This is a Pro/ con thread.224 Valkryie, 22'' 7 twist Wilson Arms barrel, Colt 6724 A3 Lower, JP LMOS bolt, Jewll trigger, Aero upper and handguard, Vortex Viper 5-25x50 SFP scope.
Your post gets a big Pro!
ARs for Varmints--Pros and Cons
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Your post gets a big Pro!
Just my opinion: I love the AR-15 for hunting "varmints". I hunt hogs, coyotes, and bobcats and exclusively at night under thermal (read: I can't judge distances with thermal easily so flat-shooting is highly desirable). I started with the "standard" .223 Remington for coyotes and a 6.5 Grendel for the hogs (this was before bobcats became a problem and entered my hunting world). I hated changing rifles and didn't want to use the 6.5 Grendel for coyotes seeing it as too large for the intended targets (downrange liability is something I am concerned with) and also too slow to shoot flat enough for shots at or over 300 yards if it was zeroed at 200 yards. I bought a .224 Valkyrie barrel with the idea of using the 60gr Nosler BT for coyotes (and later, bobcats) and the 75-90gr bullets for hogs. The shortcoming of this idea is that the heavier bullets drop closer in, enough that I have plowed dirt while shooting at hogs at distances of about 200 or so yards when I was zeroed for 200 yards with the 60gr bullets. I messed around until I found the 64gr Nosler Bonded Solid Base bullets and now have one bullet that works for all three targets. I have killed hogs with the 60gr Nosler bullets when I got caught expecting coyotes but found hogs, but the shot placement was too critical for my taste to provide anything one would consider an "ethical kill". Now that I've settled on that bullet, I could have done just fine all along with the .223 Remington.
Carrying it further: the AR-15 allows easy configuration/change of most any component from the stock to the muzzle, with countless choices in between. Almost every component is easily changed with simple tools which are affordable. The semi-auto action is invaluable to me for if I miss and need a quick follow-up shot (these critters do not loiter around after a near miss) or if I find a group of hogs and need to take multiple, rapid shots at multiple targets, and the rifle is light enough to walk around with (I do a LOT of walking properties). Being able to run a 10 round magazine when I am only expecting to find coyotes or bobcats and then change to a 20 or 30 round magazine if I'm expecting (hoping) to run into a mess of hogs is also nice. To me, the only "con" is that, shooting suppressed, I get a puff of gas back in my face (even with an adjustable gas block), which is noticeable.
I hunt almost every single night of the week and have for well over a year and a "just a few nights a week" for months before that; I've put hundreds of rounds on targets in that time with this platform and have no desire to change to any other platform. I've got bolt-action rifles (which I love), and have shot/owned several other "platforms" of semi-auto rifles, but the AR-15 is my choice for "varmint" hunting. One last thing which I like about the platform is the ease with which it disassembles for cleaning.
All this "gun stuff" is like religion: everybody's got their own flavor, this is just mine.
--HC
Carrying it further: the AR-15 allows easy configuration/change of most any component from the stock to the muzzle, with countless choices in between. Almost every component is easily changed with simple tools which are affordable. The semi-auto action is invaluable to me for if I miss and need a quick follow-up shot (these critters do not loiter around after a near miss) or if I find a group of hogs and need to take multiple, rapid shots at multiple targets, and the rifle is light enough to walk around with (I do a LOT of walking properties). Being able to run a 10 round magazine when I am only expecting to find coyotes or bobcats and then change to a 20 or 30 round magazine if I'm expecting (hoping) to run into a mess of hogs is also nice. To me, the only "con" is that, shooting suppressed, I get a puff of gas back in my face (even with an adjustable gas block), which is noticeable.
I hunt almost every single night of the week and have for well over a year and a "just a few nights a week" for months before that; I've put hundreds of rounds on targets in that time with this platform and have no desire to change to any other platform. I've got bolt-action rifles (which I love), and have shot/owned several other "platforms" of semi-auto rifles, but the AR-15 is my choice for "varmint" hunting. One last thing which I like about the platform is the ease with which it disassembles for cleaning.
All this "gun stuff" is like religion: everybody's got their own flavor, this is just mine.
--HC
The very first AR I tinkertoyed together was when the flat-top uppers first hit the market via Eagle Arms (maybe '88?).
24" Krieger 12" twist with a std 223 Rem chamber. Burnt that barrel out grinding PD's into chunks. 1000's of them succumbed to that devil. Fixing to build a duplicate for a friend with a better trigger than was available in '88 (which was nothing) once I get the barrel finished up.
