Possible new AR for hunting... caliber?

[Airborneguy]

I’m considering a new AR upper for deer hunting. Preferably a pistol, but only if the barrel length wouldn’t affect effectiveness.

I’m looking at:

.350 Legend
.50 Beowulf
.450 Bushmaster
.458 Socom
6.8 SPC.

I’m not interested in the Grendel.

Also considering just sticking with my 7.62x39 rifle which hasn’t failed me for deer or hog yet. Whatever I settle on I will be reloading all of my rounds, so that is a consideration.

Thoughts?

 

[BDinPutnam]

What itch are you trying to scratch here that your 7.62 doesn't already? Or what problems do your 7.62 present you're looking to solve?

Plenty of people here more knowledgeable on this stuff than me but that's where I would start my thinking on the project/problem.

 

[penrod72]

while I cannot speak for it as a pistol round, my 6.8 spc is great cartridge and extremely effective on deer. I have been shooting 120 grain SST factory loads for now, and have taken multiple deer and it is devastating - I would go so far as to say its overkill. Most shots have been within 75 yards, it is very accurate and deer go down quickly.

I am about to start reloading for it, and there are multiple good bullets out there, with several acceptable powder choices.

While most of the rounds are pretty similar, and I do not think most deer are difficult to kill, this was my choice and I am happy with it. The complaints or issues I have with your other choices are not of first hand knowledge, and I bet they all work fine.

 

[Bananabandit]

My old 50beo was a hoot to shoot. I vote that only because youre reloading.

 

[JamieZ]

Not saying this so you will pick it but I would go with a 6.8 spc and I did a bunch of years back and its always been my deer gun. Its not a round that loses a ton of velocity out of a short barrel. You can shoot 85gr to 120gr bullets accurately and they will all kill deer without a problem. It depends on the velocity you want for choosing a certain weight bullet. I have 100gr accubonds loaded up right now for deer and a shit load of 90gr sierra HP's for whatever. My ballistic software on my phone tells me I measured the 100gr accubonds at 2800 fps out of a 18 inch barrel. Never measured the 90gr which if I remember correctly were loaded with a different powder. I always use Hodgons or IMR powder for all my reloads and always use non temperature sensitive powder. I use Hodgons or IMR powder because their website makes it easy when testing new calibers when it comes to powder weight ratios.

From research Ive done,,,18 inch barrel length was rated as the best choice for 6.8. When I first built my gun I had a 14.7 inch barrel on it with a muzzle brake that extended it to 16. Had no reason to switch barrels,,,I just did.

If your stuck someplace without your reloads,,, it will be the easiest round to score in the stores out of the list of calibers you listed.

Out of 3 AR's its my lightest. Having a light gun,,, to me,,,, makes me a happy hunter when it comes to long walks,,walking through snow,,climbing into the tree stand or just doing all this with heavy clothes on.

Its easy to reload for. I cant think of the name of the place but its the company that was testing rounds for the military when the military was considering it a bunch of years back,,,,,,I bought a 1000 cases from them cheap. All federal cases.

If you have questions,,,,,,, I might have non bullshit, non technical, reality answers for ya if its something I know.


6.8 is for sure a caliber that doesnt see any problems or huge losses in velocity being shot out of a pistol length gun.

 

[Twogunwilly]

I'm hooked on my 458s, mildish recoil, mildish report & it's 300g pill ain't going 5 miles from a ricochet. Only issue, it can't be top loaded.

 

[Airborneguy]

What itch are you trying to scratch here that your 7.62 doesn't already? Or what problems do your 7.62 present you're looking to solve?

Plenty of people here more knowledgeable on this stuff than me but that's where I would start my thinking on the project/problem.

If I had to rank the calibers/options within a total of 100%, 7.62x39 owns 50% of the share. It's just that I read so much about it's downsides against deer that I am considering something a little more "guaranteed" to click off the necessary checkboxes.

 

[Airborneguy]

My old 50beo was a hoot to shoot. I vote that only because youre reloading.

What length barrel did you have?

