Started looking for a AR for hog/zombie hunting messing around gun. I know NOTHING about these guns. Can anyone point me somewhere where I can read/learn more about the different models/brands/options etc. Or of course if you have some input that would help. And yes I'm already on the THF. I don't want anything too exotic. Hopefully keeping it under $1500 or so. This will be my tax refund gun.

You can get a very good quality gun for under 1k. Spike's is a very solid brand for a great price. Both of my AR's are custom builds but I use Spike's parts. Your caliber options for an AR are numerous. If you want something like a .308 you'll have to step up to an AR-10. Since you're interested in self defense and close range hunting a quality red dot will serve your purposes. I use Aimpoint since the batteries last for years and the set up. Don't skimp on the optic!

Thank you for typing what I was thinking.

Also, I didn't know a thing about ARs before I built mine. I had never even shot one. I read everything I needed to build it on AR15.com .

2 things I wish I had done differently, I wish I would have built it in 6.5 Grendel instead of 5.56, and I wish I would have used a different hand guard and saved a little money. I really don't have a use for the LaRue one I put on it.

Can you explain why you wish you'd gone 6.5 over the 5.56? and Why not the LaRue(whatever that is)..lol

Like adam said you need to visit AR15.com. There is so much great info over there it is crazy!

I agree with Spikes being your best value as well.

I like to carry a gun with me when checking feeders and stuff. I also like carrying it with a round in the chamber. I carry my AR so I can do this and put the barrel in the floor and the barrel crown is protected by the flash hider. I will not put the barrel of one of my bolt guns in the floor board of the truck. If the situation were to arise where I needed to take a shot at something like a deer or exotic like an axis, I would prefer to have more gun than a 5.56. I also like to shoot longer ranges at times and the 6.5 Grendel is more suited for this that the 5.56 or something else like the 6.8 SPC.

The main reason I would use a different hand guard now than a LaRue is money. All LaRue stuff is top quality but I think I would be better suited with something like a Troy Battle Rail TRX Extreme. It is about half of the price of the LaRue. The LaRue hand guard is also a 4 rail system that will allow you to attach flashlights and lasers and whatnot to it. I have no reason to put that type of stuff on my gun.

Start here. Clicky

This is some great info.

I bought a s&w m&p15 a few years ago. I have been very happy with it so far. I paid under a grand for it, and added a scope. It groups really good.

How much harder is 6.5 Grendel ammo to find than 6.8 SPC?

There are quite a few more manufacturers that make 6.8 than there are 6.5. A quick search on Midwayusa.com only showed 6 different types of Grendel ammo and about 30 different types of 6.8 SPC. Alexander Arms, Hornady, Wolf and Black Hills are the only people who make 6.5 ammo that I know of. The Black Hills ammo is called .264 LBC-AR instead of 6.5 Grendel and is only sold through Les Baer. .264 LBC-AR was created by Les Baer due to Bill Alexander of Alexander Arms being a doucher by not letting anybody else cut his 6.5 Grendel chamber. The .264 LBC-AR and the 6.5 Grendel are fractionally different dimensionally and both rounds will work in either chamber. I will reload the ammo when I eventually get one.

Looking at the Gun Shows in Tyler , lots of 6.8 , never seen
any 6.5 Grendel.


THF has a great deal of info on their site, always several
ar's for sale in their classified section.

MO

I own a 6.8spc.

If you go that direction...visit Silver States Armory. Wait until they have a sale and stock up.

If you go the direction of a 6.8spc, be sure and read up on twist rate. It is essential to get the weapon you want.

Assembling your own is a blast I just finished another one up. Check places like palmetto state armory and other websites. Palmetto from time to time has stripped lowers for 49.00 (buy a couple you can use them to trade)I have used these a couple of times there good. You have to have it shipped to a FFL dealer every thing else you can have sent to your house. I went with 5.56/223 on this one to use as a varmit gun mainly and because ammo for it can be found CHEAP most places. I have shot big hogs with 5.56 before to (shot placement is key. Now I will say my next build will most likely be a .50 Beowulf just for the heck of it.

Check out AR15.com they have all sorts of FAQ and must reads for noobs. I was on there for a few months before ordering mine.

For any questions or advice or to order parts, I definitely recommend Busby Tactical. They built mine and did an awesome job.

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Almost any of the standard .223/5.56 lowers can take a different caliber upper. The .308s won't do that.

So what I'm saying is that if you get a basic setup, later you can start changing uppers and change calibers without buying a whole new rifle. It ain't quite that simple but close.

Asking what kinda AR to buy is like asking about Chevy vs Ford.

I would tell you if you want it for a truck gun to get a collapsing stock. Makes it much easier to get poked out of the window when the target of opportunity presents itself.

you could just get a $650 s&w sport,it does not have a dust cover or foward assist and no bells and whistle,unless your planning on being in a civil war in the dessert,not necessary,as far as accuracy,ar's are for slinging lead,not tack driving,snipers use different rifles right?and for that price you dont feel bad using it for what it is,a tool.good luck

Check out Scorpion Tactical out of Leander, Texas.

http://www.scorpion-tactical.com/index/

I started doing some reading on the websites some of you posted. All I can say is I'm as confused now as I was before. Uppers, lowers, cromed, plated, hd, light, lighter, etc, etc, etc. Geez can they make it any harder??

Probably.

Pick a caliber based on what you want to do with it.
Buy a lower.
Buy an upper for your selected caliber and other options - do you want a quad rail? bull barrel? what sights? what type of stock?

Keep it simple you can always upgrade later

That's enough to confuse the heck out of me.

I had Stone Chimney Creek build 2 for me, one a varmint setup in 5.56 and a 7.62x39 carbine. both are absolute tack drivers and great truck guns. Andrew is on the THF and he is based in Bullard, TX. Give him a shout and he can set you up.

Do like I did and start with one part at a time and research that part till you figure out what it is you want. For example: Start with the barrel.....do you want stainless, or milspec....do you want 16" or 18"....do you want 1:7 twist or do you want 1:9 twist. The twist will depend on what you want to do with it (1:7 seems to be the best for heavier bullets so it would be best for hogs). After that move on to something like the handgaurd/quad rail. Pretty soon it will all start to fall into place and you will have a good idea of what you want. Dont rush it though.....you dont want to make a bad decision and then have to sell it and start over.

Not sure where you are at but Morgan at Dallas Shooting Supplies has a great reputation of working with THF'ers to figure out what they want and then geting it for them. You can find him over on THF under the screen name "DallasShootingSupplies". You wont beat his prices either!

Looks like you are in Irving so I would HIGHLY reccomend you give Morgan a shout! You wont be sorry you did.

There is a Rock River for sale on the THF. All three of my AR's are RRA's. The $950 asking price is very good, considering the almost new condition of the weapon.

I'm a big fan of PSA. IMO the BEST deal on the market is this ---> http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php...-rifle-kit.html

Their CHF barrels are made by FN. They manufacture CHF barrels for BCM, Spikes, and Centurion Arms. FN manufactured barrels for Colt and LMT as well. This is the top of the line in AR barrels and PSA charges $200-$300 less for them. You can get into a top of the line rifle for $700 vs the $950-$100 from Colt, RRA, and Smith. IMO all you are paying for there is brand name. Also, if you piece the kit together that way you won't be paying the 11% excise tax on the kit. That's a savings of $60 bucks right there.

Also, if you do buy that kit, make sure and buy a stripped lower as well.