AR 15 5.56 /223 Wanted

[Aubie]

I'm in the market for the above mentioned rifle. I know nothing about them so if any of you have one, what brand? What kind of set up? I do not want to spend a lot. $700-900 range max. Entry level is what I'm looking for. I want to use it mainly for hog hunting because of it's fast shooting ability.I've been hunting hogs with my 270's, one bolt action and one semi-auto but they shoot to slow and only have 5 shots max. I've also looked at the mini 14 and 30 but price puts them out of the running.

I have looked at Bushmaster, Smith & Wesson, Stag, DPMS, Rock River and Colt. It seems they all really look alike. (pun intended)

I know this is a Smith & Wesson forum, I own S&W' pistols but I've not really found any S&W AR's in my price range locally. I'm not one to buy on line as I like to feel a gun before buying so on line is out. My local gun dealer can order any brand I want so ideas please.

Thanks in advance for the input and if you would please spell out your comments, I'm not familiar with all the short hand.

 

[MPDC]

Personally, I'd go for a bit larger caliber for wild pigs. Many would disagree though.

The S&W M&P15 Sport should be OK for you in the six to six fifty street price range. You definitely want at least the 1/8 twist the Sport bbl. has to stabilize the heavier rounds I assume you'd use for pigs. 1/7 would be the only alternative, I wouldn't go for a 1/9 for your purpose. Otherwise the Optics Ready std. model would suit you IF you don't mind adding optics but the slower 1/9 twist precludes using the heaviest rounds available with great accuracy.

You might want to look at 6.8 mm uppers or even an AR 10 IMHO.

 

[Dragon88]

How about a 30-30 lever action? Do you really need a 30-round magazine to kill a hog?

AR-15s are great guns, but I don't think one would fit your intended use very well.

 

[Aubie]

How about a 30-30 lever action? Do you really need a 30-round magazine to kill a hog?

AR-15s are great guns, but I don't think one would fit your intended use very well.

My intended use for hogs is to wipe out a problem on my land. I'm not hunting so to speak one at a time. There are as many as 15-20 in groups tearing up my fields at any given time.They are a real problem and in just the last few years or so have really increased in population. I have hunted them with my 2 270's but they are slow shooters. I want a fast shooting gun to hit as many as i can at one time. I would love a 30 cal mounted to my tree stand. I really don't care if I kill them or not, a wounded hog is just as good as a dead hog. Predators or other hogs will clean up the mess. A group of hogs will eat anything, including each other or you if in their way. I'm setting up feeders to draw them so I can sneak in and unload on them, then if need be, run and get up a tree. Which means dropping the gun at the base of the tree. That's why I want a low end gun. I will have a M&P .40 on with 2 mags as a back up.

This gun is for speed not size. 5.56/.223 is fine, low cost ammo compared to 308 or 6.8.

 

[Mots0311]

Perhaps an M249 SAW.

 

[MSgt G]

My intended use for hogs is to wipe out a problem on my land. I'm not hunting so to speak one at a time.

Need help? Myself and another teacher at my school would love to give you a hand.

To answer your question, I just did a lot of research on different AR style rifles and I finally settled on a S&W M&P 15 MOE.The Sport, as mentioned earlier, would be toward the lower end of your price range, but is a nice AR that should fulfill your needs.

Good luck!

 

[Aubie]

Need help? Myself and another teacher at my school would love to give you a hand.

To answer your question, I just did a lot of research on different AR style rifles and I finally settled on a S&W M&P 15 MOE.The Sport, as mentioned earlier, would be toward the lower end of your price range, but is a nice AR that should fulfill your needs.

Good luck!

Thanks for the offer, I have several kin folk that want in on the party, they will hunt for the meat. I may just let them shoot them all if they will just keep me supplied in meat.

I like the sport but do not really care for the post front sight, Is there any way to change it out? It appears to be part of the gas block? I've been told you would have to change that also so I might as well go to the M&P OR. Going to give the MOE a look see also if I can find one to fondle.

Almost came home today with a DPMS with quad rail and front and rear folding sights. It was 900 plus 10% tax total 990.00. Hard to turn that loose for a gun that will end up being dropped, maybe trampled, covered in mud by hauling on a 4-wheeler and who knows what else. I can be rough on a gun and that's why I don't want to put a lot in this one.

I also had my paws on a mini 14 for 650 but it was used and looked rode hard and put up wet. It was showing it's age and use.

 

[Dragon88]

Opening up on hogs with the intent of wounding them might not sit well with some people, but hey I'm not the land owner so I'll reserve judgement on that one.

