Lightweight AR Build for Small Game

[sarduy]

Hello THR,

Have you ever went hunting and saw an animal and felt under gunned?

This happened to me. I went hunting “small games” with the wife and toke the 22lr for rabbits, squirrels and stuff like that however midway through the hunt i came across a 40-50lb hog no more than 75-100 yards. Sure I could have shot it a 22lr but I didn’t want to risk just wounding it. So then I thought, how about a light weight AR that i can carry all day for small game like rabbits, but have some power for the occasional hogs that pops up!

So this is what i came up with some spare parts i have. Let me know your thoughts.

Faxon 10.5 Pencil barrel (super lightweight)
Spikes Tactical/Anderson Slick Upper, No forward assist or dust cover.
Faxon .625 gas port
Standard BCG
Aim Sport Gen2 keymod handguard (super lightweight
Standard lower
Magpul MOE-K pistol grip (lightweight)
Magpul BTR Brace
Magpul 10 rounds mag to cut on the ammo weight

ETA: for optics I’m thinking the new Primary Arms SLx 3x Prism scope.

 

[horsemen61]

Pics please

 

[sarduy]

Pics please

As soon as i get home.

 

[bfoosh006]

Probably not the caliber you are considering, by a 9MM carbine has a very similar trajectory to a 22LR.

Past 100yds'ish it will start to drop like a rock, but the added velocity from a longer barrel will typically deliver about the same energy at 100yds that a 4-5" barrel will at the muzzle.

So just a thought. ?

 

[adcoch1]

Years ago I did the same thing with a lightweight AR. It ended up at 6lbs with a loaded ten round mag. It's a 16" pencil barrel and a no name keymod grip and some lightweight sling sockets. I have found that it is a bit loud for the way I use a small game gun, so I'll still carry a 22 revolver with it. But slung up the rifle is light and small enough to forget it's there. It definitely has a place...

 

[mac66]

So, you're thinking of carrying a 223/556 AR pistol in addition to a 22 rifle?

I think I would simply carry a 20 ga shotgun for small game and a couple extra slugs for bigger stuff.

 

[Archibald Stanton]

Kel-Tec sub 2000 in 9 mm (they also make it in .40 if you want) would do it for 50 yards or less with iron sights and more with a scope but a scope defeats the purpose of folding the gun in half.

You could also take a lever action that shoots 38 and 357 and load 38 special for bunnies and 357 magnum for the hogs. Would probably be perfect

 

[sarduy]

So, you're thinking of carrying a 223/556 AR pistol in addition to a 22 rifle?

I think I would simply carry a 20 ga shotgun for birds and bunnies and a couple extra slugs for bigger stuff.

No, not both rifles, but the wife can can carry the 22lr and I would carry the AR, another thing i can do it’s add a cmmg 22lr conversion kit to the mix.

 

[mac66]

My walk in the woods AR is lightweight build using a pencil barrel, slab sided upper, skelentonized bolt from , light weight buffer, carbon fiber handguard and magpul BUS on a one piece Cav Arms plastic lower. Weight is just 5.5 lbs with 10 round plastic mag.



I used that until I picked up a Keltec SU16b (back when they were relatively cheap), weighs 5llbs. Holds two 10 round mags or one 30 round AR mag in the stock.

 

[Chuck R.]

Honestly, for something I might end up shooting minus ear PRO, I'd go with a longer barrel. I just finished building similar for a lightweight coyote calling carbine:

Striped Aero upper and lower receivers
Geissele SSA-E
Larue PredatAR 16" barrel w/ A2 flashider (skipped the comp or brake for less noise)
SLR adjustable gas block
MI G4M 12.6" rail
Magpul MBUIS set OD Green
Aero Lower kit (minus FCG and grip)
Aero enhanced buffer kit
Toolcraft nitrided BCG
Radian raptor LT charging handle
Magpul CTR Stock OD green
Magpul MOE Grip OD green
Magpul Type 1 rail covers OD green
Seekins Precision ambi-safety
BFG Vickers sling OD green

Topped it off with a Leupold MK 3HD 3-9x40 with illuminated TMR reticle in an ADM Recon mount. It holds at just sub-MOA with Nosler 55BT handloads. Total was just under $2300. Previous to this build I was using my 3Gun rig for my light calling rifle, but the noise from the brake sucked and re-zeroing it before and after coyote season when pulling the brake off sucked more. The project started out as just a lightweight upper, but you know how that goes...

