#2208160 - 05/17/08 10:34 PM
All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
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Mackay_Sagebrush
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Registered: 07/03/07
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Ok here is the question posed:
What would you consider to be an ideal "all around" AR rifle?
You only get to build one.
This rifle could be used for everything from ground squirrels to mule deer. The environment it would be used in would range from fairly heavy woods to the wide open Western high desert of the Great Basin.
The owner would be a reloader.
Would you choose an AR 15 platform in 6.8 spc? How do you think the 6.8 would do on typical mulies of the West?
A potential advantage of this rifle would be as a lightweight gun (if you chose that route)for those long walks or steep climbs.
Maybe an AR25 platform in .243/.260/.308?
The .260 has one heck of a lot going for it as an all around contender.But then the bullet selection in 24 and 30 caliber is outstanding, so do you go for a .243 or a .308?
What barrel length and profile? 18" 16", 20" ?
Lightweight, Hbar or bull profile?
So there it is. What is the ultimate all around AR based rifle?
Any such rifle in my mind is going to be a compromise as such so where do you find the balance?
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#2208321 - 05/18/08 05:37 AM
Re: All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
[Re: Mackay_Sagebrush]
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RickyD
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I already have mine. A Dtech AR build on a standard AR15 frame for the WSSM class of cartridge. Mine is a 243 WSSM and shoots 100 grain Nosler SB's into .3's for 3. If you want something more robust, see Mike's recent thread on some wildcats he's building off the WSSM case here: http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads...e/1#Post2207768 . If a wildcat is not your thing, maybe a 25 WSSM would be more your cup of tea. The WSSM allows the use of the lighter, cheaper, and more versatile AR15 platform and gives up nothing to little to the AR10 in practical hunting performance.
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#2208377 - 05/18/08 06:29 AM
Re: All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
[Re: RickyD]
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TWR
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You say if you could only build one... in my mind world events would be the only reason I could see to grab one and go so it would be 5.56 NATO for obvious reasons. Besides they kill mule deer with archery equipment and with a Nosler 60 gr Ballistic Tip or a Barnes or TBBC the little 223 would do what it needed to do if you kept ranges short and weren't trophy hunting but hunting for survival. Oh and it would definately be in a light weight package with a low powered scope, probably this one.
If you just want to build one AR (good luck) and had access to ammo, I might look at the 25WSSM.
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#2208437 - 05/18/08 07:15 AM
Re: All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
[Re: TWR]
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leomort
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Loc: Pittsburgh, PA area
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TWR,
That's a nice rig! Can you give details/specs? What does she weigh?
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#2209062 - 05/18/08 02:37 PM
Re: All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
[Re: leomort]
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TWR
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That's a Colt 16" light weight barrel, chrome lined, 1/7 twist. 7" LaRue rail, LaRue mounts for the Leupold 1.5-5 scope and Aimpoint ML3, they switch back and forth while retaining zero. Troy BUIS, LMT SOPMOD stock, Blue Force Gear VCAS sling, Tango down BAttle grip and stubby vertical grip, RRA NM 2 stage trigger in a Noveske lower.
Without the light and mag it weighs under 7.5 pounds. I have others but this is by far my favorite.
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#2209126 - 05/18/08 03:17 PM
Re: All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
[Re: TWR]
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leomort
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TWR,
That's one of my main complaints against the AR's is their weight. Looks like you have a nice one. Wonder if setting up something like that for southpaw is possible?
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#2209208 - 05/18/08 04:19 PM
Re: All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
[Re: leomort]
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TWR
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Stag makes a left handed gun...
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#2209377 - 05/18/08 06:15 PM
Re: All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
[Re: TWR]
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leomort
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Yeah, but they're heavy SOB. I'd like something lighter, along the lines you got. I'm not that knowledgeable about AR's to build one my first time out.
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#2209420 - 05/18/08 06:44 PM
Re: All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
[Re: leomort]
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czgunner
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Registered: 03/12/08
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I finished a lefty 6.8SPC build a while back.
I currently have a 2.5-10x40 Bushnell Elite 4200 on it.
Using a Stag lower w/Mag-Pul CTR stock, Stag upper receiver w/Ko-Tonics 16" barrel w/improved 6.8 chamber.
This is a VERY light setup for it's capability.
Check out 68forums.com for more SPC lovers!
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#2209862 - 05/19/08 05:52 AM
Re: All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
[Re: BMT]
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leomort
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BMT,
You a lefty? That .223rem looks nice!
