Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
The BoreBuddy Apogee Match Gen 2 isn’t just another rimfire AR upper, it’s a precision-tuned .22LR machine that shoots tighter than some bolt guns. After serious testing, it proved fast, quiet, and scary accurate.
Meet the AR22 Rimfire Upper That Thinks It’s a Centerfire
The BoreBuddy Apogee Match Gen 2 AR22 is a dedicated .22LR AR upper built from the ground up for accuracy and reliability. Unlike typical rimfire conversions, it’s a true match-grade system with premium components and thoughtful engineering that squeezes the most performance possible from .22LR. It’s suppressor-ready, works with standard AR lowers, and is offered in multiple barrel lengths to suit different builds. After testing the 16.1″ model extensively, it’s clear this upper delivers centerfire-like precision in a lightweight, rimfire package.
Table of contents
- Meet the AR22 Rimfire Upper That Thinks It’s a Centerfire
- Unboxing the Apogee: Premium Parts, Zero Guesswork
- Handguard Fit & Finish: Built Like a Custom Race Gun
- Upgraded Upper & BCG: Tuned for Rimfire Reliability
- Match Barrel Performance: Accuracy That Defies .22LR
- Precision Testing: AR22 Accuracy That Shocks
- Lower Setup: Compact, Clean, and Functional
- Reliability, Tuning & Full-Auto Madness
- Final Verdict: Precision, Speed, and Pure Rimfire Fun
- Related Reads from GunsAmerica Digest
Unboxing the Apogee: Premium Parts, Zero Guesswork
The Apogee Match AR22 ships as a complete upper assembly and arrives with everything needed to run except a lower. Included are BoreBuddy’s upgraded bolt group (crescent firing pin, power extractor, Gen 2 standard collar), a premium Apogee Match 416R stainless barrel finished in nitride with a knurled thread protector, and BoreBuddy’s AR22-specific dust cover upper with a shortened .22LR ejection port. Also in the package: an ambidextrous 22LR-cut charging handle, a free-float M-LOK handguard with QD points, and all the hardware to mount to a standard AR lower. Just don’t pair it with a Magpul B.A.D. Lever. It’ll cause malfunctions.
Handguard Fit & Finish: Built Like a Custom Race Gun
The free-float M-LOK handguard doesn’t just look good, it fits so precisely that it feels like one continuous receiver. M-LOK slots on five sides let you mount lights, bipods, and sling points anywhere you want, and the front QD sockets make quick transitions smooth. Roughly 1.5″ of barrel threads stay exposed for easy suppressor swaps, meaning no clearance headaches or banged knuckles.
Upgraded Upper & BCG: Tuned for Rimfire Reliability
The Apogee upper ships with BoreBuddy’s upgraded BCG, designed to be reliable out of the box. Each bolt includes a hardened round firing pin, a hardened extractor, and a 6-lb recoil spring. BoreBuddy offers different bolt versions for quiet suppressed work, conversions, and left-hand shooters. The Gen 4 adjustable bolt weight makes tuning effortless: just swap internal weights to slow bolt velocity and tame that classic rimfire gas puff. With tungsten inserts, you can hit up to ~2.7 oz for smoother cycling and less fouling. The result? Cleaner ejection and near-flawless reliability, even with subsonic or hyper-velocity ammo.
Match Barrel Performance: Accuracy That Defies .22LR
The Apogee Match barrel is 416R stainless and nitride-finished for longevity. Threaded 1/2×28 and topped with a knurled protector, it’s suppressor-ready out of the box. During testing, this 16.1″ barrel consistently punched groups tight enough to rival bolt guns. It stabilizes 40–42 grain match loads beautifully while keeping the platform light and maneuverable.
Precision Testing: AR22 Accuracy That Shocks
Most of the ammunition for this test came from AmmunitionToGo.com, whose fast shipping made running multiple loads easy. With a Vortex Strike Eagle 3-18x on top and 5-shot groups fired at 48.2 yards, several loads hovered around 1 MOA, outstanding for a semi-auto .22LR.
| Ammo Type | SD (FPS) | Extreme Spread (FPS) | Avg Velocity (FPS) | Group Size (MOA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aguila Super Extra 40gr | 1195.7 | 10.3 | 28.7 | 3.31 |
| CCI Pistol Match 40gr | 1046.0 | 9.8 | 27.6 | 2.10 |
| Eley Tenex 40gr | 1057.9 | 7.8 | 19.8 | 1.04 |
| Eley Match 40gr | 1088.5 | 10.7 | 27.9 | 1.06 |
| Eley Semi-auto Benchrest Outlaw 42gr | 1099.4 | 9.2 | 26.9 | 1.40 |
Lower Setup: Compact, Clean, and Functional
Paired with a Brownells BRN-180M lower and a Midwest folding stock, this build stays light and folds cleanly for transport. The stock locks solidly and can even fire while folded, a slick setup that trims weight and boosts portability.