Honestly I don't think an AR is the right answer here. I would rather have a group of hunters with .30 caliber weapons for this type of "land management".

Specifically to the AR, yes the triangular front sight base is also the gas block. If you do not like this, do not buy an AR with one. It's a bit of a hassle to remove and replace down the road, and will add to the cost of the rifle. An M&P 15 OR model might be the right choice if you are really intent on an AR. Please don't spend $990 on a DPMS, they are just about the lowest quality you can buy. Consider it the same as buying a Taurus instead of a S&W revolver.

 

[raven818]

How about a 30-30 lever action? Do you really need a 30-round magazine to kill a hog?

AR-15s are great guns, but I don't think one would fit your intended use very well.

There was a special on Nat Geo not to long ago about hogs in Ala, Ga, La and the Fl. panhandle. Those states are "infected" to the point of being unbelievable. No way to kill em off due to the speed they procreate. It's a hunters dream, a residents nightmare.

 

[matmat417]

its a nightmare here in texas too. my buddies land is starting to see some hog activity. time to pull out the 270 in a few weeks

 

[Stainz]

I've avoided the black rifle for years. I finally relented - and used the moola my sons gave me for my birthday to partially fund a 'basic' AR - I chose the M&P 15 'Sport'. With much trepidation, I took it to the range Thursday. A box of Federal XM193F 5.56mm M193 Ball (55gr MCBT) later, I was grinning. The first two shots cleared the top of the steel plate at 110yd. I raised the front sight post - shot three rounds at a target at 50yd. Decided not to wait for the cold period on the clock to check the target, and shot at the 110yd steel plate, hitting it 14 out of 15 tries. Not bad for the basic iron sights - and my chronologically challenged eyes.

In my case, I just wanted a basic, pick it up out of the box and shoot it carbine - that's what I got. It's SKU #811038 - runs $630-$650 locally. It has a 1 in 8" twist barrel - comes with a Magpul 30rd mag. I'll likely get another mag or two - maybe a vertical fore grip. No electronic sights for me - I just want to pick it up and use it, if need be. I'll need a short hard case - the 6 position retractable stock means it can be stowed in 33" OAL inside dimension case. I'll also need ammo - but that's it. The dual aperture rear sight and adjustable A2 front are all I need. It may be the answer to your hog control - no electronic sights to need batteries - no glass optics to jar loose - anyone can shoot a peep sighted rifle well and relatively quickly.

BTW, hot and miserable is no way to enjoy shooting - mid nineties in an Alabama humid summer day - my beloved revolvers never left the range bag Thursday - it was a short trip. I did go from second-guessing why I needed an AR to finally accepting one as 'mine' - and it fits me to a 'T'.

Stainz

 

[geoff40]

Just curious, what kind of distance are you going to be shooting them at?

 

[MPDC]

"I like the sport but do not really care for the post front sight, Is there any way to change it out? It appears to be part of the gas block? I've been told you would have to change that also so I might as well go to the M&P OR. Going to give the MOE a look see also if I can find one to fondle."

Aubie, while I think the OR is the best value in an M&P you want to cusomize with optics, etc. , it IS NOT the best choice for your purpose because of the 1/9 twist bbl. This will make your accuracy suffer with the heaviest available rounds which you should at least use to hunt with if you are not going to a larger caliber than 5.56 on these way bigger than varmint sized pigs.

A 1/8 like the Sport would be a better choice and the front sight will NOT interfere with a scope or properly mounted red dot optic.

 

[Aubie]

Opening up on hogs with the intent of wounding them might not sit well with some people, but hey I'm not the land owner so I'll reserve judgement on that one.

Honestly I don't think an AR is the right answer here. I would rather have a group of hunters with .30 caliber weapons for this type of "land management".

Specifically to the AR, yes the triangular front sight base is also the gas block. If you do not like this, do not buy an AR with one. It's a bit of a hassle to remove and replace down the road, and will add to the cost of the rifle. An M&P 15 OR model might be the right choice if you are really intent on an AR. Please don't spend $990 on a DPMS, they are just about the lowest quality you can buy. Consider it the same as buying a Taurus instead of a S&W revolver.

Yea, PETA is one that would get their panties in a wad for sure. As for wounding a wild hog, me personally, it does not bother me. I feel the same way about them as a snake. Only good one is a dead one. But that is me. I will make every effort to recover the meat, I also have kin who have tracking dogs, but if it gets away, buzzards need to eat. Sounds cold I know, but they really can tear up your property. I have some beautiful hard wood bottoms that have been destroyed. They will root up the dirt and cause it to wash away and expose the roots of trees and they will start to die. If you plant corn, forget it, they will root up your seed. In a pin, they are ok, wild they are a nuisance.

