One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

[rrflyer]

I'm searching for a good all around rifle.

I shoot mainly uspsa 2 and 3 gun matches.
Do a little bit of target shooting out to around 500 yards
Occasional hog or deer hunt here in TX.

So I'm looking for one rifle that can do all these chores. I've got about 1500 to spend.

I've been looking at some M1a's. Both the scout squad and loaded models.

Also been looking at a higher quality ar15. Such as Daniel Defense DDM4.


Anyone actually shot the DD ar's? Opinions and suggestions?

I know precision rifle accuracy isn't to be expected but I'd like to be able to get at least 1 MOA out of it.
I've shot an ar10 once but hated it so I'm hesitant to get another.

I've been reading my eyes off but on most other forums it doesn't seem like people actually shoot much...just add and take away accessories then snap pretty pictures.

 

[gugubica]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

Sounds like you need a good quality AK. Or maybe a good quality FAL.

 

[Wheres-Waldo]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

What didnt you like about the AR10 you shot?

 

[rrflyer]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

the ar10 I had was a DPMS unit.

I cant remember the exact model but it was
Heavy, kicked like a mule, had a collapsable stock that wanted to rip the skin off your cheek with the recoil. On top of all that it wouldn't do any better than 6 inches at 100 yards.

I only put a couple hundred rounds through it and its been a while.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

with all the choices in stocks, you can easily soften that recoil from an AR. since you shoot 2 and 3 gun matches, your choice will have to fit that need first. if we dont know the specs for whats allowed in those matches so that limits suggestions from people. guns are like golf clubs, sure you can whack a ball with any of them, but each has a purpose. if your stalking prey, you dont want a big heavy gun. if you shoot service rifle matches, you dont want an AK or FAL. your price point is right on though. unless you get into higher end stuff and then you just have enough for a scope, lol. give us some more info. and this is just me but i know you get what you pay for, but a buddy of mine builds ARs from parts and sells them. there arent many moving parts in there. for me in what i do and use my firearms for, i cant see paying $2000+ for a custom 1911 when a Kimber does me fine. i feel the same way about ARs. sure Les Baer makes one and DD also, but look how many other people started to make them when they went crazy after the election. when anybody that had one could get BIG MONEY from them. now that the prices have fallen, my bud wont even take his ARs to the gunshows until prices come up or a ban sets in. hell i put mine together for $800-$900 and still havent shot it. now if i were a competitive shooter or covert operator or lottery winner i would collect them all, but you have your first part down. deciding on price

 

[gunner960]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

well if you thougt the ar10 was heavy then you wont like the fal that much, it is much heavier, I have 2 myself and love them. A good quality ak would be a good choices. Krebs custom makes excellent ones.

 

[rrflyer]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

Thanks guys. I know I'm trying to hit a ton of birds with 1 stone.

I'm thinking an quality ar may be the way to go. Since its going to mainly a range and competition gun .308 would be overkill.

.223 with a good bullet be more than enough for Texas deer and piggies.

The 1/7 twist should let me shoot the 69gn SMK's and if I can hold MOA with the rifle that should be just fine for my purposes.

 

[MK14 SEI]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rrflyer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm searching for a good all around rifle.



I've been looking at some M1a's. Both the <span style="text-decoration: underline">scout squad</span> and loaded models. </div></div>

I love the 18" barrel on an M14 . . .

$1500.00 will get you a real nice Norinco or Poly Tech M14 plus new CMI mags and a good bit of ammo.

You can shoot it as-is, domesticate it or completely modernize the rifle as you go, as funds become available.
Check the head space with 7.62 NATO gauges every now and then when shooting with the original bolt.

All of my shooting rifles are Norinco and Poly Tech M14s that have been fully modernized by Smith Enterprise, Inc.


BTW, I'm getting married next year and I'm registered at SEI.





.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

whats an sei and why no springfield M1A's? i want one is the only reason i ask. i like the loaded model.

 

[MK14 SEI]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AXEMAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">whats an sei and why no springfield M1A's? i want one is the only reason i ask. i like the loaded model. </div></div>


SEI = Smith Enterprise, Inc.

My first M14 type rifle was a problematic 2001 M1A Scout.
Four warranty repairs before firing 300 rounds . . . I understand that Springfield's QC is much better these days.

 

[rrflyer]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

how much does an SEI build run?

 

[MK14 SEI]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rrflyer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">how much does an SEI build run? </div></div>

It depends on how far you want to go and what parts (receiver, bolt, trigger group and stock) you supply, and then there's the scope . . .

A Crazy Horse rifle built on an LRB receiver with no optics will run about $5K.

The replacement cost of my M21A5 Crazy Horse EBR is about $8K

 

[rrflyer]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

They look freakin sweet! But way outta my range right now.

My car aint even worth that much! Kinda like when I put my SVI into the trunk. It doubles in value!

Are the standard loaded M1's and scouts thoot poor of shooters?

I understand that the scopes sit up high but I'm kinda wanting to shoot irons for a bit anyhow.

 

[MK14 SEI]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rrflyer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">They look freakin sweet! But way outta my range right now.

My car aint even worth that much! Kinda like when I put my SVI into the trunk. It doubles in value!

Are the standard loaded M1's and scouts thoot poor of shooters?

I understand that the scopes sit up high but I'm kinda wanting to shoot irons for a bit anyhow. </div></div>

The vast majority of Springfield M1As are great right out of the box.
Field strip it, clean it and grease it up real good before you fire your fist shot.
I have noticed several distressed (I need cash) sales on a few forums.
Look here and over on AR15.com ... hopefully you can make a sweet local face
to face cash deal on a slightly used Scout, Bush or Standard M1A.

