Trying to get clarity on a couple things, really want to get an AR by the end of the year but I am on a budget. Been looking at a couple different options. Question is, do most people build there own? And when they do, do they come with good instructions and do you need specific tools to complete the build? Also, is the AR-10 308 easy to find ammo for compared to other ARs? is it a good round to shoot for an AR? Any suggestions would help or any knowledge as well. if you have read my other posts, fairly new to hunting and shooting, mostly bass fishing my whole life so I am relatively green to all this .

Best instructions you will find are on YouTube. Parts kits don't come with instructions.

Off the shelf AR's are fine but once you get comfortable with it you will be wanting to swap out parts so a good percentage of people just build what they want right from the start.

AR15 platform is going to have far more options and aftermarket support than the AR10 platform. 308 ammo is plenty easy to find though.

Yes there are certain tools you will need if you build your own. You will need pin punches, vice blocks made for your upper and lower, torque wrench, AR armorers wrench, a gun vise would be nice, and there are few others but that's what I can think of off the top of my head.

If you have never owned a AR before I would just buy a off the shelf one. They are pretty cheap right now and after you have owned it awhile you will know what you want if you ever decide to build or customize the one you have.

What is your intended purpose for the AR pattern gun? That will help you get the best responses and suggestions on calibers. Just because the AR10 was introduced for the .308, doesn’t mean that is the only caliber you can get. Same with the AR15. It was built for the 5.56/223 but it can be had in lots of other calibers.

Regarding building an AR, you have to keep in mind that while the AR15 is standardized, meaning that many mfg make parts that will work in any brand of AR15. The AR10 is not standardized and each mfg can have parts that only work in their brand of gun or a certain brand but not all.

I like the AR 15 platform better because of size and weight. For general self defense and varmints, the 5.56/223 is great. If you want a little more power, the gap cartridges like the 6.8 SPC and 6.5 Grendel are great choices.

Mike, where do you live?

Possibly meet up with a forum member that has both and handle them, I can tell you that being green, you will want an AR15, the AR10 can be a pig, heavy and cumbersome and more expensive to feed.

It's easy to build a 5-7lb AR15, yet almost impossible to build a sub 6lb AR10 unless you are willing to spend a lot of money.

AR15 in 5.56/223 Wylde to start, add a 7.62x39 upper for cheap plinking, then whatever floats your boat, either 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, 300 Black Out, 300 Ham'r, 22 Nosler and the list goes on.

What’s the budget?

What’s the main use?

^^Good post.

Bought an AR-15 carbine, changed out about 5 parts to get it like I want.

Bought an AR-10, and changed out two parts to get it like I want.

The last AR-15, I built it part specific, and I did not lose any money buying anything I didn't want. If you've got guidance (and you do right here), I'd say build it. I doubt there is anywhere in Texas you are too far from someone here that has the tools to get it put together for you. Lots of good people on this forum that would do it only for a handshake. Drink a beer with ya if you brought some.

North Richland hills

Im not sure what to really expect as far as budget, to be honest. this will be my 4 fire arm purchase and its next on my check list that I want.
I really want to use it for hogs and potentially deer, but mainly hogs. I would want to use my .270 for deer if I had my preference

hog hunting mostly I believe

For Hogs, what would be a budget friendly option off the shelf for an AR-15? I routinely on PSAs website but honestly I have a tough time knowing what I am looking at.

Ok, Palmetto State prob has what you need if budget is in mind.

You can upgrade over time and you may or may not want to

AR in 556 or 300 BO from PSA could be a good option

What should I expect to pay if you dont mind me asking for the 556 or 300 BO

Depends on what exactly you’re wanting but under $500 for the most part and that’s with FFL fees

Radical Firearms makes nice guns...I have had several. Here's a great deal on a nice 300 BO. You don't want a .223 if you are using it for hogs.

https://www.radicalfirearms.com/product-p/fr16-300hbar-15fhr.htm

$399.

Buy this ammo:

https://dallasreloads.com/product/125-grain-hornady-sst/

For your stated purpose I would highly recommend 6.8 or 6.5 Grendal.

This, but there a several here that have shown the 7.62x39 to be a very capable pig round, even with the FMJ cheap stuff.

Plenty of .308 Win uppers available.

If I were starting from scratch, I'd build a 7mm-08. But right now I run a 16" long, .308 and it is a killing machine. It's put down hogs and coyotes between 20 yards and 500 yards.

That's right.

Friend of mine has a Radical in 7.62X39, and with steel cased Monarch (Academy brand) 123 gr ammo, it will keep them inside one inch at 100 yards. It is shockingly tight shooting with that ammo.

Which two parts, and this is the G2 Recon, correct?

Correct.

Got rid of the horribly heavy trigger, and Big Fitz swindled me into a Timney.

Also put on an adjustable gas block. I have come to the conclusion every AR needs an adjustable gas block. It is one more control, over what is happening. I developed a great shooting load for it, that was not too hot, and not harming brass or rifle. But the rifle was over-gassed.

thanks yall for the feedback, just curious but for the 6.8 or 6.5 is the ammo readily available at the store like academy or bps? or does it have to be loaded by your self ?
hopefully i can get the ok for this before the end of the week from the wife haha

You can find 6.5, 6.8, .300 blk, .223/5.56, and .308/7.62 at most if not all Bass Pro and Academy stores.

If it is strictly for hogs then I would definitely get an AR15 and My fist 2 choices would be either 6.5 Grendel or 6.8SPC 3rd choice would be 7.62X39 and the last 2 choices would be 223 and 300BO.

Those last 2 rounds dont have a lot of energy and unless you are a dead eye shot the hogs may not go down. I started with a 223/556 and the first hog I shot was right on the shoulder (perfect shot) and that sucker took off never to be seen again. That was the day I decided to switch calibers. They will kill hogs and have killed thousands but they just arent as effective as the other 3 rounds. The 762 may not have a lot of different choices for hunting rounds but it will have the cheapest plinking rounds.

Any AR10 caliber will work for hogs but they are a lil bit more costly so if you are budgeting the AR15 is the way to go. My advice is to keep your eye on the classified section and purchase an upper. Lots of good deals on the classifieds and then build your own lower. You really dont need much for tools for a lower and they are easy to build. PSA is probably the cheapest so I would recommend them. Nothing on your lower matters as far as brand is concerned. The only place you dont want to skimp is the trigger. Buy the most expensive trigger you can afford. Buy once cry once. In the long run the trigger will make the biggest difference on accuracy and enjoyment.

The 3 most important parts of your rifle will be the barrel the trigger and the optic. That is where you want to spend your money and buy everything else cheaply.

You NEEDED that Timney.


Mike, if hogs are on the menu I would go with the 6.8 SPC. Ammo is readily available.

6.8 spc

This!

Following up, 6.8spc, where is the best place to routine check besides PSA? What kinda scope would be best as well that I should keep an eye out for that wont break the budget

Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore has great prices on AR's.

I would check out Blackstone if you want a complete upper. They use ARP barrels which are fantastic.

https://www.blackstonearms.com/category-s/100.htm

STrike eagle by vortex would be my recommendation for a cheap scope for your AR

1-8 is what I would get