Another newby AR15 question.

[Dennis47834]

Hello,

I'm another newby who's looking at buying an AR15 to go shooting with fellow shooters. I'm interested in purchasing an AR to shoot mostly targets with and also go and shoot prairie dogs with eventually.
I've researched and have leaned towards the Colt CR6724 or Bushmaster Varmint Special.
I realize that both of these guns are long and heavy, but I'm not buying it for ease or self-defense.
Would both of these guns be easily outfitted with other toys and add ons?
Any other info or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Mousegun]

If you are using the gun mainly for target shooting and prairie dogs, I would look into a Rock River AR15. You would be hard pressed to get a better trigger (two stage match) from a factory gun and you can get all the accessories you want on it.

The only problem is the long wait to get it.

 

[wch]

Why not build your own?

The process is well-documented and some of your friends are likely to have some of the tools and be able to advise you on parts.

There are a whole bunch of youtube videos on the specifics and some ratings of various assemblies and subassemblies; you don't have to be a gunsmith to do this as is obvious if you look at the many forums dealing with the AR-15.

One of the best sources that I have found are the books by Glen Zediker- look them up on Amazon.

Brownells has a tutorial about "rolling your own", as does Midway.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[back40]

either of your current choices will serve you well.

i wouldn't put a whole lot of stock in rockriver's match trigger if a two stage is what you are interested in. they are known too shoot out to single stage at rather low round counts.

my personal preference would be for a timney or geissele.

there are plenty of guns that will fill the roll that you ask of it. it's a simple matter of personal preference.

 

[Dennis47834]

"Why not build your own?"

You know I've thought about this and I even have a friend who has built several of these and sold them. He seems to have good luck but I also know of a couple times where people had problems with them jamming and he had to rework them.
I'm a hands on Technician but I really don't have the time or desire to get into building a gun. I just want the most accurate off the shelf gun I can get.
Would a home built gun be as accurate as one that was manufactured say from Bushmaster or Colt?

 

[ms6852]

If you are using the gun mainly for target shooting and prairie dogs, I would look into a Rock River AR15. You would be hard pressed to get a better trigger (two stage match) from a factory gun and you can get all the accessories you want on it.

The only problem is the long wait to get it.

+1, agree with mousegun, I have the predator pursuit from RRA and have shot better than the guaranteed .75 moa the company makes. Great gun, have shot thousands of rounds and the trigger has never failed me. Eats everything I give it without a single malfunction, whether it is steel or brass cartridges.

Have only shot it out to 500 yards at silhouettes with all five shots hitting the target.

 

[powder]

+1 on the RRA...

 

[Sky]

I have the Predator and Varminter both have been very accurate for me. I do not shoot metal cased ammo through either. Both of mine have decent glass and I am able to reach out much further than what I would consider the effective range for popping pigs with the 223/5.56. Both of mine are a few years old and like you said they are heavy with glass and bi-pods. Great blind or bench rest rifles but golly gee I would rather grab something else if it were a prolonged walk in the woods. Think gun blast did an accuracy demo and if I remember correctly his comment was the rifle was one of the most accurate out of the box he had ever shot. No wind 100 yards, good ammo, both of mine will shoot MOA or less. Just my experience. We have a few members who own them maybe they will chime in with their experience. The Colt CR6724 is one I have no experience with (no Buds around here have one) but assume it would do you. Price would be a consideration especially for the stated purpose. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[meanmrmustard]

DPMS Prairie Panther

 

[SwampWolf]

If you are using the gun mainly for target shooting and prairie dogs, I would look into a Rock River AR15. You would be hard pressed to get a better trigger (two stage match) from a factory gun and you can get all the accessories you want on it.

Mousegun is exactly right about this. You might want to consider getting the National Match A4 version: it has the fine NM 2-stage trigger, a 3/4" MOA @100 yards guarantee and is perfectly configured for serious Service Rifle competition matches. Take off the carry handle, put a good scope on and you've got a great rifle for chucks and such.

 

[toejamm]

What is your price range?
What distances are you planning to shoot?

 

[mljdeckard]

Either one is perfectly fine. If I were to buy a bone-stock AR for varminting, it would be the Bushmaster varminter.