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My first AR
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 8:32 am
by Tex1961
First let me say, midnight shopping is dangerous
Anyway, I’ve always been a pistol guy but decided to foray into the AR realm. I’ve started with an entry level platform as it really will be mostly for range plinking. It is the 5.56/223 version. My main question is what is your preferred caliber? My biggest priority is price per round and recoil. Again my main focus is plinking at the range with it. I’ll most likely throw an inexpensive red/green dot on it or just stay with the iron sights as I doubt I’ll ever go past 50 yards.
Let me say that from my limited research, the .223 is the way to go. Lower pressure and lower cost.
Short version - 5.56 or .223 ?
Thanks for any info.
Re: My first AR
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:06 am
by Richbirdhunter
5.56, because you can run 223 though it but you can’t run 5.56 though a 223
Re: My first AR
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:09 am
by Liberty
For all practical purposes .223 and .556 are the same thing, at least as far as ARs go. .556 though is usually cheaper. Depending on the twist rate usually the .62grain is more accurate than lighter bullets at longer ranges. But don't be shy about trying different ammo.
The AR platform is a lot of fun. Good luck with it.
Re: My first AR
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:15 pm
by Tex1961
Richbirdhunter wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:06 am
5.56, because you can run 223 though it but you can’t run 5.56 though a 223
Correct, that’s why I made sure and got the 5.56/223 option.
Re: My first AR
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:21 pm
by Abraham
You're in a buyers market.
Check with Primary Arms.
Last, I saw an ad for an off-brand AR being sold there for under $400.00 I paid way more than that but I bought high quality...you pay for greater quality, but for your purposes not necessary.
Plus, both Cabelas and Academy have sales on these things.
Good luck and when you decide tell us what you bought.
Re: My first AR
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:40 pm
by Tex1961
Abraham wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:21 pm
You're in a buyers market.
Check with Primary Arms.
Last, I saw an ad for an off-brand AR being sold there for under $400.00 I paid way more than that but I bought high quality...you pay for greater quality, but for your purposes not necessary.
Plus, both Cabelas and Academy have sales on these things.
Good luck and when you decide tell us what you bought.
Sportstman's Guide had the DPMS Oracle on sale for $379.00, plus there is a $50.00 rebate and it comes with a decent 2 rifle soft sided case. Retail around $50.00 as well. I know it's a low end budget firearm, but as you say, for my purposes I think it should be just fine. I can see running 30 - 60 rounds per month or so on average through it... Between the overall good ratings and all of the youtube videos I've watched it seems like a pretty decent gun for the money.. I'm not into tricking out my firearms.. Except maybe for better grips and maybe some sights that's about it...
As I said in my original post, I have always been a pistol guy.. I have around a dozen handguns but in rifles I have a Ruger 10/22 and a Mosen Nagant carbine.. And that one I've not even shot yet... I've always kinda wanted an AR, but not enough to justify spending a lot of cash for one... I just saw this deal and figured the price point, rebate and free case it was a good time to go ahead and get one....
Re: My first AR
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:49 pm
by spectre
Abraham wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:21 pm
You're in a buyers market.
Check with Primary Arms.
He already bought the gun. He was asking about ammo.
As a shooter, I don't notice any difference between .223 and 5.56 in terms of recoil and noise. Both are soft shooting rounds from a rifle. I buy whatever is the cheapest brass case ammo from a reputable manufacturer for general plinking. You can get steel case ammo but the price difference isn't worth it in my opinion.
Re: My first AR
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:54 pm
by Abraham
Whoops...sorry. I wasn't reading carefully enough. My only excuse, been working outdoors, spraying, mowing and generally getting overheated. I still think I'm 25, but no, I'm now so old if my body was furniture I'd be an antique....
Sounds like the OP did very well on his choice.
I'm glad for him.
Re: My first AR
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 3:20 pm
by Liberty
spectre wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:49 pm
Abraham wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:21 pm
You're in a buyers market.
Check with Primary Arms.
He already bought the gun. He was asking about ammo.
