Buying an AR15

GillJr

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Dec 11, 2009
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This will be my first AR. I am looking into buying an AR15 for competition shooting. The farthest we normally shoot is out too 600 yards. I have a bolt action in 308 that is very accurate, but I am wanting too try out 5.56 semi-auto. I am keeping the price for the rifle in the $1500 range. The DPMS Mini SASS has caught my eye as well a Stag Arms. They both have 18in barrels which from what I have read is sufficient compared to a 20incher. Any suggestions or pointers from some one that has been here and done that.
 
Re: Buying an AR15

Larue 18" stealth up with your flavor of lower

Or

Save another couple hundred and find a lightly used Noveske.


Not a big fan of stag or DPMS... Especially when your in the price range for a quality AR (Noveske, KAC,LWRC,POF, Larue....)
 
Re: Buying an AR15

The one thing I do like about the Mini SASS is the barrel diameter. The diameter of the other brands looks a lot thinner. Is their a reason for the thinner barrel or the lack of a thicker barrel? One thing about the DPMS are the large pin holes unlike most manufacturers.
 
Re: Buying an AR15

I would look at some of the custom Rainier Arms rifles they will guarantee sub-moa which you wont get from a lot of the other companies it might be a little more money but not to horribly much more.
 
Re: Buying an AR15

I couldn't find anything on Rainier's custom builds. But the POF uppers with the 18in barrels are looking nice.
 
Re: Buying an AR15

+1 on rainier arms. Check out some of their ultra match barrels. You can also have them assemble the upper for you. Definitely would meet your budget for a top notch SPR.
 
Re: Buying an AR15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GillJr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> One thing about the DPMS are the large pin holes unlike most manufacturers.</div></div>

What pin holes are you referring to?
 
Re: Buying an AR15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GillJr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This will be my first AR. I am looking into buying an AR15 for competition shooting. The farthest we normally shoot is out too 600 yards. ... </div></div>

There are two places where highpower shooters go for accurate 600 yard ARs: White Oak and Compass Lake. 20" is the minimum length if you are serious about shooting at 600 yards and 26" is better.
 
Re: Buying an AR15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: K_4c</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Larue 18" stealth up with your flavor of lower

Or

Save another couple hundred and find a lightly used Noveske.


Not a big fan of stag or DPMS... Especially when your in the price range for a quality AR (Noveske, KAC,LWRC,POF, Larue....) </div></div>


This pretty much sums it up.

Good luck.
 
Re: Buying an AR15

Thanks arborpro

I am really thinking about going with a custom Rainier upper (20in SDM barrel, Rainier Billet A4 Upper), and the lower maybe a Seekins with a 3lb Timmey single stage and a PRS stock.
 
Re: Buying an AR15

and a ST-10 custom scope. I think this will be a little over budget but will be what I want unless an one else has any suggestions?
 
Re: Buying an AR15

Sounds heavy, if these are mobile competitions you may want to keep that in mind. PRS will add a lot of weight not considering the scope. I went with a HCS Mk12 Mod 1 upper with a KAC URX 3.0, but that is a little beyond your stated budget.
 
Re: Buying an AR15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Scooter-PIE</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GillJr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This will be my first AR. I am looking into buying an AR15 for competition shooting. The farthest we normally shoot is out too 600 yards. ... </div></div>

There are two places where highpower shooters go for accurate 600 yard ARs: White Oak and Compass Lake. 20" is the minimum length if you are serious about shooting at 600 yards and 26" is better.</div></div>

No doubt, WOP and CLE manufacture and/or assemble products worthy of the label match grade. One thing though, while 26 inches might be better for a multitude of reasons, the 20 inch barrel, which is synonymous with Service Rifle competition, is still quite effective at 1000 yard LR in addition to MR, such as the 600 yard prone slow fire event as mentioned.

The OP did not say what competition he was contemplating but learning the fundamentals with a match conditioned commercial equivalent of the M16 A2 will come to the aid of the shooter interested in reaching the highest plateaus of good shooting. This rifle will require picture and muscle memory development to a very high level if the shooter is to shoot scores as good as can be produced by a mediocre shooter using an optic, at least at SR. Thing is, the iron sight shooter developing skills with the Service Rifle can apply the muscle memory to the scoped rifle for extraordinary results.

