Only shooting at 100 yards- would like a heavy barrel that will make 1” groups . Please offer some suggestions. Thanks

I had a Ruger AR. It was not that pricey.
I loved that rifle. Wish I still had it.

Build it yourself and spend what you can on the barrel and trigger.

Yup

My Rock River is sub .75” at 100 yards, 5 shot groups with Hornady 55gr.

+2

Man, I got one of those palmetto state armory complete upper with the free float m lock hand guard and a medium weight barrel in 1:7 twist, I slapped one of those 1-4 leupold mark ar scopes on it and it easily shoots an inch group at 100 yards. I know it will do better with a higher power scope. I paid $419 for it complete with a bolt carrier, so if you buy either a stripped lower or a built up one you could have a very nice gun for right around $500 total, my kit even came with the magpul stock and lower parts kit.

For your stated purpose I wouldn’t buy any Ruger, S&W, PSA, DPMS, etc. black rifle with a 16” with chrome lined or nitrided barrel and flash hider. I would want a stainless barrel and free float handuar, 18-20” length (or maybe longer if you’re really just building a bench gun)

If you’re not into building your rifle from parts and mainly want to shoot small groups for $1k, I don’t think you’ll beat an RRA Predator pursuit or varmint. They aren’t tacticool, but they will shoot. Best groups I’ve ever shot with an AR were with a stock PP upper.

Next option I’d look at would be buying or building a good lower, and purchasing an upper from Craddock Precsion, White Oak Armanment, or Compass Lake engineering. This may stretch your budget a little depending on your lower build, but will give you very good results if accuracy is the objective

I have seen reports that PSA 18” stainless barreled uppers can shoot well. I guess they’re cheap enough, so might be worth a try for a budget rig.

Rock River gives you the best factory shot at sub-1" accuracy under $1k IMHO.

If you build your own, I agree with spending money on the barrel/trigger.

I bought a radical firearms hbar upper on sale for $149.99 from primary arms, stainless 18" barrel, rifle length gas, did not include bcg or charging handle. It shoots really well, for the price I paid, especially with handloads. I haven't measured the groups but they look small enough.

Best factory AR out there ^^^^^^^^

for the cheapest , go Ruger, my neighbors shoots .75 with factory ammo.

most factory ARS will shoot better than you with good ammo

as far as building one ????????????????????????????????????

if YOU build it, you will spend more on tools than the gun. If your gunsmith buddy builds it, well, good luck.

Tools are about $60, and everybody should have them, anyway.

Not even close to being true buy a quality barrel and trigger you’ll have a since of accomplishment every time you shoot it.

Build your own. Shop around & buy all your parts at the best bargain price. PSA is a good source. But buy your barrel from AR15 Performance.

The trick to getting AR's to shoot well is to feed it the right ammo that it likes. I have seen some AR's shoot 3"-4" groups with one load, and 1/2" with the same bullet but changing the powder behind the bullet. I have worked on and own some AR's that would spray groups. But switch powder and dial it in and it's a whole new rifle. My $750 AR that I use to compete with was a 3/4 moa rifle with the right ammo. And I could get hits out to 600 yards on a 1-4x scope no problem. But better barrels will certainly help for accuracy if you feed it good ammo.

My Stag shoots really well with an upgraded trigger.

Rock River Predator Pursuit with a Timney trigger.

Palmetto State Armory and you don't need a 1000 dollars.

Order a Wilson Combat barrel shipped to your door. Take it with you to Rifle Gear in Plano and build the rest of it there. They will have everything you need and you can stay within you price range.

https://www.larue.com/products/larue-ultimate-ar-15-upper-kit/

About $800.

Think HBAR match grade barrel, large diameter free float tubular handguard, flattop upper, the best optics you can afford, the best trigger you can afford.

MOA easy with good ammo. You can have this for under 1000 bucks if you build it yourself.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

Have a look at White Oak Armament...

Bought one of my uppers from them and I love it.

Yes, and yes