as the title says, first build. i know SOME of the things i want out of this gun. but i have some questions in that reguard.

 

DPMS lowers - all i've seen are named "ar-15". is it actually written on the reciever? this is the one i was going to go for.

 

range - how far can i get in a reasonable price range? i know the farther out i go the more i spend on optics/ammo/barrel soo lets say i'm sticking with the 1:9 twist and running 55gr ammo.

 

chamber - 5.56 vs .223? i understand you "shouldn't" run 5.56 ammo in a .223 chamber so i was leaning towards a 5.56 chamber for more flexability. advantages/disadvantages?

 

barrel length - this plays into the range question. if i don't need to go longer than 16 inches then i don't want to, but that won't stop me from getting an 18 inch if i had to.

 

ammo - without getting into reloading (at least for now) what is good for best accuracy and/or stopping power?

 

 

my goals: have a nice AR that can get about a 4 inch group at 300 yards or so. i am an AK guy so weight is NOT going to bother me. if i sound like an idiot with the numbers i just threw out its because when it comes to ARs i am, for the time being, an idiot.

 

thanks for the help.

you might want to reconsider the barrel twist... 1/7 would be more bennificial for 62gr and higher to combat wind at that distance

Pass on DPMS - don't like their quality.

 

If you're looking for a longer range style rifle, I'd go with a longer barrel.....

All the DPMS receivers I have seen are marked "A-15".

Do you have a budget?

no budget as of yet. was planning on just getting my hands on a lower sometime soon. thanks PK90, one letter short of being illegal i guess LOL.

 

as far as twist rate and bullet weight, i sort of wanted to stick with 55 grain due to cost. if it means i can't shoot as far then so be it. like i said i don't know squat about ARs and i thought 300 yards was something an average AR could attain with the way people talk. how far could i get with the 55 grain bullets and what kind of barrels should i be looking at?

 

i should have also mentioned, this isn't really going to be a 'go to SHTF' rifle. really i only want one because yeah, they're freaking cool and a lot of guys at work have one and have been pressuring me. this will be more of a toy than anything.

If you're planning on this being pretty much a range toy... then build it for it's purpose... range toy/plinker. I assume you're thinking you're going to primarily be shooting 55gr commercial .223? Then get the barrel for that.

 

Part of the advantage to building is customization for you/your purpose. On my first and only build... I did a ton of research, and then built what I wanted. Didn't know if I was ever going to build another again. I probably will... but why take the chance? Buy once, cry once. I spread my build out over a bunch of months... so overall budget was less of an immediate concern... all it took was whatever spare $$$ to buy the part of the moment. That's why I asked about a budget.

Research it piece by piece and buy the best you can afford. That's the whole fun of building an AR besides the end result of having a gun that is built to serve your particular purpose.

 

From all the research I have done 1/7 twist barrel is optimal for just about any ammo you can buy.

 

One interesting thing I found out from building my AR is that some compensators make a little AR sound like a cannon.

 

One interesting thing I found out from building my AR is that some compensators make a little AR sound like a cannon.

 

My compensator blows gas out of the sides like its a mini Barrett .50 NO muzzle flip though.

I shoot my 14in AR out to 275-300 yards with just a 3x magnifier hitting man size steel plates...

 

I do this with off the shelf Federal XM193

 

I prefer mid length gas system because the recoil is softer so follow up shots are faster.. while staying on target...

 

i loved my AKs.. I would still have them if I collected guns... but a decent AR blows away any AK..

 

 

 

lastly.. put together your own..

If budget is no concern, and you want an accurised/SPR variant look no further than LaRue. Either their Stealth Uppers on a lower you built yourself or one of their complete rifles, in the 18" barrel range.

If you're planning on this being pretty much a range toy... then build it for it's purpose... range toy/plinker. I assume you're thinking you're going to primarily be shooting 55gr commercial .223? Then get the barrel for that.

 

one day i might get into reloading .223 and maybe a few other calibers, but for now, yes it will be off the shelf stuff. more likely cheap off the shelf stuff.

 

i'm starting to think that i will probably just keep this simple for now and down the road when i've felt the platform out (and had more experience shooting at greater than AK range) i'll build a more specialized upper. thanks for all the info guys i definately learned some stuff here and you've given me some things to consider. although now i may be waiting till tax season to buy the lower

Look into the noveske 18" barrels if your looking for 300 yard accuracy. They are pricey but they have completely redesigned the gas port location for better operation.

I love my Daniel Defense upper mated to a PSA lower all mil-spec. I got the mid-length with omega rail.