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If you could only have one AR platform
- Thread starter NavyshooterM40
- Start date
In what respect?
As in:
Small frame/AR-15 vs. large-frame?
Precision rifle vs. CQB/Entry/Defensive carbine?
Brand "x" vs. Brand "y"?
Your question is about as vague as vague gets!
18" repr dmr. Nightforce that's on it now for long range work and a red dot for close up with a magnifier. I am not a operator or any other type of ninja so this setup works great for all my needs.
This question is simple and it is not vague at all. To the other posters, stop over thinking this one.
If I only had "one" platform to grab and use for everything, I would grab my HK MR556A1 with ACOG battle sight. The SBR is great for indoor and tight quarters but does not work well at long ranges. My MK12 18 inch barrel is great for long range but does not handle anything closer than 100 yards well.
I would reference my experience in 3-Gun competitions. The HK is what gets be the best performance. Also, look at what our soldiers use. They typically run a 16 inch barrel with either a variable optic or the ACOG, normally 1x-6x power.
Great question and I am sure this will get a debate going.
I agree that it's a great question/debate and plan on making my first video explaining why I believe a side charging 308ar is one of the most versatile rifles including mid-range accuracy shooting, 1000+ yd shooting, subsonic suppressed shooting, and fast paced close range shooting all from one magazine without changing any parts.
Its what I have come to realize as well. Like I said I am not a Leo or military person, what I needed in a rifle was something I could rely on for feeding the family and defending the fort from whatever may come. 5.56 just wasn't doing it for me. Even after I picked up my first ar-10 I felt the need to upgrade. No rifle is perfect but my repr is close enough that I consider the matter closed.
Noveske Afghan 14.5" with pinned switchblock,Surefire X300U, Gissele Trigger, and Surefire Socom suppressor. Sitting on top would be a Leupold CQBSS TMR and doctor offset mount and A LLLOOT of mk262
Many may argue the 5.56 is not good enough but in that configuration it is deadly accurate out to 600 yards and will definitely put large game down with a well placed shot. Can always keep some 70 grain Barnes 5.56 on hand for game.
Many may argue the 5.56 is not good enough but in that configuration it is deadly accurate out to 600 yards and will definitely put large game down with a well placed shot. Can always keep some 70 grain Barnes 5.56 on hand for game.
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This is actually an easy one: GAP-10 w/ 17.5" barrel. Still handy enough for closer work but easily banging steel at 800". Plus, you can't find a more accurate semi platform. I'd probably switch out my current USO 3.2-17 with a Horus reticle to the 1.8-10 for more versatility. Other than that, I'd ruck up and hit the road with that platform in a second.
LMT MWS as of right now. But my 14.5" pinned Predatobr is in a tight race, and possibly making the pass for the lead. It's sooooooo light and portable.
Noveske Afghan 14.5" with pinned switchblock,Surefire X300U, Gissele Trigger, and Surefire Socom suppressor. Sitting on top would be a Leupold CQBSS TMR and doctor offset mount and A LLLOOT of mk262
Many may argue the 5.56 is not good enough but in that configuration it is deadly accurate out to 600 yards and will definitely put large game down with a well placed shot. Can always keep some 70 grain Barnes 5.56 on hand for game.
In Georgia where a big animal is 200lbs maybe. But once you live where elk and grizzlies roam you change your tune.
Been there when a large horse was put down from 120 yards from that exact same gun. Clean head shot. That particular gun IMHO would be best just because its light weight, can carry a lot of ammo, and very good ballistics for MOST anything I need.
If a Grizzly is chasing me, the first round might not phase him but I bet at least one of the next 29 will
If a Grizzly is chasing me, the first round might not phase him but I bet at least one of the next 29 will
Been there when a large horse was put down from 120 yards from that exact same gun. Clean head shot. That particular gun IMHO would be best just because its light weight, can carry a lot of ammo, and very good ballistics for MOST anything I need.
If a Grizzly is chasing me, the first round might not phase him but I bet at least one of the next 29 will
I once killed a deer with a pipewrench dead in one whack. Just because you managed something once doesnt mean you will manage it again. Headshots are for video games, I aim for the boiler room. If you wanna run around the hills blazing away and tracking that's fine with me, I guess I just don't enjoy dragging large animals over rough terrain when you can anchor them in one shot. Not to mention that if you are trying to be sneaky multiple shots will give you away.
Just giving my line of thought behind my rifle of choice, not saying your choice is right or wrong.
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Gettin' old 'n slow.
I figure that if I needs something bigger than a 5.56/.223 can handle, it's too big for me to pack/drag out anyway.
