Yet more AR-related questions

[Davek1977]

I'm currently shopping for an AR-15/M4orgery. This gun will be a recreational rifle, not a "combat" weapon or duty rifle. I'm currently thinking that a 16 in. Doublestar Car-15 Hbar would meet the requirements I'm looking for. BAsically, I'm looking for something to shoot the occasional coyote or praire dog with, as well as a bit of rangetime. I want an accurate carbine, capable of taking critters out to 300 yards or so. I realize a 20in varmit-style AR would meet my needs, but prefer the shortness of the carbine in the confines of a pickup truck (where it would spend a fair amount of time doing riding along doing chores on the ranch), and well, the4 Car15 Hbar fits my budget better than a match rifle would as well. Do you think the gun will serve my purposes? I'm thinking I won't need a chrome lined barrel, because I want the emphisis more on accuracy than long-term durability/corrosion. What kind of scope/optic do you recommend? What about iron sights? (keeping in mind that this is a budget AR). Also, Buds gun shop has the doublestar also decked out with Magpul accessories for $869....are the magpul uprgrades worht the addiotional 200 bucks? This is my first ar, and while on a budget, don't wantr to end up with a purchase I'll soon regret. Any input ... especially from doublestar owners, is greatly appreciated

 

[madcratebuilder]

Doublestar got a good review from Gunblast, most guys like the magpul stuff. It should fill your needs.

 

[Davek1977]

Also, would the Mueller APV scope make a decent optic for a flattop ar? I have one on my .17 that I absolutely love, but hadn't heard a whole lot about using these on the AR platform....

 

[Tirod]

Chrome vs. plain, on a 200 yard gun that gets left in a pickup, I'd go chrome for corrosion resistance, and a normal barrel profile.

Accuracy is a nice thing to have, the average milspec barrel shoots 2MOA with military loads, which translates to a 4" inch group at 200. I doubt the expense of a precision HBAR barrel will be worth it, a good optic is more cost effective.

Just changing to a high quality ammunition will do a lot.

Regardless if the gun is "cleaned every time it's shot," the chrome lined won't be as much hassle. The bare one will eventually be left in the truck some night and have condensate soak the residue. It won't take too many nights of that to reduce the accuracy to that of chrome, and it won't stop there.

Hammerforged nitride barrels would be accurate and corrosion resistant, but they are more expensive.

 

[okiewita40]

Try a CMMG bargain bin rifle. leaves enough for an optic and ammo. I can't say that I have heard anything negative on them at all.

 

[Rshooter]

I have a DoubleStar, I built a lower and bought the upper. I have had no problems with the gun being used as a range gun. It does everything I need it to do. The last AR I touched before this was a USMC gun.

 

[Davek1977]

Ok, tjhat helps somewhat. Now my biggest delimia is wondering if I should go with a red dot or scope? I'm looking at the M4 red dot from primary arms currently. My only concern is that a red dot would be worthless at longer ranges....is it feasible to shoot accurately at 200, maybe even 300, yards with such a set up? If I was going to go with a tradiotnal scope, what are some "good value for the money" scopes suitable for such a carbine?

 

[madcratebuilder]

Also, would the Mueller APV scope make a decent optic for a flattop ar? I have one on my .17 that I absolutely love, but hadn't heard a whole lot about using these on the AR platform....

The Mueller APV is a rimfire scope, but I know more than one person that have used them on AR's and they work fine. Really not that much more recoil. It's a full size scope, you may want to try out one of the many 1-4 power AR scopes. They are smaller, reduced weight and work well out past 200yds.

The APV has a Tactical model now with target turrets and mil-dots, that might work well for a longer range setup.

 

[Davek1977]

Ok, pulled the trigger so to speak yesterday morning....Against some advice, I did go with the HBar Doublestar...I could actually get the Hbar CHEAPER than the standard M4 barrel, and didn't opt for chrome lining, as its role as a truck gun may have been overstated a bit. Yes, it will take a ride along now and then, but won't be left there or see daily use. As far as optics go, I went the red dot route from Primary Arms. The gun will be used primarily short to medium range, and it seemed like a practical choice for the shooting I'd typically be doing (plinking, varmits, etc). I know at some point, I'll probably scoppe it, but this seemed like a fun way to get adjusted to the AR platform. Ammo is all thats missing from the equation now (aside from delivery anyway!)....any recommeded loads to try? Looking for both plinking ammo and coyote loads....

 

[Rshooter]

Check out ammunitiontogo.com, lots of ammo at reasonable prices. I prefer the 55 grain FMJ rounds on strippers.

 

[avs11054]

Ok, pulled the trigger so to speak yesterday morning....Against some advice, I did go with the HBar Doublestar...I could actually get the Hbar CHEAPER than the standard M4 barrel, and didn't opt for chrome lining, as its role as a truck gun may have been overstated a bit. Yes, it will take a ride along now and then, but won't be left there or see daily use. As far as optics go, I went the red dot route from Primary Arms. The gun will be used primarily short to medium range, and it seemed like a practical choice for the shooting I'd typically be doing (plinking, varmits, etc). I know at some point, I'll probably scoppe it, but this seemed like a fun way to get adjusted to the AR platform. Ammo is all thats missing from the equation now (aside from delivery anyway!)....any recommeded loads to try? Looking for both plinking ammo and coyote loads....

You should have no problems with a red dot shooting out to 300 yards if you do your part. There are plenty of people that use red dots, and even iron sights for that matter, to shoot that distance.

As far as ammo goes, I'd recomend aimsurplus.com, or go to cabelas if there is one near you, or their website if there is not one near you. They have Federal American Eagle 55 grain fmj on sale for $5.99 a box. That's $300 for 1000 rounds, which is a good deal.