I"ll suggest RRA as a good source for lowers and quality uppers. As a competitive shooter, IMHO you can not go wrong there. Do NOT pay for the COLT name. All lowers that I am aware of(there may be some obscure ones that are not used in competitive circles) are made by the same company. So don't worry about the lowers actual name. RRA is still a good start.

As to the comment on Olympic Arms having the best barrels out there. Having had a few of their tubes and many of other brands, including a replacemen oly tube for a bad oly tube, skip the though of oly barrels. You may get a hummer or a bummer.

Every Wilson Tube I"ve had will shoot better than any Oly tube. IMHO bushy and armalite factory tubes are a gamble too. Some are great, some aren't.

If you are just into plinking this all won't matter much. I'm speaking as a top competitor and what it takes to make most average competitors happy.

Oh yeah-- RidgeRunner. 223 Wylde-- just so folks dont get confused Wylde refers to the chamber reamer type-- not the caliber. Its still a stock 223 Rem. In fact the Wylde actually uses the stock 5.56 nato body with some modifications rather than the saami 223. YOu might try a 50 beowulf too at some point. They are a hoot too!!

Jeff