Anyone own or have used one of these AR15 accurized varmint rifles? What did you think of it compared to a high end bolt action conventional varmint rifle?

I saw one at a shop and they claim 1/4" at 100yrds accuracy.

Some Bushmasters are that accurate, but not all. Les Baer's are definately that accurate. Some simple things, like a standard AR trigger will preclude a 1/4 MOA group no matter what else is done to the gun. Also, it's hard to shoot a 1/4 inch group without a fairly high powered scope, not usually found on an AR. Match triggers are an option from the big AR houses like Olympic, Bushmaster, DPMS, Les Baer, etc.

To answer your question specifically, I had an Olympic Arms Ultramatch that was a 1/2 moa gun. It had a set trigger. My current Bushmaster carbine has a stock trigger and will shoot 1.25 inch groups with USA Ultramax remanufactured ammo using 55gr. Nosler BT's. Thats with a low power scope. I have shot a friends Les Baer with the 2oz trigger and a Swarovski scope that was an honest to goodness 1/4 moa gun using black hills ammo. It can go toe to toe with my Cooper VE 21 using handloads.

Both types of guns have their own tried and true paths to accuracy that good gunsmiths follow. It really depends on what one wants. Me, I got tired of looking through the grass for brass while shooting prairie dogs. If you don't reload and toss your brass anyway, it's not an issue.

[ 12-01-2003, 09:51: Message edited by: rogerinneb ]

I have an accurized Armalite with 1" Wilson stainless barrel and free floated forearm. It will easily shoot under MOA with Sierra Match bullets. My smallest group to date is .255 at 100 yards.

Two of the most accurate rifles I own are AR-15's. One is a Colt Hbar Elite and the other is a Kreiger barreled Compass Lake "El Coyote" varmint rifle. I wish I could say I was a good enough bench shot to claim groups in the .25" range, but the simple fact is if I can shoot .5" I am on a roll. Both of these rifles with handloads are capable of this and it has been my experience that this is typical of the AR-15 platform. Just make sure you get some kind of free floating handguard to keep any stress off the barrel. One of the key elements in AR-15 accuracy is that there is no bedding to go sour like there is in a conventional bolt rifle. Another thing I like about my 20" coyote rifle is that the weight is way forward. While this may be detremental to off hand shooting it makes the rifle ride the bi-pod very well. A good trigger is needed too. All this adds up to a pretty pricey rifle before long, but it makes an excellent varmint rig.

i have a flat top with a free floating 22" krieger barrel assembled by barry bowlds. 5 shot groups with 55gr ballistic tips @ 100yds are 1/4 - 1/3 MOA if i do my part.