As a shooter, I don't notice any difference between .223 and 5.56 in terms of recoil and noise. Both are soft shooting rounds from a rifle. I buy whatever is the cheapest brass case ammo from a reputable manufacturer for general plinking. You can get steel case ammo but the price difference isn't worth it in my opinion.
I'm no expert, but from what I've observed. .223 is typically more expensive, but it also comes with more options and like boat tail and hollow point etc. The OP stated he wanted ammo for plinking with iron sights and pretty close range almost any ammo will work. I would avoid commie brands or steel case, but maybe its just me. Any gun rated for .556 will shoot ,223 just fine.
Many many guns that are sold are .223 are also blessed by the manufacturer to shoot .556. The Ruger series is one manufacturer that comes to mind with their mini 14. The target mini 14 model is the one notable exception.
Re: My first AR
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 6:51 pm
by Middle Age Russ
Buy bulk 5.56MM at around $300/1000 (brass-cased, reloadable 55gn FMJ) to your door. Look for buying opportunities with free or low cost max shipping charges and factor that in to the overall cost. You shouldn't have to look to far or long for a deal at $300/100 rounds. You can sometimes find deals $15 or 20 cheaper if you are willing to wait and shop a bit.
Re: My first AR
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:16 pm
by bblhd672
Tex1961 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:40 pm
Abraham wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:21 pm
You're in a buyers market.
Check with Primary Arms.
Last, I saw an ad for an off-brand AR being sold there for under $400.00 I paid way more than that but I bought high quality...you pay for greater quality, but for your purposes not necessary.
Plus, both Cabelas and Academy have sales on these things.
Good luck and when you decide tell us what you bought.
Sportstman's Guide had the DPMS Oracle on sale for $379.00, plus there is a $50.00 rebate and it comes with a decent 2 rifle soft sided case. Retail around $50.00 as well. I know it's a low end budget firearm, but as you say, for my purposes I think it should be just fine. I can see running 30 - 60 rounds per month or so on average through it... Between the overall good ratings and all of the youtube videos I've watched it seems like a pretty decent gun for the money.. I'm not into tricking out my firearms.. Except maybe for better grips and maybe some sights that's about it...
As I said in my original post, I have always been a pistol guy.. I have around a dozen handguns but in rifles I have a Ruger 10/22 and a Mosen Nagant carbine.. And that one I've not even shot yet... I've always kinda wanted an AR, but not enough to justify spending a lot of cash for one... I just saw this deal and figured the price point, rebate and free case it was a good time to go ahead and get one....
30-60 rounds through an AR is about 10 minutes range time even shooting slowly! You’re going to get hooked and go through 300 per range trip!
Congrats on your new rifle.
Re: My first AR
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:28 pm
by Tex1961
bblhd672 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:16 pm
Tex1961 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:40 pm
Abraham wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:21 pm
You're in a buyers market.
Check with Primary Arms.
Last, I saw an ad for an off-brand AR being sold there for under $400.00 I paid way more than that but I bought high quality...you pay for greater quality, but for your purposes not necessary.
Plus, both Cabelas and Academy have sales on these things.
Good luck and when you decide tell us what you bought.
Sportstman's Guide had the DPMS Oracle on sale for $379.00, plus there is a $50.00 rebate and it comes with a decent 2 rifle soft sided case. Retail around $50.00 as well. I know it's a low end budget firearm, but as you say, for my purposes I think it should be just fine. I can see running 30 - 60 rounds per month or so on average through it... Between the overall good ratings and all of the youtube videos I've watched it seems like a pretty decent gun for the money.. I'm not into tricking out my firearms.. Except maybe for better grips and maybe some sights that's about it...
As I said in my original post, I have always been a pistol guy.. I have around a dozen handguns but in rifles I have a Ruger 10/22 and a Mosen Nagant carbine.. And that one I've not even shot yet... I've always kinda wanted an AR, but not enough to justify spending a lot of cash for one... I just saw this deal and figured the price point, rebate and free case it was a good time to go ahead and get one....
