Bushmaster Assault Rifle: what do I have here?

tensleep

Addicted Member
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I came across this rifle today and wanted opinions on it. Is it a good rifle, what about the ammunition, etc. I haven't had a chance to really research it yet, but AK people are usually a great resource for this type of thing.
 
Yes, I saw that thread after I posted. Apparently there were so few made (under 2000) that parts are very hard to come by. More of an oddball collector than a dependable shooter, from what I gather.
 
My understanding is that this chamber will handle the hotter rounds and larger projectiles of the mil-spec ammunition, as well as the standard .223 ammunition.
 
My understanding is that this chamber will handle the hotter rounds and larger projectiles of the mil-spec ammunition, as well as the standard .223 ammunition.

Yeah, isn't 5.56 stamped right on the side of the upper?

Very generally speaking, it's typically suggested not to fire 5.56 ammo, or at least not a bunch, in a rifle designated as caliber .223. However, a recent article I read, backed with pressure measurements, suggested the ammo spec difference certainly isn't the only consideration.

The individual chambers play in a lot too. While there is a 5.56 chamber spec and a .223 chamber spec (and variants on those like .223 Wylde), not all 5.56 chambers are the same and not all .223 chambers are the same. Depending the chamber tolerances, it's entirely possible you could fire a 5.56 round in a "loose" .223 chamber and have less chamber pressure than firing a .223 round in "tight" .223 chamber.

But, in your case, 5.56 is the correct ammo. There is little point to shoot .223 in it unless maybe you were hunting and wanted more of a hunting style/controlled expansion bullet. As for plinking, 5.56 is usually cheaper for the run of the mill 55gr FMJ than for .223. Also, hard to say if that would have the faster twist barrel to properly stabilize the 62gr or heavier bullets.
 
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Semi-auto, therefore not an 'assault rifle'.
Not to get technical, but in California, if it's a centerfire rifle with a detachable magazine and a pistol grip (or one of several other characteristics) it's considered an "assault rifle".
 
Bushmaster made some weird stuff. Once upon a time I came close to owning one of these. After reading range reports much, much later I am glad I did not. The action swivels right or left and the mag rests on your forearm if you are right or left-handed. Early USAF attempt to provide pilots with a PDW more powerful than a .38 SPL -

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