ARs for Varmints--Pros and Cons

[Hal]

GSL

Looks like you use you BR pivot shooting bench a fair amount.
Great design.

Hal

 

[CSLR grandpa]

Hal yes I’ve had the BR Pivot bench many years it has served me well, very well designed and built.

 

[jds holler]

That's a good lookin friend in your avatar pic. Brittany? jd

 

[CSLR grandpa]

JD yes she is, quite the companion she rarley leaves my side, always hunting something.
If the rifles or shotguns are pulled out of the safe I have to tell her “you get to go” so she will calm down.
My BIL’s have a ranch along the Merced river that is were I trained her on pheasant, and my shooting range is.
When I’m out there I never have to worry location she’s running the river area or adjacent fields.
CSL grandpa

 

[jds holler]

JD yes she is, quite the companion she rarley leaves my side, always hunting something.
If the rifles or shotguns are pulled out of the safe I have to tell her “you get to go” so she will calm down.
My BIL’s have a ranch along the Merced river that is were I trained her on pheasant, and my shooting range is.
When I’m out there I never have to worry location she’s running the river area or adjacent fields.
CSL grandpa

My first bird dog was a Brit. Ya never forget the Eberhart Eraser nose.
I got her when I was 14 years old and she was with me almost until I was 30. We put the kibosh on literally (probably) a ton of pheasants, ducks, geese, quail, muskrats, and yeah even coyotes. jd

 

[Shotafterdark]

Hey fellas ...Just tested a build I did a few months ago for yotes and I have to say
those $150.00 dollar AR Stoner barrels Midway sells are fantastic !!

Stainless fluted 20" 1-8 twist Wylde Chamber

here's a link .. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1024728681?pid=105479

I forgot my bag out on the bench and squirrels chewed the leather up
I have some on the way , but decided to shoot off my tripod today with
a Nosler 69 GR BT Load with AA 2230 powder to see what the barrel can do .

I dropped the Arken on it and first shot at 100 was low right ...
made the adjustment then kept 7 more right there in the sweet spot


It was windy and I was not steady on the tripod like I am in the bags ..
The Deviation was wide and it still impressed me ...
If you are looking to stock up on some cheap barrels for dog towns ...
don't pass these up !

Once she get's broken in and I determine the load for her ..
This barrel is a keeper ! I only bought 2 , gonna order a couple more
at that price ...

I'll play some more later this week when my bags show up ...

 

[Shotafterdark]

That is an affordable price ....and today affordable is GOOD!!

 

[5soutdoorsTX]

Another month later, and it appears it's just barely more than $100.00. $104.99

 

[Konocti's Wigwam]

Another month later, and it appears it's just barely more than $100.00. $104.99

I picked up an AR-Stoner 6.5CM barrel, 20", for $79.99. Picked up a box of Barnes 127 grain LRX for $28.33 also. I don't have a gas block or gas tube for it, so haven't shot it. The AR-Stoner barrels are not high precision, but they certainly are a decent value. The same barrel is $95.53 now. One warning, this is a HEAVY barrel. MidwayUSA had a screaming deal on Barnes bullets, wish I would have picked up more, but glad I got the ones I did.

I have an AR-Stoner 16" 6.5 Grendel barrel also, but replaced it with a Faxon barrel. The AR-Stoner was ok, no complaints for the price. It was also under $100.

 

[600-60x]

Hey guys,

We're working on a NEW (much-asked-for) .223 Rem Cartridge Guide.

One sub-topic we'll cover is AR15s--for both match rifle shooting and varminting.

I've gone squirrel shooting with my AR. I concluded that, while it is fun to use a magazine, the AR would not be my first choice for future varmint expeditions. Didn't like the stock length/height when shooting from the ground, didn't like the way the gun sat on the bags when shooting from the bench. I also hated chasing the brass.

That said, I know a lot of guys love to use ARs for Varminting.

Let's hear both sides of the debate.

If you like the AR as a varmint platform, tell us why.

If you think an AR15 is over-rated as a varminter, explain.

Let the debate begin...