24" Krieger 12" twist with a std 223 Rem chamber. Burnt that barrel out grinding PD's into chunks. 1000's of them succumbed to that devil. Fixing to build a duplicate for a friend with a better trigger than was available in '88 (which was nothing) once I get the barrel finished up.
I have one that I built. For barrel, I would go no longer than 20". You give up a lil velocity, but gain a ton in manueverability. Other than that, pretty much any rig you wanna carry should do just fine. I have a 4-12 Redfied Revolution on mine. 3-9 would be just fine, too. Make sure you have a nice sling as well. Kind of an awkward gun to carry. I'm considering giving a single point sling a try.
Look here-- https://www.tactical-life.com/firearms/insight-shooting-systems-coyote-hunting-ar/
a bit overedited but not bad compared to some...
a bit overedited but not bad compared to some...
skeeljc
Gold $$ Contributor
Here is mine. Aero Precision upper & lower. White Oak 24" Varmint barrel with 1 in 12 twist and .223 Wylde chamber. White Oak float tube. JP Silent Capture recoil system with JP low mass carrier and JP enhanced bolt. Geissele High Speed NM trigger. Magpul PRS stock. Vortex Viper FFP 5-25 x 50 glass.
It will do 1/2 MOA 80% of the time. Currently in the process of replacing Aero Precision upper with a DPMS Lp-Pro upper to add rigidity.
It will do 1/2 MOA 80% of the time. Currently in the process of replacing Aero Precision upper with a DPMS Lp-Pro upper to add rigidity.
The Lever action 30-30 was the take along rifle in Wyoming for 100 years. No more you rarely see a Lever gun in a Jeep. The AR-15 in many calibers has replaced the Winchester 94. My favorite is the .224 Valkyrie it is an excellent varmint rifle. For Prairie Dogs the 70grs .224 bullets are accurate long range choices.
troupe
Gold $$ Contributor
Don't know of a con for a AR. The big ones are a little on the heavy side, but not having to change positions, and fast follow up shots can't be beat. I remember the first AR-15 I used for a groundhog hunt. The first shot I fired missed that little booger and away he went. The follow up shots were flinging grass in the air behind him as he was running. I bet he dove 4 foot for that hole. He did not come back out that day, but he did make the mistake another day, and I did not make a mistake that shot.
The only con I can think of for the AR platform for varminting is rapid firing of high pressure loads. You'll ruin the bore fairly quickly. The new 6MM ARC maximum pressure is 52,000 PSI that may work out well.
Yup. Me too. 30 years ago I packed around a model 94 because that was the only rifle I owned. It shot everything from yotes to elk. Many of those yotes were right out the door of a tractor...under 75 yards. If I had to guess, I was averaging a coyote a day with a 30-30....maybe 2.
Now, I'm not happy unless the bullet has a trajectory like a laser. I know for a fact I have shot considerably more predators with that old 94 than I ever have with any of my "varmint rifles".
Funny how times change.......
It' just based on my experience and therefore just my opinion, if you build a dedicated varmint rig on an AR platform it's hard to see real shortcomings until you get to very long range and very small varmints.
I don’t see a pro or con for an AR varmint gun!? But for me, I have not found one yet that I can shoot nears as accurately as a bolt gun! I just don’t like the feel of the grip and the way my hand is in relation to the trigger. I’m not talking the gun’s not capable. I’m saying I just don’t shoot them as well! Also I have deer hunter a few times with one and the thing is terrible to carry compared to my bolt guns. By the way I have one! So I’m not anti AR!
I think an AR for varmints is an excellent idea. Provided you modify it to match what you could do with a bolt gun. Good components throughout, and attention to detail in a build and you can have up to 1k accuracy if you really want it. Use things like solid buttstock, comfort type grip, easy controls
There's some caveats obviously. Driving an AR is harder than driving a bolt gun if you're pushing for long ranges. Three impulses vs. one. This is countered (in each type I might add) by focusing on keeping your head and body position in exactly the same place after each shot. Typically, the only thing lazer fast are light bullets that drift in the wind. Heavies take more of a rainbow approach to your intended long range target. You just have to learn that. BTW, it's the same in a .223 bolt gun. If you went with one of the modified cartridges for an AR (6mmAR/ARC, 6.5G, 6/6.5/6.8 etc.) you're still going to have a bit of rainbow trajectory to get it there. Unless you use light bullets for that cartridge. Again, more drift comes into play then.
My bottom line is first you REALLY have to know your ballistics from that rifle for it to be effective. Then knowing how to set up that rifle and shoot it are really gonna matter. But, once you have those things down, you can hit multiple varmints more quickly than you can with a bolt gun.
