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.223 in an AR or standard rifle?

lukeyv
I'm getting ready to buy a .223 for varmint hunting. I'll also be using it for target shooting. Should I get an AR style or a standard rifle. I really like the looks/functionality (plus semi-auto) of the AR. I've looked at Bushmasters Varminter and the DMPS Bull barrel guns. I also want something that I can keep for many years to come. I've heard that some/most AR rifles do not hold their value. I'd like to spend less than $1000. Any recommendations?
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • richbug
    CZ 527. $450 will hold its value and shoot better than you can. AR's have their purpose, but are not a first line varmint gun IMHO.

    .
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  • bperdue21
    definitely a bolt gun. remington 700 vs or one of the savages are the best choices for out of the box accuracy. get a bushnell elite scope and you will be in good shape.

    I'm not an expert, but i did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.
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  • ern98
    What kind of varmints do you intend to shoot and at what range? If you are shooting song dogs or other fast moving varmints, then the AR's semi auto is a plus. If you want to shoot prarie dogs at 500yds then you probably want something like a Rem 700 stainless bull barrel setup of some sort. If you are thinking some kind of walking liteweight rig then a micro ationed bolt would be good. For them I'd look at the CZ527 and the Charles Dayly mini mauser. So, tell us more about what you want to do with it and we can come up with better suggestions.
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  • buddyb
    I have a Bushmaster and I may be in the minority but I don't like AR rifles.Mine is heavy,a little more accurate than a Mini-14 and cost a heck of a lot more than it was worth.I know you can get the accuracy out of them but for the same money I could buy 2 or 3 Savages that would still out shoot my AR that I would probably have 2000+ dollars in.
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  • lukeyv
    Thanks for the response. I'll mainly be shooting prairie dogs, gophers, maybe some coyotes, and of course just plinking around. As far as range goes I'd like to push it to the max. Accuracy is probably the most important thing (looks is a close second). I thought about getting a Mini-14 (tons of aftermarket parts available). I'd like something that I don't need to be at a bench-rest to use.
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  • gap1916
    If you are looking at an AR type look at the AR180. My 2 cents [8D]

    Greg
    Former Marine
    2nd A N G L I C O
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  • ern98
    If accuracy at longer range is the primary requirement then I'd be looking at either the Rem or the Savage bull barrel rifles. A ten pound rifle is no fun to lug around much, but for an occasional cyote stand the barrel length may be more of a problem then the weight. As I expect you already know, in longer range accurate shooting the rifle is only one third the equation. The next third is optics and the last is the shooter. So don't forget to budget good money for the scope.
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  • cloop
    You can build a fine AR for $600, it's easy. Stag or RRA lower receiver is $100 on {elsewhere}.com. The rest of the parts are $4150 from Model One Sales, and their upper comes already assembled. Get a RRA trigger job parts kit from Triple Break Products for $100, and you will have a many times more versatile rifle than any bolt action can ever be. If you later want a different upper receiver and barrel, or a different caliber, you can always switch. There's a .22lr dedicated upper for the AR-15, so that you can practice cheaply, on indoor ranges. The AR in 223 is now doing just fine at the 1000 yd matches.
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  • jbw1776
    I just bought a Bushmaster varminter special (very slightly used) and took it out today, 5 shots / 2" group @ 300yds. First time out with the rifle or an AR for that matter. Admittedly I was shooting off a bipod. I believe its capable of even better than that, though I may not be[:D]. I will be using it for coyotes and the like here on the my farm. I'm sure bolt guns can be more accurate, but for my needs, it doesnt need to be. And being semi-auto is a big plus for me when just plinking. Just to throw it in, I did hit a Folgers coffee can 5 times in a row at approx. 600yds. once I got the bullet drop figured out. So they can be very accurate also. Just giving you a different point of view[:)]. Oh yeah, $750 OTD for the whole setup, including scope and bipod! Look around they are out there.

    Theres room for all Gods creatures, right next to the mashed potatoes.
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