I have never been an AR guy but I have one in .223 Wylde that I never use. I’d like some feedback from the AR experts, is it better to just sell it and buy what I want vs change the barrel, bolt and mag on what I have to a 6.5 Grendel ?

Appreciate any feedback on this

Here’s the one I would convert … https://texashuntingforum.com/forum...precision-223-wylde-for-sale#Post9166997

It's hard to get your money out of an AR these days, just too many on the market. I'd consider changing out the barrel and bolt. You could make the gun into a 6mm ARC which ain't bad, 6.5 Grendel as you've mentioned, or a 6.8 SPC which makes a pretty good hog gun, and there are some other options as well. You're probably going to have the best ammo options with the 6mm ARC if you are not a handloader (but I am guessing---I don't shoot that nasty store-boughten ammo).

You'd probably have better luck peddling the barrel and bolt to someone who wants to make a .223 / 5.56 out of something thy already have or are simply building from stripped uppers and/or lowers.

That's all just my opinion, though.

I bought a 6.5 Grendel upper and used it on the 223 lower. Worked fine. Later got another lower for the Grendel.

Buy or build an upper

This.

The lower is fine for everything ar15 and it's 2 pins to swap.

Yeah... unless money is a big problem I'd consider buying or building an upper in the cartridge you want. If you swap out the barrel you still have to pony up a lot of money for BCG, new barrel, maybe (depends) a new hand guard, gas system and mags. Add up the costs and you'll have your answer. Plus there is nothing wrong with having a 223 Wylde upper laying around.

...and that's how I found myself with eight or nine ARs in the house at one time. A spare upper always seems to attract another complete lower.

I had a pair of triggers on the shelf once, purchased because they were too good a deal to pass up, and they blossomed into complete guns.

I'd buy a barrel and a bolt and call it good, and then peddle the original barrel and bolt ASAP (and sell 'em dirt cheap, too, if necessary) before they morph into a project. But then again, maybe it's just a weakness in my nature.

Yup.

Every American over 18 years old, that is not a felon should have one AR-15 in .223/5.56 or .223 Wylde. And 2000 rounds to go with it. Even if you don't use it, keep it.

Building an upper means you can get the barrel length, contour, and twist rate you want. You can get the gas length you want, an adjustable gas block, and the BCG you want. You can DIY it with less than $100 in tools. It's not too difficult. Or, there's plenty of people here (including myself) that are more than capable of it.

Just shoot it in 223, with the right bullets it'll probably be fine

What if you want to be a real man and have that upper in 6.5 Grendel?

After being anti-AR in the past, I now have way too many in the safe. Most of them happened just like you describe. I almost have enough spare parts to build two more at this point.

^^^ This. One lower can be used for various upper calibers, .22LR, .204, .223, 5.56, .300BO, & 6.5G.

This is how it went for me. I can not stand just having a random upper without a lower. They always morph into an entire gun. It’s a sickness.

If you don't shoot it now why do you think you're going to shoot it with a different caliber?

My experience as well. I also figured out that having optics on a QD mount kind of sucks. The scope has to be zeroed whenever it's moved to another rifle.

HAHAHA - I love this Topic especially on a Snow Day (no where to go and lots of free time)!!!
I have a friend who swore that you only need 1 Lower and just buy as many uppers as you want/need. In his mind Lower Receiver is a Ratchet Wrench and the Uppers Receivers are Sockets. This is what it sounds like when I bust his balls...

Lets play "Pretend" - SHTF / Zombie Apocalypse /. Pandemic. After the EMP takes out everyone's vehicles, my friend will be forced to bug-out with his family on foot or riding Schwinn 10-speeds. He is bravely on point with his AR15 ready for action as his wife labors to pull the Radio Flyer red wagon weighed down with a duffle bag full of 4-5 upper receivers, and color-coordinated magazines and ammo cans dedicated to specific cartridges. Their only defense against multiple assailants is to engage in the Gunkata tossing their one serviceable rifle amongst each other with the timing of the Marine Drill Team. All the while they are monitoring their ammo consumption in preparation for a lightning fast swap out of the upper receiver. They are ready and execute this maneuver like seasoned mechanics at Quick Lube. They have been hoping and practicing these drills every night while watching YouTube funny cat videos....

My personal view/strategy is "Remember the Alamo"... everyone who can use a firearm should have one. There is also probably a boy scout motto that goes something like "If a tool is essential then you need one, and you should bring a second one for backup or to lend to a friend in need."

Multiple lower receivers ties up cash and you can only shoot one firearm at a time. My answer is that I can easily find / free-up +$250 in my budget without it hurting... a few less dinner out or watching the game at [insert name of your favorite sports bar].

Yes - AR's tend to reproduce, and there is probably some number after which just getting a different upper makes sense. My math says like 5 complete AR15 lowers set(5.56, 300BO, Grendel, SBR, & long range precision setup) and probably two AR10 lowers.... Time to get a bigger safe!

Well I built s light 22 ARC and really like it. Going to find a heavy barrel and build a match shooter.