Semi-auto prairie dog gun quest

[rhd]

Hi,

I'm am definitely a dumb newbie.

Here are some starting questions for my semi-auto prairie dog gun quest:

Are these good guns for starters?

Bushmaster V Match 24" (.223)


DPMS Panther Bull 24 Special (.223)


Accuracy is my main objective, and for the gun I would like to keep it around $1200.00 – what other off the shelf semi-autos are in this class?

Would a 24" barrel be better as far as accuracy is concerned vs. a 20" barrel? I'm not really concerned about weight.

Could I buy separate upper/lower/barrel combinations and come up with something better than the above for around $1200?



I am not in a big rush to buy, so I could take some time build one, or have someone build one if the quality is better.


Thanks,

John - Montana

 

[strombeckj]

Hi,

I'm am definitely a dumb newbie.

Here are some starting questions for my semi-auto prairie dog gun quest:

Are these good guns for starters?

Bushmaster V Match 24" (.223)


DPMS Panther Bull 24 Special (.223)


Accuracy is my main objective, and for the gun I would like to keep it around $1200.00 – what other off the shelf semi-autos are in this class?

Would a 24" barrel be better as far as accuracy is concerned vs. a 20" barrel? I'm not really concerned about weight.

Could I buy separate upper/lower/barrel combinations and come up with something better than the above for around $1200?



I am not in a big rush to buy, so I could take some time build one, or have someone build one if the quality is better.


Thanks,

John - Montana

Check out 6mm AR Home Page He makes a 20 practical upper for around $1200. If this is going to be used on PD's the 20 cals are a hoot to shoot and less recoil which allows you to see your hits which is what makes it so much fun. I know a few company's also make a .204R which would be my first choice. Barrel length has nothing to do with accuracy and everything to do with velocity. You need to make sure that all the powder gets burned before the bullet leaves the barrel. A 22" to 24" would be best in the .223 family for max velocity. Good luck on your quest. A good bolt gun will get you further out into the PD fields but lack on the follow up shots.

IMO,

Jon

 

[tt35]

Jon's right on on all counts. I have a couple of heavy barrelled .204 uppers. They can really get your hunting partners complaining when you start cleaning off the pd mounds! Modern Ar's are very accurate. You shouldn't have any trouble getting a good heavy barrel AR to shoot close to a half inch with good handloads. One of my HB AR's is a DPMS barrel and the other is a White Oak Armament. The WOA is unfluted and very heavy but it's a really nice fit and finish upper. The Dpms upper has shot in the threes often enough to know its not a fluke. Pretty amazing from a semiauto. You could put either together for around your target price if you can get by with a factory trigger for a while.

 

[jasonprox700]

If you wanted to have the gun that you wanted....you could build it from scratch. It's quite easy to do. That way, you could purchase whatever you want and stay within your budget. RRA 2 stage match triggers can be had for around $100. PSA has lowers for $50. Bravo Company has stripped uppers with parts for around $70. You can pick up a BCG for around $100. High quality barrels can be had for around $300 or less. Free float handguards can easily be had for under $200.

Basically, you could purchase a complete weapon for $1200, or you could build a tack driver exactly how you want it for $1200.

I purchased my first one (Bushy Varminter) about 6 years ago. I have since built the rest of them (except for my .308 AP4). Building is the only way to go!

 

[jasonprox700]

IM me if you want any suggestions.

 

[Greywolf18]

I have a Stag Arms Model 6 that you can get for @ $1k. It will shoot right around 1/2 MOA if I do my part with Hornady 75gr bullets. I was hitting prairie dogs between 300-400 yards in the wide open WY country 2 summers ago. I was with my dad and Uncle who were shooting their bolt action 22-250, 220 Swift, and 243....they didn't believe that a semi-auto would keep up with them. They were pleasantly surprised when I proved them wrong I highly recommend them for their accuracy, and they are also one of the cheapest ones with very high quality.

 

[skyfish25]

For the price a Rock River Arms is hard to beat. I really like their 2-stage trigger. They have a "coyote" model with a med-heavy barrel in 20". Also have true bull barrels in 20 and 24". Just don't go with a telescopic stock for best accuracy.

My frien has the 24" bull barrel, and it shoots under 1/2". The 20" coyote is on my want list, great backup to my 204 bolt gun. Those prairie dog towns that really heat up one rifle are a blast.

 

[Greyfox]

I have the 24" Bull Barrel DPMS in 223. It is a genuine .25-.5 MOA consistant performer. I think the bull barrel configuration supports the ability for this rifle to shoot 200 minimum rounds in a session without a loss in accuracy. Also, never had a jam or failure to feed. I have thie DPMS upper mounted on a Bushmaster lower with a RRA Match trigger with a j&P spring kit at 3.5#. I have the 1:9 twist version.

 

[jghoghunter]

I have a bushmaster varminter I believe. I 've had it for around 8 years it has a ss bbl. that is not fluted or coated. I shot 60gr. v-max's in it. 100 yds is .5-.75 moa and I have confirmed kills out to 900+ yards with it. It is a blast to shoot.

 

[Nimrodmar10]

Bushmaster, DPMS and Remington are all owned by the same company now and they're all good. Plenty of other good companies out there too. If you want something semi custom look at Doublestar.
You might want to buy 2 of them if you're going after prairie rats. Let one cool while you shoot the other. When the barrel gets to hot to hold, switch guns. I've burnt up a barrel in one day shooting 1200 rounds without switching guns. It went from a .25" gun to a 1" gun. Go with a 26" fluted, ported barrel.

 

[rdsii64]

If it were my money to spend, I would build from scratch, If that isn't a realistic option for you, I would suggest the Rock River Arms A4 Varmint. If you want to save some weight, the Rock river arms Predator Pursuit is the same upper with a national match profile barrel. both come in lengths from 16 to 24 inches. My current set up is a 20 inch upper that is EXTREMELY accurate. Most AR15's from the major vendors will hold half moa accuracy in a varmint configuration.

 

[whitely]

I also have the 20" RRA Predator Pursuit upper. I built my lower with a JP rifles trigger, and lots of Magpul goodies. With 69 gr matckings, I can shoot 1/2" groups for longer range. I also have a load for 53 gr matchkings that is close to clover leaf, at least when I do my part.

The great thing about AR's and Pdoggin is that once you get setup on a mound, you can just keep shooting without having to change your position to operate a bolt, or look around for rounds.

I would look at some medium weight barrels, as I found the heavy 24" barrels made the rifle too "front heavy".

 

[Greyfox]

Probably the best kept secrets in well balanced AR-15's is the Reminton R-15 Varmint with the triangular 24" ss barrel. I picked one up a couple of years ago a and found it to be a great compromise for either carry for coyotes or fixed position varmint shooting. Its not too front heavy for off hand shots. It's very accurate with 55gr V-max, or Remington Accutips with .25-.5 MOA out to 500 yards, and has the attributes of a heavy barrel rig. It's my go hunting AR.

 

[Rubicon06on33s]

The bushmaster varminter is great for pd dogs and as a carry rifle
If it will be a bench gun then buy the longest heaviest rock river

If you want one and done buy a 204 upper from someone like dtech and build your lower from scratch. The trigger is super important. I have tried rock river two stage, bushmaster 2 stage, milspec with jp yellows, and Geiselle super dynamic enhanced. Well you get what you pay for and the Geiselle is by far the best.