In the market for an AR

[tireys]

I am in the market for a new AR. I had one a while back and decided I had to have something else and I couldn't have been more wrong. I had an RRA in .223 20" and really liked it. I recently shot a friends DPMS 16" carbine setup and realized I had to have another AR15. I am thinking I really want a 16" carbine or midlength free floated barrel with a railed system. I can't decide now whether or not I want a .223 or 6.8? I have prior knowledge of the .223/5.56 platform but I have always been interested in the 6.8SPC. Opinions please.

 

[Redmanss]

Re: In the market for an AR

What is your intended purpose and budget for it, and how much do you feel like spending on ammo? If you're not set up for reloading, I'd suggest sticking with the .223 as even though it's getting better, it's still difficult and expensive to find 6.8SPC factory ammunition.

For the 5.56/.223 ammo is both abundant and affordable, and it is capable of being a highly accurate round even at long(er) range from an AR depending on your setup.

For general paper and steel shooting, I wouldn't think of anything other than .223 for an AR, especially at carbine distances.

 

[huntersedge89]

Re: In the market for an AR

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Redmanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is your intended purpose and budget for it, and how much do you feel like spending on ammo? If you're not set up for reloading, I'd suggest sticking with the .223 as even though it's getting better, it's still difficult and expensive to find 6.8SPC factory ammunition.

For the 5.56/.223 ammo is both abundant and affordable, and it is capable of being a highly accurate round even at long(er) range from an AR depending on your setup.

For general paper and steel shooting, I wouldn't think of anything other than .223 for an AR, especially at carbine distances. </div></div>

I would have to agree, unless your going to be using the gun for deer hunting you can't go wrong with a 223 for punching paper.

 

[Peepaw]

Re: In the market for an AR

I have yet to receive mine, so I can't tell you that it's a nice AR.
I can tell you that I did my homework before I bought, and from what I READ, it appears to be a nice AR, and probaly the best, bang for buck.
I bought a Del-Ton, paid $485 for a complete upper, with buttstock, flash hider, lower parts kit, etc...and paid $120 for a stripped lower. That comes out to $605 for a 16" M4, and all you have to do is assemble the lower. You can also buy the AR already assembled for $750.

Again, haven't shot it, nor received it yet.



Oh, .223 obviously

 

[tireys]

Re: In the market for an AR

My intended purpose is pretty general. This would be a plinker target shooter primarily but I would use it at some point for deer and eventually I would like to do a hog hunt. I know that .223 is lethal enough for well placed shot and bullet to bring down medium size game. I am in the process of acquiring reloading capabilities. I also forgot to mention that I already have a .22 cal platform in a bolt gun with a .22-250. The 6.8 while not as available as .223 doesn't really bother me all that much. A 6.8spc in AR style rifle would be something else for the collection.

 

[Redmanss]

Re: In the market for an AR

Well, in that case you might want to consider getting the .223 for now and a 6.8 upper later down the road for the hunting. The amount you would save plinking with the .223 vs. the 6.8 shot for shot would pay for the new upper itself if you shoot enough.

I know .223 can be pretty effective most of the time on whitetail size game, but either a 6.5 or 6.8 would be better if you come across some longer distance kill opportunities.