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AR Caliber Conundrum #7141338 04/15/18 11:05 AM
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So I have a 6.8 for longer field shots and a 300 bo for creek bottom stalking. Both serve their purpose pretty well. But..I am putting together a lower and can't make up my mind on a third caliber to have. I do not reload so off the shelf ammo is important. Any suggestions and why you would choose it?


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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141357 04/15/18 12:11 PM
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223? Cheap ammo and a hoot to shoot.

Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141361 04/15/18 12:19 PM
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What do you want it for?


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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141362 04/15/18 12:19 PM
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You can go with .223/5.56. With Wilde chambered barrel you can run either .223 or 5.56. Since you don't reload, ammo can be purchased economically for plinking. You can also purchase ammo suited more for hunting.


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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141369 04/15/18 12:52 PM
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#1 223/556
#2 6.5 Grendel
I love my 6.5G but you don't have a 223/556 so I would suggest that above all else then a Grendel

Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141435 04/15/18 02:19 PM
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To accompany what you already have, a 223 Wylde chamber in a good quality 1/8 twist barrel.

Like someone already said, it will shoot 223 or 5.56 safely.
The 1/8 twist barrel will shoot heavier bullets accurately and still do a good job with lighter bullets.
Lots of good factory ammo in that caliber.
From personal experience, the factory 69gr OTMBTs work well on whitetails.

Or, you could go big bore like 450 Bushmaster, 458 Socom, or similar.
Since you don't reload, these tend to be expensive to shoot.
Even if you do reload, they are still fairly expensive to reload.
I had a couple of 458 Socoms for a while.
They were a hoot to shoot and did the job quite well on pigs.
I cried every time I lost a piece of brass as they were only available from one source and were about a buck each.


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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141457 04/15/18 02:40 PM
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Anybody think of the 7.62x39 round?

Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: Double Naught Spy] #7141470 04/15/18 02:50 PM
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Originally Posted By: Double Naught Spy
What do you want it for?


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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: Dalee7892] #7141474 04/15/18 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted By: Dalee7892
Anybody think of the 7.62x39 round?


The 7.62 is my all around AR at the moment. Mainly because the cost of ammo.

223/556 - cheap ammo. Too light for most pigs that are running.
300 - $1 per shot
308 - $1 per shot
6.5 - $1+ per shot
7.62 - .21 per shot

I dont feel bad when I blow thru a magazine or 2 chasing down a jackrabbit or coyote. banana

Keep in mind too the the lower for a 223/556 and a 300blk are interchangeable. All you need is to swap the upper and essentially have 2 guns for a reasonable price.

Last edited by TX Hitman; 04/15/18 02:56 PM.
Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141502 04/15/18 03:39 PM
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7.62x39 can be problematic in the AR platform.

The tapered case is hard on bolts and I've seen a few rip the lugs off the bolt, one that I was shooting.
Magazines sometimes need adjustment and can be a pain.
Not all ammo feeds reliably.
Hollow points and softtips sometimes hang up on the feed ramps and jam.

Most of the ammo is nasty and will require more cleaning but the smell of the burnt powder brings back memories.
Some of the mil-surp ammo is corrosive and requires a good cleaning.
Magazines can be adjusted pretty easily also.

Most of the ammo in this caliber has hard primers.
There are extended firing pins specifically for this cal that help quite a bit.
Since the primers are hard, even with the special firing pin, SOME light weight hammer springs just won't fire them reliably.

That being said, I do plan to build another one.

The main thing to consider is the barrel and bolt head.
Get one with a proven track record and you are GTG.
Some barrel manufacturers just screw on a .223/5.56 barrel extension with 22 cal feed ramps on a 7.62 barrel and call it good which leads to feeding problems.
The reliable ones use 30 cal extensions with wider feed ramps.

Please understand I'm not trying to put you off this caliber but make you aware of possible problems up front so you can work thru them.


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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141515 04/15/18 03:55 PM
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To accompany what you already have, a 223 Wylde chamber in a good quality 1/8 twist barrel.
Like someone already said, it will shoot 223 or 5.56 safely.


So, if it is NOT a Wylde Chamber, it is NOT safe to shoot 223 / 5.56 ? confused2


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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141519 04/15/18 04:04 PM
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Paying attention to this thread. Why I'm thinking about another AR I don't really know, after a couple of months of fumbling with them in the truck I get rid of them. The 5.56 just doesn't have enough of what I want and the AR-10 is just too big and bulky. The AR platform in a 6.5 Grendel is sure getting my attention.


