"Most" versatile .223 AR setup

[BullHeadedGideon]

Hello guys & gals... Gents & gentettes! X )

So... I'd like to hear opinions on AR15 setups that would be considered "the most" versatile. A "Do-it-all" AR. Something that could plink, Home Defense, hunt, CQB, etc...

So, in order to be able to tackle all of those, I think my main concerns would be 1) choosing a barrel length & twist-rate combination that could accurately fire .223 ammo in the 55gr - 77gr ranges; & 2) also choose a barrel length that isn't too long for CQB/too short to lose ability of putting something down at a reasonable distance.

Following me so far? Or am I sounding ridiculous? X )

I'm also concerned with dwell time & gas port size. I'd like to have the "healthiest" setup in those regards.
I found this article to be very informative about the concept of dwell time, gas port size, & pressure (you don't need to read the entire thing to understand):

https://www.guntweaks.com/mid-length-vs-carbine-gas-systems.html

So... What I'm thinking is a 1:8 twist barrel; with an adjustable gas-block & a very light BCG/spring combo to have the ability to tune the rifle depending on what kind of ammo I'm using. (Kind of like what competition shooters do to mitigate recoil).

I'm thinking 14.5" or 16" barrel? (I know 14.5 would need pin/weld; sbr; or pistol lower)

So... Are there holes in my logic here?
Would this achieve what I'm looking to achieve?
Would barrel-length matter in regards to twist rate? (I've read that ARs with longer barrels "prefer" slightly slower twist rates. While shorter barrels need quicker twist rates.)
If my idea isn't totally ridiculous, would there be a preferred gas system length? I'm thinking mid-length for a 16" barrel & carbine for a 14.5" barrel.

Oh... & btw. I'd like the option of running suppressed. X )

I understand this is quite lengthy & maybe a little too precise/picky/unrealistic or whatever. & I understand I may have been able to put this together/word this a little better; but i just want to get this dang thing posted already! Lol

So... Thoughts, questions, & concerns, people! Don't be shy! Give me what ideas you've got. Even if they seem insignificant. I enjoy analyzing things. Give me criticism. I'd like to get as many perspectives as I can.

Thank you in advance for your responses,

Bull.

 

[Varminterror]

Personally, after building literally hundreds of AR’s and uppers in the last 20yrs, my “do-all,” master of all, master of none AR would be a 1:7” 20” rifle gassed barrel, telescoping/carbine stock, free float rail, AGB, H2 buffer, FA carrier, two stage match trigger. I prefer a bit of forward balance to stabilize my shooting in the field, so a National Match/DMR contour is what I use, but it adds about a half pound of forward weight.

This built with the intents you mention, but not limiting my effective range.

However, I did also build an SBR for myself in 5.56, 1:7” 10.5” barrel, pistol gas, and all of the other features mentioned above, with the intended purpose of shorter range hunting (0-400) and less use for long range plinking or varminting - always suppressed.

Having both is better for me. I’d be hard pressed to pick which ONE if I were forced to choose.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

I would stick with the Gov profile 16 inch 4150 CMV barrel, chrome lined, with a 1:7 twist. I would put a low profile pinned gas block on it, with a mid-length gas system. Over this would go under a slim, free floating 15 inch Mlok handguard from any number of different manufactures. I would stick fairly milspec with the bolt and bolt carrier group, and the buffer as well. A decent trigger can help for real precision work (my AR-10 has a Larue trigger that is simple amazing), but I still have a milspec trigger in my Colt 6960 CCU, and it serves just fine. All of my ARs get Radian Raptor charging handles. My ARs also have ambi safeties, and this is also a necessity for me. I have a SIG Romeo 7 with a Juliet 4 magnifier on a FTS mount. I am not sold on the magnifier. I am considering a 1-4 low powered variable or a Trijicon TA-11 with a piggy backing RMR for it instead. The Romeo 7 by itself would be all one needed with a 5.56 for easily 90% of their work with it. A two-point sling and a white light would be necessary for home defense. I would not be opposed to going with something like Mk 262 or the 75 gr Hornady OTM for everything, but right now I am stockpiling M855. I keep a few mags of Barnes 62 gr TSX and Federal Fusion MSR 62 gr JSP around for defense and hunting. If your state forbids .224 caliber for hunting, you may have to go with something like .300 Blackout or 6.8 SPC. This may make stockpiling more difficult, as well as finding responsible ammo for home defense in urban areas, depending on your situation.

I find that with modern ammunition, the 5.56 is very capable at the ranges most of us operate, and can do most of what one needs a rifle for. If forced to make use of the AR-15 and 5.56 as my "do it all," I could manage. That being said, I still prefer my Aero Precision M5E1 .308 Win for everything but home defense. My real pick for a "do it all" AR would be my AR-10.