30-60 rounds through an AR is about 10 minutes range time even shooting slowly! You’re going to get hooked and go through 300 per range trip!
Congrats on your new rifle.
BIG SIGH. I know. I’ll keep trying to convince myself that I won’t. But I know me pretty well. Already have 1000 Wolf on order. Along with 500 9mm, 200 .380, 500 7.62x39, 500 22lr. I was going to add some 45 and 38spcl, but I just bought 500 each about 3 weeks ago. I have a membership to frisco gun club and am meeting the owner of Mission 160 outdoor range tomorrow to pay my first year dues.
To summarize. Hi, my name is mike and I’m an addict.
Re: My first AR
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 10:14 pm
by The Annoyed Man
As a general thing, I’ve found bulk purchased milsurp 5.56 ammo to be the cheapest way to go. That said, some ranges won’t let you shoot FMJ. I’ve found inexpensive remanufactured loadings from time to time of 55 and 60 grain soft points loaded by companies like Freedom Munitions, in recycled brass, using Nosler Partition soft point bullets. For example:
https://www.freedommunitions.com/ammuni ... reman.html. These would not only work for ranges where FMJ is verboten, but also could be used for small game / varmint hunting.
BTW, check out Primary Arms for inexpensive optics of pretty good quality for that price point. You’ll like your AR much better with a 3X or 5X fixed power, or a 1-6X variable power scope on it. And PA’s ACSS reticle is pretty good.
Re: My first AR
Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 11:00 pm
by Rhino1
Check out Holosun for inexpensive red dot. I was fortunate enough to get to go to SHOT Show in 2017 where I first saw them. They figured out Aimpoint circuitry so battery life is similar in years. They have a model with solar panel on top so get both solar power if light available or battery as needed, and it also adjusts intensity of the dot based on ambient lighting. I have two and they are half the price of my Aimpoints. Bought mine on Amazon
Re: My first AR
Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2018 12:23 am
by 03Lightningrocks
Tex1961 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:28 pm
bblhd672 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 9:16 pm
Tex1961 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:40 pm
Abraham wrote: ↑Sun Jul 01, 2018 12:21 pm
You're in a buyers market.
Check with Primary Arms.
Last, I saw an ad for an off-brand AR being sold there for under $400.00 I paid way more than that but I bought high quality...you pay for greater quality, but for your purposes not necessary.
Plus, both Cabelas and Academy have sales on these things.
Good luck and when you decide tell us what you bought.
Sportstman's Guide had the DPMS Oracle on sale for $379.00, plus there is a $50.00 rebate and it comes with a decent 2 rifle soft sided case. Retail around $50.00 as well. I know it's a low end budget firearm, but as you say, for my purposes I think it should be just fine. I can see running 30 - 60 rounds per month or so on average through it... Between the overall good ratings and all of the youtube videos I've watched it seems like a pretty decent gun for the money.. I'm not into tricking out my firearms.. Except maybe for better grips and maybe some sights that's about it...
As I said in my original post, I have always been a pistol guy.. I have around a dozen handguns but in rifles I have a Ruger 10/22 and a Mosen Nagant carbine.. And that one I've not even shot yet... I've always kinda wanted an AR, but not enough to justify spending a lot of cash for one... I just saw this deal and figured the price point, rebate and free case it was a good time to go ahead and get one....
30-60 rounds through an AR is about 10 minutes range time even shooting slowly! You’re going to get hooked and go through 300 per range trip!
Congrats on your new rifle.
BIG SIGH. I know. I’ll keep trying to convince myself that I won’t. But I know me pretty well. Already have 1000 Wolf on order. Along with 500 9mm, 200 .380, 500 7.62x39, 500 22lr. I was going to add some 45 and 38spcl, but I just bought 500 each about 3 weeks ago. I have a membership to frisco gun club and am meeting the owner of Mission 160 outdoor range tomorrow to pay my first year dues.
To summarize. Hi, my name is mike and I’m an addict.
Hi Mike. I am on step 4. Would you be my sponsor?