 

[Airborneguy]

Not saying this so you will pick it but I would go with a 6.8 spc and I did a bunch of years back and its always been my deer gun. Its not a round that loses a ton of velocity out of a short barrel. You can shoot 85gr to 120gr bullets accurately and they will all kill deer without a problem. It depends on the velocity you want for choosing a certain weight bullet. I have 100gr accubonds loaded up right now for deer and a shit load of 90gr sierra HP's for whatever. My ballistic software on my phone tells me I measured the 100gr accubonds at 2800 fps out of a 18 inch barrel. Never measured the 90gr which if I remember correctly were loaded with a different powder. I always use Hodgons or IMR powder for all my reloads and always use non temperature sensitive powder. I use Hodgons or IMR powder because their website makes it easy when testing new calibers when it comes to powder weight ratios.

From research Ive done,,,18 inch barrel length was rated as the best choice for 6.8. When I first built my gun I had a 14.7 inch barrel on it with a muzzle brake that extended it to 16. Had no reason to switch barrels,,,I just did.

If your stuck someplace without your reloads,,, it will be the easiest round to score in the stores out of the list of calibers you listed.

Out of 3 AR's its my lightest. Having a light gun,,, to me,,,, makes me a happy hunter when it comes to long walks,,walking through snow,,climbing into the tree stand or just doing all this with heavy clothes on.

Its easy to reload for. I cant think of the name of the place but its the company that was testing rounds for the military when the military was considering it a bunch of years back,,,,,,I bought a 1000 cases from them cheap. All federal cases.

If you have questions,,,,,,, I might have non bullshit, non technical, reality answers for ya if its something I know.


6.8 is for sure a caliber that doesnt see any problems or huge losses in velocity being shot out of a pistol length gun.

Does 6.8 function well with regular AR magazines?

 

[Twogunwilly]

All of them will do a fine job on deer if you do your part so it seems logical to get them all plus a few inbetweeners.

 

[JamieZ]

Does 6.8 function well with regular AR magazines?

perfect,,,,,,,,,,,no better, no worse than 223,,,,when you use 6.8 mags

I believe mine were made by Cproducts

 

[spat]

If I had to rank the calibers/options within a total of 100%, 7.62x39 owns 50% of the share. It's just that I read so much about it's downsides against deer that I am considering something a little more "guaranteed" to click off the necessary checkboxes.

If you're going for a pistol configuration you might want to consider which one of them performs adequately from the shortest barrel as well.

I'm not sure which one of those that is, but a 7" barrel is better than a 10" if you're carrying it around....

 

[Airborneguy]

If you're going for a pistol configuration you might want to consider which one of them performs adequately from the shortest barrel as well.

I'm not sure which one of those that is, but a 7" barrel is better than a 10" if you're carrying it around....

Only issue for me with that is I have had 7.5" barrels before and sold them off because of the concussion. My 7.62x39 pistol was like shooting a .50 cal. I hated it.

 

[BDinPutnam]

If you're going for a pistol configuration you might want to consider which one of them performs adequately from the shortest barrel as well.

I'm not sure which one of those that is, but a 7" barrel is better than a 10" if you're carrying it around....

Depending on caliber, "handiness" might get trumped by ballistics (not to mention concussion control!)

 

[Robin]

Does 6.8 function well with regular AR magazines?

No, you have to use a 6.8 mag. You cannot just swap out the follower, the ribs in the mag are shallower.
I can't speak to this configuration as a pistol, but I have complete confidence in the 6.8 as a rifle at almost any reasonable deer hunting range, 300yd's isn't a problem.
So why am I researching the .350 legend and the .450 bushmaster to make my next deer gun? Cause, I can, and the idea intrigues me. Leaning towards the Legend but still undecided.
Robin

 

[redtail]

I went 450 BM.
Ballistics and ammo/component availability Swayed my decision over other bb for deer.

 

[redtail]

I am entering the 68 rabbit hole now. Went with PRI mag because of the overwhelming positive opinions.

