Ar 15

[Head-shot]

I'm thinking of building an AR 15, and would like to hear from some of you about tips and cool upgrades.

I will be using it mainly for varmints, so I would like something that can ding fairly consistently out to about 250 300 yds.

I'm pretty familiar with the gun from using it in the military but that was the plain Jane version. I want the "Hot Rod" so to speak.

[actionshooter]

Theres a ton of things you can do. Get a little more specific on what you want and I can throw some ideas out. I have built several, they are almost like tinker toys with all the options. check out www.ar15.com and do some research.

[Head-shot]

I don't really care for all of the tactical *censored* you can hang on one, except maybe lights or something for night hunts.  I want it to feel like an extention of my arm, not awkward and bulky. Smooth operation, from the magizines to the buffer spring. If leagal silent, or as quiet as possible. Although I've not seen much here about those goodies, maybe because of the goofy law on them.

What is the best make in terms of reliability, durability, customer service, availability, then price.

Barrels, you mentioned in another post, who makes the best barrel for the money; with that is it a noticeable difference.

I guess the pros and cons of your experiences. I would rather ask people like yourself who have some experience tinkering with them who are willing to share that, than someone blowing smoke up my ass trying to get me to buy the type of gun they carry.

Does that help?

[whitey]

Bushmaster! They have all the stuff you could ever need for a nail driver AR-15. Fluted 20" stainless barrel. Check out SNS Industries they are made out by Snohomish, Mil spec varmint rifles starting at $750.00 Real nice stuff I will find the link and post it. Heres the link  http://www.snsindustriesinc.com/index.htm

[MikeWalking]

Hey thank for the link. Didn't know about them. Would like to have one for "sentimental" reasons

[actionshooter]

Well for starters your talking about silent, thats not legal here. Funny law, supressors are legal to own illegal to shoot with one   
 For barrels there are 2 basic kinds, button cut rifiling in which they draw a "button" through the bore and broach cut where the rifling is actually milled, more consistent, more accurate and costs more  . For accuracy broach cut is better. For a standard factory rifle Olympic Arms is the only one doing broach cut to my knowledge. You can buy aftermarket barrels that are broach cut also.
 For smooth operation they have neumatic buffers now that are really cool, the old "sshproing" of the buffer spring is gone. They are about $75.
 Several brands are really good right now. With AR15s there are a ton of manufacturers = a lot of competition on quality and price.
 
 I'm partial to Olympic Arms b/c they are local and there ultramatch model is really tough to beat in the accuracy dept. Great warranty and service, especially if you show up at the front door. 
 
I like Bushmaster, I used to shoot DCM matches, service rifle, with one and it was a great gun.
 
Colt is OK but I feel they are over priced and some of thier rifles are not mil-spec, meaning the parts on thier rifles are not all interchangable with other manufacturers.
 
I have seen SNS around but I don't know anything about them, I pretty sure they buy parts and assemble rifles.

 Then you have the match rifles like Les Baer, Wilson, JP (I really like these) that are great rifles but start at $1700 and go way up.
 There are also a TON of parts builders right now and its not hard to pick what you want and buy parts and then have someone assemble it for you.
 Hope this helps
 
 

[Head-shot]

Great, thanks for the insight and the help.

[huntnphool]

I have a Bushmaster that is a tack driver. That being said I have checked out several and would have to agree the Olymipic Arms pieces are very nice. You might consider joining the Washington Arms Collectors, every month there is a show and you can check out all the different pieces, hands on, and get some pretty good deals too if you have the time to get them bidding against each other. Here is a link. http://www.washingtonarmscollectors.org/

[actionshooter]

I would 2nd what phool said about the WAC show. You will see a ton of AR15 stuff and it will help you choose. You don't have to join to go look either.

[Head-shot]

Thanks for the info guys. Does the WAC ever have shows over in my area (Ellensburg) or are they just on the west side?

[Head-shot]

Another question in regards to the barrel I have is the twist.  I've seen everything from 1 in 6.5 to 1 in 10. most of them being 7 or 9. What is the big difference with this and what effect does it have. And which bullets match upo best for them.

[actionshooter]

Heavy bullets, fast twist
light bullets, slow twist.
 I prefer 1-10 with 52-55 grain for shooting chucks and squirrels

[Head-shot]

What it the heaviest bullet for hand loads for the .223? Is it 90 gr?

And the lightest is 40?

[Head-shot]

Also any thoughts on the "Wylde" chamber?

Does it make that much difference, or is it better to just go with the 5.56 chamber and shoot either/both 5.56 and .223 ammo?

[Head-shot]

Anyone else?