Of course, having both is nice too:

 

[redneck2]

Personally, after building literally hundreds of AR’s and uppers in the last 20yrs, my “do-all,” master of all, master of none AR would be a 1:7” 20” rifle gassed barrel, telescoping/carbine stock, free float rail, AGB, H2 buffer, FA carrier, two stage match trigger. I prefer a bit of forward balance to stabilize my shooting in the field, so a National Match/DMR contour is what I use, but it adds about a half pound of forward weight.

Yep. I did (I think) what you’re looking for. 18” Wilson air gauged match grade barrel. If you want a “do it all” then IMO you require accuracy. A match barrel can be used for HD, but a run of the mill barrel will not have required accuracy for meaningful competition

Mine is my wife’s HD gun, so it’s plenty maneuverable

 

[BigBL87]

Personally, I would go 1:8 twist, 18" barrel chambered in .223 Wylde for a do it all build. 16" barrel would be acceptable, but 18" just gives a little more fps for a smidge extra reach and versatility.

 

[jmorris]

A good lower and a couple uppers is pretty darn versatile. A jack of all trades is a master of none.

Even a 16” with a can seems a bit long inside a house, a 10.5” with a can will be about the same length as a 16” without. A 14” with something that makes it a 16” is less than useful, unless you just want to take a hit in velocity without any gain at all in compactness.

“Putting something down at a reasonable distance” is too ambiguous for me to guess what and at what range you are talking about. Going after ground hogs at 300 or coyotes at 150?

 

[cdb1]

I have one AR for everything but in hindsight I realize it’s shaded towards predator hunting.
20” barrel
A2 stock
BUIS
Scope
Mini Red Dot
Timney trigger
Realized the red dot was superfluous since the scope has an IR so I took it off.

 

[<*(((><]

I don’t really consider an AR to be that great of a home defense gun due to the extreme pressure and muzzle blast, inside a home would be brutal. So I would gear it more towards predator control, hunting, perimeter defense type roles, hence the 20” barrel below. The velocities one will see out of a 55gr through a 20” barrel is impressive on another scale from a 14.5 and 16”.

If I were to only have one AR (without extra uppers, sticking to the OP criteria) it would be a:

1:8 twist, 20” barrel rifle length gas in 556
SLR Rifleworks AGB
Full float light weight rail
A2 stock
LaRue MBT trigger
JP silent buffer
JP BCG
1-8x scope

very similar to @cdb1 as far as length, stock choice etc. I’m sure the choice of parts are different.

Home defense would be satisfied by a handgun with WML and a shotgun. The 20” starts to make a lot of sense in light of that, being it can be easily wielded outdoors where the extra velocity and smooth recoil impulse of an adjusted rifle length gas would pay dividends in a hunting, exterior predator control.

 

[cdb1]

I’ve always thought you have excellent taste Luke.

 

[<*(((><]

I’ve always thought you have excellent taste Luke.

great minds think alike...

 

[LNF150]

Ruger MPR. Nothing fancy. 18" barrel (with the muzzlebrake it's like 19 1/4") 1:8 twist with a nice factory trigger.

 

[Armored farmer]

I wanted to set one up for versatility. I started with a Ruger SR556. Piston system. 16in carbine 1:9. M4 style collapsible stock. Homemade no rattle sling.
Added buis, streamlight weapon light. Nikon 3x BDC.
I am quite content with it.
I would like to swap my 3x for a nice 3x9. I feel like the rifle can outshoot the scope.
I took this coyote with a 400yd shot.

 

[M1key]

Only one?

Probably an18 inch govt profile barrel, Wylde chamber, 1:8 twist, collapsible stock. Optic of your choice. Tactical light attachment (not shown).

PSA kit/RRA 2-stage trigger/Burris 3-9x scope




M

 

[TikkaShooter]

A friend was having issues with night creatures.. I took the scope off and put the ATN on with a higher power "flashlight" on it.

It's a Barnes and is lightweight and extremely accurate with 5.56 or .223. Mine came with a Geissle trigger and the new ones don't.

 

[Varminterror]

This is my “grab and go” non-NFA AR, built in the era of FDE parts sales. Might not love the handguard, but it works. Specs as described in my post above.

 

[jonnyc]

Wow, lots of complication above for a simple multi-use rifle.
Go to Palmetto, pick a simple rifle kit with a 16 inch barrel, Get a stripped lower from them or your LGS, and assemble. You will them have a more-than-adequate AR for just about any use. Add or change bits as you discover what more you want out of it. Your only real decision is whether you want a carbine or mid-length gas system. You can't go wrong with either.
Enjoy.

