AR-15 what’s the logic?

[desmobob]

My 1:7 HBAR shoots the best groups with a 52gr. match bullet handload! I never got tighter groups with heavier bullets.

 

[12Bravo20]

This whole thread has been quite informative. I was looking for some information on AR's, and lots of something was delivered.
Lessons Learned:
1. If my AR is worth less than $1000 then I'm just a clueless gun owner
2. If it has a 1:7 barrel, then it is because I'm an ignoramus OR I want to shoot tracers
3. If I don't shoot to at least 600 meters than I'm not committed enough to shooting
4. Shooting anything at 100 meters with surplus ammo means I'm technically and mentally inept

Ouch. I guess I shouldn't admit to liking to shoot AKs either?

As far as Number 2 goes, the original reason for the US Military to go with a 1-7 twist was to stabilize the longer M856 tracers. Since then, bullet/ammo manufacturers have designed bullets to take advantage of the 1-7 twist. And just because you have a 1-7 barrel doe not mean that it will not shoot lighter bullets. In fact most 1-7 barrels shoot lighter bullets just fine.

As far as the rest goes, I won't comment nor degrade anyone that buys an AR on a budget, never shoots past 100 yards , shoots cheap surplus ammo, nor spends $1000 or more on a rifle. Heck I have several AR's and each has its own purpose. I have the cheap budget rifle that I enjoy shooting cheap surplus ammo from for a fun day of plinking. I also have a couple of purpose built AR's for shooting at longer distances too. And for real cheap fun I have several AR's in 22LR - 4.5" pistol, Carbine setup just for plinking/hunting, and a precision rig.

Buy what you can afford and also what you enjoy. I won't even look down on someone if all they can afford is a Hi Point pistol and/or Hi Point carbine. Enjoy what you like. Don't worry about what others think of your choices, Life is too short for that.

 

[igotta40]

“Buy what you can afford and also what you enjoy. I won't even look down on someone if all they can afford is a Hi Point pistol and/or Hi Point carbine. Enjoy what you like. Don't worry about what others think of your choices, Life is too short for that.”

Well said.

 

[DustyGmt]

The reality is simple. 1:9” barrels don’t actually shoot lighter bullets any better than 1:7” - especially in short 16” barrels - so consumers want versatility, whether they’ll ever make use of it or not.
.

Pretty much. I've found this to be true out of the half dozen or so AR's I've shot with bbls ranging from 10.5" to 16". No real big difference, at least not @100 yards and less.

My 1-9" actually shoots heavier stuff quite well and my 1-7" shoots better with 69gr IMI than it does with 77gr SMK Match grade stuff.

 

[wesmonster]

thats a choice each guy has to make I guess and depends what constitutes good. Maybe you need multiple calibers or need rifles for multiple family members? My personal builds range from $400 in parts including sights to $1500 in parts including optic. I probably average around $600 to build one to my preferences with a basic optic.

This is what my AR collection looks like. I started with Rock River Arms & BCM 5.56 uppers and lowers and while their good quality rifles when I wanted to branch out into other calibers I tried PSA, Anderson, Alpha Shooting Sports, Ghost Firearms, etc. when I found a bargain. If I can buy or build an AR that's 90% as good as BCM or RRA for half the cost, I'll do it.
my BCM 5,56 upper on a RRA lower is my 'go to' setup, but have lots of bargain bin ARs in other calibers for range fun that have proven to be just as reliable or accurate as my 'top tier' setup. Maybe in 30 years I'll see the difference but soending 3x the money on anything doesn't guarantee 3x the reliability, accuracy or durability.

 

[md7]

Just my own thoughts here. The purpose of my personal AR is a general purpose, toss in the back of a side by side, dust the occasional boar type of rig. And to have fun with it, obviously. God forbid, I’d have confidence using it for HD if push come to shove.

I want to be able to hit the chest of a silhouette target at 300, and I want it to be reliable.

My 1:7 barrel BCM M4 esque type of rig with aimpoint does that. It’s also fun to shoot, and reliable.

So I’m good with the performance of 55 gr out of mine, for what I do with it. Admittedly, my requirements are not what you’d consider exceptional, just standard.