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Posted: 3/5/2008 11:58:32 AM EDT
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Hey all, I've been asking around on other forums what the best action is to build a custom gun with, and was suprised when someone said "build an AR". Now that I've done some reading, I think I may do that instead of blueprinting and rebarreling my rem. 700. I've heard lots of numbers thrown around on those other sites, some that are suprisingly low, and I wonder what I should expect to spend on a build? This wouldn't be a tacti-cool rifle, this would be a basic rifle with a match barrel for shooting paper almost exclusively. |
| For paper punching precision a good SS barrel in say the 1/7, 1/8, 1/9 twist area(probably 1/7 or 1/8 for heavier, longer, more stable bullets) and a good trigger(this a must) should be easily doable for around $800 give or take depending on the corners you want to cut. Whats say ya'll experts. |
hhmmm.. I was hoping for a bit less than that, so I could spend some $$ on a scope. This is a very newb question too, but what cartridge options are there for this receiver? I had wanted to rebarrel my 700 in .308, but I'd do it on the AR if it's possible. I'm not building it just so I can shoot a lot of cheap .223 ammo. anyone else? what have you spent? |
Model 1 Sales kit. 
1.) 223 chamber is more accurate than a 5.56x45mm chamber (can't used 5.56 ammo in it though). 2.) Stainless Steel and Chrome Molly barrel's are more accurate (but harder to Clean) than Chrome Lined. Stainless lasts a bit longer than Molly, Chrome Lined lasts the longest. Threaded so you could use a PWS Compensator. 3.) Fluting gives the barrel more rigidity and cools faster. 4.) Young bolt carrier group is about the best you can get 5.) ERGO grip just feels better than a standard A2 grip IMO I would recommend upgrading the trigger. Model 1 Sales has a JARD single stage in weights from 1to4lbs'. One of the best triggers going is the Geissele Hi- Speed. Another Cheaper option is the Rock River Arms 2-stage. Persoanlly I'd really like to try the Williams single set Trigger. Good triggers are between $100 and $279. If you want to go cheaper Bill Springfield [email protected] can tune a stock AR trigger really well, $40 or less the last I heard. For a lower I'd go with Spikes Tactical, Stag, or Mega from Coleman Tyler. Edit: saw your caliber question. Model 1 has .223Rem, 204 Ruger, and 6mm PPC. There is also 6.8 SPC, 6.5 Grendel, and 7.62x39mm which all take different magazines and some different bolts, C Products is a good place to find mags for them. If you want to get into 308 you are going to need the bigger Armalite AR-10 Platform, or DMPS 308 platform, or the Rock River Arms LAR-8. |
| Comparing AR platforms in .308 Win. you are going to be in for alot more money than a good solid Remington 700 in .308. I would say at LEAST a $1000 for a decent shooter probably much more, not to mention the cost of ammo even if you reload. Something to think about at least. |
After I posted that I almost instantly remembered that the AR-10 was in .308, which likely meant the AR-15 would be everything smaller than that. I plan to reload, I already do with my .243. I've wanted a .223 for a while, but I'd like to have both a .223 and .308. In reference to the "kit" mentioned above, should I assume that this is EVERYTHING minus a bare lower? I've read many posts on this site in the last week, and I'm now MORE confused on the pre-ban/post-ban issue. If I were to find a post-ban lower, what am I limiting the gun to? I read somewhere that I'd be limited to a 10round fixed magazine? or is that only in california? This could probably be another thread, but as long as I have a few people's attention I'll ask here. |
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Thanks, that helps some. I still have questions about the ban, but I think I'll make a new thread somewhere else on the forum. I'll check with the MN group too, I already stopped in there once to introduce myself. |
 The rifle on the bottom is a factory Bushmaster "M4" rifle. It ran me $1160 at the gun store, after tax. The top rifle is my first build. A Bushmaster lower & A2 stock, with a DPMS LPK. I bought the 16"upper at a local gun show for $300, BCG from Del-Ton for $110. Cheap NC star 3-9x40 scope $95, NC Star bi-pod, $35(not pictured). Total cost was $905. I currently have the same lower set up with a DPMS lower, A2 stock, and a DPMS LPK that I put together for $241. Compared to the Bushmaster lower, with the same LPK and stock, at $349. For this second build I'm looking at that same 24" Varmint set up, except with the YHM lightweight quad rail. I myself am looking for that elusive $500 build. 
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I did alot of tradeing, build a decent poor mans SPR upper for $61. If you have parts to trade this may be the cheap route, to save out of pocket cost. The Upper reciever is what counts, most breakage or problems in the lower are usally trigger and hammer pinns, so a budget based lower build with a medium quality upper, such as DPMS, RRA, Bushmaster or CMMG is the way to go. When it comes to firearms, you usally get what you pay for. My M4-gery build was almost $1k, my wifes National Match was almost $1600 in parts. Both my AR's are CMMG lowers and RRA everything else. I did frankensien an upper together like I said above, with out any issues so far... but componet wise, it's a Bushmaster upper, Bushmaster barrel, Colt BCG. I've build a few rifles off Model 1 Sales kits, so far 1 of 4 has been problem free, so going cheap isn't always the cheap way to go. Most of the AR's I've put together for friends have been RRA, CMMG, Stag lowers and lower parts kits... not exactly the time honored Colt, or Armalite... but I've never had a decent rifle build with the medium level companies break down. If you have enough time, you can find some great deals on the Equipment Exchange, I've seen good quality uppers sell for $400 and less slightly used but in great shape. edit to add: If you're going after a .308, it's going to cost you. I paid $395 for my fulton reciever, the upper is almost $900, LPK is $90, Stock is $90 and mags are about $40 each, this is before shipping & tax & dros... You can get a decent AR15 for the price of building a .308. Weather it's DPMS or Armalite, the .308 is not as easy to get used parts and great deals on. There is a market for them and there are many accessories, but they'll cost you twice what thier counter part AR15 will. |
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