Buying an AR

[Ragnar]

When buying an AR is there any real difference between .223 and 5.56 or are they basically the same round? What are the best AR platforms on the market right now? Thanks

 

[Account Deleted]

You can't ask that kind of question in here. Are you trying to start a fight??

Seriously though, there are SO, SO, SO many good options. What are your intentions with said rifle?

 

[deleted_account]

from my understanding you dont wanna shoot 556 through a .223 chamber. You can however shoot 223 through a 556 chamber. I have a rock river ATH that i really like, a bit heavy but shoots great. It has a .223 wylde chamber which is supposed to be the best of both worlds as far ability to shoot any ammo and maximize accuracy.

im no expert, thats just what ive found in my research.

 

[Ragnar]

I will be using it for protection when in Florida and to shoot yotes when in ND.

 

[Bed Wetter]

Direct impingement or gas piston AR?
Buy complete rifle or build?
Price range?

223 Wylde is best
556 is next best
223 will work, but don't feed it 556 ammo

 

[jr2280]

Wylde chamber 1:8 twist. Your welcome.

 

[sweeney]

Sportsman warehouse is going to have dpms on sale for 429 oracle I believe. Good gun shoots both .223 and 556

 

[Ragnar]

Thanks. What do you guys think about shooting heavier stuff on the AR platform... .300 or .308?

 

[Bowhunter_24]

Sportsman warehouse is going to have dpms on sale for 429 oracle I believe. Good gun shoots both .223 and 556

when is this?

 

[jr2280]

Thanks. What do you guys think about shooting heavier stuff on the AR platform... .300 or .308?

I don't have a n AR-10 type but put together a 6.8 SPC II and that is a killing machine. I really love it. Little spendy to shoot compared to .223 or 5.56 but very effective at 200 yards and under. I have not shot anything past that yardage yet to see how she will do. Shot 3 deer and 3 hogs so far and all dead right there except the one hog was a bad shot by myself and that one ran a few yards. I need to see what she sill to to a coyote yet though.

 

[sweeney]

Black Friday on the ar. I have a ar-10 in 308, I really like it I just have the dpms lr. But it is a fun gun for sure, I originally wanted a .243 or the 6.5 creed more but got a smoking deal on the 308. The round has kind of grown on me, it actually spends more time in the field than my .223s. Biggest thing is tactical vs hunting you will find either its tactical with a bunch of crap like reflex sight rails with handgrip and lights and lasers on it or it is hunting with a bull barrel, bipod and a nice scope. My 223s have became more tactical and my 308 is more the hunting set up.

 

[Bed Wetter]

Sportsman warehouse is going to have dpms on sale for 429 oracle I believe. Good gun shoots both .223 and 556

RUN. AWAY. RUN AWAY FAST!

There are infinitely superior ARs out there for $5-600. DPMS Oracle will function, but it's like buying a Maverick shotgun when you could have a Beretta for $100 more.

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Black Friday on the ar. I have a ar-10 in 308, I really like it I just have the dpms lr. But it is a fun gun for sure, I originally wanted a .243 or the 6.5 creed more but got a smoking deal on the 308. The round has kind of grown on me, it actually spends more time in the field than my .223s. Biggest thing is tactical vs hunting you will find either its tactical with a bunch of crap like reflex sight rails with handgrip and lights and lasers on it or it is hunting with a bull barrel, bipod and a nice scope. My 223s have became more tactical and my 308 is more the hunting set up.

Yes, this.

Hunt with my 308, 223 have become plinkers. Black Friday AR sales should be good.

One thing to keep in mind: 223/556 AR parts are largely interchangeable. 308 AR parts are not always interchangeable. If you find Black Friday deals on 308, make sure you buy matching upper and lower.

Palmetto State Armory always has great Black Friday deals and they've already started.

 

[jr2280]

I myself would go the way of building one from PSA way before buying an Oracle but to each his own. I have friends who have the Oracle and they work but there is so much better out there for equal to minimal more in $.

 

[Kickemup]

If u are able to go with a piston upper I would go that route. Way easier to clean.

 

[Bed Wetter]

Since you're shopping, here are some reputable AR manufacturers:

$450-1000 range:

BCM (Bravo Company)
FN (FNH, FNH USA, it's all the same. Been making the worlds best guns for 100 years)
Colt
Adams Arms (piston ARs, excellent quality, look for deals on Black Friday)
Palmetto State Armory (sold as kits, look for "premium" kits, rifles with FN hammer forged barrels. Avoid the "PTAC" and "freedom" kits)
Ruger
Smith & Wesson
Bushmaster (they're ok)
Windham Weaponry
Del-ton (ok kits for the price)
Troy
Rock River


More expensive rifles:

Patriot Ordinance Factory
LWRC
Larue
Daniel Defense
Knights Armamemt
Primary Weapon Systems
Seekins
LMT
Black Rain Ordinance



ARs to run away from:

DPMS (oracle specifically, they still make some OK rifles. Not all bad.)
Sig Sauer (their customer service is excellent. unfortunately, you're going to need it. Great concepts poorly executed, not worth the $)
Red X

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If u are able to go with a piston upper I would go that route. Way easier to clean.

This.

Nothing wrong with direct impingement, but I really like piston ARs. Best bang for the buck is Adams Arms. They make a great rifle. Look for these rifles to go on sale for about $599 (normally $800) soon. If you have the option, get a mid-length upper instead of carbine upper. Adams Arms also has a 308 that runs about $1100, don't know if you'll see that on sale because demand is so high.

Other piston ARs start at about $1100 and go to $3500.

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This kit is perfect, all it needs is a lower receiver:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-16-chf-mid-length-5-56-nato-1-7-ultra-light-moe-defender-rifle-kit.html

Anderson Manufacturing lowers aren't bad and run $39. The lower needs to go through an FFL, which will cost you another $20. Might see if some gun shops in town have affordable stripped lowers in stock.

To build an AR, all you need is a punch set and YouTube.

 

[Account Deleted]

Put a POF-USA trigger in my DPMS LBR last night. It's pretty sweet.

 

[Bed Wetter]

Put a POF-USA trigger in my DPMS LBR last night. It's pretty sweet.

Wait until you shoot it. A guy can burn through $100 in ammo real fast with that trigger. Ask me how I know

POF makes great stuff. Tagged my deer with a P308 this year. Their styling is a little over the top, but built like a tank... if a tank were built by Ferrari.

 

[Account Deleted]

Price is right too compared to a Timney. Not a knock on Timney, never actually used one but they know what they want for a trigger assembly.

 

[sweeney]

I honestly can't tell much of a difference between my Windham and dpms the barrel is a bit different, but the action and bolt when they are stripped down seem very similar, either way if you are going to run a scope either get a new charge handle or a larger charging handle lever, and a trigger. anything is better than the heavy pull factory ones

 

[Bed Wetter]

Posted this over in the Black Friday section, worth a look:

Bushmaster has a $200 mail in rebate through the end of November. A guy could get a decent 308 AR-10 for under $800. This is an okay rifle, but they're WAY overgassed. It's worth the $60 for an adjustable gas block.

Cheapest I could find online is $960 shipped for Bushmaster ORC 308:

http://www.tombstonetactical.com/catalog/bushmaster/308-orc-rifle-308win-16in-black/