ARs for Varmints--Pros and Cons

[Steel Mover]

The AR platform has one huge advantage, you can carry one tactical bag with three uppers, keep the same trigger, and change to to a fresh, cool gun with just pulling two pins. If you carry an AR-15 and an AR-10 you can have two sets of three.

Here is jut one example, my Armalite AR-10 builds in 308/260 set that could easily be a 243AI add on.

 

[vonb]

Lots of good information in here. I just purchased a White Oak Predator upper 20" for prairie dogs. I didn't want to go with the full varmint contour due to weight. I've used a Bushmaster Varminter on past prairie dog trips and never could get the accuracy quite to what I was happy with. It shot fair but my experience with White Oak barrels has been stellar. I'm looking forward to using it. That, with a Geissele SSA-E trigger and I should be set. I see so many cottage accessories for the AR. I've felt that a good free floated barrel and a good trigger should get you a long way with an AR.

 

[Lefty2506]

I like hunting with ARs, bolt guns, single shots, and even muzzle loaders For varmints, I think it really depends on what kind of varmint your after. If its coyotes or ground hogs, I don't see much benefit other than having fast follow up shots if you're trying to hit something on the move. For prairie dogs and hogs, a semi-auto simply lets you address more opportunities in less time.

The biggest drawback of an AR is probably weight. If you are doing something where you really don't need a second shot, the AR requires you to carry around a lot of extra weight. For something like PDs though, an accurate AR is ideal for shots under 400 yds, although I've shot them with my Grendel out to almost 700 yds. Combined with a FFP Christmas tree reticle, an AR significantly increases my 2nd shot hit ratios. I also like that I can use a 30 rnd mag with a good brass catcher meaning that I simply don't have to come off the rifle as I work the rifle across the town. I also appreciate the option of having a 2nd (or even 3rd) upper receiver that I can swap over to when my barrel gets hot. Then there's the fact that 20-30 rnd mags are pretty in-expensive so its easy to carry a lot of ammo in the field and have it ready to go.

I would say that an AR system is not ideal if you're wanting/needing to do a lot of shooting past 300 yds. At those distances, the accuracy of an AR can become an issue. I have some that will shoot under 1/2 MOA, but it's always been easier for me to get a bolt gun to shoot accurately than an AR. When you're running hot loads from an AR to reach out farther, you heat the barrel up a lot faster to the point that you're needing to stop after 5 to 10 rounds to let things cool off. That makes the "fast follow up shot" less applicable. The AR15 is somewhat limited in cartridges that are suitable for shooting distance, but they exist (6mm ARC, 6mm AR Turbo, 6mm Hagar, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, ect), and moving to an AR10 allows you to shoot almost any short action cartridge.

A bolt action rifle also makes it easier to run reduced loads that let you shoot more before your barrel gets hot. A side charging upper can do the same thing though.

Just my 2 bits,
Mark

 

[wildcatter]

I'm lazy, I find it unbelievable how much work some will go to in order to settle for anything less than ideal for the job at hand.

For me I'll use a bolt action and proper loads and accept one shot and done, off a bag, bench, bipod, or fencepost.

But being a skilled trades retiree, I learned a long time ago to use the proper tool for the task at hand, and leave the comprimises to the wann-bee's,,,,

 

[JB10]

I love the feel of bolt actions better than an AR hands down. If im prerrie dog shooting it will be with a bolt gun. I do a lot of preditor hunting in winter months, i have started using an AR for the quick follow ups. It has helped out. The desert areas i hunt are eather thick as hell or limited in slightly open areas. If i take a bolt action out then i always bring a shot gun also, this means im carrying 2 guns. With the AR i only carry it. In the thick areas i can get a 2nd shot off fast before they are gone. When i call in northern AZ its with a bolt action since i have more open areas.

 

[Lee Whitsel]

i see people at the public range sighting in ar 15 and they shot under an inch with good reloads. And they use them all summer long on dogs and gophers. a brass catcher and of they go. Must be a great way to go or they wouldn't be doing it.

