Brushbeater- So You Want A New AR?

[OverMountainMan]

I subscribe to the Brushbeater blog, and get alerted when he posts new material. This morning, he posted a guest article on handguns, so I figured it a good idea to put up a link to it in the appropriate section. But then, I said to myself, self, why not do a twofer and post this recent article of his on the AR's in the respective area? So, this is that.

Brushbeater, AKA NC Scout is a combat vet, living in the Old North State, with weapons and communications (my biggest deficiency) expertise. Until he becomes a member here, I'll try to occasionally post a link to his finely written articles.

Some good information on the AR platform in this: So You Want A New AR, huh? A clip-

Our first question needs to be what is the purpose of this weapon? Is it going to be a jack of all trades, general purpose home defense rifle? That’s 99.9% of you reading this. Is it going to be an *actual* sporting rifle that you intend to hunt with or is it simply a range toy? If it’s a range toy then what I have to say is going to be irrelevant either way; I’m not wealthy, I can’t afford range toys. Are you buying with the intention that you’re going to need resupply (you should be) at some point or are you planning on going it alone? How do you intend to keep it running? Logistics matter a lot more than what you like best. For sanity’s sake lets look at our options listed above and say that our first rifle is going to be our general purpose, home defense, fight if we have to, carbine. We have .223 (5.56×45), .308 (7.62×51), 6.5 Grendel, and 300 BO. (But, why not 7.62×39??? Because it runs far better in an AK. That’s why.)

 

[Chuckman]

Interesting perspectives on the 7.62/.308-chambered AR and his affinity for the bolt gun. Nicholas Irving (a 1/75 sniper) preferred the AR version, his experience showed that the M24 didn't hold up quite as well. I had experience with the SAM-R (5.56), which was excellent, and some Marine snipers preferred to work with those over their M40 for intermediate range. Not saying one is better than the other, just pointing out how individual experience colors one's perspective.

It looks like at the end of the day, it's 5.56, and everything else is mainly a niche round for specific purposes (hunting, intermediate/long range, etc.)

 

[OverMountainMan]

Yeah, I think the thrust of the article is, if you only had one...go for the 5.56. I like variety, though.

 

[SLM]

Yeah, it all comes down to the numbers and availability. 5.56 and 9x19 isn't going anywhere, anytime soon and is produced in such vast numbers, that it only makes sense to make them primary choices. Logistics 101

If we were in Ukraine, Chechnya, Georgia etc. and were allowed to own weapons, our bet choices would be 5.45 and 9x18 Mak....It only makes sense. Logistics 101.

A lot of people cuss the 5.56, 9x19 (and the .38Spl for that matter) for being puny, weak, or "not up to the task".....Hmmm, if they weren't, then why have the .38Spl and 9x19 been in continuous service worldwide for over 100 years? Same goes for the 5.56 for nearly 60 years.

Often times the real problem is not the caliber, nor the weapon, the problem lies with the goober doing the squawking.

 

[OverMountainMan]

Nicholas Irving (a 1/75 sniper) preferred the AR version, his experience showed that the M24 didn't hold up quite as well.

If Irving knew a guy that had an AR10 with 16.5" barrel, who wanted more (predictable) long-range precision, what (length) upper would he recommend swapping to? Asking for a friend.

 

[Chuckman]

If Irving knew a guy that had an AR10 with 16.5" barrel, who wanted more (predictable) long-range precision, what (length) upper would he recommend swapping to? Asking for a friend.

I met Irving once, and if I actually knew him, I'd ask. But I DO know a local FF who was a Marine S/S, who switched between the M40 and the KAC SR-25. Him, I will ask.

 

[NCLivingBrit]

Interesting. I own an AR in 5.56, mostly because the ammo, mags and parts are everywhere. I gave up preps, but it's reassuring to have a rifle everyone else has.

 

[11B CIB]

If Irving knew a guy that had an AR10 with 16.5" barrel, who wanted more (predictable) long-range precision, what (length) upper would he recommend swapping to? Asking for a friend.

If he’s having a lack of predictability with a 16” barrel, then it’s the barrel or the shooter (no offense). A quality barrel SHOULD offer similar precision albeit a reduction in velocity the shorter you go. Reduced speed could have some impact at 600+ yards, but if you’re shooting constantly above that distance (800+), I’d say a 20”+ barrel would be ideal.

FWIW, SR25s have 16” barrels

 

[OverMountainMan]

If he’s having a lack of predictability with a 16” barrel, then it’s the barrel or the shooter (no offense). A quality barrel SHOULD offer similar precision albeit a reduction in velocity the shorter you go. Reduced speed could have some impact at 600+ yards, but if you’re shooting constantly above that distance (800+), I’d say a 20”+ barrel would be ideal.

FWIW, SR25s have 16” barrels

That's what I (umm, I mean he) was thinking. I (I mean he) hasn't pushed it out past a couple hunnert, and I (I mean he) have the 5.56 as more of a close-quarters weapon. So, I (dadgummit, I mean he) is thinking about the flexibility at longer range than the 5.56 effectiveness, so curious about how to add some versatility to an existing weapon. I (I mean he) was almost convinced that 800-1000 necessitated a bolt-gun for any reliable precision...until Mr. Irving's (appreciated) second-hand advice above.

ALL SR25's are 16", or just some?

 

[11B CIB]

That's what I (umm, I mean he) was thinking. I (I mean he) hasn't pushed it out past a couple hunnert, and I (I mean he) have the 5.56 as more of a close-quarters weapon. So, I (dadgummit, I mean he) is thinking about the flexibility at longer range than the 5.56 effectiveness, so curious about how to add some versatility to an existing weapon. I (I mean he) was almost convinced that 800-1000 necessitated a bolt-gun for any reliable precision...until Mr. Irving's (appreciated) second-hand advice above.

ALL SR25's are 16", or just some?

The only one on KAC’s site is the E2 Carbine, 16”. But there is a 20” APR version out there. I think it’s about $5k

 

[Chuckman]

A 16" AR in 7.62/.308 will flat-out get it done. As @11B CIB eloquently put it, the issue is velocity, but even so with the right load you can nail targets at 800+ yards easy. Agreed a 20" barrel removes that issue, especially > 600 yards.