Best AR platform rifle

I find myself wanting to get into some predator hunting. I’m thinking I’d like to get a AR style rifle. For those of you who have a AR platform style rifle what are your thought on the one you shoot. I was leaning twards a Remington R-15 but at a set up cost Close to 1500.00 I thought I’d see if there was any other good options for a little less $. Also what are you thoughts of the 223 and 204 Ruger calibers. Any pro’s or cons on the rifles and calibers???? In addition to predator hunting I’d like to do a fair amount of range shooting with the setup.

I have a Bushmaster Varminter in .223. Its a great weapon. I would stay with the 223 because of its ease getting ammo or brass to reload. If ya don’t reload you will. These are so much fun at the range its hard not to shoot at least 50 rounds a trip! I see some manufacturers are making the AR in .243. INTERESTING!

I was in fleet farm the other day and they had some german AR style rifles, they are an odd caliber but similar to a 223. The cost was only $350 with a clip. A guy a know bought one in just the plain rifle and shot a tight group at 150 yrds with iron sights. I know they sell the ammo at fleetfarm but dont know if it is common elsewhere.

I really like my R-15… it’s light, easy to carry, and very accurate but there are a lot of other options out there if you don’t want to spend that much $$$. I put together an AR carbine for my son using a Plum Crazy lower (about $130.00) and a JSE Surplus upper (about $365.00) and he has a shooter that’s reliable and pretty accurate out to at least 250 yds. I have also seen 16″ AR carbines on sale at Cabela’s for around $699.00 in the past month, so there are deals out there to be had.

If you’re planning on doing some range shooting and don’t reload, you’ll probably want to go with the .223. Ammo for the .204 is substantially higher priced. I’ve had great luck (before I started reloading) with Black Hills ammo. They have a variety of bullet choices for the .223, like a 52 gr. hollow point, and a 55 gr. V-max. Both have killed coyotes for me. Good luck in your search

I built one up from Model 1 sales. You can pick and choose what you want for components. I got into this one for $1050.00 less scope and scope mount. You have buy a stripped lower from your local gun shop. I went with higher quality butt stock,grip,2 stage trigger, etc…I like the option of building what you want from the get go rather than buying an off the shelf gun and then removing half the components for what you want. I would recommend going with .223 and start reloading right away.

I have a DPMS bull barrel chambered in 204. I cannot express how happy I am with the gun. It has the typical military spec trigger that needs tweaking but the gun is a tack driver. It’s just about like a 22 besides the fact that the gun can shoot farther than I can. That being said…for target shooting stick with the 223. Remember you can always buy another upper for the AR rifles too. You will be suprised how cheap you can get them from a local gun show. One will be in my possession as soon as I can sneak it into the house without my wife finding it

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I have a Bushmaster Varminter in .223. Its a great weapon. I would stay with the 223 because of its ease getting ammo or brass to reload. If ya don’t reload you will. These are so much fun at the range its hard not to shoot at least 50 rounds a trip! I see some manufacturers are making the AR in .243. INTERESTING!

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who makes the ar in a 243? that sounds awesome!

Rock River hand down.

Sorry I’m in on this one late. If your in MN or close check out Element Arms in Becker MN. They will get you squared away and can even build you one from scratch cheaper than most box stores can get you going. Thats whal they do is AR’s. Thats just onewall in the picture!