I am currently working on such a deal on an all original, slightly used side stamped Poly Tech M14.
If I get it I'll clean and grease it up and stick it in the vault with the other unaltered ChiComs.



Good luck!




.

 

[Winny]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

Daniels Defense = Top Notch Quality, you won't be sorry.

B.

 

[LS6TT]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rrflyer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks guys. I know I'm trying to hit a ton of birds with 1 stone.

I'm thinking an quality ar may be the way to go. Since its going to mainly a range and competition gun .308 would be overkill.

.223 with a good bullet be more than enough for Texas deer and piggies.

The 1/7 twist should let me shoot the 69gn SMK's and if I can hold MOA with the rifle that should be just fine for my purposes.

</div></div>

in the same quandary, posted similar, had decided a 308 after the thread, back to thinking a another 223.

And if your reloading, just be careful you arnt zipping through the hogs out here.

 

[308isgreat]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

M1A scout rifle will fit the bill for what you want. The only thing I'd suggest is get a good Smith Enterprise scope mount. If you keep your magnification at around 10x on the top end you'll be amazed at how versatile the rifle is. Acurracy out of my rifle is a solid .5-.75 MOA with handloads.

 

[RemingtonSPS]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

www.6mmar.com

 

[nickw]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

If you want to shoot 2 and 3 gun matches, you will want a quality .223 AR. I recommend JP Rifles. Truely the Cadillac of AR's. Recommend a 18" JP15. The 1:8 twist Match bbls shoot lights out. Shoot 55 gr Nosler Ballistic tip as well as 75 gr TAP. I've taken mine out to 500 and they flat out shoot. Never a problem. They shoot super soft due to adj gas system, comp, and lightened bolt carrier. Tactical Division let's you run a rifle w/1 optic and iron sights on your pistol and shotgun. There is a division for .308 cal rifles. It is called Heavy Metal Div. In this div. you have to run a single stack 1911 pistol and a pump action shotgun. You can shoot a 308 in Tactical Div., but you won't be competetive. The .223 rifles can be shot much faster and carry many more rnds in the extended capacity mags.

A less expensive option, but still a great rifle, is to get Benny Hill @ Triangle Shooting Sports in TX to build you one.

Hope this helps.
Nick

 

[scotharr]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

Get a good quality AR for the tasks you mention: buy one from White Oak or Compass Lake or build one yourself.

 

[rrflyer]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

I talked to JP rifles today. They are on a 6 to 9 month backlog. I've shot there rifles and they are tip top.

 

[Steelhead]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

Look into the S&W M&P VTAC. It has the 1:7 twist M4 profile barrel, comes with VTAC handguard, JP trigger, VTAC sling and Surefire flashlight. I just used mine in a 3-gun match and it ran flawlessly. I'm very impressed with it.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/s...amp;isFirearm=Y

MSRP says $2196, but I've seen them for $1400.

 

[AlterEgo]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

I'd go for the FAL.

You can get into an FAL (built from kit) for ~$1000. DSA has the IOR 6x scopes for ~$475 right now, might go above your $ target by a bit, but you'll have a very solid rifle.

If accuracy isn't up to snuff for you I'd just get a new barrel, but you can do that later if you wish..

 

[427Cobra]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

I would get/build a nice AR15, like you said a 1/7 twist will do just fine here in TEXAS, while slightly more than 1500 a LaRue lower and LaRue upper with a 18 inch tube would about perfect IMHO.

 

[doc76251]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

With the AR platform you are not limited to one gun. You can hot swap uppers and mags as needed for your application. Buy one "gun" with a good trigger in it and then get uppers to fit your needs.

Cheers,

Doc

 

[Will Fennell]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

Doc hit it on the head...sounds like you really need an AR for your match needs. So go for it, but think about an additional upper in 6.8 SPC for your hunting needs. I've shoot plenty of critters with 5.56, and have recently switched to 6.8 SPC. The 6.8 has a MUCH appearent effect on creatures like deer and hogs. With an AR, you can easily do both paper and creatures, just by switching uppers.

 

[rrflyer]

Re: One Rifle ---need help from people who shoot

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would get/build a nice AR15, like you said a 1/7 twist will do just fine here in TEXAS, while slightly more than 1500 a LaRue lower and LaRue upper with a 18 inch tube would about perfect IMHO. </div></div>

I ended up doing just this. Not Larue parts but still quaality.

White Oak Armament 1/7 twist 18" tube
Troy Free float rail
RRA Upper and lower
JP trigger parts.

In fact I was up in Sanger pickin up the Lower/A2 stock tonight.

All told I'm into it for about 1,000 right now as I've gotten some good deals on stuff. Gonna stick my Buckmaster 4.5-14 on it until I figure out what i'm gonna use.

My plan is to buy a couple larue disconnect mounts once I save up some more cash for a decent optic. That way I can throw a long range optic on it for hunting/paper punching and then an acog or eotech for match shooting.

If I want theres always the chance of just buying a 6.8 upper as well.

The real question is.......how much beer and BBQ will it take to get to borrow a prometheus to crank out some ammo with!


I've spent so much time on ar15 related sights in the last week and half I need to bash my head in with pmags though.

Can you believe I found less than a half dozen decent range reports in the 14,000 look at my rifle posts I perused? Lots of pretty pictures though.