I have 2k in cabellas gift cards. About the only gun I do not own is an AR-15. It would primarily be for range fun, home defense, and varmits, as I am mainly a duck hunter and own several deer hunting rifles. So what is a good mid-grade gun and optics that I could get from Cabellas?

With that budget I would get a Daniel Defense and put a $200 red dot on it to stay in budget, or spend a little out of pocket and put a decent glass on top.

Why spend all you 2k on the AR? By a decent AR with decent glass for $1500, and with the rest, buy a Remington 870 and load it with #4 buck shot. Now you have two great home defense weapons.

Just looked through their current offerings i'd go
1st DDM4 V5 and sig Romeo 5
And
2nd Seekins Precision SP15C with an MRO or aimpoint Pro

I would not get Ruger, s&w, springfield

Gunny456 said:

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I would say if you want an AR, now is a good time as prices are pretty decent right now. I believe I saw an add in Cabelas flyer this week with some on sale. I feel we are about one more mass school shooting away from our goofy politicians passing some really crazy laws so they hope it will bolster their platforms for mid terms. I would get a good brand name and then get some good glass for it if you want to use it as a varmint rifle. I would get a few large capacity magazines as well, as they are being targeted by the libs daily and will probably be the next restriction passed.

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I completely agree, I bought a few I was looking at before the shooting. The prices were the same so I don't feel like I got a bad deal at all. I just figured odds are something will change in the future, and I wanted a ranch gun, pig gun and a better overall ar so I got what I wanted just in case.

gibberish said:

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Just looked through their current offerings i'd go
1st DDM4 V5 and sig Romeo 5
And
2nd Seekins Precision SP15C with an MRO or aimpoint Pro

I would not get Ruger, s&w, springfield

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Why would you stay away from those brands?

I'd stay away from Springfield because they pushed gun control legislation through Illinois to get rid of in state competition. I'll never purchase a Springfield

I've had more problems with my Seekins than my S&W M&P 15 and Ruger 556 combined. I use the S&W for 3 gun and have over 5k rounds down range without a single malfunction. The Ruger only had about 1k but it has been flawless as well.

DatTallArchitect said:

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I'd stay away from Springfield because they pushed gun control legislation through Illinois to get rid of in state competition. I'll never purchase a Springfield

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Rock River Arms was in on that mess too.

Yep, and I won't buy any of their products either

I stay away from brands that I don't consider duty grade or precision. I have bought budget rifles in the past and was never really happy with the performance or the amount of upgrades it would take to set the rifle up how I want it buying accessories and parts twice is more expensive in the long run.

So I am a firm believer in buy once cry once. Since OP can afford to get a nice set up I made a recommendation within his budget that would be more than suitable for many applications

It looks like the Seekins is a 223 wylde round and I am not familiar with that. I assume it would be better to stay with a NATO round?

.223 wylde is not a caliber it's newer chamber design that shoots both .223 and 5.56. It is slightly tighter chamber than a 5.56 to take advantage of improved accuracy but capable of withstanding the higher pressures of 5.56.

You can shoot all the surplus NATO 5.56 you want through it.

Thank you. I appreciate your insight. Will be headed to Cabellas this weekend.

I have a Springfield Saint Edge. $1300 and it is one of the best ARs money can buy. I'm not really worried about whatever they allegedly did in Illinois. I have a Springer XD and a 1911 too. Great guns. I highly recommend the Saint Edge. Read/watch some reviews online if you have time.

SmokeDog said:

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I have 2k in cabellas gift cards. About the only gun I do not own is an AR-15. It would primarily be for range fun, home defense, and varmits, as I am mainly a duck hunter and own several deer hunting rifles. So what is a good mid-grade gun and optics that I could get from Cabellas?

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First off.... where the HELL do you get $2k in cabelas gift cards?! Cause I want in.

You never have been good at trolling. Might as well give it up.

What about that post is a troll? I was answering the OP's question.

Vader 2020 said:

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I was answering the OP's question.

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No you weren't. We all know that, so move along.