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AR Caliber Conundrum
#7141338
04/15/18 11:05 AM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,810
RattlesnakeDan
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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?
Just like Jesus, sometimes you gotta kill some hogs. Lone Star Mesquite . com RattleSnake Dan's Shredding Service
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: RattlesnakeDan]
#7141362
04/15/18 12:19 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,307
Deans
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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.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” ISAIAH 41:10
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: RattlesnakeDan]
#7141369
04/15/18 12:52 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
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wtjim
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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
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: RattlesnakeDan]
#7141435
04/15/18 02:19 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,031
Vern1
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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.
Cheers, Vern1 Texans since The Old 300 in 1824 NRA Lifetime Member
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: RattlesnakeDan]
#7141457
04/15/18 02:40 PM
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,136
Dalee7892
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Anybody think of the 7.62x39 round?
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: Double Naught Spy]
#7141470
04/15/18 02:50 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,083
J.G.
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: Dalee7892]
#7141474
04/15/18 02:53 PM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 347
TX Hitman
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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. 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.
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: RattlesnakeDan]
#7141502
04/15/18 03:39 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,031
Vern1
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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.
Cheers, Vern1 Texans since The Old 300 in 1824 NRA Lifetime Member
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: RattlesnakeDan]
#7141515
04/15/18 03:55 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,817
Wildphilhickup
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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 ?
MILL CREEK HONEY BEE FARM, LLC millcreekhoneybeefarm @yahoo.com
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: RattlesnakeDan]
#7141519
04/15/18 04:04 PM
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Joined: May 2006
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HWY_MAN
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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.
Yes! A Weatherby does kill them deader.
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: HWY_MAN]
#7141526
04/15/18 04:31 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 27,891
skinnerback
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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. The Grendel and the 6.8 SPC are both bad mamma jamma's.
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: bronco71]
#7141552
04/15/18 05:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 22,268
7mag
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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.
"Laugh with many, but don't trust any"
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: RattlesnakeDan]
#7141584
04/15/18 06:52 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,788
dogcatcher
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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.
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: RattlesnakeDan]
#7141605
04/15/18 08:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,083
J.G.
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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.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: RattlesnakeDan]
#7141610
04/15/18 08:41 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 632
Tim9880
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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.
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: RattlesnakeDan]
#7141792
04/16/18 12:41 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,789
ZenArchery
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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.
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: RattlesnakeDan]
#7141811
04/16/18 01:07 AM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,810
RattlesnakeDan
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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
Just like Jesus, sometimes you gotta kill some hogs. Lone Star Mesquite . com RattleSnake Dan's Shredding Service
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: RattlesnakeDan]
#7141819
04/16/18 01:19 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,356
bronco71
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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.
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: RattlesnakeDan]
#7141836
04/16/18 01:35 AM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,810
RattlesnakeDan
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May research that 224 Valkyrie!
Just like Jesus, sometimes you gotta kill some hogs. Lone Star Mesquite . com RattleSnake Dan's Shredding Service
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: RattlesnakeDan]
#7142059
04/16/18 12:48 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,031
Vern1
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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.
Cheers, Vern1 Texans since The Old 300 in 1824 NRA Lifetime Member
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Re: AR Caliber Conundrum
[Re: Vern1]
#7142069
04/16/18 01:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,638
Pitchfork Predator
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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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