AR Styles/Calibers

[MacFromOK]

Well... I'm still not an AR guy (yet).

Never shot one, never even held one. They just don't visually appeal to me, but I must admit that some don't seem so ugly anymore (lol, thanks OSA).

However... if I were to consider buying/building one, I'd want one of the most widely available "off the shelf" styles and calibers, with a decent (> 200yd?) range. I am NOT a reloader, nor do I want to be.

What AR style(s) (9/10/15?) and caliber(s) would ya'll suggest?

Thanks.

 

[rc508pir]

DO you stock 5.56? If not what calibers do you have that you can get a AR in?

 

[xseler]

I am intrigued by the Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 Sport. Yeah, I know, it shoots .22LR. But the controls are the same as a 5.56 AR, and a lot less expensive to shoot. New ones are available in the $400 range.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/mp-15-22-sport


.

 

[TwoForFlinching]

Atwoods regularly has M&P-15's and Ruger AR's on sale for $450. Even without a free float foreguard, they should easily plink pretty accurate to 300.

 

[MacFromOK]

DO you stock 5.56? If not what calibers do you have that you can get a AR in?

Maybe you missed the part where I'm not an AR guy?

I would expect to buy ammo, the only long range gun I have is .30-06.

 

[MacFromOK]

Atwoods regularly has M&P-15's and Ruger AR's on sale for $450. Even without a free float foreguard, they should easily plink pretty accurate to 300.

In what caliber(s)? Seriously guys, I know very little about ARs.

 

[dennishoddy]

Maybe you missed the part where I'm not an AR guy?

I would expect to buy ammo, the only long range gun I have is .30-06.

Ok, we now have a clue.
If you want a fun, cheap centerfire gun to shoot, the standard AR-15 in .223 or 5.56 like has been said is a great plinker. I can ring a 10" gong at 300 yards about as fast as one can get back on target with almost zero recoil. Beyond 350-400 yards, it starts dropping out of the sky.
Since you said you had the venerable 30-06 which is one of my all time favorite calibers for long range, you would have to look at a 6.5 Grendel, or other short action calibers to fit the AR platform. If you want to look at .308 or other long action calibers you would have to go to the AR-10 platform. Looks just like an AR-15, but bigger and heavier.

 

[dennishoddy]

I forgot to list the available calibers. Most of these are only available to reloaders, but there are several pistol calibers like 9mm that might interest you for short range plinking.
Wish you were closer. I could get you on the bench with 4 different calibers.
Here is the list stolen from AR15.com:
15) How many calibers can I get uppers that fit my .223 (AR-15) lower? What are they?
While the list is nearly endless with all the wildcats possible. Here are the some of the more common and more interesting uppers that are (or have been) produced for the standard AR-15 lower (may not be up-to-date):
223/5.56
6 x 45
7 x 40
357 Mag Rimless
300 Whisper / .300Fireball / 300-.221
6.5 x 40
.30 Coyote (30 x 45)
.17 Remington
.17 Mach IV
.20 Tactical
.19 Calhoun
5.7 FN (developed by Rhinland Arms - no word yet on who is going to mfg it)
.204 Ruger
6.8 SPC
30 HRT
338 Spectre
10 mm Mag
35/40
219 WASP-C
7.62 x 40
5.45x39
7.62 x 39
.338 x 39
6 PPC
6.5 Grendel / 6.5 AR / 6.5 PPC Improved
22 PPC
7 sCAR ....
30 Carbine
5.45x39 / .21 Ghengis
7 BR
6.5 BR
300 Sabre
8mm (belt fed upper)
.308 (again a belt fed upper - no longer available)
458 SOCOM
44 Mag
440 CorBon
44 AMP
.475 Tremor
50AE
499LW
50 Beowulf
.50 BMG (single shot)
.50 Blackpowder (1 made)
9mm
45ACP
32ACP
22 LR
17 HV
10mm
7.62x25
224 BoZ
7.62x24
9x23
.357 Sig
.357 Auto
40S&W
223 WSSM
243 WSSM
300 WSSM
.30 RAR

 

[dennishoddy]

I know you can't watch video's with your connection, so here is a blog about AR15's for beginners.
It describes the different platforms, styles, and does a great job doing it. It does employ some terminology that they didn't adequately describe for those just getting into the AR field, so ask away. Enjoy

http://www.702shooter.com/community-awareness/ar15-primer/

 

[MacFromOK]

Wow, that's quite a list.

I'd want something beyond the range of a 9mm carbine (> 200yds, remember?).

Which of those AR-15 calibers are 200yds+ and readily available?

EDIT: Thanks for the link, I'll check it out.