 

[shooter65]

Really liking this Uintah 224 V

 

[David Milisock]

Really liking this Uintah 224 V



View attachment 1517167

I'm getting a 2nd upper for mine, the 16" is the general purpose rifle a 24" would be the varmint upper.

 

[shooter65]

These two compliment each other. Colt Accurized Rifle (CR6724)

 

[COLT45SA]

If you want it to behave like a benchrest rifle, build it like one. Complaining about the "failures" of a stock AR as a bench rifle is akin to saying an Indy car is useless, since it isn't street legal, and you can't easily haul sheets of plywood with one. The difference is any mechanically gifted individual CAN modify an AR at home, using only off-the-shelf components and tools.

* If the rifle rolls in the bags, modify the foreend. Add a flat plate under the round handguard,i.e., Hart's Accuracy Asset) so the rifle doesn't roll in the bags.
* If you don't like the buttstock, install one that fits better. And/or that rides the rear bag better.
* If the magazine extends too far below the center of the action, use a shorter magazine.


Not so subtle hint: BRASS CATCHER.
Or disable the gas system, turning the rifle into a single shot.

Take it easy on the guy. Some people just like to complain. You've heard about the guy who when given an egg made of solid gold complained about the crack in it.
I don't own an AR and don't particularly like them, but I certainly won't deny the fact that they are very easy to modify with an infinite variety of options. They just ain't sexy, and everybody has one~!

 

[COLT45SA]

AR's are for people who like to do a lot of shooting but NOT very much hitting their target. AK's are even worse. Get a single shot. 1 shot 1 hit!
JM

Love my single shot 1885 Winchester~!

 

[saxeTshooter]

works well for me

 

[COLT45SA]

My state (NY) limits the magazine capacity on ANY centerfire for hunting to FIVE rounds. Do they make a blocked 5 rounder for most ARs? Basically back in the '50s they looked at the Remington and Winchester repeaters. Saw 5 round magazines and so set that as the standard. We also ban suppressors for hunting mainly because back in the '30s game wardens claimed "thousands of deer were being poached with 'silencers'". BEEE ESSSS!!! If they allowed them we'd hear a lot less whining from the yuppies on their hobby farms who wet themselves at every distant gun shot.

I shoot at the old Lyman range sometimes in Wallingford, CT. They had to eliminate their 300 yard section and build a 40' high berm behind the 200 yard section because some rich gun-hating yuppie with a law firm moved behind the range and tried to shut it down. They're always in court but he seems to be losing now. Judges get tired of retrying the same case! Many states have a law that presumes you KNEW the range was there when you moved in so you can just shut you pie hole. I LIKE that law.

Ray

In Florida we've had the turnpike and I-95 for years. Newcomers build their houses right next to those roads, complain about the noise, and 100s of thousands of taxpayer dollars get spent building sound barriers to protect these idiots from the noise. Jeez~!! Gimme a break~!!

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Steel mover is correct, I take one lower and 3 uppers. 17 rem,20p, 223. Quick release pins on the lower.

 

[Mossback54]

I never liked ar s but I bought one when I thought Hillary might get elected. I love the damn thing, I own two and about to buy another. It’s a 10/22 on steroids, lots of fun. The only drawback when coyote hunting is I am in and out of the truck many times in a morning and a bolt gun is quieter and easier to load and unload.

 

[1ofU]

I built this Bull Barrel just for pd hunting & dot shooting
going on its first trip in June .

 

[jds holler]

Holy Moly! Care to splain about cartridge, barrel, gas, etc.?? jd

 

[itchyTF]

That's for waterproofing.

 

[n.c.outlaw2024]

A mate of mine swears by an Armalite for getting rid of what likes to call 'furry little buggers' who dig up his vegetables in the back garden. Personally I think they are a bit excessive and over powered for pests. Then again I'm just not into semi-autos of any type. Give me a good old 30-06 or a shotgun, etc. But more power to those who do use an AR.

 

[CSLR grandpa]

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