AR experts...HELP ME!!

[Diamond S]

OK so to make it short and sweet here is the deal. I may have the wife talked in to letting me buy an AR or something along those lines. Here is the problem, I have no idea what I am doing with these type of firearms, I just want one mostly because I dont have one. OK so I am not looking for top of the line simply because she would not let me drop that kind of cash, but I want a decent gun.

1. Brand

2. Caliber 223 or 308

3. scope? type?

4. what is the realistic range for these guns?

5. expected price?

6. Any "extras" that are needed, not just cool looking?

7. would another similar gun be better?

8. best place to buy one?

Before you ask it will be used for killing varmits and for home protection if need be.

Thanks for your help

[Daniel75]

What's your budget?

[jebsvitals]

I would for sure set a budget first because it can get out of hand really quick. If it was me I would build it from a stripped lower that way you have exactly what you want. Also that way you don't have to drop a lot of cash at once. Make sure you get one with a decent trigger, I think its one of the most important parts of the rifle.

[stxhunter]

As mentioned, a budget would help to start with. I've seen them as low as $800 all the way up to several thousand.

[Diamond S]

lets say $1K

[Deer Destroyer]

6.5 Grendel. Look it up. Better ballistics than the .308 or .223, by far! 50% less recoil than a 308 and it's still supersonic at 1200 yards. The trade mark was just released so all companies can make the ammo and the weapons. Now I know someone is going to say its the same as the 6.8, but it's not even remotely the same. The 6.5 Grendel is the best thing to happen to the AR platform hands down!

[Jason19]

OK so to make it short and sweet here is the deal. I may have the wife talked in to letting me buy an AR or something along those lines. Here is the problem, I have no idea what I am doing with these type of firearms, I just want one mostly because I dont have one. OK so I am not looking for top of the line simply because she would not let me drop that kind of cash, but I want a decent gun.

1. Brand

2. Caliber 223 or 308

3. scope? type?

4. what is the realistic range for these guns?

5. expected price?

6. Any "extras" that are needed, not just cool looking?

7. would another similar gun be better?

8. best place to buy one?

Before you ask it will be used for killing varmits and for home protection if need be.

Thanks for your help

What is your intended use for it? Range gun, hunting, defense? I know where some colt 6920's are going for $950 but I consider that my low end. High end is "build yourself" out of top manufacturers like seekins, noveske, etc.... Accessories can be changed/added throughout the weapons life. Do your research on those....start with a good company, decide your barrel length and buy some iron sights for starters.

[jebsvitals]

I agree with the 6.5 Grendel, I love mine. Ammo is a little hard to come by sometimes but I have noticed academy has started carrying the hornady 123 grain and they are great rounds. Shot one deer last year with one and it dropped in its tracks. Shot a turkeys head off at around 100 yards. Have shot pigs at around 140 yards as they where running away had the bullet fragments come out of there chest. Very Very accurate and like stated above no recoil.

I am looking at one of these soon. You can change the magazine well out with the uppers and so becomes almost the endless capabilities since you arent limited to bullet length. The gun store I go to said they should have some in by the end of they year and they are going to be about 1100.

http://www.mgi-military.com/index.php?id=1

[cobra281]

I'd check out palmetto state armory. You can get carbine kits for $499. All you have to do is add a lower. Nicer lowers are around $150. I've seen blemished lowers go for $50 ish on palmetto state armory.

I use my AR as a tool though. It's not the prettiest, but it's gotten used.

As for sights. Aimpoint Comp M4 with cowitnessed back up irons.

The M4 is basically indestructible.

If you don't know how to build one, I learned watching youtube.

[cobra281]

Forgot caliber.

I have no experience with the 6.5, but I know .223/5.56 is very a inexpensive round.

[Diamond S]

Thanks all, I will take all suggestions. And answer all PMs.

[txstringbender]

This day and time stay with ammo availability. Your best bet would be .223/5.56. Most off the shelf AR's (DPMS, Bushy, S&W, etc) are all spec rifles. Parts can be interchanged. If your looking for a fun gun, go this route. If you want a varmint rifle I highly recommend the Remington R-15. Very accurate. Most all I mentioned here are sub-$1000 guns depending on model. If you're looking for an ammo burner get a 16" barreled carbine. It basically depends on what YOU want.

[Bluesman]

Wrong forum.
Check out The other side of the Ranch. Or whatever it's called

[Casey]

I was in the same boat a few years ago. I picked up a Rock River LAR15 in 223 from someone here on the site. It's a great gun and does everything I need it to do. Last spring, I grabbed a Windham Weaponry in 223 from Academy. I put decent scopes on both and they shoot better than I can. My kids have killed deer with the Rock River and the Windham has done it's share of damage on javelinas, rabbits and such.

I saw no reason to go crazy trying to build the perfect rifle. I needed one (or two) for under a grand each that would serve me well as a gun to haul around the deer lease in the Ranger or for my kids to use to whack everything from javelinas to good bucks. These have served me well for all of it.

[Diamond S]

Thanks again, keep the info coming.