As hunting season gets underway, many of you are probably already kitted out with all the right gear. Most hunters have a set of rifle hunting accessories to assist help achieve the goal. But, for those of you on the lookout for any last-minute adjustments you can make — or those of you already planning for next year — it’s time to take a good look at your AR-15. Yes, we know, it’s not exactly the most conventional choice for a hunting gun. But, as owners across the country are coming to find out, it’s actually a pretty versatile option. Consider this:
Accessory Customization Is King For Hunting
We all know the AR-15 is supremely customizable. That’s one of the biggest overall benefits to the platform, whether your primary use is home defense, hunting, or competition shooting. By extension, this means your AR can be pretty well customized even just to perform specific tasks within those broader groups better than many other guns can be.
The true bounty of function is that you can legitimately set up a half-dozen different uppers (or more), each designed to chamber a different caliber ammunition and set up with different rifle hunting accessories. Whatever you need for what you’ll be hunting each go-round, the AR makes it easy to customize your upper accordingly. That way, when it’s time to head out for your next trip, just grab your lower and the upper you have set up for whatever it is you’ll be hunting. It’s even fairly easy to swap them out while on the go, so grab a couple of different uppers if you’ll be hunting big game one day and wild boars later in your trip.
Portability & Maneuverability
The other big benefit to the AR-15 is that it was designed for people who would need to carry them long distances and be able to get into a strong shooting stance quickly — our troops. This benefit carries over into hunting in the sense that it is a light enough rifle that it can easily be carried over long distances without fatigue. Even better, it can be disassembled and reassembled quickly if you want to stow it in your pack while you trek out into the wilderness.
The size and setup of the stock and handguard also make it easy to get into a solid shooting stance quickly, and reaction time can make a big difference. The comparatively shorter barrel means it’s easier to maneuver around obstacles and still find a strong grip.
How To Customize For Hunting
The biggest determination for customizing an AR upper for hunting is what you’ll be hunting. That’ll affect the ammo you need, which will then affect the base components of your upper. Depending on the gauge, you’ll be able to find complete uppers or, for some of the ammunition sizes that are less conventional for the AR-15, you may need to build the upper yourself. Fortunately, the abundance of different upper receiver parts and accessories manufacturers out there mean you can find just about everything you can imagine for a range of different ammo sizes.
Choosing Upper Components
Once you’ve figured out what size ammo you’ll be chambering, you’ll need to think about all the other elements that go into an upper. What you’ll be hunting will also give you certain elements to plan for, like distance, optics needs, maneuverability, and so on. For example, if you know that a long-distance shot or two will be a strong possibility, you’ll want to be sure your upper has a handguard rail system so you can easily add on a scope or other options rather than relying on a fixed iron sight. Some of the primary game-dependent components and accessories include:
Barrel Length
A shorter barrel will be lighter and easier to maneuver, but it also means less velocity. The reverse also holds true; longer barrels will be heavier, but also offer more velocity. If you’re hunting elk, that increased velocity is going to be more important than what you’d need for, say, coyote hunting.
Gas System
Also, pay attention to the gas system. Shorter gas systems generally mean they’re venting closer to the receiver, which can gunk them up more quickly and decrease the lifespan.
Hunting Rifle Handguard
Choosing a rail system is secondary to making the choice between a free-floating handguard and the non-free floating options. Non-free floating, as you can probably guess, is going to actually connect to the barrel.
That can be problematic for a couple of reasons. First, anything touching the barrel is going to affect vibrations, even if it’s just a subtle change. Adding accessories that attach to a non-free floating handguard can further affect it. This can combine to such an extent that each bullet fired may leave the muzzle at a slightly different angle — ultimately affecting your accuracy as you get further away from the target.
The other thing to keep in mind with non-free floating handguards is that the vibrations can also have an effect on any accessories attached to them. This is most important when taking optics into consideration, but the vibrations can be enough to affect other accessories over time.
