AR-15 for predator/varmint hunting.

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H&Hhunter

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I must admitt that I've never warmed up to the AR platform in the past.

NOW CHILL OUT....;)

I don't have anything against them ,I've just found them to be cumbersome in general. The ones that I'd played with had crappy triggers and gnerally were way to short for me (length of pull) and had a loose cheap feel to them.

Last month, and way before the whole Zumbo flap, I finally found an AR that tripped my trigger BIG TIME.

I found instant appreciation for the Bush Master Predator. It is just the right overall length and it comes with a sweet two stage trigger. The thing was on sale at the local toy store and despite evil glares from the old lady I walked out with it.

I'm glad that I bought it. First and foremost this little guy shoots REAl well like under a half inch all day long. It is nice to carry and it handles well. I really like coyote hunting with it and can't wait for the P-dogs to show themselves this spring.

I guess I've offically become an AR fan in the last month.

Maybe ole Jimmy Z ought to give one a try..;)
 
This is why the AR is a great platform, I personally find most rifle stocks to long, my AR with a 4 position stock adjusts to fit me very well. I have really grown to love mine after I bought it last year.
 
A few years back I picked up a Bushmaster Match Target. It came with a Tasco World Class 6x24x40 already mounted.

I messed around at the benchrest. It didn't seem to care what I fed it, it did five-shot 1/2 MOA groups over and over again. Even the scope worked okay: A shot at 24X followed by a shot at 6X had the two bullet holes 1/2MOA apart.

The trigger was the only flaw in the ointment, but that's not all that big a deal to fix, had I kept the rifle.

At 9.5 pounds, though, it wasn't righteous for walking around the pasture eyeballing for coyotes...

jArt
 
I never could really warm up to the AR thing. Heard all the stories about shooting great groups. Pretty much internet bull pucky.

Then I talk to one of my friends that shoots High Power. He makes Master with his.

Have another friend that went on a PD hunt. Talking about how they leave the bolts in the truck and use the AR's. More firepower, less recoil (see the impact), and as or more accurate.

I run across a NIB Bushie Varminter. Decide to grab it. Accuracy WAY beyond my expectations. Two stage match trigger is way good. Slim fluted barrel solves Art's weight problem.
 
Redneck 2 Varminter

Hope you enjoy it as much as I have mine. Flawless performer & one of the most accurate tools in either vault. Good choice!
 
I think a lot of arguments stem from semantics and misunderstandings. (Duh.)

There is a difference between a gun which is inaccurate and a gun with which it is difficult to shoot accurately.

Usually, this has to do with either or both of sight radius (such as a snubby revolver) or poor sights (such as the usual lever action thutty-thutty).

Iron sights with the rear sight mounted on the barrel reduce the sight radius. Typical military as-issue iron sights are coarse.

In as-issue, stock trim, the ARs and AK-family are not all that easy to shoot accurately, as compared to most bolt guns.

Next issue is the cartridge thing. Face it, the .223 is basically of varmint-size capability when thinking of all-around hunting sizes and distances--particularly with what was available for bullets. It is only in the last five or ten years that bullets which could be relied upon to not "blow up" have really been available.

The 7.62x39 is notably less powerful than the commonly-used "deer cartridges". Again, most commercial loadings in the past were not commonly made with good hunting bullets.

Quality sights and quality bullets, plus some "tweaking" as appropriate for a particular rifle, change the entire equation. But this really mostly applies to folks who are already knowledgeable about guns'n'huntin'.

One thing I've noticed, moderating on TFL and THR for some eight years: For many, there is a mindset of, "Those guns have sure killed a lot of people; they'll sure work for deer." And they think that in as-issue trim with any old ammo, all's gonna be okay and they'll eat venison.

So, even before a rational discussion can start, "Which AR?" is part of the deal. Then, "What sights?" After that, "What bullet?" Only after all that has been established can any halfway-smart useful discussion happen.

IMO, anyway.

:), Art
 
I cant recall how many yotes I have shot with my 16" bushmaster, cant wait till I get a 20" upper for it.
 
I love shooting my AR's, either for highpower shooting or 1000 yard scope shooting. My flattop shoots amazingly well at 1000 with the 75 Hornady AMax bullet launched at 3050 feet/sec. But it weights over 13 pounds, is too muzzle heavy especially with a bipod, and I could never warm up to it for coyote hunting, and the lighter uppers with 16 inch barrels are too loud to shoot without hearing protection. My all time favorite coyote calling rifle is my Remington 223 VS with matt barrel and 27 1/2 inch swivel Harris bipod. I can load 7 shells in it, and it killed yotes like the hammer of Thor. It carries a lot easier than an AR in the field. My walkabout rifle is a 17 Remington Thompson Contender carbine with 21 inch barrel.
 
Check this guy's rifles out.

The owner's name is Lee Mosher, and he's a friend of mine (I engrave his barrels). He loaned me one of his rifles in .223 once, and believe me, his claims for accuracy are true.

Trouble is, by the time you get a decent lower on one, you'll have about $1900 in it, before the scope. :eek:
 
Bushmasters :)

H&H Hunter:

Agreed. It was not until about 4 years back, that I finally came to admire the ARs for varmint hunting. I had always admired them for home defense, etc. But, I was big-time into bolt-actions and M1As. After I read up about the Bushmasters with 2-stage triggers, I was hooked on ARs for hunting, not just home defense. The next one I would like is the V-match rifle in either 16" or 20".

http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/weapons/pcwvms20ah.asp

Doc2005
 
A trick I've found to make AR trigger feel better.

I use an AR with a 24" barrel for varmint hunting. It's got a standard trigger (not bad, but nothing to write home about). A little trick I've found to improve the feel of the trigger is to keep your right elbow up at shoulder level. Think "proper" form, instead of the low elbow we all use for quick shooting.
 
"Check this guy's rifles out.

The owner's name is Lee Mosher, and he's a friend of mine (I engrave his barrels). He loaned me one of his rifles in .223 once, and believe me, his claims for accuracy are true."

Larry-- i've been using my Mosher AR of late for coyotes off Thatcher's close to his house and am having some terrific luck with it. It's a .223 AI with a 9twist Hart on it. I worked up a load using the 65 gr. JLK Low Drag bullet that has a BC of .397. It's going out the barrel @ 3055 mv. I put 1 of these scopes on it with the Rapid Reticle-- www.rapidreticle.com
It's the 3-9X 32mm 22 LR reticle that i've adapted to the trajectory of the 65 LD, and it's the best comination i've ever used on long-range coyotes.

Oh, BTW the engraving is about as good as i've ever seen too. Thks.

I just received a new D-Tech 243 WSSM upper to go on this rig, and just put a 4-12X Burris Mini scope with Ball. Plex reticle on it. Can't wait to try it.
 
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