First AR -- Any Advice??

[jds holler]

Get some factory ammo to start your quest into AR's.
When the wife was shooting a 16" 1:8 twist carbine gas AR she liked the 69gr TMK, and the 77gr SMK.
She did a couple 600yd F-TR matches with a 20" 1:7. Not great, not terrible with the 77gr IMI.
Your 1:7 should like them also. Lighter bulets like the 55-62gr, maybe not so much.
The new Hornady ELD-VT 62gr should work.
I suggest function testing factory before you reload for it.
Buy stock in a rifle cleaning supply company

I don't think I can make myself buy factory ammo. I've already got dies, bullets from 35 - 60 grain, powder, primers, --- and a bazillion brass including lots of old Lake City stuff.

I'm thinking I oughta get a small base die, since my brass has the linage of a bastard child. I'ma also wanna get some short as possible mags for the thing. I've never been wild about a foot of magazine hanging under my rifle. jd

 

[dantiff2]

I don't think I can make myself buy factory ammo. I've already got dies, bullets from 35 - 60 grain, powder, primers, --- and a bazillion brass including lots of old Lake City stuff.

I'm thinking I oughta get a small base die, since my brass has the linage of a bastard child. I'ma also wanna get some short as possible mags for the thing. I've never been wild about a foot of magazine hanging under my rifle. jd

Magpul 10 rd mags are perfect for bench use. Super smooth feeding and they also keep you from getting the rifle very hot, since you can't shoot extended round bursts before needing to reload. Pick up a few standard capacity (30 rd) just because our government says you shouldn't be allowed to have them

 

[Rocketvapor]

Factory ammo, 69-77grain for a 1:7 twist barrel might be necessary IF the thing doesn't run right or something is wrong enough to return to Buds.
Watch for sales or factory seconds.

But, give what you have a try. Part of the trip.

Promag AR-15 Rollermag .223 Rem / 5.56 NATO 5-Round Magazine

DuPont Zytel polymer body Patented, anti-tilt roller follower Heat-treated chrome silicon wire internal spring Aggressive texturing for a positive grip Removable floorplate

gunmagwarehouse.com

As far as 30 round mags, how far is Idaho?

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I don't think I can make myself buy factory ammo. I've already got dies, bullets from 35 - 60 grain, powder, primers, --- and a bazillion brass including lots of old Lake City stuff.

I'm thinking I oughta get a small base die, since my brass has the linage of a bastard child. I'ma also wanna get some short as possible mags for the thing. I've never been wild about a foot of magazine hanging under my rifle. jd

I would just get the regular dies first.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I tried 62gr Nosler ammo in my 1:7 22 Nosler.
It shot but groups weren't great (not even close).
But I got them on clearance from Midway. Seems they clearance stuff out before it spoils or goes rancid
Shot them, and got brass cheaper than brass.
I use 85.5, 88, 90, loaded LONG, from a sled.
Here's a target from yesterday's range trip.


If I could do that on a match day I would be happy.

JD, what dies do you have for 223/5.56?

 

[jds holler]

I’ve just got a set of Lees sitting here.
Got them several years ago to load for a friends 223 Ruger boat gun. jd

 

[jds holler]

I’ve got an absolute butt load of 50 and 55 grain several brands.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

Build a lower and buy a white oak upper. Trigger tech trigger, seekins lpk, stock and grip of your choice. I like the PRS lite and the regular prs for my purposes. Alternatively, on a budget my ruger mpr is a great shooter. I did well stock, but with a built lower and prs lite lite it is submoa all day. Lousy to clean compared to my white oak barrel. I hunt coyotes and shoot prairie dogs mostly. Still like my bolt guns way better though.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Rock River and be done with it.

Exactly. There’s probably others, but I bet there ain’t no better. Skip the forplay and get a rock river, it’s where you will be if you want something that shoots good. Can’t assemble one that’s better for less. Then you won’t have a Frankenstein Heinz 57. Better yet get several like a real American.

 

[Rocketvapor]

I like my Frankenstein Heinz 57

 

[46and2]

I like my Frankenstein Heinz 57

FrankenHeinz 57