AR Sponsor
Posted: 7/8/2016 5:22:23 PM EDT
|
I've got a couple of 5.56 mm ARs that I consider reliable - a 16" with Trijicon reflex, and a 20" with a PA 1-6x scope. I've got two stripped lowers and a stripped upper in house, with another lower and upper on the way as I type this. I want to build the receivers that are en route - a matched Anderson set - into something different than the .223/5.56 that I already have. I also want whatever I build to be practical - I have no need, nor do I want - a 50BMG AR.
Should I go 300 BO, 6.8, something else? I'm not a big hunter, but I could hunt if I had more time. NFA is not in the picture right now, so SBRs and suppressors do not factor. A pistol would be acceptable. Longest shot I would typically take is 300 yards, and that's not often - usually 200 and in. I have access to a 600 yard target area, but it would be rare that I would consider that, let alone do it. For the longer stuff I would consider building a .308 AR. Okay, folks...let me hear your recommendations. |
|
Based on your criteria, I would say 9mm pistol. Cheap(er) to shoot and a ton of fun.
You can get an insert for your lower if you want to go with colt pattern mags- I think I got mine from PSA.along with the upper. Glock mag compatible lowers have gotten pretty popular of late too. I love my 6.8- for hunting. And a .300 shines in short barrel and suppressed IMO. |
|
Quoted:
6.5 Grendel and you will never need the .308 AR. If there is any steel at the local ranges, you'll see why when you shoot it.  http://youtu.be/i_ajiB0kkycI just saw your posts in a GD thread about you choosing the 6.5 over the .308. Questions: 1. Is it as easy to reload as other calibers? I would assume that if you find bullets it's no different. 2. How is the Wolf ammo in that caliber vs. the brass cased offerings? I don't really believe in the availability argument when it comes to stocking up on ammo, because the "common calibers" will always be the ones that get neck-bearded. 3. Any particular makers and/or parts that you recommend, and is it a caliber that lends itself to a build or should I buy a factory upper? Edit: Question 4: What was your reason in choosing the 6.5 over a 6.8? Was it just the long-rang capability, or was there more? As I said in my original post I could shoot 600 to 700 yards at a location I have access to but it will be a rare event so while the long range benefit of the 6.5 is great I don't know if I'll make my decision based on that alone. |
|
Quoted:
I just saw your posts in a GD thread about you choosing the 6.5 over the .308. Questions: 1. Is it as easy to reload as other calibers? I would assume that if you find bullets it's no different. 2. How is the Wolf ammo in that caliber vs. the brass cased offerings? I don't really believe in the availability argument when it comes to stocking up on ammo, because the "common calibers" will always be the ones that get neck-bearded. 3. Any particular makers and/or parts that you recommend, and is it a caliber that lends itself to a build or should I buy a factory upper? Edit: Question 4: What was your reason in choosing the 6.5 over a 6.8? Was it just the long-rang capability, or was there more? As I said in my original post I could shoot 600 to 700 yards at a location I have access to but it will be a rare event so while the long range benefit of the 6.5 is great I don't know if I'll make my decision based on that alone. Quoted:
Quoted:
6.5 Grendel and you will never need the .308 AR. If there is any steel at the local ranges, you'll see why when you shoot it. http://youtu.be/i_ajiB0kkycI just saw your posts in a GD thread about you choosing the 6.5 over the .308. Questions: 1. Is it as easy to reload as other calibers? I would assume that if you find bullets it's no different. 2. How is the Wolf ammo in that caliber vs. the brass cased offerings? I don't really believe in the availability argument when it comes to stocking up on ammo, because the "common calibers" will always be the ones that get neck-bearded. 3. Any particular makers and/or parts that you recommend, and is it a caliber that lends itself to a build or should I buy a factory upper? Edit: Question 4: What was your reason in choosing the 6.5 over a 6.8? Was it just the long-rang capability, or was there more? As I said in my original post I could shoot 600 to 700 yards at a location I have access to but it will be a rare event so while the long range benefit of the 6.5 is great I don't know if I'll make my decision based on that alone. 1. Same basic principles for loading for a gas gun/AR15 apply. Full-length size, ensure shoulder is set back enough, seat primers below flush, watch magazine-allowable COL, then the lands. It's very forgiving with all the bullets I have tried, but I have the compound throat SAAMI chambers, so it shoots both tangent and secant ogive equally well for me. 2. The Steel cased ammo is a nice and affordable option for those that want to stack it deep and cheap, or those who don't want to chase brass on a hunt or event. We're of the same thoughts on availability. Everything common was gone during the last panic. Lots of oddball cartridges were the only things available. 3. For someone like me who has been eyeball-deep in the AR15 since the 1980s, builds were the natural thing for me. I recommend parts from AA, Lilja, JP, and PF. AA has barrels for $195, bolts for $79-$93.50. 4. Projectile availability, sectional density, BC, brass availability, and usable ogive length in the AR15 all pointed me to the 6.5 Grendel over the 6.8. I researched and watched the growing pains of each cartridge for 5 years as a general rule, then made my decision. Lapua brass is a big positive, since it lasts so long, which means my most expensive component for loading will get more mileage than other brands. Another real positive for 6.5 Grendel is that it had competent engineering and development from the start through the present, and passed SAAMI standardization without a hitch. The shortest explanation for my move to 6.5 Grendel was that it replaced most of the performance of .308 for me, with wind drift advantages, but with none of the negatives in terms of weapon size/weight, recoil, and dissimilar platform issues in the larger frame ARs. Being able to watch your own hits from such a lightweight gun, with no muzzle brake, but with recognizable hits on steel at distance is all kinds of win for me and everyone that shoots it. Then being able to take the same gun and hunt with it without making any changes, with no measurable difference in terminal performance compared to heavier .308 loads, and you have a one-gun solution for a lot of problems. Here's some recent results with the 129gr ABLR on Texas hogs. Somewhat oblique shot into the chest, DRT, lungs turned to pools of blood, heart badly damaged, etc. 
|
AR Sponsor