Thought's on AR's for the varmints & yote's?

[wackum]

I have never shot an AR and I know they are getting pretty popular for predator hunting. Any input good or bad would be appreciated.

[carpsniperg2]

A AR platform is about as perfect as it gets for yotes and varmints. Fast follow up shots make for the cats meow, when calling yotes

[CAMPMEAT]

Mine's a Rock River 16 inch barrel. FUN to shoot more than any gun. Keep 'er clean and buy lotsa ammo. I can shoot out to 300 yards no problem.

[FC]

A very accurate platform and lots of fun to shoot!

[sebek556]

  lots and lots of great ar companies out there to choose from, Olympic arms, rock river, dmps, and lots more. or you could be bold do some research and build your own. My next weapon will be a ar-15 platform shooting a 6.5

[Kola16]

They are awesome for yotes. You can get quick follow up shots and they look mean   They are also cool to show off at the range too 

[Gringo31]

I think the best benefit to getting one is the quick follow up shot.  Not just to burn more lead, but you can walk your leads in on a runner.  When you see yourself shoot behind them 2-3 times, you can learn just how much lead they require.  Inexperienced guys on a bolt would just miss and say I'm not good at it.  After a bit, those runners become almost natural.

[sebek556]

one like this? 

[shoot-em-dead]

I've never owned one but I can say two things-#1 - the only bad thing I've ever heard about them is that they can't make one in 22-250. And #2- Someday I'll be getting one or two or three or

[sebek556]

Olympic Arms UMAR .22-250 AR15
ar-14 in 22-250

[shoot-em-dead]

I stand corrected How long have they been making it? I know it wasn't too long ago I read an artical and they were saying that the pressure from the 22-250 was too much to use in a semi auto.  I'm not big on pressures and how they work for or against the semi auto.

[carpsniperg2]

Yeah it is fairly new and you have to buy there lower as well. So I cant wait tell a few companies maybe start making them. There twist rate sucks in the 22-250 right now. its for like the 40 grain bullets. I have looked into them but to many things I don't like right now.

[GoPlayOutside]

Shoot em if you got em

[wackum]

Okay so,build or buy?

[carpsniperg2]

Depends on who you ask.

For me: I would atleast build your lower and then you can get a ready to drop in upper. It can save you a good chunk of change and you get more of a custom fit gun that way.

[sebek556]

it depends also on your skill level, if your mechanically inclined and have some gun smithing experience  then you can save money and or end up with a great shooting custom that is how you want it. If not then your best off buying one honestly, at least then you have one to reference off of when you build one.

[JohnVH]

my 6.5Grendel loves smoking yotes, hope to put a deer in front of it this year too! Maybe even a bear.

[Caseyd]

I'd build your lower and buy a complete upper for your first.

The lower can be put together in about 30 minutes.

[wackum]

Thank's for the tips.I'll keep you posted on my progress.

[Heredoggydoggy]

lots and lots of great ar companies out there to choose from, Olympic arms, rock river, dmps, and lots more. or you could be bold do some research and build your own. My next weapon will be a ar-15 platform shooting a 6.5

Ya mean like this one?

[sebek556]

  you need to bring that one over so I can make sure it functions properly 

[Heredoggydoggy]

you need to bring that one over so I can make sure it functions properly 

I will--as soon as I get all the parts together.  Actually, it's a wildcat based on the 6.5 grendel called the 20 LBC.  6.5 Grendel necked down to .20 cal.

My 450 Bushmaster is pretty much like it:

[carpsniperg2]

Are those lasered on or decals?

[huntnphool]

Bushmaster Varminter with 40gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip 

[Heredoggydoggy]

Are those lasered on or decals?

They're laser-engraved.  There's a laser engraving shop here in Wenatchee that will put anything you want on an upper or lower, or anything else you want.  I put the clip art on a thumb drive and took it to her and she transferred it to her computer, mounted my piece in the machine, outlined it for my approval, and Zap!  For the mags, I told her I wanted Old English fonts saying "GRENDEL" and she brought it up on her computer.  She suggested staying back from the deep groove in the mags in case the laser would go out of focus there.  It's permanent and her prices are very reasonable.  As long as the surface isn't reflective, anything can be engraved. 

[carpsniperg2]

Are those lasered on or decals?