But just in case, I also have a couple of .280 Rem's.
Greg
I figure that if I needs something bigger than a 5.56/.223 can handle, it's too big for me to pack/drag out anyway.
But just in case, I also have a couple of .280 Rem's.
Greg
I'm not trying to be super "Snipery" with head shots but he asked for 1 all around gun, I posted what I believed would work for me. Hunting around here, your longest shot will be 250 yards or less and easily capable of a head shot.
If I only have one gun, its a last resort shtf gun. I want a gun that does many things well and not a gun that does one thing particular well.
An AR-10 or .308 would be a great choice over the .223 but at the expense of being heavier, less ammo can be carried, and at least around here 308 ammo is definitely not as abundant as 223.
As far as shot placement, I'm not a super sniper guy but I shoot more off hand and practice precision shots based on my career. I'm confident in my skills enough that I don't mind being patient and taking the shot I want. If its an immediate threat, again my first shot might not put it down but one of the next 29 will or it will at least interrupt its thought process.
If I only have one gun, its a last resort shtf gun. I want a gun that does many things well and not a gun that does one thing particular well.
An AR-10 or .308 would be a great choice over the .223 but at the expense of being heavier, less ammo can be carried, and at least around here 308 ammo is definitely not as abundant as 223.
As far as shot placement, I'm not a super sniper guy but I shoot more off hand and practice precision shots based on my career. I'm confident in my skills enough that I don't mind being patient and taking the shot I want. If its an immediate threat, again my first shot might not put it down but one of the next 29 will or it will at least interrupt its thought process.
Sometimes the shot you get is a awful one. If you have hungry kids at home you take it and a larger caliber rifle is more forgiving. Greg, I am not even very old but I am getting more and more conservative when it comes to expenditure of energy. That's why I trained a horse to drag my kills home for me, we do that around here instead of shooting them in the head.
It would be my Noveske Afghan in 6.8 spc but I would change the optic on it from a Leupold 2.5-8 to a Nightforce 2.5-10 with NPR1 reticle. It's light enough to be carried in the field for hunting but has enough power to do what I need it to do. THe ar-10 platforms I had were just too heavy for me to pack any distance at all, especially through timber.
Easy answer. I have scores of AR15's, have owned 5 different AR10's, and use my carbines for a lot of close range work out to 400-500yds, while the .260 Rem AR10 is for dedicated long-range work.
The one AR15 I have that covers down well on the close range territory, and has unusual reach for the size of gun that it is, would be my little 16" 6.5 Grendel. You can clear rooms with it, reach out to 1100yds with it at sea level and still be supersonic, and cleanly kill heavy game with it within 400yds. Your little kids can shoot it all day, and it barely sucks up any powder on the bench.
It does a lot more than I originally thought it could, especially after I shot it at 1200yds this summer. Hodgdon's CFE is giving me easy 2550fps with 123gr A-MAX, and I'm still under maximum SAAMI pressures, which gives me a long-lasting critical component life.
I still shoot a lot of 5.56 and .223 Remington throughout the year, as well as .260 Remington, but the Goldilocks of the bunch is the 6.5 Grendel all day long. When I look at what it does, I feel cheated for all those years we had to hump that M24 SWS, with a bull barrel and .900" muzzle, with a long action and internal 5rd magazine. To think that I could have had a little carbine that looked like any other M4 spitting higher BC pills from assault rifle capacity magazines, with less recoil and more mv makes me really not like 7.62 NATO even more. Arrrrrr
The one AR15 I have that covers down well on the close range territory, and has unusual reach for the size of gun that it is, would be my little 16" 6.5 Grendel. You can clear rooms with it, reach out to 1100yds with it at sea level and still be supersonic, and cleanly kill heavy game with it within 400yds. Your little kids can shoot it all day, and it barely sucks up any powder on the bench.
It does a lot more than I originally thought it could, especially after I shot it at 1200yds this summer. Hodgdon's CFE is giving me easy 2550fps with 123gr A-MAX, and I'm still under maximum SAAMI pressures, which gives me a long-lasting critical component life.
I still shoot a lot of 5.56 and .223 Remington throughout the year, as well as .260 Remington, but the Goldilocks of the bunch is the 6.5 Grendel all day long. When I look at what it does, I feel cheated for all those years we had to hump that M24 SWS, with a bull barrel and .900" muzzle, with a long action and internal 5rd magazine. To think that I could have had a little carbine that looked like any other M4 spitting higher BC pills from assault rifle capacity magazines, with less recoil and more mv makes me really not like 7.62 NATO even more. Arrrrrr
I'm gonna cut it and quarter anyway if its a long distance hunt, that's just me though. I'm posting what works for me and my area, which is basically the majority of the east coast. If the OP would have posted 'If you could only have one AR to hunt with' or 'If you only had one AR and live in the North East' my answer may be different, but for now a good AR with accurate ammo does EVERYTHING I would need it to, to survive.
