This AR22 Rimfire Upper Shoots Like a Laser: BoreBuddy Apogee Review

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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