They're laser-engraved.  There's a laser engraving shop here in Wenatchee that will put anything you want on an upper or lower, or anything else you want.  I put the clip art on a thumb drive and took it to her and she transferred it to her computer, mounted my piece in the machine, outlined it for my approval, and Zap!  For the mags, I told her I wanted Old English fonts saying "GRENDEL" and she brought it up on her computer.  She suggested staying back from the deep groove in the mags in case the laser would go out of focus there.  It's permanent and her prices are very reasonable.  As long as the surface isn't reflective, anything can be engraved. 

That is very very cool! I have seen a few youtube video's with them doing the laser art on guns. I might just have to look her up. I have a couple more builds to finish up first. Could you send me a pm with her contact info? thanks!!!

[Blacklab]

 I'm building a 18 inch 6.5 Grendel for my first build. Putting an ar together is not very hard at all. A couple of tools and a few youtube videos and your golden seriously. Everthing is pretty much mil spec so all company parts work as one. If you do a little home work you'll see how easy it is

[CAMPMEAT]

I just bought a Rock River 450 SOCOM complete upper for my Rock River. What would be a good engraving to put on that badboy ? Gimmie some ideas if ya don't mind.

[Heredoggydoggy]

I just bought a Rock River 450 SOCOM complete upper for my Rock River. What would be a good engraving to put on that badboy ? Gimmie some ideas if ya don't mind.

Well, it either depends on what you intend to shoot it with, or a theme.  For my Grendel (20 LBC, but trademark rights prevent it from being called a Grendel) I chose the Grendel creature because I've always loved the Beowulf Legend.  On the left side of the upper I had "20 LBC" in block letters engraved to identify the caliber.  The Hog engraving on the 450 Buhmaster is what I figured the caliber would be ideal for.  The upper is already engraved "450 Bushmaster" from the manufacturer.  I scanned a coyote from a magazine ad and cleaned it up for putting on one of my .223s, but haven't yet:

[CastleRocker]

Just a point of information.  I think Alexander Arms relenquished their trademark claim on "Grendel" back in February. 

Also, just as a tidbit of info; years ago there was an old gunsmith in Kelso had an old Martini single shot that he had re-barreled in .20 Russian, that would be about the same thing as a 20 LBC, (or Grendel, or PPC, etc.)  Don't recall how it shot, all his guns were sold after he passed away. 

Although I admire Bill Alexander for his drive and commitment to market the 6.5 Grendel, one has to remember, Mr. Alexander did not really "invent" the 6.5 Grendel, he just re-named the 6.5 PPC and sent it to SAAMI to make it a standard cartridge. 

They are all based off the 220 Russian case that's been around for over 50 years, and if I remember correctly, the 220 was based off the the 7.62X39.  Not for sure on that, but I do know they share the same case head dimentions.

[CastleRocker]

I really like my AR's.  (Except I lost a lot of 17 Remington brass shooting coyotes before I bought a brass catcher!).   

To answer the build it or buy it question... I'd say build it.  Buy a good quality wrench, vise blocks, and a DVD.  Then shop for parts.

If you must by it, watch the "Bargain Bin" at CMMG.  I have bought a couple uppers and one complete rifle from them, that were all cheaper than I could build them.

Got my last two antelope with a DTech upper in 25 WSSM, my wife got her speed goat with her 6.5 Grendel. 

Looking at building a 20 Practical, or a 6 DTI next.

AR's are like eating chips...you can't stop at one!

[Heredoggydoggy]

A friend of mine couldn't decide whether he wanted a 20 Tactical or a 20 Practical.  He decided to go with the 20 Tactical when he found that all he had to do was neck down a .223 case.  If he loses a case in the brush, no biggie.

The Grendel is based on a lot of older cartridgeslike the 7.62x39, but it takes what is called a "class II" bolt.  The 7.62 bolt chambers the round, but won't lock up.  Waiting for another bolt now.  That's all I lack to get mine up and running.  I have 5 other ARs, so it's not like I don't have anything to shoot! 

[Sidewinder]

Heredoggydoggy, I sent you a PM. Please send me some information about the woman doing your engraving. I really like how yours turned out.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Heredoggydoggy, I sent you a PM. Please send me some information about the woman doing your engraving. I really like how yours turned out.

PM sent.  She really does nice work.  And you can watch the laser do its thing! 

[Sidewinder]

Thanks for the information Heredoggydoggy!