AR Build for Dummies

[LRRPF52]

Alright. For a hunting build, it will still be capable out to the effective range of the 6.5mm projectiles at moderate velocities (900yds plus), but your optic & mount will be a huge factor in being able to target shoot at distance.

Here's a formula for your particular needs that works really well:

Upper Receiver Group

18" barrel MLGS, lighter-medium weight
Forged, squared upper receiver
Carbon Fiber rifle-length handguard
Standard Bolt Carrier Group with 9130 bolt from AA or PF
Low profile steel gas block
MLGS gas tube
BCM Gunfighter or Raptor Charge Handle
Muzzle device of your choice

Lower Receiver Group
* Forged lower
* Tuned standard trigger or the higher end trigger of your choice. I like JP single stage, but also have Geissele.
* Quality Mil-spec lower parts kit, with forge codes, proof marks, and harder surface finish on the parts. DD, J&T, and several others make great LPK's.
* 7075T6 Mil-spec Carbine receiver extension. Colt and VLTOR make the best ones, but Brownell's models have been good for me over the years.
* H2 buffer
* Quality recoil spring
* Stock of your choice
* Receiver end plate
* Lock nut
* Grip of your choice

Optic/Mount System

Biggest issue with scopes is that a lot of scopes were never designed with semi automatic, heavy reciprocating mass, dual-axis shock forces, and some of the top names will break under semi-automatic fire. Fortunately, the AR15 has a relatively lightweight bolt carrier group, so it doesn't pound the snot out of optics like an AR10 or a SCAR-17/H, but certain scopes hold up better than others.

NightForce
Vortex
Leupold
Trijicon
Quality mounts can be had from NightForce, Aero, LaRue, GG&G, ADM, AAD, JP, ArmaLite, etc. but I personally really like the NightForce Unimount for its lightweight and height. It runs in the mid $200 range.

Recommended upgrades:
* Cerakote on all external metal parts, including barrel, receivers, steel fasteners, scope mount, lock ring, end plate, extension tube, especially for a hunting gun that will likely see inclimate weather. Cerakote makes maintenance a breeze.

* Trigger

* Best optic and mount you can get

* Black nitride or NiB bolt carrier

For those that want this type of set-up ready to go, the new AA Lite Hunter series are plug-and-play. I handled them at SHOT, and they are great little hunting packages, very light, well-balanced, with full rifle camo options in Kryptek.