Added a pic:

 

[Charlie98]

I built a lightweight AR as my 'knockabout' gun... for when I'm out in the desert, or camping and such. I didn't dump a bunch of money into it, and I've made some small changes to get it to where it's at, now.

Essentially, a standard lower, and a RRA upper, lightweight 16" middy barrel with standard delta-ring forearm, Magpul furniture, and Troy folding sights. I took all the rails and stuff I originally had on it off... I'm not hanging anything on it except a sling.

I have since replaced the RRA shorty A1 stock with a standard collapsible, to reduce the size when put away.

Standard A2 H-bar on top, lightweight on bottom...



6# 7oz unloaded with the shorty stock, probably very close with the slider. I could probably get picky and shed that 7oz to get it at 6#, but I'm not going to knock myself out over it...



Aside from overall length restriction or purpose, I don't see a need for a shorter barrel than 16"... it's short enough already, for the 5.56mm. Just my opinion.

 

[FL-NC]

Sounds like a job for an old Savage 24.

 

[someguy2800]

The only criticism i have is the muzzle blast will be brutal and if you shoot a small edible critter with a 223 you'll have to look for the chunks. A 300 blackout might be interesting with one mag full of subsonics and a second mag with full power ammo. I've never shot any small critters with a subsonic 300 blackout but I would imagine the damage to be pretty minimal.

 

[Armored farmer]

When you need that bit of extra oomph I like a .22magnum.
Your dilemma is as old as the .22lr itself. The .22 is so ideally suited for small game that carrying one is undeniable.
Perhaps the best solution is to carry premium ammo while hunting and be sure you are confident and well practiced, then take the shot. Only where legal, of course.
.204s, .223s, even .22mag is a bit much for small game.

Sometimes you just let it go, and come back another day with your centerfire for the pork chops.

 

[Varminterror]

Do you want a lightweight rifle with more punch than your 22LR, or do you want a lightweight AR? Pretty easy to put together a little 223 bolt gun around a pound lighter than an AR, and a few inches shorter overall too. (6x45 or 6 ARC, or 6.5 Grendel as other options for more punch without really burning too much powder for bunnies as well).

 

[WestKentucky]

For small game AND porky possibility I would just go 20ga and be done. Leave the lady with the rifle for still shots and treetops. Scattergun for critters on the move, and if something bigger became a possibility it’s easy to shuck a shell and pop in slugs or buck.

 

[mshootnit]

22 Magnum.
My favorite is a 9422M

 

[sarduy]

Operation Black feather is a Go.

 

[ECVMatt]

Operation Black feather is a Go.

View attachment 1057105

I can't wait to see how that turns out! That seems like it would be a nice packing shooter.

Some time ago I was hunting hogs on the Red River with friends. We were riding mules and hunting over dogs. Most of the land up there is private, but there is some national grassland that is open to the public. We took a swing through there and ended up in a very remote part of the grasslands in some hardwoods. Much to our amazement we ran across a group of Hmong hunters that had walked in. They were outfitted to be light, carrying ALICE packs with no frames, some water, and basic food items. Every one of them carried a CAR15 with a sling made from paracord slung from the front sight tower to the top of the collapsible stock. They all were using aluminum 20 round magazines. It was very interesting to see how they were outfitted and how they knew how to go light. They were very nice folks and we stopped to chat with them for a while. They already had two pigs and we gave them two more. They were very appreciative, slung them on poles and headed back from wherever they came. watching them leave, they were efficient, quiet and knew how to move through the bush.

Anyways I have always remembered that encounter and feel those guys would approve of your build.

