Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Dad wants an AR - please advise

So my father is looking to get into an AR platform for recreational shooting, home defense and hunting.

The man is no stranger to firearms but doesn't know much about the platform or cartridges.

I recommended my personal choice of a 6720 or 6920 as a decent off the shelf rifle but .223 is not legal to hunt deer in his state. He is open to a second upper but would rather not assemble from parts.

He is looking for lighter weight and less tactical options and appearance.

He asked about 300 Blackout and I told him about 6.8 SPC and 6.5 Grendel. Spot and stalk hunting out to 300 yards.

He is not an avid reloader and will likely just buy factory ammo.

He is looking to stay around a $1000 for the base rifle and wouldn't mind a little brand recognition that will hold some resale value.

With all that information; what should he be looking at for a base rifle, cartridge and/or second upper.

6.8 factory ammo:

http://palmettostatearmory.com/catalog/product/view/id/13720/

I like the 6.8 very much.

CDNN has the LWRCi rifles with the super duper magpul mags. Kinda expensive though:

https://www.cdnnsports.com/ar15-30rd-6-8spc-lwrc-six8-pmag-magpul.html

https://www.cdnnsports.com/lwrc-six8-a2-6-8-spc-16in-black.html?___SID=U

Precision will build to suit ya:
http://www.precisionfirearms.com/48m8/6-8-spc-ii-uppers.html

Probably too exotic of a cartridge, but the bottom one would make a dandy woods rifle.

Tromix .458 Socom.



I personally think the 6.8/6.5 idea is great

A 6720 and a good optic should spread the infection nicely. After that a Geissele trigger and maybe a 6.8 SPC upper from White Oak should cause a fatal life long addiction to the platform.

there is not much more you can do for a good starting point than a 6720 or 6920. Put a better trigger in it, G2S. On the 6.8 upper Iron Works Tactical is said to be a good choice, I researched them but wound up building my own.

http://shop.ironworkstactical.com/category_s/1942.htm

Which 6.8 did you wind up getting?

6.8 for hunting and cost of ammo.

PSA runs 90 grain bonded Gold Dot ammo for $9.99/box a couple times a year, which is accurate and works well for game if one desires. I can load plinker ammo for my 6.8 for less than $7/box(I recently purchased 500 primed virgin Fed cases for $95 delivered and 500 130grn SPFBs for $41 delivered). The 130s are not really optimal for the cart, but will do 2300-2400 from most rigs and also work for sub 200yd game if needed. Good hunting ammo such as the 120SST can be had for $19-20/box as well and works well for hunting out to 300yds+.

Very low recoil round and most report great accuracy. It would definitely be my pick for hunting in areas where .224 CF is not legal.

1k is an easy to achieve goal. I'd personally suggest to build, but Stag offers a nice hunting 6.8 for only around $750 street price. Here's an example cost run down of a good hunting grade build that would serve one well:

Aero Gen 2 lower $75
Aero Upper w/ fwd ast & dust cover $75
Joe Bob LPK minus FCG $30
ASC 10rd or 5rd Mags from GMWH $14
Joe Bob Mil Spec Buffer assembly $40
Magpul CTR stock $52
Magpul MOE Grip $19
Rise Fallout single stage 3.5lb trigger $99
ARP Melonite 6.8 BCG $125
ARP 18" Melonite Target Crown Triad $205
Joe Bob Low Pro adjustable Gas block melonite $30
Voodoo lifecoat gas tube ML $16
Handgaurds are personal preference, but Joe Bobs sells a mid-length ultra slim keymod for only $65 that would suit most people just fine. If you want round, lightweight, and something that's not cold to the touch, Clarks Custom makes a nice carbon HG for around $125.
Keymod sling mount $20
QD swivels $20
1.25" Nylon sling $20

Mounts, scopes, and BUIS are a personal preference as well. For just a hunting rig, The following would work just fine:
Aero scope Mount $70
Leupold's VX1 3-9x40 for $165
He could throw some Magpul BUS on for another $70 as well if he goes with a railed HG.

The above spec'd rig will only weigh 7.5lbs. If he went with the Stag hunter it would add a considerable amount of weight, but they are pretty decent rigs. I'm not fond of 2 stage on hunting guns(Like the stock Stag), but everyone has their own opinion.

Good luck,

loder

Where are you still seeing this trigger at $100? Everywhere I've looked is $120-$130.

Well I found him a local shop that has the 6720 in stock for $854 so he well be heading there this coming week to pick one up. I think that price is pretty damn good.

Still need to settle on a trigger but he is thinking the G2S is the way to go.

Still researching uppers, scopes, mounts and accessories.

Thanks for the help and keep it coming.

The G2S is a strange animal. It's great for what is designed for, but make sure you/he understands it is not a crisp trigger. But, with HD in the mix, it's a good choice.

Buy a Rock River varmint. I have a couple. They are guaranteed sub MOA. Mine do that easy with 62 grain Barnes.