 

[FL-NC]

I would recommend one of the mid-length uppers sold by PSA in the $300 that comes with the MLOC rail, 1:9 barrel, and the nickel BCG. I have one of these and it performs quite well. I have never had any issues stabilizing heavier bullets like the Hornady 75 gr BTHP in 1:7, 1:8, or 1:9 barrels. Add that to whatever lower you want, but get the $87 Larue MBT trigger. For an optic, I would use the 1-6 Vortex, as this will give you the ability to rapidly engage close, or use the magnification and reticle for more precision engagements at longer distances- in a good mount- either aero precision or Larue. That PSA upper will come with a standard A2 birdcage FH, but it will be installed with a crush washer. Take it off and remove the crush washer, and time that brake with peel washers, or just replace it with a cheap A1 brake and no washers. Why? Because a Gemtech HALO suppressor uses a standard GI FH as the mount. The HALO is a great can, I have used them extensively overseas, and I even have one of my own. You may also want to spring for a PRI gas buster charging handle if you are going to suppress it. For the HD role, add a surefire nitrolon or 6P light (1" diameter) with a Viking tactics mount.

 

[taliv]

For a do it all carbine it’s hard to beat the colt 6920 configuration. With a low power variable optic (1-6 or 1-8)

however it can be beaten by upgrading parts.
A nicer barrel like the noveske which is double chrome lined and still has a reputation for accuracy.
Midlength gas
Stock of your choice (just about anything is better than the mil spec )
Swap the handguards for a lightweight rail that makes it easy to mount lights and lasers
And a nicer trigger

 

[dcloco]

18" socom barrel 1:8 twist nitride or melonited
45 degree offset backup sights
Prefer Anderson closed trigger guard forged lower - they don't shrink over time
LaRue 2 stage trigger or a 3.5 lb drop in
Fixed 6 or 8x scope with bdc lined reticle.
6 position with MagPul adjustable stock

 

[Skeptic13]

My all around AR build included a 18" Faxon barrel with a mid length gas system and a 1:8 twist. I really don't like the AR for home defense and I do like the extra velocity you get from a longer barrel for hunting. I also like the light weight of the Faxon barrel when compared to other barrels.

 

[Jessesky]

Not only do ballistics improve from 16” to 18”,but the blast is much less on the 18”. Because there is a more complete burn.

I run 1:7 18” rifle length gas system

 

[LoonWulf]

Personally, after building literally hundreds of AR’s and uppers in the last 20yrs, my “do-all,” master of all, master of none AR would be a 1:7” 20” rifle gassed barrel, telescoping/carbine stock, free float rail, AGB, H2 buffer, FA carrier, two stage match trigger. I prefer a bit of forward balance to stabilize my shooting in the field, so a National Match/DMR contour is what I use, but it adds about a half pound of forward weight.

This built with the intents you mention, but not limiting my effective range.

However, I did also build an SBR for myself in 5.56, 1:7” 10.5” barrel, pistol gas, and all of the other features mentioned above, with the intended purpose of shorter range hunting (0-400) and less use for long range plinking or varminting - always suppressed.

Having both is better for me. I’d be hard pressed to pick which ONE if I were forced to choose.

This is my “grab and go” non-NFA AR, built in the era of FDE parts sales. Might not love the handguard, but it works. Specs as described in my post above.

View attachment 878897

Add me to the list that likes this configuration.
Id probably swap to a govt profile barrel just because i like them in 20" They move the center of balance forward a bit more but dont add that much weight.

 

[748]

Most versatile gun would definitely have a suppressor.
I just got my first .223 rated can and kick my self for not doing it 15 to 17 years ago.

 

[Chuck R.]

My 3Gun/Coyote rig is sort of an all-around:



16" Larue PredatAR barrel, Wylde Chamber 1-8" twist (light profile, we hike more than shoot), SLR FF handguard, Geiselle SSA-E 2 stage match trigger. LW BCG, SLR Rifleworks titanium AGB, with Leupold VX6 multi-gun illuminated reticle with CDS dial for my 60grn Noslet BT yote load. Aero upper and lower.

I've also got a Vortex 4-14X PST set up for in in another ADM mount for playing at greater distances

Light enough to carry on multiple sets yote hunting, utterly reliable in 3Gun matches and I've taken a couple defensive carbine classes with it. Average coyote shots while calling in our terrain are 25-200 yards with the majority under 100. Zero issues whacking plates at 300 yds in matches.

Recoil with the LW BCG, flash-comp (Griffin Armament) and AGB (gas set properly) makes it a pretty flat shooting gun, add the short reset Geissle trigger and its a pretty fast set up on double taps.

Going to rebarrel it in the spring with a Faxon match 5R Gunner barrel I picked up on sale. Another lightweight profile. I'm getting around 1MOA for 5rds with the Larue, just trying to get a little more out of it.

 

[jmorris]

Stock of your choice (just about anything is better than the mil spec )

My favorite stock is the A2. Just a couple weeks ago I needed a cleaning rod but didn’t have one until the “oh yeah” moment I realized I had an AR with me.