Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting Ar 15

[KYOUNG]

I have a Sig 556 which is a great gun, cross between AR & AK uses Ar mag. have run 800+ rounds with no problems. I also recently picked up an FN PS90 bullpup in 5.7x28, holds 50 rounds weighs almost nothing and is very fun to shoot.

KY

 

[CBlack]

The only whole piece that I've bought is my POF upper. The three lowers I've built. The other two uppers, I've built.

If I were to buy a whole rifle... Daniel Defense, POF, and Lewis Machine would be my choices.

 

[The patriot]

Yea, forgot LMT....

 

[CBlack]

Yea, forgot LMT....

Actually you mentioned them in your first response...

 

[JDiehl]

I have a real burning want to pick up a 300 blackout upper to switch out with my lowers. Just seems to make sense instead of purchasing a .308 AR platform.
JDiehl

 

[HHhuntitall]

Well, principal difference in 5.56 Nato and 223 is pressure loading, followed by overall length. The overall length is what causes problems. The bullet being jammed into the lands in a short throated chamber is going to build significant pressures. Most factory rifles are oversized (IMO) chambers so they will chamber any brand of ammo. Savage does a decent job of keeping the chamber smaller, but any mass produced firearm is going to have production run variances, as tooling wears.... An early run will have a larger chamber than a later run as the reamer wears smaller cutting multiple chambers. Irregardless, they usually also have long throats (where the lands meet the bullet in the barrel.... a short, smooth area slightly in front of the chamber) hence the reason handloaded ammo is usually more accurate than factory, as handloaders often seat bullets much further out so the bullet meets the lands, giving the bullet less wobble when starting down the bore..... The Axis I have has a pretty long throat, allowing the bullet a significant jump before starting down the bore. This reduces pressure quite a bit, so the 5.56 ammo is not showing any signs of pressure whatsoever. Same story for any of the bolt guns I have in .223.

FWIW, Savage is probably the only one to offer ANY rifle in a twist faster than 1/9, offering the Lang Range Precision Varminter in a twist as fast as 1/7. They also offer rifles in 6.5/284, 260, and 6.5 Creedmoor, IIRC. Great starter rifles, asides from a crappy trigger group, and probably the best "bang" for your buck. Granted, they aren't the Axis line, but speaking with an engineer late last year, the 260 may soon be part of the lineup, as well as the 7mm-08, in the Axis line.

Lewis Machine and Tool are excellent rifles, custom made, but sooooo overpriced, IMO. They are not tolerant of much dirt and play time, from my experience.

Barrels are a beast in themselves, between Stainless Steel, Chromoly, chrome vanadium, chrome lined, and carbuerized (nitrogen purged, such as Glock's Tennifer process) there are so many selections available it'll make your head ache! For everday shooting, SS, chromoly, and vanadium are all excellent choices, while in full auto rifles, chrome lined and carbuerized barrels are a necessity. Then there's the size of gas hole, gas block orientation, tube length, piston or gas driven bolt, and ammo selection. Surplus USMC barrels are a good example... basic assembly works excellent with surplus 5.56 nato ammo, but a lot of commercial ammo won't correctly cycle the bolt. Enlarging the gas hole in the barrel or reducing the buffer spring tension is necessary to facilitate correct function.

 

[The patriot]

I agree. Most commercial AR offerings are vastly over gassed.
That's more a result of ammo variance than the bbl manufacturer themselves.
Very few people want to have to fiddle with gas ports when they buy/build a gun. Thus, adjustable gas blocks.

I'd LOVE to see an Axis in 260 with a 1/8 twist. I hope your right!

I have, or had a dealer acct with LMT, so I can get them @ discount. As long as I'm still in their system. It's been a while.

 

[HHhuntitall]

Well, out of curiousity, I just checked the website, and Savage is already listing the 6.5 Creedmoor and 7mm-08 as available chamberings for the Axis. The 260 shouldn't be far behind. Of course, if you really want to get heavy, try the model 12 Long Range Precision rifle.... it comes in 260, 26" barrel, and 1:8 twist

 

[Dasmoeturhead]

No one mentioned Windham Weaponry. I have there SRC in .223/5.56. Made by the original gumsmiths that quit Bushmam. Its a great rifle. I currently have a Bushnell TRS-25 red dot optic on it, and if I put that red dot on a target its toast.
Just started gathering reloading components (bullets,primers,and powder).

 

[Dieselnut59]

I have a Smith & Wesson M&P, a Bushmaster and an Armalite. All are set up a little differently, but I got them just to have them and shoot on the farm. I usually harvest pigs with the Bushmaster.

 

[y2k17ram]

I built a 300 Blackout (pistol) from parts. Love it.
If you reload - even better.
(I reload so it's not that expensive to shoot)

But the questions above - when answered - will steer you to the right AR
* Do you want/need it to reach out 400+ yards? ... stay with the 5.56 (.223)
* Wan't it to reach out to 800+ yards and take down game? ... the 308 (AR-10)
* Want it just to have fun - or be effective only out to about 200 yards? ... 300BLK
- Note about the 300BLK - or 300 AAC -
It uses the same projectiles as the 308 - just won't get the same velocities/range
Versatile - can shoot light 100'ish grain up to 240'ish grain projectiles
Can load and shoot subsonic with it (although not much point without a suppressor)

I was also old school - optics were for weenies ... 'til I put a red dot on this one - Wow! Fantastic!