Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles 1st AR, $1500+ Budget, Build or Buy

A lot of good advice from these guys. I dont expect any less. What i did was buy a factory built rifle first, so i could look at it if i had any questions on what parts went where. I kind of like that approach. My dad tought me basically the same thing when working on car brakes. Im pretty mechanical, but its always a good idea to have a prime example for comparison. With that being said, id be looking at the better quality factory built rifles. To me, that would include BCM, Noveske, Stag, RRA, Colt, Daniel Defense, and even Bushmaster/Windham weaponry

When I said accuracy was key. I was thinking better than moa, and hopefully around 3/4" consistently, with the occasional better group. Pretty much as good of accuracy as possible considering the $$ budget and lighter weight needs, maybe 7lbs or so.

Almost any AR will shoot sub 1” 3 shot groups from time to time even 1/2” 3 shot groups can be had.

But around here we shoot 10 shot groups and that cuts out a lot of guys with sub MOA guns

Case I point, this was 3 shots out of my 16” chrome lined pencil barreled Sionics barrel at 600 yards.

And here’s my Colt 6720 chrome lined pencil barrel at 400 yards.

So don’t put too much stock in accuracy guarantees cause the bar ain’t that high.

I like stag, they make nice rifles. The one i had, actually had a bushy lower. It was a rifle length gas system and ran flawlessly. The only problem with that rifle was it was heavy. Like MontanaMan said many times, it ought to shoot great, since it had a truck axle for a barrel. After owning that one, i eyeballed the 3 gun rifles they make. Those use a fluted stainless 1 in 8 barrel with rifle length gas system. I like the fact they have everything i would like in a nice factory rifle. That would include a great geiselle trigger, lightweight slim hand guard, and ACS stock. Not a whole lot id change on that rifle. However, if the op is looking for a lightweight 16" barrel, this one may not work for him. AS, do you have any experience with the 16" model you posted a link to?

BSA,

Sadly, I do not.

My opinion was based largely on Stags performance in the BRC, and the first hand reports of others, such as yourself regarding their overall experiences with the Stag brand.

Anymore seldom do I buy a complete upper, let along a complete rifle, if I was in the shoes of the OP, I'd feel pretty comfortable trying a Stag.

That both Craddock & Compass Lake Engineering both offer Criterion barrels is significant.

I also heard somewhere (not confirmed) that Ranier's UltraMatch MOD2 barrels are Criterion blanks.

MM

Looks like Criterion's providing CLE with their own OEM profiles.

The CLE .223 Chamber looks interesting. Just keep in mind, they will not be chrome lines, so it's likely you are trading come accuracy from the CLE chamber for the extended barrel life of Chrome.

Not I sure I follow your post................

CLE does their own profiling on their SPR & Recon barrels & those are all stainless................no CL.

Maybe they are doing some other CL barrels...............don't know. I've only dealt with them on SS.

Their chamber is a shorter throat than as Wylde as I understand it, closer to a 223 Rem.

CLE is a good shop, but from my experience with them, it's easier to work with Paul Craddock as he'll do pretty much what you want, & on a couple of non-standard contours that I've gotten from him, there's been no up-charge. And he's generally cheaper.

MM

MM,

Shops like CLE can order barrel profiles straight from Criterion not available to the general public. I didn't realize, but should have, that CLE also did their own profiling.

Thanks for the clarification.

Yes, you're right about the various (proprietary / dedicated) profiles coming from Criterion to some of their re-sellers, I didn't understand that was what you meant.

I also heard (not confirmed) that Ranier's UltraMatch MOD 2 SS barrels are from Criterion now, used to be Shilen..............from what I know, Criterion's business is way up from just a few years ago.

MM

Colt 6920, LMT SPM16, and Daniel Defense DDM4 are high quality weapons, and all proven in US military use. This is product integrity, not flash & marketing.
M4 configuration is light weight, easy shooting, and very capable of good accuracy with quality ammunition.
Daniel Defense at 731 yards
Add an Aimpoint PRO of Vortex Crossfire in a LaRue mount, based on budget.
The brands I suggested have extremely good resale potential as well, in the event you choose to drop the AR platform or want something more mission specific.


My description of the AR marketplace by price.
"Gucci guns"
Tier 1 Mil-spec.
Tier 2
Tier 3 bottom feeder garbage.

You must work for Walmart

BSA...swing & a miss.

OP. I've seen some exceptional Tier 2 rifles, just like mainstream bolt action hunting rifles, mass produced...never know what you're going to get.
This investment level, <$1,000, allows you to outfit your new purchase will all the items you'll need to support it.
Red dot, mount, sling, case, magazines, ammo, cleaning equip, etc.
Good luck, be safe, & have fun.