Varmint style Target AR opinions...

[Carbon_15]

Im thinking of adding a varmint style Ar to my collection just for target shooting and plinking.
Sportsmans Warehouse has the Bushmaster Varmint Special stainless for just over $1k

or

I could buy this lower build kit and a Receiver from Palmetto State
http://www.palmettostatearmory.com/2199.php
and this DPMS upper from Midway
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/default.aspx?productnumber=173618

Price would work out the same...almost to the dollar. the Bushmaster has an advantage, because it is already assembled and know to be a very accurate reliable rifle.
The Palmetto/DPMS has an advantage in that for the same price I am getting a very expensive Magpul PRS stock and Geissele SSA-E trigger.

HELP
thanks

 

[Canuck-IL]

I don't see the Bushy listed on the Sportsman's Warehouse website and a quick look indicates that Bushmaster only offers a 24" so, not sure I'm looking at the same specs you're talking about.

Anyway, the BM on their website has a 1:9 twist while the DPMS is 1:8 - I'd prefer the latter to allow a greater range of bullet weights.

The Geissele would be a preferred trigger - they stand behind their products. If you can't piece it together cheaper part by part (LPK, trigger, stock), I'd go with your second option - the build is trivially easy.
/Bryan

 

[BADUNAME37]

Sounds like a plan!
If you do not currently have a semi-auto, it is a great idea! If you already have a semi-auto, then you may want to consider a bolt-action in a good varmint round (.223 or 22-250 are my choices). Then, for $1,000 you can get a decent gun which can be accurized and a decent scope (I prefer Leupold, Vari-X-III) with mounts which will run you about $500 for the scope and the other $500 to put into the gun and accurizing (glass-bedding, free-float the barrel and a trigger job).

If you spend $1,000 for the gun itself, what do you plan to do for optics, as you will most likely want a scope to shoot accurately out to at least 300 yards, I would think.

These are just my opinions, other user's mileage may vary.

 

[madcratebuilder]

for the same price I am getting a very expensive Magpul PRS stock and Geissele SSA-E trigger.

This is an easy choice. Those two items are a $450 upgrade.

 

[Damon555]

I put together a varmint/target AR for around $1100. It's a DPMS bull 20 with an elcheapo simmons 6.5-20 whitetail classic scope. The scope isn't the best but it gets the job done. This is a very accurate combo with both 40 grain and 60 grain V-maxes.

I've never had one malfunction with this rifle despite all the internet DPMS bashing.

 

[Cemetery21]

I had a 20" DPMS Bull barreled upper for several years on a prairie dog rifle. Excellent accuracy, not far behind 700 Varmints and a 40X. I used it only from a bench. It's weight is not something you would want to carry very far. I eventually went to 24" AR barrels for the increased velocity, but I never had a problem with the 20" reliability or accuracy in a litle over 10,000 rounds.
The trigger on your #2 option is a big plus for your stated purpose.

 

[Eaglestroker]

I like the 24" upper Palmetto is offering - has had be thinking of building one myself.

 

[benzy2]

I know I sound like a broken record but WOA upper and the lower however you like it. You can get anything from an 18" to 26" complete upper with bcg for $650 or less. Then, spend the other $350 on the lower you like with the options you like. You won't have all the rails, but you will get a decent smooth float tube with an upper that should shoot better than anything else in the price point.

 

[jim243]

Anyway, the BM on their website has a 1:9 twist while the DPMS is 1:8 - I'd prefer the latter to allow a greater range of bullet weights.

It won't help you with bullet weights, you are limited to bullets by length of your magazine. 2.250 inch, unless you want to feed them in one at a time.

1:9 twist is good for an AR and unless you will be shooting comps at long range the heavier bullets will not help much. For bullets beyond the 69 grain I use a bolt action 223.

Jim


50 to 60 grain


beyond 60 grain

 

[benzy2]

You can load hornady 75gr hpbt match and Sierra 77gr match kings to mag length in an AR.

 

[TonyAngel]

I do believe that the Bushmaster Varminter and Predator models have 1:8 twist barrels. My Predator (20") did, anyway. It shot very well, although the barrel wasn't stainless.

 

[Sky]

I have the Varminter and Predator; both have the Bushmaster two stage trigger. For my purposes of varmint popping they work very well.

 

[Carbon_15]

palmeto state has lowers on sale for $49...so I went that direction.
Scope options? Looking to spend around or under $300
thx.