I would like a really light platform to carry while walking/hunting.. .223 just because it works fine, lots of ammo choices..

Am looking for light lower and upper if available and a super lightweight hand guard all while being reasonably accurate. No suppressor.. prefer an 18 or 20'' barrel.

Any suggestions on where to start ? TIA!

You can piece together a lightweight one yourself, if that is your goal, and put an accurate barrel in it. It won't be cheap. It will be very nice however.

I have one with an 18" White Oak SPR barrel, Aero lower receiver, Aero slick side upper, low mass bolt carrier, lower parts by VSeven, and lots of titanium and carbon fiber. Ended up being very light for a build with that heavy a barrel in it, and is one of my favorite ARs. Wasn't cheap. Shoots great and is reliable.

My theory is that light weight and accurate are doable, just put the weight where it matters most (a good barrel and optic). I could have saved a few ounces by going with a fluted barrel but got a good deal on the White Oak.

Look at POF. They seem to have some of the lighter AR-15 and AR-308 guns. They should have what you're looking for.

This upper and a Tennessee Arms polymer lower. I don't have the exact weight but I think mine is just a tad over 5 lbs. If you want to save a couple more ounces trim off the front sight base. I'm thinking of adding this trigger. The price is tough to beat.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-custom-ar-3-5-lbs-match-grade-drop-in-trigger-flat-116055.html
https://www.del-ton.com/AR-15-Barrel-Assembly-p/dt1021.htm

For aluminum lowers, PWS is about as light as it gets and is full ambi.

PWS lowers are about the same a most other forged lowers, like BCM, Aero, PSA, etc.

AUK1124 gave some good advice.............barrel, bcg & stock are where the biggest potential savings are assuming you don't put a 20oz handguard on it.................lots of HG's around 10-11 oz.

Or you don't load it up with a 2+ lb optic & mounts.................

MM

It's not got an 18 to 20" barrel. (16" pencil barrel) But I have a fairly lightweight AR that started as a Bushmaster QRC,...which is fairly light as it comes. At the time, the QRC sold for $530. I think they're asking a bit more for them now. I replaced the 6 position buttstock with a Battlelink minimalist model and replaced the polymer hand guards with a lightweight aluminum pair made by Midwest Industries. The 1.5-5X20 Leupold VXIII weighs 9.3 ounces. The mount is by Monstrom. I've got a bit less than $900 in the whole package. (A friend sold the VXIII scope to me for less than it was worth)

It weighs 6.6 lbs with the optic.

I've got an Anderson carbine for the farm junk critter gun. Like all M4geries it's fairly light and I wanted to keep it that way. I ordered a 1" Aero lightweight extended mount, which is solid and weighs next to nothing. It's not much wider than the top rail and don't eat much space there. Hell the scope will fit back in the factory box with the mount on it.

CDNN has a couple of pencil barrel uppers BM under $200

https://www.cdnnsports.com/ar15-custom-upper-16-556-pencil-bfi-quadrail.html

Make it a Brigand Handguard

https://www.opticsplanet.com/brigand-arms-edge-handguard-for-ar-15.html

^^^^^^
Masarcoppersolidpoo...


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86,d

Midwest industries hand guards.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/midwes...ard.html?_iv_code=MWI-HZ-SPMLHG-MI-SP12M