AR thread #3176

[Bananabandit]

So I got some lowers en route..thanks to you fine members

Now what calibers should I get the uppers in? Keep in mind I dont reload with no space currently to set up. I currently have x39, but wouldnt mind adding 223 5.56.

I know there are 100s of other threads on AR..but its not mine. So fire away.

FUAC FUHC FUBO

 

[meketrefe]

6.8 SPC II is a powerful hunting machine. Very accurate too. AR15Perfomrance has everything you need.
This was the most accurate out of the box upper I ever had. And at some point I had quite a few calibers.
For the 5.56 I would look for a 1:8 twist minimum and 18" barrel. Well balanced package to send
the best bullets the 223 has to offer.

 

[JamieZ]

Depends what you want to do with what you purchase. I have 3 AR's that I built. I have a 204 for Coyote hunting in counties that dont allow anything but under 22 caliber centerfire for hunting coyote, during deer season. It is a serious accurate round firing 32gr bullets out of my Lilja barrel. I have a 223 because its a cheap round when reloaded because its military (chucks and coyote),,,,also very accurate in my Lilja barrel. My cheapest gun I built was my 6.8, it is also my lightest and shortest gun, love it. Built it for deer hunting.

 

[GOYABEAN]

6.8 SPC II is a powerful hunting machine. Very accurate too. AR15Perfomrance has everything you need.
This was the most accurate out of the box upper I ever had. And at some point I had quite a few calibers.
For the 5.56 I would look for a 1:8 twist minimum and 18" barrel. Well balanced package to send
the best bullets the 223 has to offer.

Stupid question but none the less would you need new a magazine or would the 223 / 5.56 work with 6.8 Round

 

[JamieZ]

You would need a 6.8 bolt, different than the 223

 

[JamieZ]

actually believe I purchased a 6.8 magazine too, made by c-products.....so I can reload slightly longer,,,,,,,,,,,been a long time since Ive reloaded them,,,so not positive...Hit my head pretty good a couple of years ago, so I forget things

 

[Robin]

No, 6.8 is different. It's the best all around round in the AR15, fast, hits hard, a lot of manufacturer's are now loading it in many configurations for all types of shooting and hunting.
Robin

 

[meketrefe]

You will need to buy a couple of 6.8spc magazines.
Alternatively there is the multical that can take any cartrige but those will
have to be limited to 10/30 to be shipped to NY.
Some 223 magazines can also be slightly modified to take a few rounds of 6.8 but
it is not worthy because those magazines are so cheap.

Realistically the price of the 6.8 bolt and two magazines or three is insignificant when compared
with the budget for ammo and this goes for any caliber, so don' t make this a determining factor.
By finding a good deals on ammo will save more money than the difference those few extra parts.
I found deals on bulk ammo that paid for all the components and more.

Some people even worry about life of a barrel. A 223 quality melonite or chromed barrel should give a service life of
at least 20,000 rounds (top accuracy life) but it could be a lot more depending on what you shoot and how.
Now compare the cost of 20,000 rounds with the $250 cost of a new barrel and bolt.

See what I mean?

So focus on what you are going to enjoy and make sure you enjoy it.

 

[meketrefe]

actually believe I purchased a 6.8 magazine too, made by c-products.....so I can reload slightly longer,,,,,,,,,,,been a long time since Ive reloaded them,,,so not positive...Hit my head pretty good a couple of years ago, so I forget things

C products (ASC) and PRI will give around 2.3 COAL. Pmags a tad more.
Some you will look into 2.31 max.

This gives the opportunity to reload some really bad ass loads with the 120gr Vmax and other rounds.

The 6.8 SPCII chamber can be reloaded to do some pretty amazing things but reloading is not really needed.

The sweet spot is 115gr and below.

For example a 95gr Barnes TTSX can be propelled to 2,850 fps from a 16" barrel but even at 2750fps or a milder load is pretty brutal.
The 90gr sp can reach 3,000 fps. So this puts 90gr and 270 caliber at the same speed or more the 5.56 can put a 62gr bullet.

And also as Pistol is amazing. Those 85gr and 95gr clock past 2,700 so SBRs reach a new level of lethality not possible with 223, 7.62x39,
whisper/blackout, Grendel and others.

A few members here we have been actually using the 6.8 spc and SPCII for quite a few years and the results have been always positive,
specially the SPC II.

 

[Bananabandit]

Perhaps. Will a 50beo fit on any lower?
Where is a good place to get lower part s kit

 

[JamieZ]

C products (ASC) and PRI will give around 2.3 COAL. Pmags a tad more.
Some you will look into 2.31 max.

This gives the opportunity to reload some really bad ass loads with the 120gr Vmax and other rounds.

The 6.8 SPCII chamber can be reloaded to do some pretty amazing things but reloading is not really needed.

The sweet spot is 115gr and below.

For example a 95gr Barnes TTSX can be propelled to 2,850 fps from a 16" barrel but even at 2750fps or a milder load is pretty brutal.
The 90gr sp can reach 3,000 fps. So this puts 90gr and 270 caliber at the same speed or more the 5.56 can put a 62gr bullet.

And also as Pistol is amazing. Those 85gr and 95gr clock past 2,700 so SBRs reach a new level of lethality not possible with 223, 7.62x39,
whisper/blackout, Grendel and others.

