Ar-15 on an $800 budget

[tylerr23]

For that you may as well get a ruger 556

 

[DoggyDaddy]

PSA 16" Mid-length 5.56 NATO 1:8 Stainless Steel Freedom Rifle Kit - 508077
And a $70 lower if you want to build.

Btbguns.com has complete guns for around $600 if you just want a economy ar

I've been thinking about this one myself. I know that a 1:7 twist is better than a 1:9 for using heavier bullets, but will a 1:8 twist still handle them okay?

 

[Cemetery-man]

BCI Defense has their 16", .556 carbine available for under $600. Midwest Gun exchange sells them (or used to). Very nice rifle. I've had mine since last summer and have absolutely no complaints. Shoots great, accurate and zero problems.

SQS15 Rifle: Domestic Defense Model ? BCI Defense

 

[NyleRN]

I've been thinking about this one myself. I know that a 1:7 twist is better than a 1:9 for using heavier bullets, but will a 1:8 twist still handle them okay?

An Accuracy Comparison of M855 When Fired From AR-15s With 1:9? Twist and 1:7? Twist Barrels. - AR15.COM

 

[sgreen3]

I've been thinking about this one myself. I know that a 1:7 twist is better than a 1:9 for using heavier bullets, but will a 1:8 twist still handle them okay?

It really boils down to the barrel and a particular load. each barrel is going to shoot different. as a general rule yes a 1:7 should be ideal for the higher grain bullets just as the 1:9 should be more tailored to the 55gr stuff. Then the 1:8 being a good blend of the two. It really just comes down to trying a number of different loads in a rifle and just seeing what works. I've had or got every twist rate mentioned and have had 1:8 twist rifles shoot the higher grain stuff poorly then I've also had one a couple years back that shot it very well. Most people will go the 1:8 route and will more than likely do anything you'll ever need it to do, just take the time when you get it to find out what it likes to shoot.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

An Accuracy Comparison of M855 When Fired From AR-15s With 1:9? Twist and 1:7? Twist Barrels. - AR15.COM

It really boils down to the barrel and a particular load. each barrel is going to shoot different. as a general rule yes a 1:7 should be ideal for the higher grain bullets just as the 1:9 should be more tailored to the 55gr stuff. Then the 1:8 being a good blend of the two. It really just comes down to trying a number of different loads in a rifle and just seeing what works. I've had or got every twist rate mentioned and have had 1:8 twist rifles shoot the higher grain stuff poorly then I've also had one a couple years back that shot it very well. Most people will go the 1:8 route and will more than likely do anything you'll ever need it to do, just take the time when you get it to find out what it likes to shoot.

Thanks guys. I found another thread here on INGO discussing twist rates and found some links in there that basically said the same thing about the 1:8. It's a good compromise between the 1:7 and 1:9 and should handle about anything up to 77 grains. I also saw that it really has more to do with projectile length than with projectile weight (with M855 and tracer ammo having a longer projectile). Now I just have to make up my own mind about which upper to get.

 

[youngda9]

You can get a brand new PSA to your FFL for < $750 off GB

 

[HamYankee]

I saw a BCM build on classifieds. You can buy it, take it apart and rebuild it!