 

[Airborneguy]

No, you have to use a 6.8 mag. You cannot just swap out the follower, the ride in the mag are shallower.
I can't speak to this configuration as a pistol, but I have complete confidence in the 6.8 as a rifle at almost any reasonable deer hunting range, 300yd's isn't a problem.
So why am I researching the .350 legend and the .450 bushmaster to make my next deer gun? Cause, I can, and the idea intrigues me. Leaning towards the Legend but still undecided.
Robin

Then price of the legend uppers intrigues me. They’re dirt cheap.

Does that caliber use standard mags?

 

[@thewheels]

Then price of the legend uppers intrigues me. They’re dirt cheap.

Does that caliber use standard mags?

No, they do not.
Standard can be modded, Supposedly. But I'd rather get the correct mags without mucking up a standard mag.

 

[Bananabandit]

What length barrel did you have?

just the 16.5" upper on a s&w lower

 

[Edwardteach72]

I vote 6.8 or .450bm

50 Beowulf and 458 socom don't offer much over the 450bm if anything unless shooting suppressed

 

[Edwardteach72]

The other advantage of the 450 is the readily available .45 caliber bullets for reloading

 

[Airborneguy]

The other advantage of the 450 is the readily available .45 caliber bullets for reloading

I've been thinking that, but I saw the list of powders I'd need for this round and they seem like one's I would have trouble getting my hands on. I'd probably do a large group buy right away. I'm all over the place. lol

 

[Airborneguy]

Why are SPC barrels so expensive?!?

All of the other “hot” calibers are actually pretty cheap, especially .350 and .450. But SPC barrels cost as much as full uppers in other brands!

 

[96coal449]

Why are SPC barrels so expensive?!?

All of the other “hot” calibers are actually pretty cheap, especially .350 and .450. But SPC barrels cost as much as full uppers in other brands!

Availability?

My vote is also for 6.8 SPC. Just purchase a couple dedicated mags. Downside is ammo availability. Not much stock in local gun stores.

 

[Airborneguy]

I’d be reloading anyway. Most of the guns I’ve acquired in the last few years have barely been fired with commercial ammo.

 

[ManrisFrack]

Why are SPC barrels so expensive?!?

All of the other “hot” calibers are actually pretty cheap, especially .350 and .450. But SPC barrels cost as much as full uppers in other brands!

Volume - every tacticool idiot chases that latest heavily marketed caliber and the 6.8 has never had that kind of marketing push. Bear Creek used to sell a cheap one but they gained a poor reputation. They chose to put a 1/2-28 thread on it (which is a giant red flag on a .277" bore) and reports from people that took the chance on it were very mixed. My guess is that the rest of the industry saw the BCA barrels not selling well and assumed it was lack of demand for caliber rather than lack of demand for shit barrels.

The only people that still make them are mid-to-high end 'boutique-ish' barrel makers. The good thing with that, is that you can be confident that you're getting a quality, accurate barrel. I've purchased most my AR barrels from AR-15 Performance.

@BuellSix8 built at least one 6.8 pistol and hunted with it - if he's still around.

 

[Airborneguy]

I think I'm going to pass just because of how expensive this caliber is. I'm going to research .450 and .350 more I think.

For the hunting situation this rifle will be used for, it doesn't seem worthwhile to go with 6.8 considering how much more expensive it is.

 

[Robin]

Airborne, you can check out this site. Guys on it are always selling 6.8 stuff, including barrels. Home of the 6.8 SPC - 68forums.com
It is a very good hunting caliber and once into it, not any more expensive than any other caliber, well .38 and .45ACP are considerably cheaper. Speaking of bib bore, keep us up on your decision. I'm still wavering between the same two!!
Robin

 

[@thewheels]

I think I'm going to pass just because of how expensive this caliber is. I'm going to research .450 and .350 more I think.

For the hunting situation this rifle will be used for, it doesn't seem worthwhile to go with 6.8 considering how much more expensive it is.

I think the 350 is a better idea if you're not planning on reloading.
Paging @meketrefe for better details than I can relate here