Need info on building an AR

[Huntbear]

Ok, so I can build one cheaper than I can buy one.  So what upper and lowers are the best bang for the buck.  I will be on a budget, so need to keep it simple.  I want a 20 in. heavy barrel, flat top, and I want it to shoot hunting loads, not necessarily military stuff.

[Straight Shooter]

http://www.rguns.net/rifles/rifles-semiauto-ar15.shtml

http://www.jsesurplus.com/

[Bscman]

Pete at Legal Transfers will set you up...and for the best prices you'll find if you are looking for a Rock River or Stag Arms upper. Not just that, but he has most items in stock ready to ship RIGHT NOW--no 6 week wait like with many dealers. He's quick to respond and quick to ship--he has RRA stainless bull uppers in stock.

Pete is THE largest volume dealer for Stag and one of the top for RRA--he will treat you right.
http://www.ar15sales.com/

I just purchased a Stag Upper from him for $40 cheaper than ANYWHERE else (and I looked a LONG time). I built my rifle to exceed the specs of a Smith M&P-15 MOE which is retailing for around $1150 depending on where you shop. I built the same rifle (stag makes M&P parts) with an M&P lower, better flip up sights, and the same magpul furniture, for $815 OTD...saved over $300 + tax and I actually have a a better rifle for it.

As for a lower--that's up to you. I purchased mine from Skagit Arms in Burlington WA (M&P Stripped lower). I was able to assemble it with my bare hands and a pair of padded vice grips in less than 30 minutes--with no prior experience. Just looked for a FORGED lower that is genuine MilSpec and you won't have any issues.

[ADAMS]

Huntbear, you ought to check out, join and post questions related to this on the ar15.com forum.  There is even a "build it yourself" section.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/board.html?b=3

Beware of the "milspec" debate.  Strictly speaking and unbeknown to many, no commercial AR rifles sold to the public are "milspec."

[Huntbear]

Thanks guys, am reading and researching now, there is some real variants on what is good and what is junk out there.   

[ADAMS]

You said that you want to use hunting ammunition.  If you want to accurately deliver heavy .223 bullets (70+ grains), you should go with at least a 1:8 twist.  If you don't plan of doing rapid fire mag dumps, you don't need a chrome lined barrel either.  There is a difference between 5.56NATO and .223 Rem chambers too. 

[Huntbear]

You said that you want to use hunting ammunition.  If you want to accurately deliver heavy .223 bullets (70+ grains), you should go with at least a 1:8 twist.  If you don't plan of doing rapid fire mag dumps, you don't need a chrome lined barrel either.  There is a difference between 5.56NATO and .223 Rem chambers too. 

I am thinking a 1:9 twist barrel.  I think that would be fine for what I want to do.  No, am not into burning up magazines full of ammo as fast as possible, just not my style.   

I have been reading that if you get the 5.56 chamber you can still shoot the .223 ammo, but not visa versa.   Looking at Model one upper kit, and a del ton stripped lower.  Look like I can get into it for about 7 bills.

Still researching, lol. 

[ADAMS]

"Looking at Model one upper kit, and a del ton stripped lower."

Sounds good.

[Cascade_Sherpa]

I went the easy route for my AR, I went to Kesselrings and got a Rock River EOP. it has an elevated optical rail that is a weaver/picatiny base that makes scope height much easier. Most flat-top AR's it seems the scopes are way low for natural cheek weld.  I will tell you what that gun is an absolute death ray! Both my buddy and I (he has the same rifle but 20") took our AR's to eastern MT to shoot praire dogs. I got several at 400 yds plus and he got one we confirmed with two ranger finders at 640 yds. A praire dog is no larger than a coffe cup, and this was with factory black hills ammo. I would reccomend Rock River to anyone looking at buying an AR.

[vmkeith]

First off, what are you going to use your AR for?  Big game regulations are a minimum of a .24 caliber/6mm round.  So that means you need to look at a minimum of a 6.5 Grendel or the 6.8 SPC.  Since you are on a budget, I would say the 6.8 SPC...it's what I'm going with.  For information regarding the 6.8 SPC, google 6.8 forums.  There are a lot of good people to answer your questions, as well as give suggestions.  Another question, are you a lefty or righty?  This will determine what and where you should buy from, or determine if you will do the build yourself.

As for your budget concerns, are you going to buy a complete rifle or build it yourself.  For doing the build yourself, how close are you to Lakewood (South of Tacoma)?  I've just got a quote from Surplus Ammo and Arms in Lakewood for an AR15 lower receiver...$159.99 with a TAPCO collapsible stock and everything else you need, or $189.99 for the complete AR15 lower receiver assembled.  This is the best deal I've found for the lower.  For buying a complete rifle, I've seen very good reviews from Stag Arms, and have heard good reviews on RRA's new Coyote Carbine. 

I'm a lefty, so that means I'm going to do a partial build.  I'm building the lower, using the quote from Surplus Ammo and Arms.  Since I'm a lefty, I'm more than likely going to buy a complete upper from Stag Arms.  I'm also looking at having a custom upper built, but since I'm on a budget also, that may be too costly.  I hope this helps.

[Ratdog68]

+1 on the input VMKeith tossed yer way.  The Surplus Ammo and Arms deal just plain rocks.  And... agreed... are you going to hunt deer with it?  If so... why settle on a caliber that'll limit ya?  I opted for a complete upper from ARPerformance in 6.8 SPC.  

[FALFire]

The 6.8 will kill with authority using 110 gr. VMAX bullets. We use them for everything up to Mule deer and they flat work. If you reload, you will find the 6.8 to be a very good midrange predator gun out to 300 yards maybe more and adequate out to 500. I would go with an 18" barreled setup from AR-Performance.com or build your own. As long as you are not saving the pelts the 6.8 does a much better job at putting down coyotes than the 223 can do. 

[Bscman]

You can find Stag Arms (good quality!) complete 6.8spc uppers (includes BCG and C/H) for under $470 shipped...meaning a complete AR in 6.8spc for under $700 if you shop smart...