An American AR Gold fixed flat-faced trigger completed the setup with crisp, 2-pound break, short reset, zero creep. It’s a trigger I trust across multiple rifles for good reason.
Reliability, Tuning & Full-Auto Madness
Reliability is solid for a dedicated AR22. Clean it often if suppressed, and it’ll hum. On full-auto testing, maintaining forward pressure on the bolt group proved key. With BoreBuddy’s adjustable trip kit tuned, the Apogee dumped 25 rounds in 1.02 seconds, flawless cycling at a wild cyclic rate.
BoreBuddy recommends Kriss mags for the best results. Black Dog mags work but won’t lock back on empty. During testing, the Kriss 25-rounders ran perfectly.
Final Verdict: Precision, Speed, and Pure Rimfire Fun
The BoreBuddy Apogee Match AR22 is one of the most refined .22LR AR uppers on the market. It’s accurate enough for competition, reliable enough for training, and smooth enough for full-auto grins. Offered in 12.1”, 16.1”, and 21” options at $699.50–$749.50, it’s a high-end rimfire setup that outperforms its price tag.
Related Reads from GunsAmerica Digest
- Tippmann M4-22 Elite Review: Rimfire AR Built Right
- Rock River Arms LAR-22 Review: The Ultimate Trainer
- Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 Review: Still the King of Rimfire ARs
Available on GunsAmerica Now
Mitchell Graf is a dedicated hunter, competitive shooter, and firearms enthusiast. As a former instructor and president of Oklahoma State’s Practical Shooting Team, he has a strong foundation in marksmanship and competition shooting. These days, he spends as much time as possible chasing pigs and coyotes with night vision and thermal optics.
When he’s not in the field or on the range, Mitchell works as a full-time Mechanical Engineer in the Aerospace and Defense industry and manages a part-time farming operation. Whether he’s behind a rifle, designing parts, or working the land, his drive for precision and performance remains the same.
Experience:
– Mechanical Engineer – Full-time professional in the Aerospace/Defense industry.
– Competitive Shooter & Instructor – Former President and Instructor of Oklahoma State’s Practical Shooting Team.
– Night Vision & Thermal Hunter – Passionate about night time predator and hog hunting.
– Part-Time Farmer – Working to provide for my family, and raise food for this great nation.
Regarding the comments made about the group sizes, the chart listing the group sizes would be what they would measure at 100 yards. If you look closer at the photo of the groups they shot at 48 yards, the Eley Tenex and Eley Match groups are 1/2 inch or smaller as each square on the target is 1 inch. So, the the 100 yd. group size would be approx. 1.04 and 1.06. Same with the Aguila which is about a 1.6 inch group with the flyer would calculate to the 3.31 inch group at 100.
Reasonably good article, however I know I’m in the minority, but I don’t like ARs of any kind or quality. And based on the numbers published here my out of the box standard 10/22 that I paid about $240 for at Walmart will out shoot this thing from sand bags.
If you really are an engineer, you should know better than to use that stupid MOA crap when talking about ballistics.
You had my attention with “full-auto trip kit” but at close to a $grand after taxes and shipping – I don’t know. What the heck does “maintaining forward pressure on the bolt group proved key” mean? For now I’ll see if the trip kit is available as a separate item and will work with my dedicated 22 upper.
That is shit house accurate. My Marlin 60 will eat it’s lunch with cheap bulk ammo
You seem easily impressed. 6 inch groups are unacceptable. 2 inch groups with match….get real dude. Any decent bolt gun will out shoot that and it is worse than other 22 semi autos. Ever try the Tippman? Too cheap for ya? Didnt pay for the sponaored ad? You never mentioned the twist rate…..is it standard 1 in 16 or slower like 1 in 10? I will just use my cmmg conversion for now.
1 in 10 is a faster twist than one in sixteen, not slower. Just saying. BoreBuddy barrels are 1:12.
You are correct…..I had just woke up.