DPMS makes an outstanding match conditioned Service Rifle. It sells for about $1000.00. My only complaint with it is that the aperture is too small for me. It's an easy fix however.
 
Re: Buying an AR15

Not the caliber you are looking for, but I had a Noveske 6.8 w/ a 16 barrel that was a legit 3/4 MOA upper with whatever you fed it. But I've heard lots of good stuff about Rainier Arms, LaRue, and JP for competition.
 
Re: Buying an AR15

Thanks gents for all the advice. I have bite the Rainier. Now waiting for Rainier upper to come in. Might try and pick up a Seekins since I have a Seekins lower already. The Seekins is only one once heavier.
 
Re: Buying an AR15

I have this. I had to wait a few months for delivery, but I shopped around and got the rifle and 4 additioal 10rd mags for less than the factory list price. I bought a Weaver T-24 used, mounted it right to the receiver rail with Weaver 1" See-Thru rings and added a Harris BR bipod. It's now my midrange F-T/R rifle. Fine stuff.

Greg
 
Re: Buying an AR15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: K_4c</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Larue 18" stealth up with your flavor of lower

Or

Save another couple hundred and find a lightly used Noveske.


Not a big fan of stag or DPMS... Especially when your in the price range for a quality AR (Noveske, KAC,LWRC,POF, Larue....) </div></div>

I agree with this, for the money the Larue stealth upper is very hard to beat and it still leaves you with 500 for a lower, stock, etc... which is very attainable
 
Re: Buying an AR15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Doc_J</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Regardless of $$$, opinions of who makes the best tactical AR15 setup out there?</div></div>
That's subjective to what you want out of the rifle and how you want it configured.

BCM, Noveske, LaRue, Daniel Defense, KAC, LMT, Colt, Centurion, HK, LWRC, VLTOR and Rainier Arms all make exceptional rifles.
 
Re: Buying an AR15

I would go with a Rock River, Daniel Defense or the good old Bushmaster... As long as you find the right load these are truly MOA guns, and they will run all day long with out a hitch... If it is benchrest match then you may have time to fix any issues but if it is like some of the 3 gun competitions I have seen it better go bang everytime you pull the trigger...

Also for that amount you could get it converted to a piston system ( I reccommend the Adams Arms) and you will only have to clean it when you feel guilty that you haven't done so in a while...

Good Luck!!!
 
Re: Buying an AR15

Knights armory is only one I've ever shot and with a basic rco 4x I've hit targets consistently up to 800 meters. I know that's not long precision shooting but I know for sure it will reach out to 1000 meters+ we just don't ha e the distance for targets for that. Won't let me take mine putti the snipers range or dm ranges are only 800.
 
Re: Buying an AR15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Doc_J</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Regardless of $$$, opinions of who makes the best tactical AR15 setup out there? </div></div>

ARs are lego guns. So, it is the quality of the components that differentiates the best from the rest. Therefore, you can get a top notch rifle from many sources. Beyond the components, the chambering job is most important. Stick with smiths and manufacturers with good reputation. The Wylde chamber is probably the most popular one that has a great reputation for both accuracy and reliability and it feeds any ammo.
 
Re: Buying an AR15

Guys I would like your opinion on a scope to ride on this precision AR15 build.

Wish List:
Mil/Mil
Nice Reticule
Low/Open Turrets
FFP
Parallax adjustable

I was trying to keep it small, but its hard trying to find a smaller scope with parallax adjustable. At least not on in my price range (IOR 1-10 Eliminator).

Was original thinking about the Viper PST 4-16x50. Not sure if I am still going with it after reading post about the glass. Have been looking at the IOR 3.5-18x50 35mm Tactical which is really nice but cost twice as much.

Any suggestions?


 
Re: Buying an AR15

For a budget scope, a Vortex PST would be good. Has the features you want. Better hurry up and get your AR parts, might be an AWB coming down the pipe.
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