** My answers are based on me looking at this question as one do it all AR which means self defense, hunting, or precision shot placement.
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SCAR17, FTW. It ain't an AR, but it sure gets the job done. Really light, at least MOA accurate with a light profile barrel, shoots anything I put through it and stays clean.
I have been shooting a 16" AR with a free floated barrel and a midlength gas system for the last five years. With the 1:8 twist, it does well with bullet weights between 50 and 77 grains. A Vortex 1-4 Razor is the current optic but I also have an Aimpoint for it.
Things I have done with it:
3-gun matches- Engaged 24" square targets to 350 yards.
Defensive carbine classes
Varmint hunting
I have owned the big heavy Varminter AR's and the DPMS LR-308. This one doesn't do as well as those when it comes to accuracy or long range but it is cheap to shoot, compact and easy to carry, and exceeds the performance required for the jobs I have needed it for.
Things I have done with it:
3-gun matches- Engaged 24" square targets to 350 yards.
Defensive carbine classes
Varmint hunting
I have owned the big heavy Varminter AR's and the DPMS LR-308. This one doesn't do as well as those when it comes to accuracy or long range but it is cheap to shoot, compact and easy to carry, and exceeds the performance required for the jobs I have needed it for.
I would have to opt for a 16" AR-15 in 5.56. In a "One rifle only" situation I always assume something really bad is going on or else we wouldn't be considering the "ZOMG one gun" scenario. As such, parts availability and ammo availability is critical. Good Luck with that SCAR in that kind of situation!
Something by a top end company like BCM or similar with no proprietary components.
Something by a top end company like BCM or similar with no proprietary components.
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If only 1 gun it would be my Noveske N4 Afghan with SS barrel with an ACOG TA31RC0M4 mounted on it. But I would hate leaving my AIAW folder behind. :>(
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Any RECCE type config in 5.56 would be my first pick for the most versatility. Good accurate quality barrel free floated and wearing a can.
--Fargo007
--Fargo007
If I could only have one it would be my 6.8 spc II..... Use it far more than my 308 or 5.56 and it's just plain fun to shoot....
I can't imagine having only one AR15, but if I were limited, I would want a Noveske 16" 6.8SPC with a PRI carbon fiber handguard, a Wilson Combat TTU trigger, and a Leupold MK6 1-6.
Limited to one semi auto, I would likely choose my Scar17 w/ Geissele trigger and CQBSS.
Limited to one semi auto, I would likely choose my Scar17 w/ Geissele trigger and CQBSS.
I would go with my Daniel Defense with lightweight barrel profile. AimPoint T1 optics with iron's co witnessed, SureFire X300 abd Blue Force Gear sling. It is an amazing light weight and durable rifle. 0 - 500 it's money
Ok...perhaps I was over-thinking/analyzing this earlier when I posted my questions/concerns above.
In truth...I wouldn't opt for a small-frame AR in any flavor given concerns with extended range/terminal performance and other concerns as well albeit very subjective/personal.
I, like many others, would opt for a ~18" barreled .308 AR. I have several in that flavor and could "do" with any of them if forced to choose only one. Its an extremely flexible platform in all respects. Also, it easily passes the Two Dot test in terms of ammo availability, which many other "one-off" small-frame AR calibers...while very nice and flexible, and get you into closer performance comparison with the large-frame rifles...they simply do NOT. Anyway...look forward to seeing other views on this topic.
In truth...I wouldn't opt for a small-frame AR in any flavor given concerns with extended range/terminal performance and other concerns as well albeit very subjective/personal.
I, like many others, would opt for a ~18" barreled .308 AR. I have several in that flavor and could "do" with any of them if forced to choose only one. Its an extremely flexible platform in all respects. Also, it easily passes the Two Dot test in terms of ammo availability, which many other "one-off" small-frame AR calibers...while very nice and flexible, and get you into closer performance comparison with the large-frame rifles...they simply do NOT. Anyway...look forward to seeing other views on this topic.
I always view this type of question in a "SHTF" type situtation, especially for owning an AR type rifle. it would be my 7.62 based LMT.... something like 18" would be perfect... reason?
