing it out again as is seems the quad rail is more "tactical" than the rifle this size really is...doesn't look like it belongs on it...jmo tho. Bet it shoots as good as it looks...

I'm trying to go for more barrel showing so moving to the quad rail with a low pro gas block. That's the reason for wanting the quad rail handguard. Need some place to stick the bi-pod.

 

[XDm_Shooter]

I'm trying to go for more barrel showing so moving to the quad rail with a low pro gas block. That's the reason for wanting the quad rail handguard. Need some place to stick the bi-pod.

I have the same freefloat tube on mine...I just drilled the hole for the sling mount and added the bipod that way. Was SIMPLE to do!!!

 

[BrewGuyTim]

Just updated with shooting information. My God I love this rifle.

 

[Mercmar]

Just curious as to whom the "someone" is that you plan on "reaching out and touching?" I just use mine for busting crows and shooting dimes @ 100 yds.

If your accuracy goal was only 1" patterns (sic), then couldn't you have been just as happy with any AR with a skinnier, lighter barrel?

 

[BrewGuyTim]

Just curious as to whom the "someone" is that you plan on "reaching out and touching?" I just use mine for busting crows and shooting dimes @ 100 yds.

If your accuracy goal was only 1" patterns (sic), then couldn't you have been just as happy with any AR with a skinnier, lighter barrel?

I'll attribute any "sloppiness" in my grouping to operator error. What yesterday proved to me was that my equipment was more than capable of handling anything I needed to do up to (and probably beyond) the 100 yard target that my range has at the farthest spot.

In regards to my comment about "reaching out and touching someone," take that for what it is. A flippant comment made to invoke the emotion if something needs to be hit, it will be. And right where I want to put it.

BTW, I don't like shooting currency at the range. Wastes money I could be spending on ammo.