Advice for buying an AR

[TJ06]

I am looking for some help in buying my first AR. Not really sure on what to look for. I will be using it for coyotes max distance I am thinking would be around 300 yards. I was thinking a 223 cal.

Is there a brand that stands out above the rest?
What would be a good scope to put on?
What grain is best to use for coyote hunin?
Any other advice would be welcomed.

 

[trebark]

First off, good luck finding an AR. Since the Newtown tragedy, they are pretty much gone. Every shop I have been in recently has stories of every AR they have flying off the shelf at double their regular price.

As for your questions...
Caliber: 223 is good choice
Brand: not sure here as it is too easy to build a custom and get exactly what you want.
Bullet: for 300 yard shooting it doesn't really matter although I prefer the 62+ grain bullets.
Scope: for shooting out to 300 on what will probably be a moving target, look at scopes with a low to mid magnification range. Think 2-10x or 3-12x. In the alternative, consider a red dot like an Eotech.

 

[shortgrass]

If it was me looking/wanting,,,,,,,, I'd wait 'till things simmer down a bit.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

If it was me looking/wanting,,,,,,,, I'd wait 'till things simmer down a bit.

This, and good luck LOL

 

[snox801]

First off if you can find one. I would recommend Smith and Wesson mp, dpms,or rock river arms. Hard to gone wrong with any of them. 223 is great for what you want. Third. As for scope hands down best scope IMO is Nikon m 223. Turrets are dead on for a 55 grain bullet. I zeroed mine in at one hundred yards. Moved right out to 350 yards ajusted turret to distance ajusted for wind and bingo. Turrets are spot on. Good luck.

 

[shortgrass]

If ya' just gotta' have one, get one chambered for .223 Wylde. That way you can shoot both mil spec 5.56mm and .223 Rem. Buy one in .223 Rem. and the throat/free bore will be too short for 5.56mm mil spec. There is a difference between the two! Fortunately, most are either chambered in 5.56mm or .223 Wylde. 1 in 9/ some 1 in 8 twist will shoot both 55g. (Ball M193) and 62g (Ball M855). Go 1 in 7 and its 62g. or heavier/longer.

 

[trebark]

If ya' just gotta' have one, get one chambered for .223 Wylde. That way you can shoot both mil spec 5.56mm and .223 Rem. Buy one in .223 Rem. and the throat/free bore will be too short for 5.56mm mil spec. There is a difference between the two! Fortunately, most are either chambered in 5.56mm or .223 Wylde. 1 in 9/ some 1 in 8 twist will shoot both 55g. (Ball M193) and 62g (Ball M855). Go 1 in 7 and its 62g. or heavier/longer.

Have to disagree with you on twist rates. My 5.56 is 1:9 and it stabilizes up to 70 grain bullets. 77grainers require 1:8. No need for 1:7 until bullet weight exceeds 80 grains.

 

[shortgrass]

I don't believe I said a 1 in 9 was limited to 62g being the heaviest, did I? I did imply that that was the heaviest "surplus" (M855) that it will stabilize. That, currently, $1 a round "surplus" is what's fired through most ARs. I wouldn't buy a 1 in 8 expecting it to be at its best with 55g FMJ, but with the thought of 69g or 77g SMKs.

 

[threejones]

You can't really "over" stabilize a bullet. That being said, I'd find at least a 1 in 8 twist. It will stabilize as much bullet as you'll ever need for a yote at 300yds. I'd strongly recommend getting an armorers guide and just building your own from parts (at lease the lower, monkeys can put a lower togather) it'll save you a bunch of money that can be put toward good glass. I'd also stick with a 16in barrel if your shots will be under 300, they handle much better than the longer tubes, and are lighter. If your only going to have one AR, I'd stick with 223/556. As for glass (as said above) something with a 2x or 3x low end is pretty nice. The Nikon M223 or Leupy Mark AR are good ones for the money and both have turrets that are matched for a 55gr bullet (Just figure up a drop chart if you deside to run heavier bullets) Just don't be stingy with your glass or your trigger. My favorite yote rig is a RRA upper in 223wylde, 16in HBAR barrel, Spikes lower with a JP Enterprises Competition trigger, houge grip, Magpul CTS stock, and a Leupy3x9 Mark AR. I wouldn't nessisarily trust my life to it, but it's easily a sub MOA rig, and has taken a ton of yotes and gophers and never had an function issue. It might not honk your hooter, but it's been outstanding for me.

 

[shortgrass]

You can't really "over" stabilize a bullet. That being said, a 1 in 8 is pretty common, and will stabilize as much bullet as you'll ever need for a yote at 300yds. I've taken most of the yotes I've ever shot with a 55gr and it's pretty rare to need a follow up. I'd strongly recommend getting an armorers guide and just building your own from parts (at lease the lower, monkeys can put a lower togather) it'll save you a bunch of money that can be put toward good glass. I'd also stick with a 16in barrel if your shots will be under 300, they handle much better than the longer tubes, and are lighter.

You can "over stabilize" with too high of a RPM (too much twist for the bullet). Too much RPM for a given bullet (like one of varmint construction) and it's liable to 'self destruct' shortly after leaving the barrel. Too much centrifical force. I forget most AR guys have a different concept of "acceptable accuracy" than LR bolt rifle shooters do. You are correct, a trained monkey could assemble an AR,,,, so why is putting one together "a build"?