- cheap to shoot
- easy to get components and ammo in comparison to others
- rather accurate
- can reach 1k with solid knock down energy
- easy to find replacement parts
- might be a bit heavy for a SHTF rifle, but I can live with it once the two point sling is on
I'm sure some of you might have thought I'd say 5.56, but the downfall to me is the energy factor of the bullet past 500yards.
and yes, this would be over a bolt action.. damn near as accurate, but gives me the option to unleash hell on earth if needed in a SHTF situation.
- cheap to shoot
- easy to get components and ammo in comparison to others
- rather accurate
- can reach 1k with solid knock down energy
- easy to find replacement parts
- might be a bit heavy for a SHTF rifle, but I can live with it once the two point sling is on
I'm sure some of you might have thought I'd say 5.56, but the downfall to me is the energy factor of the bullet past 500yards.
and yes, this would be over a bolt action.. damn near as accurate, but gives me the option to unleash hell on earth if needed in a SHTF situation.
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Elf,
I get all the points you and ORD made but I can't imagine humping my LMT MWS for very long. At my age I could probably carry it 100 yards or so. LOL. That is the reason together with being able to carry a lot more ammunition I chose the Noveske N4 Afghan. I also don't think I am proficient enough to worry about shooting 1000 yards even with my AIAW. 600 I can do, 1000 yards not so much. Additionally more part availability for the AR 15 platform than the 308 platforms where their is not much of a uniform standard.
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I'm not calling into question anybody's choice on this topic or in any manner suggesting that there is a "right" or a "wrong" answer. Just unique personal experiences, expectations, requirements, etc. that will inevitably make this entire discussion very much a subjective one. We can all argue the "objective" evidence/facts/etc. till we're blue in the face, but at the end of the discussion, its the subjective that will carry the day.
And FWIW, Sam...I think your option is an excellent one and would be a tough option to beat if a 5.56/small-frame AR fits the bill for you. I've yet to shoot a Noveske of any flavor that I would miss a heartbeat in trusting my life or the lives of others to if the @#$% gets real in a hurry. They are high quality in all respects, utterly reliable, accurate enough to get the job done within the parameters for which they were designed, highly adaptable...the list goes on and on.
I'm not calling into question anybody's choice on this topic or in any manner suggesting that there is a "right" or a "wrong" answer. Just unique personal experiences, expectations, requirements, etc. that will inevitably make this entire discussion very much a subjective one. We can all argue the "objective" evidence/facts/etc. till we're blue in the face, but at the end of the discussion, its the subjective that will carry the day.
And FWIW, Sam...I think your option is an excellent one and would be a tough option to beat if a 5.56/small-frame AR fits the bill for you. I've yet to shoot a Noveske of any flavor that I would miss a heartbeat in trusting my life or the lives of others to if the @#$% gets real in a hurry. They are high quality in all respects, utterly reliable, accurate enough to get the job done within the parameters for which they were designed, highly adaptable...the list goes on and on.
ORD,
No offense of any kind taken. I greatly respect your posts and all the help you have given me in the past. In fact If I was younger I would probably opt for one of my 308 gassers. But my DPMS SASS, LMT MWS, POF P-308 all have Magpul PRS stocks on them thus way to heavy for me. However my SIG 716 and my new HK MR 762 that is showing a lot of promise might do it for me if I was 20 years younger.
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This. Might change scopes out, but a 16" barrel/fairly light/shoots well enough for all the range a .308 has.
The weight is why I bought my Noveske, I tried one of my ar-10's for deer hunting one year and that was enough for me. I would like to try a JP large platform AR since they look to be a couple pounds lighter than others in it's class.
997/2man, off topic but where did you get the multicam woobie? Nice rifle btw...
Gen. Jackson, Fayetteville. Don't leave home without it.LOL.
Already have it, rifle on the left
14.5 DD LW CHF barrel, the rest standard issue noveske with a giessele SD3G trigger. Id swap out the vortex sparc for an aimpoint T1, which I plan to do anyway but the sparc works fine for now.
I envision this sort of question as a SHTF situation as well. For the same weight I can carry a LOT more 223 ammo, especially the weight savings of my 9# rifle with a loaded 30rd mag. Pretty hard to beat and Id imagine engagements would be closer than 500yds most of the time for which a proper 223 bullet will work just fine.
14.5 DD LW CHF barrel, the rest standard issue noveske with a giessele SD3G trigger. Id swap out the vortex sparc for an aimpoint T1, which I plan to do anyway but the sparc works fine for now.
I envision this sort of question as a SHTF situation as well. For the same weight I can carry a LOT more 223 ammo, especially the weight savings of my 9# rifle with a loaded 30rd mag. Pretty hard to beat and Id imagine engagements would be closer than 500yds most of the time for which a proper 223 bullet will work just fine.
