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Posted: 12/7/2010 3:20:49 AM EDT
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I've got 2 AR's in 5.56/.223 and want to build another but really can't decide on what. It will be used for a target rifle and I'm looking for good accuracy. I kinda want to stick with a caliber that I already reload so my choices are 308, 7.62x39 and of course .223 but if there another I need to look at that's always an option. What I've got in mind is a 20+" SS bull barrel, free float handguard, scoped, adjustable sniper type stock, bi-pod. I normally shoot in the 100yd range but want to start reaching out further, 200-300 yds and even further if I can find somewhere to do that.
What do you think, change caliber or stick with 5.56/.223? |
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I just bought a 16" 6.5 Grendel and I really like this cartridge. The 6.5 G can use reformed (fire formed) 7.62 X 39 brass or you can buy new Hornady or Lapua brass. The 6.5 uses .264 bullets which have higher ballistic coefficient than say .224 bullets. The 6.5 Grendel doesn't start as fast as some cartridges but it doesn't shed velocity very fast and is good for long range target work. My rifle has been 100% on function and is way more accurate than I can shoot it. One of the forum members posted these chronograph results from 20" and 16" barrels. I think the 6.5 G is a lot better intermediate cartridge than the 7.62 X 39 and very similar to 6.8 SPC.
Here ya go, these are for factory loads 20 inch Alexander Arms GDMR: Alexander Arms 100 grain Berger OTM 2,847 Alexander Arms Barnes 120 grain TSX 2,551 Alexander Arms Nosler 120 grain Ballistic Tip 2,600 Alexander Arms Lapua 123 grain Scenar 2,627 Hornady 123 grain A-MAX 2,582 Alexander Arms 16 inch Mid-Length carbine: Alexander Arms Berger 100 grain OTM 2,723 Alexander Arms Barnes 120 grain TSX 2,494 Alexander Arms Nosler 120 grain Ballistic Tip 2,535 Alexander Arms Lapua 123 grain Scenar 2,523 Hornady 123 grain A-MAX 2,463 |
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If you're wanting to target shoot out to 300 yards, you are limiting yourself. The Soviet round is not a good contender and 308 won't fit on the platform without going to a wildcat. Of your three choices its going to be 223.
If you're willing to take the next step up for long range rifle then the options open up for you& its time to start lots of research. To be happy with it at 300, it will have to consistantly shoot MOA. Lots of setups will put 3 or 5 in an inch but not as many will do 10 that way. Before you drop the bucks on a custom unit, find someone that will let you try their's out. It could save you a lot of grief. MLG |
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Quoted:
If you're willing to take the next step up for long range rifle then the options open up for you& its time to start lots of research. MLG The next step, are you talking about moving away from the AR platform to a bolt rifle? If so I think I want to stay with the AR, just really curious it something is better than 308 or 223. |
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if 300 is all there is and you are just paper punching, i would stick to the 223. Use the extra $$ over an "oddball calibler" and spend it on a good barrel, trigger, and scope! this is coming from a 6.5 grendel owner! (i bought the 6.5 for hunting) Right now I don't have anywhere to shoot over about 250yds, and yes, paper it is. The more I look around the more I'm starting to agree with you. There are a lot fewer options in the other calibers and I could use the extra money on a nice scope. First I've got to sell a AK to help fund some of this fun, but I'm going to keep looking. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
If you're willing to take the next step up for long range rifle then the options open up for you& its time to start lots of research. MLG The next step, are you talking about moving away from the AR platform to a bolt rifle? If so I think I want to stay with the AR, just really curious it something is better than 308 or 223. No sir. I' talking about custom building a purpose built AR in a non standard chambering or at least in 6.5 or 6.8. But before someone starts down that path they really need to know that is what they want. Especially if you decide to build a wildcat. There is a lot more reloading headaches with non standard rounds and for real precision shooting. They can be very satisfying but can also be expensive. MLG |
| I have to agree that for the range you are describing you won't get much better than a .223 for punching paper. If you intend to go out to longer ranges in the future (500+) then I would say a good .308 AR would be the ticket if you are limited to the calibers you listed. Otherwise a 6.5 Grendel in the AR15 platform or a .260 Remington, 6.5 Creedmore, or 7mm-08 in a .308 AR platform would be nice for long range paper punching as well. |
Adding another caliber to my lineup would only mean adding dies, bullets and brass, that's all. Not that big of a deal, just started thinking 308 since I already have a Thompson Center Icon 308 bolt gun. This project is just in the research stage and will probably take a year to complete, that is if my obessive compulsiveness don't take over and I load up the plastic  . Probably going to start with a Mega billet receiver set. Kreiger barrel is on the short list. Still searching and researching and I appreciate all the comments. Each sends me in a different search direction and if for nothing else I'm learning a lot.
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The only problem with the .308 Win family of cartridges is that you have to go to the AR 10 receiver. Sticking with the 6.5, 6.8 & other short/small head cased cartridges enables you to you to use your existing lower receiver. Albit, a quality trigger is mandatory.
If you go to the larger AR 10, the options available to you are almost limitless. MLG |
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A stated earlier, If 300 yards is max range and you wont really be hunting with it, then .223 is the way to go.
Also stated earlier, if you want to go to 308 then you need to get into a whole new class of recievers. You also mentioned doing a Mega build. I am currently working on a Mega MA-TEN build in 308. That is a very good option for the 308 class of rifle. There is a FAQ type thread for the Mega MA-TEN here on arfcom that is very helpful. I like that the MA-TEN uses DPMS/SR-25 style mags (very easy to find, magpul even makes a 308 pmag for this platform), it also allows you to use either a DPMS or AR-10 style barrel and respective BCG, mega is very high quality stuff, and it is one the 308 rifles that lets you use the most of AR-15 parts for the lower, the parts that are unique to the MA-TEN are included with the upper/lower set. |
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I've think I've decided to stick with .223, basically just for the cost factor, like someone stated before, I can probably build a much nicer gun for the same money. I've sent Kreiger an email to get a quote for a custom barrel and I guess I'll go from there. There is a gun show in town next weekend so I may try to pick up a lower if I can find one I like. I think I want to do billet, but is there a big enough difference to justify the extra cost of billet over milled? Not that the cost is that much more, but if I can just pick one up and not have to order, pay shipping and FFL, etc...that's worth something. I like the Spikes stuff and have seem receiver sets for $275, compared to a Mega billet set for $409, the difference would almost buy the bolt carrier or another par, are they worth it?.
I put an ad in the paper to sell my AK, the started yesterday and first thing I got a call and sold it. Funny thing is I reconized the voice when I answered the phone, it was one of my customers from work. I'm going out to his shop to drop it off this morning, so the seed money is ready. |
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