How much $ to put together a marksman's AR?

[Starslinger]

My knowledge of ARs is minimal. Can someone tell me how much money it would cost to put together a fairly accurate AR, with a scope and a bipod and enough accuracy to hit a six inch target at 300 yards? This would be for 223/556 with whatever barrel length is optimal for minimizing bullet drop at 300 yards. Most of my shooting experience is plinking with AKs, a Mini 14 and a lever action rifle. I've never owned at really accurate, scoped rifle except in 22 magnum. Thanks for any advice!

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[Joe13]

My knowledge of ARs is minimal. Can someone tell me how much money it would cost to put together a fairly accurate AR, with a scope and a bipod and enough accuracy to hit a six inch target at 300 yards? This would be for 223/556 with whatever barrel length is optimal for minimizing bullet drop at 300 yards. Most of my shooting experience is plinking with AKs, a Mini 14 and a lever action rifle. I've never owned at really accurate, scoped rifle except in 22 magnum. Thanks for any advice!

How good of a shot are you?

Serious question.

I could hit a 6" plate at 300 yards 9 times out of 10 with pretty much any rifle I have (minus the .22lr's).

If you are a decent shot then a budget AR should get you well past 300 yards on a 6" plate.

That may or may not have been what you were asking…. If it was a parts list then ammo and scope go a long way to being accurate at distance.

 

[bcp]

AR-style varmint rifles:

Google Search

Bruce

 

[Starslinger]

I'm a great shot with a red dot and a full size target out to 100 yards. Beyond that, not so much.

 

[arakboss]

$300

 

[Autark]

Most would say an accurate rifle is "sub MOA" or minute of angle. Meaning if nothing else interferes, bullets will group within that measurement depending on the distance. If you shoot a group within an inch at 100 yards (~1 MOA), the same group should be around 3 inches at 300 yards (ignoring wind and stability). You're asking for a rifle that shoots about 2 MOA (~6" at 300 yards). It's reasonable for an AR.

I'd say spend the money where it counts. My preference:
1. Optics (and mount/rings). Magnification helps. Lots of options from fixed mag (like ACOG) to variable. You can sink a lot of money here, but it is not wasted.
2. Ammo. Buy bulk and actually go shooting. Something like 55gr. PMC bronze can be inexpensive and good enough for range practice.
3. Barrel (or upper). 16" will get you out there, longer will get you there with more speed (flatter trajectory).
4. Trigger. I'd probably upgrade this last. It makes a difference, but less than the other three.

Most of the rest can be budget parts. It's an AR, so you have endless options to swap parts later.

This covers a lot of ground, so opinions will vary.

 

[Camelfilter]

$300

$700, with scope & bipod.

 

[Andy54Hawken]

Something to consider here....

You could have the most expensive scope and the most high end rifle....
However , without shooting practice those things are worthless.

I can not say just how much a "marksman AR " would or should cost.

I will say to be sure that you also invest your time and money into practice with whatever rifle and set up you end up with.
Shoot that rifle ... a lot....get to know it inside and out.
Find a loading that functions well with it...as well as one that you hit with....stick with that.
Learn how to clean and maintain your rifle
Get to where you handle and shoot your rifle so as for it to become second nature...muscle memory , so to speak.
Doing the above....makes it a "marksman rifle " more than anything else.
( At least for me )

In short....
It ain't so much the rifle....it's how you shoot it.
Andy

 

[ferret427]

If you are proficient with running the AR platform re: Andy54Hawken's recommendations and are looking for mechanical characteristics of the rifle I have a few ideas. Not counting durability and reliability of the rifle as a whole (which should go without saying) for me, the top three things are the trigger, the barrel, and the optics. After that would be things like ergonomic improvements, recoil management such as muzzle devices, buffer spring/weight tuning, etc. Last would be aids to shooting position such as bipods, bags, mats and such. Also, find ammo that provides adequate velocities and low standard deviation if you are shooting out to the limits of the cartridge's effective range.

Of course, for the first 3 things, they tend to be the most expensive things to upgrade, but generally provide the greatest benefits.

 

[Koda]

My knowledge of ARs is minimal. Can someone tell me how much money it would cost to put together a fairly accurate AR, with a scope and a bipod and enough accuracy to hit a six inch target at 300 yards? This would be for 223/556 with whatever barrel length is optimal for minimizing bullet drop at 300 yards.

(emphasis mine) A 2moa AR is not unreasonable but if your new to ARs Id recommend buying a complete one from a reputable company like a S$W or Ruger instead of building one yourself. All other things being equal, a longer barrel will give slightly more velocity resulting in a slightly flatter trajectory (though thats not the metric for judging a rifles precision....)

 

[Steel Head]

My knowledge of ARs is minimal. Can someone tell me how much money it would cost to put together a fairly accurate AR, with a scope and a bipod and enough accuracy to hit a six inch target at 300 yards? This would be for 223/556 with whatever barrel length is optimal for minimizing bullet drop at 300 yards. Most of my shooting experience is plinking with AKs, a Mini 14 and a lever action rifle. I've never owned at really accurate, scoped rifle except in 22 magnum. Thanks for any advice!

Most any decent AR with decent ammunition with easily do that.

 

[beaston93]

700-1000 kitted

 

[ynot762]

$300

A man of taste and class

 

[ynot762]

I suggest a budget psa and after a while a drop in trigger.