I need AR schooled

[Goodcat]

Ruger MPR is the way to go. Good two stage trigger, good muzzle brake, Magpul stuff from factory. MOA all day with the right ammo or sub with custom loads. Cheap. Good quality, not the best, is getting cheap. I stopped building 223 when it arrived. Still build my other ARs though

 

[KJQ6945]

Super sonic 300blk rolls them over pretty good even through their armor plated shoulder. 6.8 and 6.5 are better but generally going to take a little more than 500 to get a mildly reliable set up rolling.

No argument from me, but from when I was researching my trip in 2017, a lot of the places I looked at wouldn't allow .300 or 5.56. Some of the places and outfitters were very particular on equipment, and the number of hogs shot.

 

[Dybber]

I actually like M&P Sport. I’ve never had an issue and for range time and plinking it is great. I like it better than the Ruger that was too tight to take down. Is it top of the line? Absolutely not. But I’d take it over no AR. However, I like the gun. Someday I will build my own or buy a higher end AR but for now this suits me fine. I feel the same about my Bushmaster.
I too am planning a TX hog hunt and bought a .308 for that purpose. Most of these hog ranches say .223 is the smallest they recommend. Since I’ve hunted a lot with the .308 that is what I thought would be best.

 

[Mgderf]

I picked up a brand new M&P Sport last year for $100 and never even fired it.
I won it at an FNRA banquet and gifted it to my uncle.

He seems to like it.

 

[KJQ6945]

Per S&W, the M&P Sport II, has a 1 in 9 twist barrel. I would avoid this personally, as it won't stabilize the bigger bullets needed for shooting hogs. 1 in 8 is the minimum.

 

[Ggreen]

No argument from me, but from when I was researching my trip in 2017, a lot of the places I looked at wouldn't allow .300 or 5.56. Some of the places and outfitters were very particular on equipment, and the number of hogs shot.

I've seen a few outfits that won't allow 300subs, and generally don't specify. 300blk supers have quite the following in north Texas south central oklahoma where ive been hunting for them. Personally I'll take my grendel next time, 223 was not effective my pigs ran a long way and recovered the next morning with the dogs after i was gone.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

I actually like M&P Sport. I’ve never had an issue and for range time and plinking it is great. I like it better than the Ruger that was too tight to take down. Is it top of the line? Absolutely not. But I’d take it over no AR. However, I like the gun. Someday I will build my own or buy a higher end AR but for now this suits me fine. I feel the same about my Bushmaster.
I too am planning a TX hog hunt and bought a .308 for that purpose. Most of these hog ranches say .223 is the smallest they recommend. Since I’ve hunted a lot with the .308 that is what I thought would be best.

I was wondering, "Why not 308?" myself. I've got a PA-10 that I built, and while I've only shot steel with it, it would easily shoot minute of hog at 350 yards even with surplus 7.62x51, but it would be a little over the OP's budget of $500.

 

[KJQ6945]

I've seen a few outfits that won't allow 300subs, and generally don't specify. 300blk supers have quite the following in north Texas south central oklahoma where ive been hunting for them. Personally I'll take my grendel next time, 223 was not effective my pigs ran a long way and recovered the next morning with the dogs after i was gone.

The difference between a 77gr 5.56 and a 125gr .300 super is about 50 ft/lbs. the .300 super is 1/2 that of a .308

Neiher the 5.56 or the .300 is ideal, but they will work, given excellent shot placement. .300 offers very little over 5.56, except quiet. Quiet, it is the ballistic equal to .45 acp. It doesn't fill any niche I have.

The 77gr is faster by 550fps, but gives up only 50 ft/lbs of energy. It's a a wash, at best.

.308 for comparison

 

[KJQ6945]

I was wondering, "Why not 308?" myself. I've got a PA-10 that I built, and while I've only shot steel with it, it would easily shoot minute of hog at 350 yards even with surplus 7.62x51, but it would be a little over the OP's budget of $500.

.308 is ideal, until you have to carry the gun. Size and weight are the only downside.

 

[Hoosier45]

The difference between a 77gr 5.56 and a 125gr .300 super is about 50 ft/lbs. the .300 super is 1/2 that of a .308

Neiher the 5.56 or the .300 is ideal, but they will work, given excellent shot placement. .300 offers very little over 5.56, except quiet. Quiet, it is the ballistic equal to .45 acp. It doesn't fill any niche I have.

The 77gr is faster by 550fps, but gives up only 50 ft/lbs of energy. It's a a wash, at best.

.308 for comparison

I noticed you snuck the lapua in there. That will work on porky.

