I'm really looking for a good cheap AR-15 to hog hunt with and i cant find anything near 500 even. Does anyone know what a used one would run me or of a cheap one thats new, I'm looking for a flat top mostly the only ones i've found anywhere cheap were attached carry handles. Any suggestions?

Just an FYI unless you build it yourself and get a real good deal on parts your not going to get into one for that. A guy in the classifieds had complete Delton lowers for $200 or so (I think) and uppers for $350. You aint getting much cheaper than that. Check out the AR15 forum as well.

I thought I read on some post here a guy claiming that they can build an ar as little as $540.

Assuming I am a completely ignorant on this, cause I am, someone please help.

1. Where is a good reference, book or website, that shows you how to completely aquire and assembly an AR from scratch?
2. The same process and parts list (obviously the equivalent) the same for an AR 10?
3. While I am somewhat mechanically inclined with bigger things, not too expereinced with smaller parts/gunsmithing. Is it difficult? I have done simplier things like switching our triggers, stocks, etc. but not much beyond that.

Here is a step by step video series on building an AR:
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11004/guntechdetail/How_to_Build_An_AR_15_Video
Cheaper Than Dirt advertised $99 stripped lowers, and Del-Ton or Model 1 both have AR kits for $435 so yeah, right aournd $540 plus minus some for shipping on the kits and tax on the lower.
Same parts and build for an AR-10 just about three to four times the cost.

I haven't seen an AR for around 500 in a long long time. Good luck.

ok so looking at all this, i dont really want to build it, and its still expensive so any thoughts on me just buying an ak instead?

There one AR on the for sale forum for $650 now.

if you want something pretty accurate don't buy and ak

It's not a complicated build. It takes 30 to 45 minutes to assemble all the trigger parts in the striped lower, when buying a kit the uppers are already assembled and just pin on. So you will have a complete rifle in under an hour easy. You can find instructions on which spring goes where on AR15.com; there is a build section.

I'm about 3/4 through this process. Still acquiring my parts. But I've got most of them. I don't think I can do it for $500. Especially when you have to consider tax and or shipping on some parts and that you may want to buy a punch or two, and that castle nut wrench. Still, it's an entertaining process. Also, lots of stuff on youtube. I bought the midway usa dvd. Seems good but the try to sell you every little gadget made for assembling an AR.

The only video's you need for assembling an AR is in the link I posted above. They are pretty thorough and best of all FREE.
If you order a kit this is the only vids you will need to assmeble the lower.
http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=11011/learn/

And in my opinion there is a big difference between an AR and AK. Save the $40-$60 above your original $500 and get the AR.

Yea, I think the brownells videos are actually better then the Midway Usa one a bought.

+1

You will thank yourself in the long run !

I would go with the AK.

first you need to figure out what you can spend, the look at the differences within the ar world and the ak world. figurig out which is "better" is impossible, as theyre apples and oranges.

figuring out which is better for your needs, however, is possible.

how do you hunt hogs?
from how far?
at night or day?
are you a good shot?
how much do you shoot thats not hunting?
does outward appearance or quality matter to you?
are you more comfortable with peep or open sights?

answer these then we can help you

thanks for all the help so far i think i could do it by just buying certain part kits or parts at a time. One of my questions is will it all fit together without having to make any modifications? The main reason i'm on such a budget is because im 16 (yes i know its too young but me and my dad are doing this together as a project if we don't buy one complete). as far as the questions go

1. I throw out corn or sit at the feeder and wait.
2. i've shot them as close as 40 yards or as far as 150 yards when i was actually deer hunting. When i'm actually looking for them ill shoot them at the feeder which is 150 yards or as far as i can see them with the spotlight.
3. When i come across one on purpose it is 100% at night unless the game camera says otherwise.
4. Im not exactly sure but i shoot competition 22 and i've done some good.
5. I shoot a moderate amount thats not hunting.
6. I like quality and would like it to look good on the outside but looks are not that important.
7. I'd have to say open.

Thanks to anyone who helps in advance!

Spikes tactical was selling stripped lowers for 89 bucks about a month ago. Also, I bought a brand new complete lower with 4 position stock for $175 from a guy on this site. I think that they had a bunch of them. If I can figure out who it was agian Ill let you know. The lower was CD with a Mod 1 kit. Stock was standard GI. I put it together myself, but for 20 more bucks they said would do it for you.

well, ak sights typically suck and theres not much you can do about it. a few options but probably not worth it for you. sounds like you will be usually sitting in one place. sounds like you may favor a 20 inch flat top so you can start with iron sights, and add a scope if you so desire at a later date. past that, the longer sight radius will help you be more accurate at longer ranges. you'll also get a higher velocity.

this for example should be handy enough to walk around with, so it wont be a designated target rifle.
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com/BCM-M16-Government-20-Upper-Receiver-Group-p/bcm-urg-gov-20.htm
or a similar offering from another company of quality.

at this point, consider twist rate, which will affects what grain weight bullets you can accurately shoot. i shoot 1/7 exclusively because it allows me to shoot heavy 70grain stuff and 55gr.

i would buy the upper assembled because you can mess that up, the lower is hard to screw up.

so will an AK do any good for me? i found this one which seems to be good
but i still need opinions
http://www.impactguns.com/store/RI1205-N.html

i would say go for it, but i my experience, 100+ yards with an ak is a pain in the butt. ive heard good things about these, http://www.tech-sights.com/ , (look at the ak sights) they will increase you sight radius and help you shoot more accurately.
that baign said, that ak isnt the most accurate thing on the planet, expect 4-6" groups at 100.

id suggets a 20" barrel ar rifle with a flat top and your own iron sight on the back.

AR lowers for $55...best price I have paid in years past was $85!

http://www.rguns.net/rifles/rifles-semiauto-ar15-lowers-556rguns-stripped.shtml#SHARPS

There ya go!
$55+$20 shipping+$15 FFL and you have the lower for $80
Del-Ton rifle kit, $465+$22 shipping = $487
Total $567
Grand Total for owning an AMERICAN gun with AMERICAN history = Priceless!

AKs may be a reliable gun, but they are cheap and ugly. They feel cheap, they look cheap, and we have spent the last few decades fighting against them! Experience has proven to me that they are also very inaccurate, reason why they say "Spray and Pray"

I think I would pay the extra $30 and go with a company that isnt already out of busniness. I could be wrong but from what I hear the Sharps AR platform flopped.

But if you just positively have to save the $30 this would be the way to go. Just dont expect to get much if you decide to sell it.

Did you ever check with "chrisboc (Ace Arms)" here on teh forum ? I think he had Delton uppers for $350 and complete lowers for $200 (I think). Might be worth a shot !!

Anyone know or have any experience/opinions on this del-ton rifle kit? i have always wanted a carbine A2 with q 20" barrel. An AR that looks like the original M16 from Vietnam era.

I too agree paying a a little exra for a high quality lower reciever is a wise investment. That said, what is a good quality manufacturer that does not cost an arm and a leg?

Delton is on the low end of ARs, but Ive never heard of one not going boom !

Spikes Tactical has lowers on sale for $89.99. Thats pretty cheap and they are very good quality !! I have a couple sitting in the safe that I have no idea what Im gonna build out of, but Im sure Ill think of something !!