A few members here we have been actually using the 6.8 spc and SPCII for quite a few years and the results have been always positive,
specially the SPC II.

I reload 90gr Sierra hollow points in front of Hodgdon, 28.3 grains of H4198......Any heavier of a bullet is to slow out of a 14.7 inch barrel,,,plus muzzle brake

 

[JamieZ]

Perhaps. Will a 50beo fit on any lower?
Where is a good place to get lower part s kit

Palmetto State

 

[JamieZ]

A few members here we have been actually using the 6.8 spc and SPCII for quite a few years and the results have been always positive,
specially the SPC II.

They havent sold anything different than the 6.8 spcII in a while,,,have they? They stopped making the 6.8 a few years ago....Have had mine quite a few years, 6.8spcII

 

[meketrefe]

yep. but there are still some old chambers out there and dishonest people without proper disclosure.
Some people buy off gun broker old Remington barrels thinking they are getting into the "6.8" but they
are getting a limited version of it.
Luckily this is the exception. I always tell people go to AR15performance and get the best. On top they have
the best prices and even on triad barrels. Almost everything they sell is melonited.

 

[meketrefe]

Perhaps. Will a 50beo fit on any lower?
Where is a good place to get lower part s kit

The BEO will not give you anything so especial that you cannot do with other camberings.
50 caliber sends a lot of lead but ballistically talking is a dissaster.
It is very effective at short range so if you want a shotgun in an AR this might be the thing.
If I was going this way I would seriously consider the socom.

I reload 90gr Sierra hollow points in front of Hodgdon, 28.3 grains of H4198......Any heavier of a bullet is to slow out of a 14.7 inch barrel,,,plus muzzle brake

The wild river ranch have been popping hogs like crazy with 85gr TSX clocking 2,850 fps out of a 12" barrels suppressed.
Those are reloads obviously.

 

[Runner99]

VALUE-LINE 5.56 NATO 16.0 INCH MID MELONITE BARREL

These barrels are great value, also a good price on lpks

 

[meketrefe]

If one wants to have a robust defensive firearm this is my take in M4 tacticool style barrels:

A) Avoid 1/2" threads. Over time the barrels develop crown swelling and it reduces the accuracy life of the firearm. Get 5/8" threads whenever possible
or do not get threads at all. If you must have a muzzle device then use a 5/8" to 1/2" adapter but do not get a 1/2" minor diameter, specially for such high pressure cartridge. 1/2" threads should have never existed for this round.

B) Avoid the carbine porting. Carbine porting and profile was created to provide for the Grenade launcher attachment. It can work fine but it puts more
heat into the group and it is more prone to be load sensitive and failures. Mid size porting is a lot more reliable by design. Carbine ported design should
have never gone main stream in civilian ARs. Don't put tacticool (subjective anyway) in front of solid design.

C) Beware of the minor diameter of the M4. Point of failure testing has shown the minor diameter in front of the gas block combined with the intense
pressure and heat as the weakest point of the barrel. In some cases the barrel gives up before the gas block does.
So get a tad wider profile like a socom or scout profile w/o being heavy. Who needs a M4 style profile anyway? Also avoid pencil barrels.

D) Regarding the Nitrocarburizatoin (melonite) make sure they get it right. A lot of them they are not getting it right and the barrels must be treated before the extensions are mounted and must be torqued with extra torque. That is why I like ARP because they have been doing this for a long time and do not make
the mistakes others are making.

Keep in mind a Army or Marines armorer might choose to replace a barrel after a while or a fight or two as a preventive maintenance routine. It is not unusual for them to replace barrels 4 times in the same tour of duty. Probably unnecessary but they do not risk and simply swap. I know some people that might shoot more in a few weekends. You do not swap barrels whenever you go hot.

 

[Bananabandit]

Finally got my lowers. Waiting on my PSA order.

 

[dsdmmat]

I just ordered this barrel. Should be good for the heavier 223 bullets.

GM-M35 19" Stainless 223 YLDE barrel with Experimental 1:6" twist Limited Quantity

 

[CarpNY]

I just ordered this barrel. Should be good for the heavier 223 bullets.

GM-M35 19" Stainless 223 YLDE barrel with Experimental 1:6" twist Limited Quantity

Interesting. The 1:7 twist is already good for the heavier rounds. Definitely report back what you find. I'll be interested in seeing if it is enough of an improvement on the high end to justify the adverse effect on the other end. Make sure to run some light ammo (e.g., 55 gr) to see how bad it is.

I do like the 19" non-threaded barrel. It's like an 18" with a muzzle device in length. Good for places where muzzle devices are a no-no. Should also be more reliable in the cold than an 18" rifle-length barrel.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Should also be more reliable in the cold than an 18" rifle-length barrel.

Say what???

 

[CarpNY]

Say what???

The extra inch of barrel beyond the gas port should help in the most challenging cases for cycling (i.e., when it is cold.) I'm not saying that 18" rifle-length are unreliable -- far from it -- just that it has a little extra safety room when things are closer to the limits.

ETA: here's a review of GM's 1:6 twist 14.5" barrel from a couple of years ago. Haven't watched it, but thought that it was worth pointing out.

 

[Dantheman]

I bought a lower from Bullet Guy a couple of weeks ago. For me...450 Bushmaster.

Something different with factory ammo that can actually be found once in awhile. I do reload but even the brass cases are easier to find online.

Dan