 

[Spear Dane]

AR does not mean it has to be .223 and in fact I would not suggest that at all. Wild hogs can get VERY large. 6.5 Grendel and 300 Blackout are the rounds you want to look at. Blackout will be your 300 yard gun AND you can easily go subsonic with it as it is designed for that. Probably the most iconic hog setup is going to be a silenced 300 Blackout with subsonic ammo and some kind of night time capability. 6.5 Grendel is more versatile. 700 yard gun, will take anything from moose on down and deadly accurate if you've bought a decent setup.

 

[Steeler]

Check PSA. Solid guns at great prices.

 

[amboy49]

AR does not mean it has to be .223 and in fact I would not suggest that at all. Wild hogs can get VERY large. 6.5 Grendel and 300 Blackout are the rounds you want to look at. Blackout will be your 300 yard gun AND you can easily go subsonic with it as it is designed for that. Probably the most iconic hog setup is going to be a silenced 300 Blackout with subsonic ammo and some kind of night time capability. 6.5 Grendel is more versatile. 700 yard gun, will take anything from moose on down and deadly accurate if you've bought a decent setup.

This post is full of factual information but . . . . . . . this is the type of information that has created so much of my confusion. The AR platform possesses so much versatility that it seems just about any end result or specialty is easily accomplished. I have a .308, a .270, a .22-.250: and a .223. In the past I’ve owned everything from a 22 Hornet to a 300 WinMag. I have a huge distaste for guns with lots of ft lbs of recoil even though they exhibit great knock down power. However, Jack O’Connor believed every big game species in Norh America could be taken with a .270 and Karamojo Bell culled thousands of African elephants with the 7x57 Mauser thus proving that shot placement is more important than bullet diameter and foot pounds of energy. Yes, if I was going in to follow up a wounded leaped, water buffalo, hippo, or elephant I would want nothing smaller that a .458 or even a .505 Gibbs. But for soft skinned non dangerous game big calibers aren’t necessary. I realize a large boar that is pissed off having been shot and only wounded can exhibit quite an attitude, but I don’t plan on following one into the scrub on hands and knees. I also have no plans at any point to seek out a 500 lb tusker who is capable of rearranging my dental work or taking a large filet out of my ass.

Don’t be mistaken, the information being provided is very helpful and more ideas and opinions about caliber, bullet weight, scope options, etc all will help me narrow don my choices. Again, thanks all.

 

[Ruffnek]

Check out the 6.5 Grendel if you haven't already. It's a pretty solid round and from what I understand about it, it seems like it'd be good for the targets/range you're after.

 

[roscott]

.223 or 300BLK can get the job done, but are definitely on the light side. I skipped a 110gr blackout round off the head of a decent sized hog. With a more powerful caliber, I’m convinced he would have been DRT. I’ve since built a 6.5 Grendel and am very pleased with it.

If this is your AR that might see a hog hunt, .223 is cheapest and easiest, and you can make it work for piggies. If you intend to go multiple times or make it a habit, I think you’ll be wanting more gun.

 

[Trapper Jim]

Production would be BushMaster or Windham. Custom would be ZRTS

 

[Ggreen]

Production would be BushMaster or Windham. Custom would be ZRTS

Bushmaster? Pass

 

[Route 45]

If you are not really into ARs and just want something for an occasional hog gun and to plink around with, stick with a 5.56 model and use heavier bullets for the hog hunt.

The most economical way to get an AR today, without being a builder/tinkerer, is to just buy a complete lower and then get yourself whatever complete upper floats your boat. Slap the upper on the lower, push the takedown pins in, and you are done. Test fire for reliability/accuracy.

Palmetto State Armory pissed me off over the holidays, no shipping in over 2 weeks on a couple of things that I ordered. But if I was in no hurry and wanted a solid budget AR, I'd check them out. Complete lowers are routinely $130 or so, and uppers can be had for less than $300. They get mostly good reviews.

It's a buyers market for AR stuff right now. I'd buy fairly soon, though...before the next school shooting and hysterical cries for gun control from the newly Dem controlled House. Prices have nowhere to go but up.

 

[T.Lex]

I've also gotten uppers from Hardened Arms for a reasonable amount with BCG/CH.

https://www.hardenedarms.com/ecProd.../7 12" HD Quad Upper w/bolt carrier group CH

 

[Route 45]

I've also gotten uppers from Hardened Arms for a reasonable amount with BCG/CH.

https://www.hardenedarms.com/ecProd.../7 12" HD Quad Upper w/bolt carrier group CH

That looks like a good deal. I'd probably go with an 18" barrel for a little extra oomph with the 5.56 for hogs.