 

[CapnMac]

Sounds like a reason to go find a nice double in 22lr over 410 or 20ga. Or maybe a 22lr over 22hornet or the like.

Not that you should stop the AR build, that will be cool, too. Especially as pigs are seldom ever solo.

I've been thinking about a 6arc carbine (16" barrel) specifically for pigs. Sadly 6arc barrels are not exactly common right now. My thinking is to put it on a KP-15 lower.

 

[d2wing]

22 Mag or carry a .357 revolver.

 

[Skylerbone]

Man but you’re gonna hate the ear shattering sound of that barrel. My daughter managed to help me spec a lighter weight AR for her a few years ago (she was 12). .625” 16” barrel, Phase 5 15” MLOK forearm, minimalist stock, and basic Anderson receivers. Before muzzle device/scope/magazine it came in at 5 lbs, 5.6 oz. Below weight as configured.





If, however, I were looking to stalk bunnies and anticipated hogs, I’d chose her Henry .357 lever with .38 Special lead nose over Clays. I value what’s left of my hearing and those rounds are as close to quiet as I have found.

 

[sarduy]

Update,

due to the dimensions of the barrel nut full assembly wasn’t finished yesterday in time for a shooting range session. it requires a crowfoot 1-1/8 wrench that I didn’t have and no one seems to have it locally so i had to order one.

I’m going to have it weighted but ohh my… this thing is light compared to the use i use on a regular basis.

 

[Gordon]

I can't wait to see how that turns out! That seem like it would be a nice packing shooter.

Some time ago I was hunting hogs on the Red River with friends. We were riding mules and hunting over dogs. Most of the land up there is private, but there is some national grassland that is open to the public. We took a swing through there and ended up in a very remote part of the grasslands in some hardwoods. Much to our amazement we ran across a group of Hmong hunters that had walked in. They were outfitted to be light, carrying ALICE packs with no frames, some water, and basic food items. Every one of them carried a CAR15 with a sling made from paracord slung from the front sight tower to the top of the collapsible stock. They all were using aluminum 20 round magazines. It was very interesting to see how they were outfitted and how they knew how to go light. They were very nice folks and we stopped to chat with them for a while. They already had two pigs and we gave them two more. They were very appreciative, slung them on poles and headed back from wherever they came. watching them leave, they were efficient, quiet and knew how to move through the bush.

Anyways I have always remembered that encounter and feel those guys would approve of your build.

How big was the "group" ?

Seems like they found something better than the .30 carbine we equpped them with 50 years ago in the "Highlands" .
I like the Hmong , but watch out being invited as an "Honor" to sleep with wives !!


I would have put a Faxon 16" pencil Barrel on it to avoid NFA stuff in future , plus a super loud .22 bullet lacking velocity of the longer barrel is not near as good a medium game killer .

 

[ECVMatt]

How big was the "group" ?

Seems like they found something better than the .30 carbine we equpped them with 50 years ago in the "Highlands" .
I like the Hmong , but watch out being invited as an "Honor" to sleep with wives !!

It was quite a few years ago but I think there were 6 in the hunting party. I really wish I had a photo and it was quite the contrast. We were decked out in our "western" riding regalia and Carhartt coats, mostly armed with Ruger Blackhawks and they more along the lines of M-65 coats, jeans, and jungle boots, with their AR's of course. This was long before AR's were en vogue so it was quite the sight for us. Meth cooking was getting popular, so at first we weren't sure if we stumbled onto a "cook-out" because of their armament.

We sat around the fire for a few minutes to warm up, chat, and have a Busch Light. They were from the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, apparently there is/was a growing Hmong community there. They were nice folks, grateful to be in America, and had some very good skills in the woods. They looked right at home and had a very unique way of squatting/sitting. It looked uncomfortable as hell to me, but they all just sat around squatting, telling stories, and laughing so I guess it works for them.

Thankfully there were no females with them as I was much younger and not married....

Back to the OP's post, I can't wait to see how that shoots. My buddy just picked up a couple of LMT 10.5 Uppers for pistol builds so I curious to see how this works out.