I have yet to decide on a weapon yet, I'm a S&W guy so the M&P AR is at the top of my list, Colt is 2nd and Stag is 3rd.

Just curious, what kind of distance are you going to be shooting them at?

Any where from 25yds. to 200. Depends on where I catch them. Feeders, I can slip in up to 25-50 yards easy. At night, in my fields, 200 yds is the max.

I know the 5.56/223 is not the best choice for this, I have been doing this with my 270's and I do not like using my deer rifles for this. Also a 30-30 lever action is just as slow as my 270 bolt action. You only get 1 shot at the hogs before they split. Believe me, they run fast. I can get 5 shots off with my semi-auto 270 but it's hard.

I have looked at an AR in 308 but no one I know has one in that caliber for me to shoot to see just how fast it will shoot. Speed is the need in this venture.

 

[MPDC]

AR10 will shoot about as fast as an AR15. Basically, as fast as the trigger resets. Main difference will be felt recoil.

 

[redbos]

I own a few Armalite AR10's, a carbine and a 20 inch T or Target Model. Let me say first , they are kind of "bulky" compared to a AR15 and heavy.

I think a 5.56 AR with a 1-8 twist or 1-7 twist barrel and somewhat heavy 62-69 or higher grain 5.56/.223 Rem. ammo should work pretty well........

 

[Aubie]

I own a few Armalite AR10's, a carbine and a 20 inch T or Target Model. Let me say first , they are kind of "bulky" compared to a AR15 and heavy.

I think a 5.56 AR with a 1-8 twist or 1-7 twist barrel and somewhat heavy 62-69 or higher grain 5.56/.223 Rem. ammo should work pretty well........

I was wondering if the 308 would be heavy. Thanks. So lower twist would be better for heavier grain bullet? I have seen very few with the twist you mentioned. Mostly 1-9 barrels.

 

[MPDC]

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These heavier rounds need 1/7 to stabilize but are, IMHO, what you need for hogs.

Another possible choice.................http://www.federalpremium.com/products/details/rifle.aspx?id=147

 

[Ruskull]

I'm in the market for the above mentioned rifle. I know nothing about them so if any of you have one, what brand? What kind of set up? I do not want to spend a lot. $700-900 range max. Entry level is what I'm looking for. I want to use it mainly for hog hunting because of it's fast shooting ability.I've been hunting hogs with my 270's, one bolt action and one semi-auto but they shoot to slow and only have 5 shots max. I've also looked at the mini 14 and 30 but price puts them out of the running.

I have looked at Bushmaster, Smith & Wesson, Stag, DPMS, Rock River and Colt. It seems they all really look alike. (pun intended)

I know this is a Smith & Wesson forum, I own S&W' pistols but I've not really found any S&W AR's in my price range locally. I'm not one to buy on line as I like to feel a gun before buying so on line is out. My local gun dealer can order any brand I want so ideas please.

Thanks in advance for the input and if you would please spell out your comments, I'm not familiar with all the short hand.

I believe the Smith & Wesson AR's (M&P15) are a great deal for the money. The fit & finish is better than the others listed in my opinion. My upper & lower are fitted so nicely that I can't even fit the accu-wedge even after custom slicing it down to almost nothing. I like my trigger just the way it is, crisp & snappy.

I bought my M&P15 OR from CDNN Sports in Texas for only $599 plus shipping & FFL fees. I converted it to a M&P15T by adding a free floating Troy rail and I couldn't be happier. That sale is long gone but I've seen deals like $699 -799 locally here in NC.

 

[Aubie]

Well, I've joined the AR ranks. I got a phone call from a friend and he wanted to see me this morning. I walked in and whoa, he had his ARs out playing with them.(12) This guy buys and sells and trades them like toys. There were 2 set off to the side and he asked me which one I liked. I looked them over and they were the same except for the barrels. I said this one was cool and he said Merry Christmas and have fun. I was stunned to say the least.

According to Colt it is a 1999 MT6551 with the 20 inch parkerized barrel, 1/7 twist. It is 5.56/.223 and has one 9 round mag. I have gotten over my shock and in looking it over real closely it has never been fired or cleaned. It is a safe queen. It's a dirty from being in the safe and bumped around some but otherwise it's in perfect condition. It even had a cleaning kit in the stock.

Wow

Sorry but haven't figured out how to post photos. Will get one up soon.