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#2210100 - 05/19/08 08:35 AM
Re: All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
[Re: leomort]
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BMT
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Registered: 11/09/02
Posts: 9218
Loc: Long Tom, Oregon
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Leomort:
Yes and no. Right handed, left eye dominant. I shoot left handed.
The 223 wears a Leupold 4.5-14x40. Shoots little bitty groups.
BMT
Edited by BMT (05/19/08 02:41 PM)
_________________________
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#2210124 - 05/19/08 08:46 AM
Re: All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
[Re: BMT]
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Rogue
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Registered: 12/13/00
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Loc: Southern Oregon/Helmand Afghan...
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BMT, nice rides. I'm thinking I need an AR10 set up just like your except a gas block on the front with a flip up front sight. It would have to been chambered in 260 of course.
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#2211843 - 05/20/08 07:54 AM
Re: All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
[Re: BMT]
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Rogue
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I didn't know you went there. That sounds like classic Clint. The best part of his courses is the first half day just listening to him go on about everything. What a stud. I've been the TR and Gunsite both and I was so amazed at Clint's knowledge base, TR will aways be my first choice of schools. I've been trying to talk my wife and some of her friends into going to the womens pistol course at TR. Which course did you take the defensive pistol or the carbine or both? I'm looking at the advanced carbine and the combat shotgun next.
For me I would pick the 260 in the AR10 platform, the 357 sig in a polymer pistol and 41 mag in the revolver. But nobody but me would care.
Edited by Rogue (05/20/08 08:01 AM)
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#2219544 - 05/24/08 02:44 PM
Re: All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
[Re: Rogue]
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Suicycle
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Registered: 12/11/03
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All arounder I would go with a light weight upper in 1:9. Look at CMMG or Delton uppers. Or maybe a Bushy ultralight. Flat top for optic options and maybe spring for a flip up front gas block, if you don't like the A2 FSB sticking up. Aimpoint rules, kick ass battery life. If optics aint for you, go with a A1 upper. Several makers offer them. Fwd assist is not needed, just adds weight. Think of it as if a round won't chamber in a bolt gun............ why would you beat the bolt closed to fix things?
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What does it mean when the primers fall out of the case?
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#2226771 - 05/28/08 11:15 PM
Re: All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
[Re: RickyD]
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Mackay_Sagebrush
Campfire Regular
Registered: 07/03/07
Posts: 303
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I already have mine. A Dtech AR build on a standard AR15 frame for the WSSM class of cartridge. Mine is a 243 WSSM and shoots 100 grain Nosler SB's into .3's for 3. If you want something more robust, see Mike's recent thread on some wildcats he's building off the WSSM case here: http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads...e/1#Post2207768 . If a wildcat is not your thing, maybe a 25 WSSM would be more your cup of tea. The WSSM allows the use of the lighter, cheaper, and more versatile AR15 platform and gives up nothing to little to the AR10 in practical hunting performance.
What kind of velocity are you getting out of your loads?
Barrel length?
Sounds like it would be a good all around cartridge for a reloader. Especially if it will shoot into the .3s
If if is not too much of a bother I sure would be interested to see a pic of your wssm.
Thanks
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#2226996 - 05/29/08 06:12 AM
Re: All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
[Re: Mackay_Sagebrush]
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leomort
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Registered: 04/04/02
Posts: 846
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA area
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General question for all you knowledgable AR15 shooters. Why are all these rifles weigh around 9lbs??? By the time I install even low/mid power fixed scope, I've added close to another pound of weight. Hard for me to wrap my mind around a 10lb or 11 lb .223rem. Maybe I'm just too new to the AR's.
Leo
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#2227020 - 05/29/08 06:26 AM
Re: All around/general purpose AR platform? Opinions?
[Re: Mackay_Sagebrush]
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RickyD
Campfire 'Bwana
Registered: 07/07/04
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I haven't chrono'ed the 100 grainers yet. Should be in the 3000-3100 range. The Winchester factory 95-100's were chrono'ing at 2900-3000 and the 55's 4100. Handloaded 85 grainers were running 3200-3300. I don't know if I have any pictures but they would be on my machine at home. I'll check. I swap out a lower from a Colt Elite for it now but have all the parts for a nice custom lower build with a Magpul PRS stock with their modular grip and a Jard trigger on a Stag frame. Now all I need is a little time to put them together.
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