Best Hunting Accessories For An AR
The proper rifle hunting accessories can help make for an all around better experience as well. Fortunately, companies like RailScales have a vast array of options available to outfit your hunting rifle. It's important to know what types of accessories will help each build perform better. Speaking of AR accessories, you’ll probably want one or two for each of your different hunting setups. Your need for different scopes or other optics will vary based on your intended quarry. In addition, it’s a good idea to have backup sights in the event that a powered sight fails, so invest in a fixed iron sight that won’t inhibit your primary optic or take up too much space on your rail system. It’s also worth adding on RailScales, a hand stop, and/or a vertical grip based on your preferences. Explore all the best in lightweight, durable, and heat-resistant AR accessories with RailScales to complete your hunting setups today!
New for Fall 2023: Introducing the HTP XOS in MLOK
In the ever-evolving world of firearm accessories, RailScales is proud to present its latest innovation: the High Temp Polymer (HTP) injection molded version of our G10 machined XOS RailScales. The HTP XOS scales are designed to take your shooting experience to a whole new level. Here's what you need to know about this exciting addition to our product lineup.
Enhanced Grip and Heat Protection
The HTP XOS scales are a 3-sided solution, offering more than twice the grip surface compared to our traditional HTP Scales. This expanded surface area is achieved through the addition of a 135º wing on each side of the panel, allowing the HTP XOS to wrap tightly around your rail. The result is a seamless grip area that provides unparalleled handling and heat protection.
Color Options to Match Your Style
We understand that customization is key for firearm enthusiasts. That's why the HTP XOS scales are available in four popular industry colors: Black, Flat Dark Earth, Sniper Grey, and OD Green. Whether you prefer a classic look or want to make a statement with your firearm, we've got you covered. These scales are sold individually, giving you the flexibility to outfit your firearm with added texture, grip, and heat protection at a reduced cost.
MLOK Compatibility
The HTP XOS scales are designed to accommodate most popular MLOK handguard rail systems. We've carefully crafted these scales to ensure a precise fit and hassle-free installation. However, we recommend checking the specifications below to confirm compatibility with your specific rail system.
Specifications:
- New HTP Near-Infrared (NIR) material
- 3.5 MLOK Slots
- Width: 1.150"
- Thickness: 0.125"
- Length: 5.520"
- Weight: 0.85 oz each with hardware
- 416 US-made stainless nuts
- T20 TORX US-made fasteners
Introducing HTP Near-Infrared (NIR) Material
Our HTP scales have always been known for their heat stabilization and high-strength properties, thanks to the inclusion of 50% long glass fiber. This unique composition provides excellent rigidity and high heat distortion temperature (HDT) of 500º. The crystalline properties and glass loading make our HTP scales minimally susceptible to warpage, even to the extent of serving as a substitute for die-cast metal parts.
Now, with the introduction of the HTP XOS scales, we've incorporated a new Near-Infrared (NIR) compliant upgrade to our material. Originally formulated for a recent military contract, the HTP NIR material has been integrated into our commercial product line. This IR additive has remarkable properties, as it absorbs Short Wave IR radiation (non-visible light) while preventing the emission of longer-wave IR radiation (visible light). The result? These scales are virtually invisible when viewed using night vision or FLIR equipment, making them a game-changer for low-light shooting situations.
Keep an eye out for the "NIR" marking on the back of our HTP line, and stay tuned as the new HTP NIR material will be making its way to the rest of our HTP product line by the end of 2024.
Browse Our Rifle Hunting Accessories
At RailScales, we understand that firearm customization is a personal journey. That's why the HTP XOS scales are sold individually, allowing you to select the quantity that suits your preferences and needs. We're dedicated to providing you with the tools you need to elevate your shooting experience.
With the HTP XOS in MLOK, RailScales continues to set the standard for innovation and performance in the world of firearm accessories. Elevate your practice, elevate your skills, and elevate your entire shooting experience with RailScales. Make your firearm uniquely yours with our latest addition: the HTP XOS scales. Get ready to experience a new level of grip, control, and heat protection.