Hello - not new to AR15 platform, but new to 450B. I have dabbled in everything from 5.56, 6.8SPC, 6.5G, 300BLK, to 22LR in the AR platform and also the small frame .308 AR family and have owned a mix of rifles I have built from parts to factory Colt, Daniel Defense, and everything in between.
With the series of events ready to happen in my beloved Virginia, looking to finally pick up a "big bore" AR upper and have settled on 450 Bushmaster, primarily after looking into factory ammo availability and cost (I do not reload). I am looking to acquire a 16" upper, complete.
I have hit the debate of "build or buy" WRT 450B. I have plenty of lowers with varying buffer weights to play around with from carbine to H3 so I just need the upper.
I found a Windham upper: https://shop.windhamweaponry.com/produc ... 6sfsb-450/ that looks pretty solid at $700 (maybe less if I can find one via dealer vs. direct).
There appears to be a pretty well thought of combo from Brownells (Faxon 16" barrel plus bolt plus flash hider at $320). I'd need to add a big bore upper receiver ($85), a bolt carrier (maybe $60-$70), gas tube, gas block (maybe $40-$50), then finally a rail ($100-$150+ for a decent MLOK), then, assemble it and make sure it works and tune it if not. So somewhere in the $600-$650 range plus assembly time, so not much cheaper vs. factory.
I am not going to gamble on Bear Creek or anything super-cheap as the "too good to be true" for me has never worked out well. I also see that the Brownells barrel (Made by Faxon I believe) is a 1 in 16 vs. the Windham that is 1 in 24. I plan on shooting factory ammo only, no suppressor/subs, so does that really matter?
I'd love expert input on the comparison above as I am sure I am missing some options somewhere. I have seen some random, never heard of companies that build 450B uppers, but I'd rather stick with parts I know/trust or a factory upper from a reputable company.
Thanks!