I found a great price the LWRC IC A2 5.56 in Dark Flat Earth, so I quit looking and spent my money. The gun came with one 30rd PMag, I plan on getting 5 more mags, bipod and optics once I receive the rifle and put some rounds through it. Anyone else have this gun? Any recommendations on ammo for target shooting, bipod or optics? Guide me to the right subforum to find info? Thanks Mike

Optics should match the purpose of the rifle.  For the best of all worlds the 1-8x Leupolds are pricey but cover most ranges the 5.56 matters at.

For a lot less $$$ the 3-9x Leupold Firdots give you an illuminated reticule and very decent optics in the $550 range.

For under $300 the 1-6x Primary Arms have a great rep and still cover a wide power range.

Finally the Aimpoint PRO or Eotech anything are equally fine red dots that a 3x magnifier can be added to.


As for ammo buy in bulk from Freedom Muntions.  They reload once-fired brass but it's as good as any WWB or other basic ammo, for less $$$.

Harris is the standard for bipods.

Thanks for all the info. I ordered 150 rounds of 5.56 from Freedom, they were out of stock on larger amounts. That will get me started anyway. I ordered a bipod but haven't decided on the optics. UTG 30mm Swat compact this what I am considering to get started. If it doesn't workout on this gun I'll mount it on my other.  Is there a good tutorial on the site for proper break in, lube points and cleaning after shooting?

Keep your receipts

Never happened to me but there sure have been a lot of posts regarding damage from freedom munitions lately . I'm not badmouthing them, but I'm not buying either.

If you own a lwrc I'm going to assume that rock bottom budget isn't a huge concern for you. For quality over value id recommend some lancer mags, very nice and should compliment your rifle nicely.

Depending on your uses that bipod may not keep up with you. If you want top shelf, look at atlas or gg&g. Honestly for my ar's I don't use bipods and just lay over the top of an ammo can if I'm on the bench. For precision, you may like the two I've suggested.

Optics is your personal battle to bear my friend. Probably the most debated personal taste item on an ar

Congrats on acquiring an LWRC, great weapon.  I would get an Atlas bipod.  I have one for my REPR.  They are built quite well.  As others have mentioned, optics is a personal preference.  What do you think the furthest that you would shoot is?, from there that will help the direction you want/need to go.  IE:  Under 200yds you can do a 4x ACOG or get a 1-4, 1-6 variable scope.  Keep in mind that when it comes to good/great quality scopes the general rule is, what you paid for your rifle plan on spending for your scope.  Example, my M6IC cost me $2,500, my scope, (Leupold MK6 1-6), cost me $2,400.00

Take a look at SG Ammo, their pricing is good.  I personally use Federal 55gr or 62 gr

Thanks for the tips on ammo and optics. After talking to a Leupold rep I'm looking to start with the Redfield Revolution 4-12x40 Accu-Range scope. I have 40+ acres of deer hunting heaven in the Missouri/Ozark area and already have a crude pistol shooting drill range built. I plan to extend my rifle target shooting area from 150 yards up to 300 yards and see if I that works for me without having to buy an atv to fetch my targets. I'm trying to keep the rifle under 10 lbs, with bipod, optics and loaded 10 round mag. I have another question, should I get a single piece scope mount like the Leupold Mark 2 IMS or a much less expensive 2 piece set of rings? Thanks, Mike.

Single piece.  

Aero Precision makes a nice lightweight single piece mount in varying lengths - usually goes for about $75 on sale or on the EE.  I bought my father a PA 1-6 ACSS (EE) with the Aero SPR mount (Graniteridge) for under $300 and he was happy as a clam.

The LWRC is a fine weapon you will be very Happy with it.

I put the Aimpoint T1 on mine, it came with the gun.   May leave it like it is, quick and light and shooting out to 200 meters is doable.  May put a Leupold MK6 1x6 on it later.

Buy mags and ammo.  when we go out and shoot, we run 500+ rounds through our guns.  Get a bipod later if you need one, a good weapon light would be a good add.

JohnnyP, did you you mount a sling on your A2? I received my first shipment of ammo yesterday so I'm going to start off shooting at 50 yards with bipod and front grip mounted, no optics for the first couple of times out. I ordered 4 Lancer translucent smoke mags and a Plano 2 gun case. I'm still thinking of adding the sling and mounts. Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

Good job!  I'm jelly...

Anyway, this is a damn fine bag to haul your weapon around with: PSA brand gun case

I have 3.  Lots of places to stash stuff, and it's a backpack!  A good copy of the Drago bag which is very popular.  Sometimes they will throw in 5 or 10 PMAGS, and the price goes up accordingly, but the base price of the PMAGS is always just 10 or 12 bucks.   I've never felt the case has inadequate protection.

I agree with moth that Leupolds are pretty much the mutt's nuts for optics.  I have Trijicons on mine, but I'm a short range guy.  If you're gonna hunt, then I'd expect the VXR-Patrol to be a wonderful piece of kit.  The MK AR line (Leupold) also gets good reviews, but I'm suspicious of uncapped turrets.  

Lots of info on the site.  Check the "stickied" posts for basic info.  YouTube is also helpful.  You got a piston gun so cleaning is pretty much wiping down the bolt and carrier, maybe boresnake out the barrel, and a few drops of lube.  

FWIW, I have probably shot 3K of Freedom Munitions; never had a bad round.  55 grain solids is the basic round.  You can cheapen up a bit by going to .223 vs. 5.56, but it's not a big savings.  Ballistics difference?  On paper, yes.  In the field?  Maybe.  You'll have to get both and just see.

That's the scope I bought, cheap enough for a starter, versitile for its price, but certainly not supeb. The reticle is a bit thick for 100yd bullseye work, but that isn't what my rifle is for, except in trying different powder charges trying for tightest groups before making them in bulk. I do like the turrets, they lock/unlock quickly and work as they should, seems pretty repeatable clicking around in a square and coming back on to zero, at least for my skill level.

The UTG compact isn't a battle scope at all, sight picture at 3x is still too tight for fast targeting. I was hoping to find UTG 1x-4x scope but it seems they stopped making that some time ago. I'll probably bite the bullet and buy a nice 1x4, maybe if my tax return allows.

Congratulations!

That's a great first AR..I love my LWRC.  (I'm cheap, only have one of their uppers)

Optics are wide open, you will have to find what you like for different scenarios.   personally I don't care for the 1-4 style scopes.  For shoots inside 150yrd, man sized targets, the eotech is my go to.   If I need a scope, I want 10x or more.   Or even 20x+ ...


I'll throw another vote in for one-piece scope mount.  I have/use several LaRue QD mounts and they consistently detach and mount very close to zero