There's some caveats obviously. Driving an AR is harder than driving a bolt gun if you're pushing for long ranges. Three impulses vs. one. This is countered (in each type I might add) by focusing on keeping your head and body position in exactly the same place after each shot. Typically, the only thing lazer fast are light bullets that drift in the wind. Heavies take more of a rainbow approach to your intended long range target. You just have to learn that. BTW, it's the same in a .223 bolt gun. If you went with one of the modified cartridges for an AR (6mmAR/ARC, 6.5G, 6/6.5/6.8 etc.) you're still going to have a bit of rainbow trajectory to get it there. Unless you use light bullets for that cartridge. Again, more drift comes into play then.
My bottom line is first you REALLY have to know your ballistics from that rifle for it to be effective. Then knowing how to set up that rifle and shoot it are really gonna matter. But, once you have those things down, you can hit multiple varmints more quickly than you can with a bolt gun.
My varmint rifle was built by a BR gunsmith.
Kelbly's.
On a right bolt, left port, aluminum Panda action.
This action has a steel ring in the aluminum receiver.
The bolt locks into that ring and the barrel screws into it.
The aluminum is just to hold the steel ring in position.
It does not have an ejector.
Only an extractor. No magazine cut.
I can easily switch from a a .22-250 AI to a 6mm REM AI barrel at the range or even out shooting.
Both are 30 inches long and 1 inch diameter at the muzzle.
Just need a flat surface to clamp the barrel vise onto.
Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier with some 2x lumber and F-clamps works fine.
If the groundhogs are more than 300 yards I prefer the 6 mm.
It has very 'bullity looking' bullets for longer range use.
Great BCs, bench rest grade, boat-tail.
Precision Ballisitcs 80gr Boat Tail Base 6mm.
I have accurate holdovers out to 600 yards.
It is styled after a BR rifle and loaded like a BR rifle.
I buy commercial cases in lots of 1,000 and sort them out by neck thickness variation before turning them.
I use 0.0100 neck wall thickness and both barrels are tight neck reamed.
A factor neck will NOT chamber.
I routinely make case necks with a bullet seated have only 0.0020 clearance in the chamber neck.
The accuracy of both barrels is very good, even when forming cases.
I limit range a little when forming cases though.
Even at 400 yards they are sub-MOA.
And field crops make excellent wind indicators.
I have an appointment in a few weeks to shoot over some soybean fields.
Farmer says he has lost about 10 to 15 feet of crop at the far edge.
A little past 400 yards.
I will start with the 6mm REM AI.
Need to load up some extra.
Many of the groundhogs have been shot over repeatedly and are very skittish.
A standing human silhouette at even 300 yards will send them into their burrow.
I had not thought their eyesight was that good but quickly found out it was.
Kelbly's.
On a right bolt, left port, aluminum Panda action.
This action has a steel ring in the aluminum receiver.
The bolt locks into that ring and the barrel screws into it.
The aluminum is just to hold the steel ring in position.
It does not have an ejector.
Only an extractor. No magazine cut.
I can easily switch from a a .22-250 AI to a 6mm REM AI barrel at the range or even out shooting.
Both are 30 inches long and 1 inch diameter at the muzzle.
Just need a flat surface to clamp the barrel vise onto.
Basket Hitch Cargo Carrier with some 2x lumber and F-clamps works fine.
If the groundhogs are more than 300 yards I prefer the 6 mm.
It has very 'bullity looking' bullets for longer range use.
Great BCs, bench rest grade, boat-tail.
Precision Ballisitcs 80gr Boat Tail Base 6mm.
I have accurate holdovers out to 600 yards.
It is styled after a BR rifle and loaded like a BR rifle.
I buy commercial cases in lots of 1,000 and sort them out by neck thickness variation before turning them.
I use 0.0100 neck wall thickness and both barrels are tight neck reamed.
A factor neck will NOT chamber.
I routinely make case necks with a bullet seated have only 0.0020 clearance in the chamber neck.
The accuracy of both barrels is very good, even when forming cases.
I limit range a little when forming cases though.
Even at 400 yards they are sub-MOA.
And field crops make excellent wind indicators.
I have an appointment in a few weeks to shoot over some soybean fields.
Farmer says he has lost about 10 to 15 feet of crop at the far edge.
A little past 400 yards.
I will start with the 6mm REM AI.
Need to load up some extra.
Many of the groundhogs have been shot over repeatedly and are very skittish.
A standing human silhouette at even 300 yards will send them into their burrow.
I had not thought their eyesight was that good but quickly found out it was.
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