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1/18/2012 4:45:31 AM EDT
I have been looking to build a AR of some type. By that I mean I started out wanting to build a 6.8 SPC but a buddy finished his and said he wishes he would of done a 308. So I started looking around and found out about the 300 Backout and thought that would be fun to but it doesnt have the long range accuracy that I want to be able to do with this rifle. What should I do?
1/18/2012 4:50:11 AM EDT
[#1]
What specifically do you want to do with the rifle?

Do you want to use it with a suppressor?
1/18/2012 5:34:31 AM EDT
[#2]
Maybe a little deer hunting and some distance shooting like out to 500

and prolly not a suppressor
1/18/2012 6:18:44 AM EDT
[#3]




Quoted:

Maybe a little deer hunting and some distance shooting like out to 500



and prolly not a suppressor




6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel would be a much better fit for this role than .300 Blackout. The blackout shines in a suppressed role, but isn't as great in other areas.



I would reccomend a 5.56 as your first upper. Ammo is cheap to shoot, you can shoot out to 500m without issues, and you can hunt dear and hog no problem. Some states have regulations against using .223 or 5.56 for hunting and in those states its a good idea to move to the 6.8 or 6.5.
1/18/2012 12:27:49 PM EDT
[#4]
^^This^^

Unless you want to go extreme long range (600-1000) a 308 platform is not needed.
1/18/2012 4:23:55 PM EDT
[#5]
.308 ARs are heavy, almost no way around that, so if you're idea of hunting involves a lot of walking around and that sort of thing I wouldn't take a .308 AR. Several pounds more than a typical 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, or 5.56.

I think everyone should have a 5.56 AR, so that's what I would (and did) start with. The right set up with the right bullets will get you out to 500 easily enough. You could use the same lower with either a 6.8 or a 6.5 upper, so all you would need is the different upper and proper magazines. Of course you will eventually want to build another lower to suit the different upper, and eventually some spare parts will come along and grown into another rifle, etc. 5.56 just makes a great start point because its easy and reasonably cheap to shoot and ammo is available pretty much anywhere. It may not be the best choice for hunting depending on what and where you are hunting so thats where the other upper comes in.
1/18/2012 5:34:05 PM EDT
[#6]
is 223 legal for deer in kansas? if so that would be my first build . if not then 308 with out a doubt. a 308 is heavier than a the smaller frame guns of course but it dont have to weigh a metric ton. factory ammo is much easier to come by and there is alot better selection of ammo.  leave all the tacticool stuff off just get a good light weight fore arm a practical scope and a good sling the difference in weight will not be that big of a deal.
1/18/2012 6:49:52 PM EDT
[#7]
Out to 500 and hunt deer on the side, 6.5 grendel with no doubt.
1/18/2012 6:50:33 PM EDT
[#8]
hunting? 6.8 all the way. Targets out to 500yds? The 6.8 can do that too.
1/19/2012 2:43:45 AM EDT
[#9]
I have a 223 already and also on that Kansas doesnt let you hunt deer with a 223/556.
1/19/2012 2:53:45 AM EDT
[#10]
Quoted:
I have a 223 already and also on that Kansas doesnt let you hunt deer with a 223/556.


Is your 223 in a AR platform?
1/19/2012 2:59:49 AM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
Maybe a little deer hunting and some distance shooting like out to 500

and prolly not a suppressor

If you reload, then 6.x. Otherwise, .308. The 6.x family doesn't have the long range the .308 provides, but it does allow lighter weight weapons. On the other hand, .308 factory ammunition tends to be less expensive and much more readily available.

I went with .308, but I only hunt steel and paper out to around 800 yards, so the 15 pounds of rifle and accoutrements isn't much of an issue for me.
1/19/2012 7:55:16 AM EDT
[#12]
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a 223 already and also on that Kansas doesnt let you hunt deer with a 223/556.


Is your 223 in a AR platform?


yep
1/19/2012 3:25:57 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I have a 223 already and also on that Kansas doesnt let you hunt deer with a 223/556.


Is your 223 in a AR platform?


yep


Even more of a reason to go with a 6.5 or 6.8. As mentioned, if you are really going to stretch it out, the 6.5 would be a better choice....
1/19/2012 7:24:11 PM EDT
[#14]
Quoted:

Quoted:
Maybe a little deer hunting and some distance shooting like out to 500

and prolly not a suppressor


6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel would be a much better fit for this role than .300 Blackout. The blackout shines in a suppressed role, but isn't as great in other areas.

I would reccomend a 5.56 as your first upper. Ammo is cheap to shoot, you can shoot out to 500m without issues, and you can hunt dear and hog no problem. Some states have regulations against using .223 or 5.56 for hunting and in those states its a good idea to move to the 6.8 or 6.5.


I'd echo the suggestion about the 6.5G.

If you want to take down deer and punch paper way the hell out into BFE in a compact AR-15 package, then friend, that's exactly what you need. 6.8 SPC might give you a little better punch inside of 300 yards or so, but past that, the 6.5 G really shines.
1/20/2012 5:20:26 AM EDT
[#15]
Can you use the same Lower from a 5.56 for a 6.5?

Quoted:
Quoted:

Quoted:
Maybe a little deer hunting and some distance shooting like out to 500

and prolly not a suppressor


6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel would be a much better fit for this role than .300 Blackout. The blackout shines in a suppressed role, but isn't as great in other areas.

I would reccomend a 5.56 as your first upper. Ammo is cheap to shoot, you can shoot out to 500m without issues, and you can hunt dear and hog no problem. Some states have regulations against using .223 or 5.56 for hunting and in those states its a good idea to move to the 6.8 or 6.5.


I'd echo the suggestion about the 6.5G.

If you want to take down deer and punch paper way the hell out into BFE in a compact AR-15 package, then friend, that's exactly what you need. 6.8 SPC might give you a little better punch inside of 300 yards or so, but past that, the 6.5 G really shines.


1/20/2012 6:18:39 AM EDT
[#16]
6.5G's handiwork



p.s. don't mind the AFG position, its back where it should be now

I think you can't go wrong with the 6.5 or the 6.8, and although I'm a 6.5 fan, the 6.8 will serve you well too.
1/20/2012 8:29:55 AM EDT
[#17]
Yes, you can use the same lower for the 6.5 that you use in your 5.56. If you want to do long range shooting I would get the 6.5 over the 6.8. If you want a 12" SBR for traipsing through the woods I would get the 6.8, but that doesn't sound like what you want.
1/20/2012 11:53:33 AM EDT
[#18]
Same lower yes, but you will need different magazines
1/20/2012 12:42:38 PM EDT
[#19]
I would go with .308. A lot of choices now...Armalite, CMMG, DPMS, LMT, LaRue. Also mag choices. Armalite M14 mag on their rifle and PMags can be used on them.
Military caliber. Ammo easy to find.
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