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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: HWY_MAN] #7141526 04/15/18 04:31 PM
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Originally Posted By: HWY_MAN
Paying attention to this thread. Why I'm thinking about another AR I don't really know, after a couple of months of fumbling with them in the truck I get rid of them. The 5.56 just doesn't have enough of what I want and the AR-10 is just too big and bulky. The AR platform in a 6.5 Grendel is sure getting my attention.


The Grendel and the 6.8 SPC are both bad mamma jamma's. up

Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141532 04/15/18 04:45 PM
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.224 Valkyrie

Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: bronco71] #7141552 04/15/18 05:13 PM
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I have a couple of ARs both in 223. One is my carry duty rifle the other is my hog aka truck gun. You might consider what you want to do with this next build.

I am not a fan of 223 for deer size game in any rifle. Might consider the Grendel of you want that kinda of power for hunting. 7.62 is good also for shots out to about 100 yards. Best of luck on what you decide.


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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141576 04/15/18 06:20 PM
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The .30 Remington AR comes to mind. Think of it as a .300 BO on steroids.

Info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.30_Remington_AR

Factory Ammo Here: https://www.targetsportsusa.com/30-remington-ar-ammo-c-958.aspx

About $1/round or premium monolithic bullets $1.50/round


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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141584 04/15/18 06:52 PM
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I like simplicity, I want my weapons to be in as few calibers as I need and want. I stay away from any caliber that is not a popular round and available at most retail locations. 223, 243, 270 and 308 fill all of my needs and wants, I consider anything else a "bastard" caliber that have their uses, but I don't need anymore. I used to include 30-06, but my trips to Colorado etc., ended when I "inherited" a wheelchair and a walker. I no longer need that caliber.


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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141605 04/15/18 08:21 PM
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If I had to have only one AR-15, it would be chambered in 6.5 Grendel, zero doubt about it. I've had customers out with them, and some at our Hunter's Rifle Challenge. That cartridge with 123 gr bullets impresses me.


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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141610 04/15/18 08:41 PM
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And if you pay attention, you can find Hornady 123 grain around $.80 /round pretty regular. And cheap wolf steel case if you want blasting ammo.

Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141792 04/16/18 12:41 AM
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With what you already possess. Id get a .223/5.56 or Wylde.
Pretty versatile and super cheap ammo.
I look at it as Small, Medium, Large.
Youve got the Medium and Large.
Now get you a Small.

Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141811 04/16/18 01:07 AM
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Appreciate the input guys. I should have stated that I don't really want another 223. Maybe I was hoping I would get talked into a 458 socom or something interesting and new. lol


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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141819 04/16/18 01:19 AM
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ok, the .224 Valkyrie is not just another .223, shoots a 90 grain bullet effectively to 1000 yards. If looking large the .450 Bushmaster is an option with Remington factory ammo, the .458 Socom ammo is pricey, last I checked it was only loaded by Corbon. Also check out the .300 OSSM, basically a .25 WSSM with a 30 caliber bullet, pretty wicked out of an AR-15.

Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7141836 04/16/18 01:35 AM
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May research that 224 Valkyrie!


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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: RattlesnakeDan] #7142059 04/16/18 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted By: RattlesnakeDan
May research that 224 Valkyrie!


You said you don't reload.
I'm not sure that this is mainstream enough to have factory ammo yet.

If you just want something to play with, that 458 Socom is calling your name!
Or you could take up reloading, then you can really shoot what you want with ammo tailored to the task at hand.

See how we like to help folks spend their money!

And you are required to post photos of your new boom stick when finished.


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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum [Re: Vern1] #7142069 04/16/18 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted By: Vern1
Originally Posted By: RattlesnakeDan
May research that 224 Valkyrie!


You said you don't reload.
I'm not sure that this is mainstream enough to have factory ammo yet.

If you just want something to play with, that 458 Socom is calling your name!
Or you could take up reloading, then you can really shoot what you want with ammo tailored to the task at hand.

See how we like to help folks spend their money!

And you are required to post photos of your new boom stick when finished.


It's on the shelf at Cabelas so not too hard to find now. I guess depends on how much they sell.


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