What's the lightest and most accurate AR?

M

MAArcher

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I don't know much about whats available for AR type rifles. I'm familiar with how an M16 works, but I've never seriously considered purchasing an AR until now.

What are my choices for a .223 that is both light weight and sub MOA accurate?

Also, can you get an AR in .17 remington or .17 Hornet?

Thanks, any info appreciated
 
17 Rem is available as well as a bunch of others that are about that length. 17/223, 17 tactical, a bunch of 20 cals, etc. 17 Hornet is too short.

Research places like Blackholeweaponry.com for possible barrel options, there is a lot out there. JSE Surplus, Palmetto State Armory, Midway USA and a bunch of others have parts and barrels.

Calling one of the sponsors here that specialize in building AR's should give you a good idea.
 
I don't know if I'm ready to build something unless it represents a good savings over what can be had as a stock gun.

Any recomendaitons for what would be the best value for an off-the-shelf light weight AR in .223? For light weight I'd hope for something closer to six pounds than seven. I don't need any bells and whistles other than being optics ready and accurate.

Any thoughts on a RRA LAR-15 Lightweight Mountain Rifle?
 
hmm
I like Specialized dynamics for really accurate, light weight guns.
He can make it the way you like, and has a sub 7 lbs gun option for you.

IMO better option than off the shelf guns that are not going to be under 7lbs and not hold up as long as his will.

Most light weight models are using something other than a metal lower. I wouldn't do that. There are places that allow you to cut weight, and other places that you just shouldn't try and cut weight.
 
Sticking with a light barrel of 16" and a short aluminum FF tube it's not that hard to get down to 7 pounds and still have a gun that is uber-accurate. Ritch has built me a couple like that. I have a 458 SOCOM that trips the scales right at that. It ise an attention getter on both ends.

Being a Sponsor here and a great track record for a quaility product delivered in a timely manner you might want to give Ritch a call. Even if you don't have him build you one he is a wealth of helpful informantion.

Greg
 
Why have 6lbs when you could do it with 3.9lbs?

http://www.bentwoodgunsmithing.com/#!oip/c163i
 
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unfortunatly I don't think there is a decent light weight predator hunting ar 15 off the shelf out there. everyone has different notions of light weight and what they think an ar 15 should be. for me I don't lug my gun more than about 400 yards, however more recently I feel that a lighter gun makes for a handier faster swing on coyotes which is IMO a factor in making a shot. with that said. I like the hybrid contours, lilja ar 740, criterion hybrid, black hole LTR, These make a very handy and still accurate rifle with a 20" barrel, put a thread protector on it, a light FF tube like a midwest gen 2 SS and you have what I think is the ideal coyote setup.
 
Originally Posted By: blopez50Why have 6lbs when you could do it with 3.9lbs?

http://www.bentwoodgunsmithing.com/#!oip/c163i


That thing is crazy cool. But my moma always said, if you have to ask how much it is, you can't afford it.
 
I've been down the light AR15 path before with mixed success. Ran a Professional Ordinance Carbon 15 what was a hair under 4 pounds naked. Had a lot of problems with it and wouldn't recommend buying any Carbon 15.

There have been some good suggestions already. I would urge you to look at the DPMS Prairie Panther. Mine is reliable and it shoots very well. The Prairie Panthers weigh in around 7 pounds naked and that is with a 20 inch barrel. Prairie Panthers have a carbon fiber free float tube with sling swivel studs and skeletonized A2 stock. Also have very nice 2 stage trigger.

Edit: Mispellings
 
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Originally Posted By: Tbone-AZhmm
I like Specialized dynamics for really accurate, light weight guns.
He can make it the way you like, and has a sub 7 lbs gun option for you.

IMO better option than off the shelf guns that are not going to be under 7lbs and not hold up as long as his will.

Most light weight models are using something other than a metal lower. I wouldn't do that. There are places that allow you to cut weight, and other places that you just shouldn't try and cut weight.

What makes a specialized dynamics different from an off the shelf gun that makes it last longer? And what makes it last longer than one you could put together yourself?
 
Originally Posted By: MAArcherAny thoughts on what makes one better than another:

RRA LAR-15 Lightweight Mountain Rifle
http://rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fusea...FTOKEN=53222613

Daniel Defense M4 Carbine, V7 LW
https://danieldefense.com/firearms/mid-length/daniel-defense-m4-carbine-v7-lw.html

Currently shooting a DDM4 V11. I've also owned a V7 LW. Both are great lightweight AR's coming in around 6 lbs naked with a 16" tube. I've also owned a RRA LAR 15 R3 and it is also a great rifle. The new RRA LAR15 Mountain looks good.
 
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Originally Posted By: MAArcherI don't know if I'm ready to build something unless it represents a good savings over what can be had as a stock gun.

I think you're onto something here. If you plan on only buying one gun then I would think you're almost always better off just buying a ready made gun. By the time you buy the tools to build a rifle I would think you're just adding to the cost for one build that could be used toward ammo or other accessories. If you plan to build multiple rifles than buying the tools and building makes sense.
 
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Originally Posted By: dpollardOriginally Posted By: MAArcherI don't know if I'm ready to build something unless it represents a good savings over what can be had as a stock gun.

I think you're onto something here. If you plan on only buying one gun then I would think you're almost always better off just buying a ready made gun. By the time you buy the tools to build a rifle I would think you're just adding to the cost for one build that could be used toward ammo or other accessories. If you plan to build multiple rifles than buying the tools and building makes sense.

What sort of tools? When I hear of guys "building" an AR I always assumed it was just assembling various parts of thier choosing? I am intrigued by Ghost Gunner and would buy one of those machines in a heartbeat if it could completely machine a lower from a billet rather than needing certain 80% lowers to start.

The reason I'm not really interested in assembling an AR is just because I'm the kind of guy who would want to research every part and I just don't have the time to do that. I would be open to assebling a gun if there was a proven grocery list out there that totaled up to a better or as good a gun as any off the shelf for less money. But I'm guessing that there isn't really any savings to be had there.

I'm not real familiar with .223 ballistics. What are you giving up with a 16" barrel compared to 20"? How much of a weight saving is there in 4" of barrel?
 
Torque wrench, armores wrench a vise and a calm shell receiver block, punches and im sure there's a few I forgot . Do your research before ordering from anyone. My experience with specialized dynamics was a horrible one. And I would not recommend them. There was nothing special about the upper I ordered the customer service wasn't there and it took longer than I was quoted due to this excuse or that excuse. They even used my parts for another build due to not having the stuff they needed for mine. Building one isn't as hard as u think and if you go with proven companies for parts there isn't much to research.
 
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Originally Posted By: BrownieTorque wrench, armores wrench a vise and a calm shell receiver block, punches and im sure there's a few I forgot . Do your research before ordering from anyone. My experience with specialized dynamics was a horrible one. And I would not recommend them. There was nothing special about the upper I ordered the customer service wasn't there and it took longer than I was quoted due to this excuse or that excuse. They even used my parts for another build due to not having the stuff they needed for mine. Building one isn't as hard as u think and if you go with proven companies for parts there isn't much to research.

x2
 
I built a 6 lb. 5 oz. AR in 7.62x39 [unloaded, no scope] for about $750, which includes the cost of getting the barrel turned by a gunsmith to shave off about 7 ounces. Looked for light parts- MFT Minimalist stock, UTG Pro hand guards,aluminum gas block.

Putting it together yourself may or may not save you money, but you will get the gun you want rather than a generic build.
 
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