I may be in the market for a new bullet launching device and have been really interested in the AR platform lately and am seeing some pretty decent deals on them at bass pro right now. I'm also interested in a mini 14 or something similar. I'm not very familiar with the AR platform and would like some feedback on it or recommendations on a different gun. I don't hunt and am not in the security business I just like to go out in the woods and shoot paper every now and then but it would also be nice to have something that I can hunt with and defend with if the need arises.
I have no intentions at all of taking it hunting but if ever the time comes that I need to I would like to be able to go after small-medium game. We've got deer and coyotes around here and I'm sure the pigs are on the way.
Check local listings, but .223/5.56 isn't deer legal in a lot of places. If you stepped up to 300blk or .308 upper then it likely would be....but more expensive to shoot for target. You can usually shoot pigs and yotes with anything you want.
Guns are tools, each has a role. I would just gen a .223 ar. Then if you want pick up a larger cal upper if you decide to hunt.
You could also look at the AK platform. Notoriously reliable in any situation. Throw it in the pond, let it there overnight, pull it out in the morning and start shooting. Accuracy beyond 80-100yds leaves a little to be desired. You would want something else to really "reach out and touch someone". BTW. I don't believe I ever thanked you for the link to FHC.
Get an ar now, while they are stupid cheap. I'd look at Palmetto state armory online instead of bass pro. Lots more bang for your buck. I just got a lower from them for $159 plus transfer fee. All in for under $200. Drop an upper of your choice on it, and enjoy. My 2 cents: 3 things on an ar are worth a Lil extra coin. Barrel, bolt carrier group, and trigger.
Thats good advice and I should have been a little more clear I do not intend to hunt with a .223 unless it is dire circumstances and I need food.
Right now Im looking at a Ruger AR556 a Bushmaster QRC and a DPMS Oracle for the factory made ready to go guns. Im not to sure about building one right now. I would like to get something that is entry level but upgrade able to a degree. I would like to keep it around 600-700$ and then maybe either upgrade that gun or just upgrade my collection at a later date.
Make sure you buy plenty of food for it and leave room in the budget. Who knows where prices are going to go.
If building one isn't in the cards right now then the ruger556 is a great entry level gun that you can always build on later.
Hands down I'd go with the Ruger Bushmaster of today is not the Bushmaster of yesterday, their quality has gone downhill. If you want old school Bushmaster quality then go to Windham. A bunch of the old Bushmaster guys started that company up a few years ago. I've got one of those and I have run the complete dog S out of that weapon and it's been flawless. The Oracle is a entry level gun too. $600-700 will buy you a real nice weapon. In that price range you can easily snag a nice Rock River.
Another vote for the Ruger, or a S&W M&P15II which is probably in the same price range. I wouldn't even look at a Mini 14, they were nice guns to have during the Clinton ban years, but now that that's gone I don't see a reason to own one as they don't have many advantages over the AR platform.
Im really leaning towards the ruger I really like their products and customer service. Plus from the research I've been doing it seems to be one of the better entry level ars.
It's funny the order you went in, I would choose rock River then dpms. S&W and ruger just never impress me for the extra coin they want. If it were me I would buy a lower build kit from either JSE or palmetto and probobly a JSE upper with a Wilson barrel.
For sure I'd choose a RR over a Ruger. But I'd choose a Ruger out of the three choices the OP was looking at. It's been a while since I've looked at one of those Oricals, is that the model that does not come with a forward assist? I've seen a few models of the entry AR's with no forward assist.
Where? Sw mp15 is even at buds over 6 (750)and sold out. Ruger at Cabela's wich good pricing is 699 Dpms oracle is 579 and usually and now can be found on sale for even less. That's alota mags ammo or other accessories you could add on. I own and or have run all of the above mentioned and there is no difference other than cost or to say you have a more expensive or popular rifle.
