[FireForged]

All this grumble'n about the use of the word "assault rifle"... what gives? We all know what he is talking about.

[LA_357SIG]

Originally Posted by WoodenPlank

First note: Stay away from AR's in 7.62x39, they are known for having frequent issues, plus they require specific parts (bolt, barrel, and proprietary mags) that are harder to come by. 300AAC Blackout has nearly identical ballistics to the commie caliber, but only needs a new barrel in an AR15 - it uses the same bolt and mags as 5.56. However, ammo price and availability are nowhere near as good as 5.56, and ammo is only going to be getting worse over the next 6-12 months.

Do you know this for a fact, or is this what you heard? I would love to hear about your first hand experience with 7.62x39mm from an AR-15. Just because it had problems in the past and some internet commandos couldn't get one running people with no experience can keep regurgitating that it is a failure? FWIW I got my first 85% home build (lower was from a assembled AR) to run rather easily. (Suppressed piston AR in 7.62x39mm)

[glockbanger]

Here's where I'm at, I've decided going with a 5.56 AR platform is best for me. Now, as to which manufacturer. BCM looks attractive, partly from what I've heard from some of you guys, but I fear partly from their attractive advertising. I need to decide on a manufacturer, barrel length, and maybe some other things.

Barrel length, what length barrel is advisable for said yardage? What company to order upper, and also the lower from? Are some AR-15 chambered for .223 whereas others are 5.56 or are they all the same?

[WoodenPlank]

Originally Posted by glockbanger

Here's where I'm at, I've decided going with a 5.56 AR platform is best for me. Now, as to which manufacturer. BCM looks attractive, partly from what I've heard from some of you guys, but I fear partly from their attractive advertising. I need to decide on a manufacturer, barrel length, and maybe some other things.

Barrel length, what length barrel is advisable for said yardage? What company to order upper, and also the lower from? Are some AR-15 chambered for .223 whereas others are 5.56 or are they all the same?

BCM is one of the best uppers out there.

You want 16" - with good ammo, it will reach out farther than you will be able to, and you avoid the headaches of a pinned 14.5"

I'm sure some idiot out there makes an AR with a true .223 chamber (as opposed to .223 Wylde or 5.56), but I'd never buy one.

[Hour13]

Originally Posted by glockbanger

Here's where I'm at, I've decided going with a 5.56 AR platform is best for me. Now, as to which manufacturer. BCM looks attractive, partly from what I've heard from some of you guys, but I fear partly from their attractive advertising. I need to decide on a manufacturer, barrel length, and maybe some other things.

Barrel length, what length barrel is advisable for said yardage? What company to order upper, and also the lower from? Are some AR-15 chambered for .223 whereas others are 5.56 or are they all the same?

Good choice going with the 5.56 caliber. As well, you will NOT be disappointed choosing Bravo Co.

I would really suggest sticking with the 16" barrel, my personal preference is a 16" with the mid-length gas system in the standard profile. This will have no problem reaching out and touching deer at that range, while providing maneuverability when it doubles as a HD/SD rifle.

16" is the basic "do-it-all" way to go.

[WoodenPlank]

Originally Posted by Hour13

Good choice going with the 5.56 caliber. As well, you will NOT be disappointed choosing Bravo Co.

I would really suggest sticking with the 16" barrel, my personal preference is a 16" with the mid-length gas system in the standard profile. This will have no problem reaching out and touching deer at that range, while providing maneuverability when it doubles as a HD/SD rifle.

16" is the basic "do-it-all" way to go.

Agreed, except I wouldn't use 5.56 for deer except at VERY close range.

[TangoFoxtrot]

Originally Posted by Glock21Owner

You can't go wrong with the Smith and Wesson M&P Sport. Lots of reviews here.

+2

Its made by a major manufacturer
Great price
Quality made
Low recoil
Many ways to configure it to your liking
Small caliber .223/5.56
Ammo is wildly available

Ammo is aprox. .30 cents per round.