While I haven’t shot p dogs in 10 years one of my favorite rifles was an AR in 223 with a 28” yes a 28”x1.25 diameter stainless krieger 1x7.7
Flying burger 73 LTB length tolerant bullets
They don’t make anymore over 2520 powder @2900fps hot load
On an Under 10 mph day hit dogs all day long at 750 yards best part was with the little recoil and weight of the rifle I was able to watch the hits unlike my 6.5/284
high rings and good bags made it comfortable all day

 

[1ofU]

While I haven’t shot p dogs in 10 years one of my favorite rifles was an AR in 223 with a 28” yes a 28”x1.25 diameter stainless krieger 1x7.7
Flying burger 73 LTB length tolerant bullets
They don’t make anymore over 2520 powder @2900fps hot load
On an Under 10 mph day hit dogs all day long at 750 yards best part was with the little recoil and weight of the rifle I was able to watch the hits unlike my 6.5/284
high rings and good bags made it comfortable all day

do you have any pics of this upper ?
was it 1.25 to the gas block then 930 ??

 

[600-60x]

do you have any pics of this upper ?
was it 1.25 to the gas block then 930 ??

no pics stright no tapper
flutted i remember the barrel nut barly made it over the barrel i might be off on barrel diameter a bit was a long time ago i think the harmonics of that heavey barrel and small caliber played into its accuracy

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I had my new thermal on a BCA 18" side charger 223 upper, thought I might use it this winter. Than I chronographed the loads. Pulled the thermal off the next day and put on my 204R bolt gun, I don't have a rangefinder to use at night, so flat shooting is a must have trait.

 

[Webster]

I had my new thermal on a BCA 18" side charger 223 upper, thought I might use it this winter. Than I chronographed the loads. Pulled the thermal off the next day and put on my 204R bolt gun, I don't have a rangefinder to use at night, so flat shooting is a must have trait.

8 YO post. 333 replies sure be enough to saw this is what I like.

 

[1ofU]

no pics stright no tapper
flutted i remember the barrel nut barly made it over the barrel i might be off on barrel diameter a bit was a long time ago i think the harmonics of that heavey barrel and small caliber played into its accuracy

ok , I use to have a DPMS Super Bull years ago it was a 1 1/8 full BB .
current one is a 1 od to block then 930 weighs in at 17 lbs

 

[cmillard]

I honestly think there is no better rifle for vermin than an AR15. I've taken more prairie dogs than I can count, bunch of wood chucks and coyotes as well. Never had an issue running my ARs for vermin.....good rifle components put together properly, along with precise handloads and shooting knowledge make for a killer set up

 

[jwv2001]

Bolt guns or AR’s do the job! This WOA upper in a 20P has been my go to for awhile.View attachment 1559778

I'll tell you what is better than that basketball hoop hanging off the side of your rifle, a goat brass catcher. The best $40 accessory for an AR.

AR 15 & Gun Accessories, AR 15 Attachments, Tactical Brass Catcher

Brass Goat is a revolutionary AR15 brass catcher designed to collect fired ammo from the AR15 firearm. Our unique 2-piece design allows you to use just the deflector, or the deflector and hopper together, based on your needs. Our proprietary mounting bracket easily snaps onto the lower receiver...

brassgoat.com

 

[CSLR grandpa]

Jwv2001 that brass catcher is sitting on the table, I have one that wraps on the forearm but rarley use it due to it causing jams, but I will check out the brassgoat.
Sac. Valley request shooter to use their brass catchers that use a fish net it works, I wanted a smaller version minnow net.

 

[410smallbore]

Maybe you guys can help me with this. I am a bolt guy for the most part. At one time I had a Remington R15 chambered in 204. I just never got used to it and didn't like the way it shot. It always seemed to jump around when I shot it, so couldn't stay on target when making a follow up shot. The trigger was not great but was serviceable after a good trigger job. Accuracy was fair at best. And this may sound weird but every time I shot it I could hear like a compressing spring sound that drive me nuts.
With all that said I would like to try to build a good ar style varmint rifle. I would like it chambered in 204 and I want it to function smoothly to help with the muzzle jump. I do a lot of walking so I am thinking a 20 inch barrel preferably in stainless. I am hoping you guys could give me some recommendations on what to purchase for parts. And any tips or tricks you have would be greatly appreciated.