Ok guys, I have a couple AR-15s. One in .223 Wilde and one in .556. I have the itch for a different caliber on the same platform. Mainly a hog and large varmint gun. I have good bolt guns for deer and big game. What do y'all think of an AR in 7.62? I have one in my sights that is built completely on an AR frame. The big drawback is that it only uses specific mags from only 2 manufacturers. That scares me a bit but I can save a bunch of money over the CMMG Muntant and that can buy a bunch of mags. I also like that the ammo is everywhere and cheap. Thoughts?

7.62 what? If you're wanting to do the 7.62x39, everything I have read says c products mags work well.

Sorry, yes, 7.62X39

Id go 6.8SPC or 6.5 Grendel I think they prob both offer more hunting ammo options.

^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^ Known reliability and quality hunting ammo is readily available.

I have a 6.8, if I was doing it again I'd heavily consider the Grendel or shell out and get a lightweight AR10.

If I was going to build a 7.62x39 AR I would use a lower that takes AK mags. Either the PSA or CMMG.

I built a 7.62x39 with a standard multi cal lower and a Radical Firearms 16" upper. I use ASC 7.62x39 mags and have run steel surplus FMJ, HP, SP and brass cased FMJ and handloads through all of them without problems. I load Hornady 123 gr. SP in brass cases for dedicated hunting loads. I also pull the 123 gr. FMJ bullets from steel cases and replace with the same Hornady bullet. If you reload, good hunting ammo is not a big deal but if you are buying factory ammo, there is a somewhat limited selection and it is IMO too expensive to shoot much of.
The main reason I built it was to be able to shoot cheap ammo just for grins and chuckles but it is plenty accurate with good ammo for a hog rifle.

I built one last year and like it alot (especially for the $ I have in it). Standard lower with a Radical 16" upper (sounds similar to bar-d's setup.) The real trick is the ASC mags for smooth feeding, well worth the money. Mine is very reliable, and the Silver Bear 125gr SPs are very affordable soft points that actually expand.

I am a hand loader and could have built whatever I wanted (6.5G, 6.8SPC, etc). But, ultimately the large quantity of cheap 7.62 ammo I already had pushed me to the 7.62x39. I use it as a pig and general ranch gun, which means shots are generally under 150. The ballistic superiority of the other calibers was not a factor for me because I deer hunt with other bolt guns at longer ranges and don't see myself changing.

My sentiments exactly TxAg. Good to know on the Silver Bear SP TxAg, I'll have to give them a try. My setup looks just like the pic of yours except I am running a red dot instead of a scope. Nice rifle.

Thank you sir.

I have been pleased with the Silver Bear ammo. Will not provide hand load accuracy or consistency, but "good enough," especially at the price point! It's nice to be able to plink with the same ammo I hog hunt with.

6.5 grendel....no doubt....

6.5 Grendel or step up to an AR10. That would be my choices. IMHO, once you step up to an AR10 all the allure of other .30 cal AR variants (300blk, 7.62x39) dies pretty quick.

My son and I have AR's in 7.62x39. we got 10 round mags from MidwayUSA. We like 'em. We hunt with Hornaday ammo but plink a lot with cheap FMJ's. the cheap ammo is what makes it for me. I can shoot a bunch affordably. I got a buck, a pig and a turkey with the Hornaday and so did my son.

I have an Olypmic Arms lower with a Hardened Arms upper in the 7.62x39 everything that I have used, Bear ammo silver or gold or fmj has worked. The reason I didn't go to the other caliber cause I already had a SKS didn't want different ammo from what I have.

Thanks for the info. Other than the barrel and the magazine, what else would be different from a 556 build?

Bolt

Firing pin. I had a slight problem with steel case ammo with hard primers, it light striked them. So I ordered a enhanced firing pin from PSA which are slightly longer. It did the job. Now deep strikes on steel cased ammo. Just my

And every round will be far more expensive than the venerable AK round.

Not true, you can get steel-cased Grendel now for about the same price as 7.62x39.

Yep and the little grendel is a joy to shoot, and pops pigs really hard...

Ed

I can get a box of 20, x39's at Academy for $6. Where can you get 6.5 G's at that price? I may need to get a new upper.

SGAmmo has it for $4.95 a box. Here's a list of prices and availability:

http://ammoseek.com/ammo/6.5mm-grendel

I see a new cal. in the stable. Thnx

4 new factory loads have been added this year for the Grendel Hornady (123gr ELD-M) and Federal (120gr HPBT, 120gr Fusion, 130gr Berger AR Hybrid Gold Medal Match).

That is in addition to Hornady SST, Wolf steel cased and brass cased, Precision Firearms has several as well as Alexander Arms.

2 Bolt action rifles are now being made in the Grendel and seems another AR manufacture is adding it to their stable every week or so.

I have shot deer and hogs with the 7.62X39 and the Grendel and prefer the latter for deeper penetration from higher sectional density bullets and a better choice in bullets to reload. And when I want to stretch its legs past 200 yards the Grendel has a velocity, energy and drop advantage. Plus with the cheap wolf ammo for plinking why not.