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Budget AR for 'yotes?

Jangle

I have a few varmint rifles but they are all bolt actions. 17hmr, 220 swift and 22-250.
I know absolutely nothing about the AR platform but have a good working knowledge of hunting firearms. I have been a hunter since 1978 and a reloader since 1994ish. I have taken numerous coyotes, prairie dogs, pronghorn, deer, elk and a few mountain lions. Not to mention pheasants, ducks and geese.
With that said, I am considering the purchase of an AR. It would mostly be used for varmints and maybe even pronghorn (under 250 yards).
I have seen numerous AR's on websites under $700. Since I am an AR virgin, I have been hesitant to pull the trigger on a purchase, so far.
I am hoping to find an AR that will be easy on my pocket book but still achieve a minimum of 1 MOA.
Does anyone out there have a recommendation that will fit those 2 criteria?
Thanks for your help! All opinions are welcome...
 
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I've bought and built ARs since the mid 80's when I needed one to practice for our combat rifle team. I've had about all manner of low budget AR parts over the years and some good ones (JP and White Oak plus some custom barrels). With very little load workup, I've not had one that wouldn't shoot MOA or better, much better in heavy quality barrels.
In today's market, $500 rifles are $700. If an RRA can still be had for that, it's one of the best out of the box shooters I've had.
 
DPMS Oracle, often found for $450 on sale.
AR Stoner 20" heavy barrel, find at Midway for $130. Yay for the .223 Wylde upgrade!
Gas block around $30-40 (try to find an adjustable on sale, and don't get the wrong diameter!), add the rifle-length gas tube for another $15.
Rise Armament makes a very good trigger for around $100 on sale.
Free float tube from TacFire for $75.

And you're done. All in price price of less than $700. There are tons and tons of better parts; but, this is a budget build, right? The furniture, grip, bipod, and other rail systems can be added later.

Free-floating the barrel, a stiffer barrel, and a predictable trigger will get you 95% of the way to the most accuracy an AR has to offer. The last 5% are fiddly bits. This setup will get 0.5MOA results with the correct load. (24ish grains of CFE223 or Varget if you can find it, 75-80gr bullets, will get you 800yds, and 1000yds on a good day).

The optic will set you back. I recommend a Vortex DiamondBack Tactical 6x24x50 FFP. On sale it will set you back less than $400. Throw in some rings for $25-45.

I have built 5 of EXACTLY this, and have never failed to produce results. The one place to spend extra money if you can swing it is the barrel, AR Stoner is really near the bottom.

Hope this helps, and Good Luck!
 
Sorry, I am not familiar with CLE or WOA. Would you please list the full names instead of the initials? Thanks!
 
In my limited experience, buying a complete rifle off the shelf can be hit or miss, especially if you don't plan to reload. They are not hard to assemble. To entertain and educate myself, I got a spread sheet going and priced buying various components and assembling the whole gun. It's not surprising that you can build one pretty economically by shopping quality components on sales. You will have what you want and somewhat stack the deck in favor of the results you want. If you do buy a complete rifle, you might find yourself spending more than you planned on by buying upgrades.
 
I've been playing with a budget build mysel . It's not so budget because of all the times I've switched stuff out but in all I don't have much into it. Just be patient and find the deals.

I went the 18" AR Stoner barrel that was on clearance around 90 bucks, found a blem ALG handguard for about 45, found a good deal on I think it's a Giesselle BCG for about 109, it's in a Surplus Ammo upper with a standard charging handle and I just tried a new adjustable gas block from Gorilla Machine for about 15 bucks that seems to run great and a blem VG6 muzzle break. Lower is a blem Anderson with a basic Cmmg lower parts kit and a Magpul fixed stock. Only real full priced item was a LaRue MBT2s. All in about 600-650 and it's a shooter.

I guess it depends on how quickly you want it together but with the 4th coming up there should be good sales.

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I am with thatguysm Build your own.
I have also done more than my share of AR's ..
Barrel and Trigger most important for the most part.
The deals out there are great .
Buy once be Happy ?
Buy a Factory Rifle ? add on parts add up ?
 
If you don't need hell-and-back combat reliability or durability (i.e. yote rifle) you can save a lot of money on things like bolts and carriers and such. No need for titanium geegaws and such. A basic varmint float tube like in Thatguysm post will work very well.

Trigger and barrel and the keys to an accurate AR. Everything else is for reliability or convenience. And basic mil spec is far more than adequate for yote duty.

I will submit that a barrel need not be super expensive to be very accurate. Many *excellent* barrels under $300 will shoot.
 
Wow. I have A LOT to learn. There are a lot of systems in an AR that I wasn't aware were so critical to the function: i.e. the gas block. As all of my rifles are either bolt or lever, this will be my first foray into gas systems.
I foresee a lot of time watching YouTube videos in my near future....
Thanks for all the excellent wisdom, guys. I love learning new things!
I like the idea of building my own. I can learn a bunch during the build and take my time learning all the little things that make an AR awesome.
 
Don't let it overwhelm you, it's pretty straight forward and Youtube (hate them) is your friend. A few small punches, some tape and you're basically there.
 
DPMS , and stoner from Midway....? Really , now I know I am on a bolt gun forum... Try m4 carbine.net for information.... It would be a good start to actually learn about what a decent AR is all about.. I take no prisoner's on the subject.... Not really sorry if I hurt someone's feelings.. That's a bit much...
 
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Rsadams said:
DPMS , and stoner from Midway....? Really , now I know I am on a bolt gun forum... Try m4 carbine.net for information.... It would be a good start to actually learn about what a decent AR is all about.. I take no prisoner's on the subject.... Not really sorry if I hurt someone's feelings.. That's a bit much...
Click to expand...

I believe you missed the opening post/topic header about doing it on a budget.. Great advice though! You pay to play with an AR for sure, but I believe everyone here is trying to answer the question asked, not debate brands.
 
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