Posted on 01/30/2019 6:35:42 AM PST by Travis McGee
The best AR-15s cost less now than the cheapest ones will, if the Democrats gun-ban legislation gains steam.
After I suggested reasons to own AR-15s and to fight Democrats new attempt to ban them, some readers wrote to request recommendations for the best AR-15s to have and the best ways to equip them. Because self-defense is the primary reason Americans buy guns, including a million AR-15s every year, here are, I believe, the top 10 characteristics of AR-15s configured for defensive purposes and the top 10 components they should have.
Top 10 Characteristics 1. Caliber
U.S. Special Operations Command will soon field rifles in 6.5mm Creedmore, a caliber already in use by the armed citizenry, and the Army is considering a new 6.8mm cartridge. However, for now, an AR-15 should be chambered for 5.56mm NATO because of the variety and availability of ammunition in that caliber. (Note: A 5.56mm AR-15 can also use lower-pressure .223 Remington cartridges, but not vice versa.)
Read the rest at: https://thefederalist.com/2019/01/30/top-10-characteristics-components-defensive-ar-15/
(Excerpt) Read more at thefederalist.com ...
Thanks again for the input. Link saved in my bookmarks...
all we need to know...
About the only thing I disagree with is his opinion on handloads. We have fed our ARs several hundred each of a load with a 62 grain soft point. I bought 16 pounds of military surplus Winchester powder just for that.
I picked lot of 6,000 soft points last year for cheap. I added a similar number of primers so we are good to go there. We have about 7,000 or so loaded rounds put back including all the factory stuff. We could crank out a couple thousand more over a dedicated weekend.
Weve got a couple thousand green tip put back but about all I use that for is practice ammo so we can reuse that fine Lake City brass.
It takes a little extra work removing the primer crimp, but its about the best stuff out there IMO.
Just my two cents. YMMV.
L
Now we're talking.
I have just enough experience with ARs and with scopes that I do have an opinion in the matter... Nothing bigger and unwieldier than the Leopold 2.5 compact I once owned... Got it from a buddy of mine who was an old-school rifleman - it had a single post reticle in it as one might use hunting dangerous game. It was just the bee's knees on my 10/22, and it's what I became adjusted to in terms of expecting to see a reticle in a scope.
I don't think that reticle is even offered any more - but times have changed anyway, we have a wealth of red dot and holographic scopes available now that seem to make more sense both ergonomically and visually. Whatever I get I'll have to adjust. (I've since scored an old Savage/Stevens model 52, which is actually a very decent old .22, which a Simmons 4x scope on it. I still haven't shot it enough to get used to just that plain fine reticle.)
Anyway something like this is what I've expected... smaller than that old Leopold, with good rugged optics. I'll have to check them out somewhere along with the other suggestions on this thread. I'm planning to replace that D**S... in the near future... :)
A nice thing about the Burris 332 (there is also a fixed 5X version) is that there is a real reticle. With holoscopes, if the battery is dead, there is no reticle at all. There are some like the Trijicon that operate on tritium at nicht and fiber optic in day, but they cost more than most rifles.
I’m not set up for reloading, and I admire those who are. I just buy factory and give away the brass...
I love that meme!
100%
Matt, how much did you pay for them, and where? I have a 3x-9x on my AR, and it is definitely too damned big for it (but just fine for a boltie that I have my eyes on). Thanks much for your answer, and for all that you have done/are still doing for your nation.
Dont forget to stock up on Magpul PMAGs... 👍
Thanks a bunch for that review.
5 Rules,,,
Interesting.
Im not set up for reloading, and I admire those who are.
Its a nice skill to have. For a while you could save some money doing it. Not so much anymore. I figured it was good to have for when things go sideways. Its like being able to can food or jerk meat or fix an engine.
We could use it for barter or trade if necessary.
But the best part about it is that you can really dial in a load for each weapon you have. For instance our Kimber 1911s seem to really shoot well with a 210 grain HP over about 4.8 grains of Bullseye. Moves them about 950 FPS and are super accurate.
My .308 bolt gun, a Savage 110, is wicked accurate to 400 yards with the 168 grain Sierra Match King.
So its another skill in the bag. And its a very zen thing to do. It requires patience and focus.
And if youve got a pile of 5.56, .45, .44 Mag or Spl, .38 Spl or .357 mag brass laying around Ill be more than happy to take them off your hands.
LOL.
Thanks for the post, Matt. As usual, its excellent.
Best,
L
I saved that one.
5 rules to live by.
100%
I have a Nikon 3-9x40 varmint scope that is very nice and wasn’t too expensive. And a Burris 1-4x24 that works well with an AR. Vortex Optics makes some good and reasonably priced optics too.
What’s up with the Army’s “new” 6.8mm?
Thinking about getting a 20 inch upper.
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