[bullittmcqueen]

Originally Posted by WoodenPlank

Agreed, except I wouldn't use 5.56 for deer except at VERY close range.

Double agreed. If you want to shoot whitetail with an AR, you better be accurate enough to hit the kill spot every time. Otherwise, you're just being inhumane.

Also be sure state laws allow taking deer with .223

[Hour13]

Originally Posted by WoodenPlank

Agreed, except I wouldn't use 5.56 for deer except at VERY close range.

This is a good point, most hunting with ARs around here is hogs. The 5.56 will reach out that far, but certainly not ideal. From the wide parameters the OP is going for, perhaps he's be better suited not spending his entire budget on the AR.

M&P15 Sport + Savage bolt .308 = problem solved?

[Airhasz]

Originally Posted by WoodenPlank

Agreed, except I wouldn't use 5.56 for deer except at VERY close range.

Plank, from your experience what .556 round would you recomend to take a deer at said very close range? I hunt thick hardwoods that only offers 50 yard shots. No problem with shot placement at that range and I'd like to kill my next buck with my Colt. Thanks for your reply.

[bmoore]

Originally Posted by Airhasz

Plank, from your experience what .556 round would you recomend to take a deer at said very close range? I hunt thick hardwoods that only offers 50 yard shots. No problem with shot placement at that range and I'd like to kill my next buck with my Colt. Thanks for your reply.

Proven rounds.

[Matthew Courtney]

Originally Posted by Airhasz

Plank, from your experience what .556 round would you recomend to take a deer at said very close range? I hunt thick hardwoods that only offers 50 yard shots. No problem with shot placement at that range and I'd like to kill my next buck with my Colt. Thanks for your reply.

Barnes 62 grain tsx. Choose your shot carefully. Neck or behind the shoulder shots.

[SCSU74]

Originally Posted by MrMurphy

What Plank said.


Remember an ACOG can cost more than the rifle. Easily. Well worth it, in their correct role. But if all you're doing is killing paper a 1-4X or 3-9X will do just fine.

I personally use an Aimpoint, it's what I know and trained on and used on duty. No magnification but nearly indestructible.



This is me demonstrating a shooting on the move drill yesterday to some new shooters.

S&W M&P15, LaRue 7" handguard, FUG, Aimpoint H-1, LaRue LT103 fixed rear, CTR and MIAD with a VTAC sling.

how do you like the front sling attachment in that spot? I had my moe handguard tapped for a QD socket there, but haven't got around to training with it at that location. For now i have it further forward under the FSB, just curious how you feel about it there.

[K. Foster]

Originally Posted by Airhasz

Plank, from your experience what .556 round would you recomend to take a deer at said very close range? I hunt thick hardwoods that only offers 50 yard shots. No problem with shot placement at that range and I'd like to kill my next buck with my Colt. Thanks for your reply.

Heaviest soft point you can find.

[EL COLONEL]

Get a ruger 10/22 and 10 ..25 round mags. I would drop the extra cash and go with the stainless ...

[WoodenPlank]

Originally Posted by Matthew Courtney

Barnes 62 grain tsx. Choose your shot carefully. Neck or behind the shoulder shots.

Originally Posted by K. Foster

Heaviest soft point you can find.

Either of those. I would definitely not use a 55 grain soft point.

[Glock21Owner]

One thing I like about the Sport is its 1 in 8 twist rate. With the money you save by buying this rifle, you could get some P-MAG magazines and a CMMG .22 conversion kit with extra mags. Just an idea, but I highly recommend this rifle and accessories.

[Airhasz]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Matthew Courtney
Barnes 62 grain tsx. Choose your shot carefully. Neck or behind the shoulder shots.

Quote:
Originally Posted by K. Foster
Heaviest soft point you can find.
Either of those. I would definitely not use a 55 grain soft point.

Originally Posted by WoodenPlank

Either of those. I would definitely not use a 55 grain soft point.

Thank you all for the recommendations!
Thanks to Bmoore also!