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Posted: 11/29/2006 2:24:54 PM EDT
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I would like to buy my first AR, but I find the more I research the more questions I have. To make things worse, I don't know anyone with any experience so that's where you guys come in. The rifle will be for plinking purposes and my max budget is $1000, but I'd love to be in the $800 range. 1. To build or not to build- Considering this will be my first AR I'd rather buy than build. I know I could probably build one cheaper than buy, but I just don't feel comfortable building one without any experience. 2. Chambering- What do I get my AR chambered in? .223 Rem or 5.56 Nato? I know they're supposed to be the same dimensions, so how is it different? (other than English vs. Metric) Also what exactly is a Wylde chambering? Is it correct that it's okay to use a .223 in a 5.56 but not the other way around? 3. Barrel- Since this will just be a range gun I think I want a 20" barrel over a 16". Also, I want one with a chrome-lined barrel correct? Or stainless? Which is better? 4. Sights- I would like one with a detachable handle just in case I ever wanted to throw a scope on there so I'd want an A3 upper correct? 5. Brands- I think I'm going to stick with either Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt, or RRA. However I think Colts are a little out of my price range. I think these are all decent brands. Any input? 6. Misc- Anything I should know about the flash suppressors? I think birdcage is the standard? I don't really have a preference as far as adjustable stocks or fixed. Well that pretty much covers most of my questions. I know that was a little long winded, but I'd appreciate any advice (including model recommendations). Also feel free to add anything else I may have missed. |
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+1. I had an A2 Bushmaster with a 20" barrel - HBAR, fluted, chrome-lined. The thing would blow the center out of the target at 100 just messing around, and was very consistent. With a scope it would have been absolutely incredible. A 20" s a far cry from a 16". Since your stated purpose is to punch paper, that is exactly the AR I recommend on that budget, the A3 Bushy with 20" fluted HBAR and A2 stock. Oh, BTW, I have been kicking myself for years for selling that upper. Build it yourself? Sure, just put the lower together and buy the whole complete upper - nothing to it. |
Agree....check out the Stag complete uppers and lowers. Push the pins in and you have a complete rifle, saving money over buying it already put together. Or the 20" Bushmaster is a good choice also. Mike |
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I forgot to address your other questions: chambering; you want the standard 5.56 chamber. All barrels are marked as to what chamber they have. .223 Remington and 5.56mm rounds have identical exterior dimensions. Flash suppressor; You may want to consider not having a threaded barrel - the flash hider has no utility on a target rifle. OTOH, with a threaded barrel you could have a muzzle brake, so maybe it is a good idea. Just looking in the Bushmaster catalog, I see that you can get a complete 20" National Match A3 upper and a complete A2 lower for $900. In this case you simply snap the upper to the lower and you're finished. I think the A3 carry handle is extra, but you could start using the rifle immediately if you had a scope. |
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So you can shoot a .223 out of a 5.56 chamber, but not vice versa. This has to do with the higher pressures in the 5.56 correct? I also heard that shooting a .223 out of a 5.56 isn't quite as accurate as shooting out of a .223 chamber. Just how big of a difference are we talking here? Also, I want a 1:9 twist right? |
Not true, and if you are after precision paper punching, go with a tighter twist like 1/7 and a heavier gr. bullet like 77gr. 1/9 in nine is a GREAT bbl to shoot just about any wieght bullet and the everyday bench rest shooter will not notice any real difference in performance when using match ammo even at a couple hundred yds. |
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Will telestocks fit any AR-15? Where do you guys buy your uppers and lowers from? Straight from Bushmaster, RRA, etc? Or somewhere else? I think I want a 20" (chrome lined) barrel, on an A3 upper (with detachable handle), and a lower with a 6 position stock. How much should I expect to be paying? Thanks for the help guys. I appreciate it. |
perhaps I just got CDNN sports new catalog in the mail and they have complete Armalite M15A2 rifles for $699.99. A great KISS rifle for anyone and it comes with a lifetime guarantee (NOT found on frankenrifles) ETA: Armalite rifles are NIB |
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[1. To build or not to build- This is your choice. 2. Chambering- What do I get my AR chambered in? .223 Rem or 5.56 Nato? Also consider the 223 Wylde chamber as it is optimized for both 223 and 5.56 3. Barrel- Since this will just be a range gun I think I want a 20" barrel over a 16". Also, I want one with a chrome-lined barrel correct? Or stainless? Which is better? A chrome lined barrel will retain its accuracy for 10,000 rounds or more, but will be slightly less accurate (slightly). So if the last 1/8"-1/4" in group size is important, then a match barrel is in order, if not, then there are many advantages to chrome lined. 4. Sights- I would like one with a detachable handle just in case I ever wanted to throw a scope on there so I'd want an A3 upper correct? You can put a scope on an A2 (or A1) but the cheek weld is tenuous at best unless the stock is raised with a cheek weld block. 5. Brands- I think I'm going to stick with either Armalite, Bushmaster, Colt, or RRA. However I think Colts are a little out of my price range. I think these are all decent brands. Any input? Colts have different pin sizes and therefore the interchangibility of parts is less than ideal. Bushmaster has an excellent reputation. 6. Misc- Anything I should know about the flash suppressors? I think birdcage is the standard? I don't really have a preference as far as adjustable stocks or fixed. For a target rifle a flash supressor is unnecessary (most national match ARs do not use one.) I like the fixed stock, you get to make your own choice. |
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