Dad needs a new multi purpose rifle.

[buccaneerfan]

Hi all! At the moment, my dad owns a browning lightning blr in 30-06. He has always liked lever actions since he is a leftie. While trying to sight it in this past week, we both grew weary of shooting it due to the recoil. The thing purt near took my arm off. I mentioned trading it for something else and the conversation led us to need. He wants something with mild recoil, (we are both recoil pussies) that he can use for coyote, deer, or even prairie dog, and would be acceptable for a leftie. He is not interested in a bolt action for reasons unknown and I haven't pushed since this is the man that was patient enough with me over the years. Our conversation led me to suggest an AR10 variant in 243, 260, etc. My question is, are AR10'S fairly mild in recoil? Is there some other option that would suit better? And how important is it to have a left handed version in the AR platform? Thanks in advance! For the record, at the moment, we are leaning towards DPMS LR260 because I am already set up to reload for it, it seems to be a very versatile round, and a heavier barrel and AR platform seem to be mild on recoil.

 

[Cnewhouse48]

I'm left handed and shoot all righty guns I run a dpms lr260 right now and it has very little recoil never loose sight of my target. The gun shoots pretty damn good for production holds under Moa out to 500 have hit a couple targets at 1000 with it also drops deer,pigs, and song dogs like hot potatoes 260 rem is great except cost of factory ammo and availability of 6.5mm projectiles.

 

[502Chevelle]

I have a dpms in 6.5 CM, a first cousin to the 260. Mine has a 24 ss barrel on it, and the recoil is pretty mild. It runs good, shoots pretty good, pretty consistently around .8". I'm not sure if they make that upper in a lefty model, but I'm sure someone will chime in that knows for sure. The one downside that I will bring up, if you are going to hunt with it, this sucker is heavy! Go ahead and call me a weenie, but if I had to carry it a long way, I'd be looking at an AR 15 platform in a Grendel or AR turbo. Also, you mentioned hunting pd's with it. Be advised that it doesn't take long for the big platform ARs to get hot real fast! The cool thing about this project is, there are so many options for you to do a build around. I'm sure you will find a good option to fit your needs.

 

[fmsniper]

6.5 grendel would be perfect for him

 

[buccaneerfan]

6.5 grendel would be perfect for him

I thought about this but didn't know about the grendel for deer. Any thoughts on that?

 

[Cnewhouse48]

I don't have personal experience with a grendel for deer or a grendel at all; however I've shot a lot of deer with my ar in 223 and they are DRT and with the larger 6.5mm bullet that would be a good deer gun in my opinion.

 

[fmsniper]

I use it for deer and antelope every year at extended ranges works great

 

[goosed]

260 DPMS is a good option since you already have the reloading equipment, but as mentioned earlier a bit heavy to carry long distances. 6.5 Grendel is another good option with even less recoil and less weight.

However, just to brainstorm since he likes lever actions...
What about a lever gun in a pistol cartridge or 30-30?
Need to reach out a bit more, Browning BLR lever in 243 or 7mm-08?

 

[Raivkka]

Had a Browning ABolt in 7MMRemMag, kicked like a mule and hated it. Shot it 14 times and sold it.

I got the Ruger SR762. Piston gun (tames recoil) and recoils like a pussycat.
All that I did was put on a clip-on Limbsaver to stop the plastic M4 stock from digging into my shoulder and changed the trigger. I am happy with it.

 

[mpncc]

Grendel shooting hornady 123gr sst rounds is great for deer. I've shot hogs and coyote and even a bear with my grendels and there's no recoil and much lighter than an ar10

 

[Regalkismet]

6.8 spc II.... Very light recoil in an AR15 format.... Performance between it and the Grendel are negligible no matter what others say (review spc II ammo and ballistics between the 2 for yourself), the 6.8 has more industry support, more readily available parts, and more factory ammunition options especially for hunting....And it is growing....

 

[Greg Langelius *]

I would suggest the Browning BLR chambered in 7mm-08, or .270 Win (edited to add: which should be more readily available as commercial ammo), with the customary Limbsaver added on since he already loves the BLR platform. BTW, the Limbsaver could be the cure for the .30-'06, too. Besides, the lever gun is not going to become encumbered with pointy headed assault rifle confusions.

Greg

 

[346ci]

6.8 spc II.... Very light recoil in an AR15 format.... Performance between it and the Grendel are negligible no matter what others say (review spc II ammo and ballistics between the 2 for yourself), the 6.8 has more industry support, more readily available parts, and more factory ammunition options especially for hunting....And it is growing....

+1 on the 6.8, hard to beat an AR15 in that caliber.

If I were to build something on the AR10 platform, 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[arocholl]

Without knowing what ranges you are talking about I'm hesitant to suggest a cartridge but what about the .300 Blackout? Still uses a standard AR15 bolt, magazines, etc. All you need is a barrel.

If not that, id go with the earlier 260 suggestion.

 

[Cobracutter]

SCAR17 in .308 or a large frame AR in .243/2.60/6.5CM

If you reload, you do realize you can download 30-06 to much lower levels if recoil is an issue.

Keep in mind shooting a Large AR accuratley is not exactly a walk in the park.

Best bet is to decide what you want to do, and buy a tool for that job. This all in one shit does not work.... too many compromises.

Just buy a Tikka or Winchester in .243 and be done with it. It will have little recoil, kill deer, and can be loaded to shoot varmits/praire dogs/yotes. It will be lighter to carry, cheaper and much easier to shoot.

 

[LRRPF52]

He wants something with mild recoil, that he can use for coyote, deer, or even prairie dog, and would be acceptable for a leftie.

He is not interested in a bolt action for reasons unknown and I haven't pushed since this is the man that was patient enough with me over the years.

AR15 with brass deflector takes care of left handed shooting, and almost every AR15 upper has it.

Cartridge for coyote, deer, and prairie dog: .223 is fine for all those if your state allows.

If he doesn't like the idea of a .223, then go 6.5 Grendel.

The DPMS LR-260 is a beast of a rifle, and I would never think of it as a deer rifle. I've owned one, in addition to 4 other AR10's. I love .260 Rem for a long range, heavy target rifle, but it isn't something you carry around in the field for a deer hunt.

With an AR15, you can have a lightweight rifle, left hand friendly, very little felt recoil, and a lot of caliber options. The cartridge with the most versatility is 6.5 Grendel, especially considering dogs, coyotes, and deer.