So I've got like half an AR... what now?

[BDinPutnam]

I already have an AR9 (QC10 SMF) and a 16" .223 Wylde (both featureless).

On hand I have a billet Mega upper/lower set (AR15 frame), most of a LPK (no trigger), a milspec BCG, and a spare Thordsen. So basically I'm lacking a barrel/block and handguard unless I want to do a funky caliber requiring a different BCG (which I'm not opposed to).

What to build (without breaking the bank)? Longer barrel .223/5.56? Dedicated .22lr? .300?

 

[Saltwater60]

Check out CBC industries. I found their products nice and price reasonable.
AR-10 & AR-15 Upper Assemblies

 

[Calculon]

6.5 Grendel
Let talk 6.5 Grendel

 

[7.62x51FMJ]

7.62x39 AK rounds. More funner than all those other rounds except.7.62x51. 300 AAC Blackout sucks.

 

[BDinPutnam]

I guess I need to think more about what I want to get out of it... I had thought about Grendel but I don't reload and between my skills (and eyes), .308, .30-06, and .300 WM I think I have me covered for game and paper at reasonable distances (for me). But any day I get linked to a Meketrife dissertation is a good day!

7.62×39 I admit I am intrigued. Have to look more at that I think. Any reliability issues running that round/mags in an AR platform, I had read a few things (ages ago) about that being a tough setup. Was never so into the round to follow up.

I originally bought a matched set of sequential uppers/lowers to build a his and hers set but the wife no longer wants one. Only reason I am thinking 300 AAC is as a gift for my FiL, he's in Michigan and could buy a can. .22lr comes to mind as it would basically be the same gun as my
223 but I could shoot it in the backyard all I want without dicking around with conversions or swapping uppers.

 

[96coal449]

6.8 SPC Reese. Always wanted one. I believe @Robin has one.

 

[BDinPutnam]

The 6.8 is very interesting- heavier bullets, similar velocity to .223 (to a point)? How available is ammo though, I don't reload? I see some options on OL.

Might be a good way to get into an intermediate without buying a whole new gun, I don't really have anything between .223 and .30.

 

[96coal449]

The 6.8 is very interesting- heavier bullets, similar velocity to .223 (to a point)? How available is ammo though, I don't reload? I see some options on OL.

Might be a good way to get into an intermediate without buying a whole new gun, I don't really have anything between .223 and .30.

It's a caliber I've always admired. Not sure of ammo availability.

 

[Rondo223]

In my searches for 6.5 Grendel I see 6.8 is much more available. I would say as popular as 30-30 and more variety. Cabelas in CT and Pa both had a good selection

 

[ManrisFrack]

Most gun shops I've been in have 6.8 in the Hornady 120gr SST flavor and some Remington. Slightly less common is the Fusion stuff from Federal.

General consensus is that the Remington stuff is garbage in terms of accuracy and power. I shot one box of it through mine and it was a softball sized group at 50 yards. The 120SST Hornady load in the same rifle is about 1.5" at 100 yards.

There's a lot of options out there now for 6.8 and, aside from the Wolf steel cased, the pricing is generally pretty close to the Grendel ammo.

Bulk Ammo for Sale Online Free Shipping Available

ETA: My wife walked by and saw the thread title over my shoulder. Without hesitation she blurted out, "Buy the other half, stupid."

 

[Robin]

The 6.8 is very interesting- heavier bullets, similar velocity to .223 (to a point)? How available is ammo though, I don't reload? I see some options on OL.

Might be a good way to get into an intermediate without buying a whole new gun, I don't really have anything between .223 and .30.

Ammo is readily available for 6.8, and it produced by all the major and most of the secondary producers. No ammo will ever be as cheap as the 5.56 but if you watch for sales you can score big. I like it, feels like you pulled the trigger on something without beating the crap out of yourself or the gun. Mine is accurate in the extreme.
Robin

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Cheap barrel cut down to 12 inches.

100 yard 1-4 scope. Blade brace. Off bag. 1 inch squares

 

[ManrisFrack]

Interesting. That's the first good group I've seen with the 6.8 PPU. Everything else I've seen posted is 2 to 3". Maybe the difference between the FMJ BT and the HP BT versions?

 

[BDinPutnam]

Got me leaning toward 6.8...

Any recommendations on barrels / bcg?

 

[dsdmmat]

Got me leaning toward 6.8...

Any recommendations on barrels / bcg?

Toolcraft inc

 

[Robin]

http://68forums.com/forums/index.php

There is a ton of good information on this forum including 'what barrel?' discussions. You do not have to be member to do a look around.
Good luck!!!!
Robin

 

[1075tech]

Why would you have to reload to go Grendel? I have plenty of Grendel in steel case, federal fusion, hornady set, and hornady black. Once i get my "gun room" done, I'll be able to set up my presses and load for it. It has been cheap and plentiful (picked up steel case for .23 per) but as the popularity grows, prices have been going up.

 

[BDinPutnam]

Thanks for the info and links guys. 6.5, from what I have seen so far, doesn't do much for me. Not knocking it, just doesn't look like something I need (and ammo selection at least online looked sparse compared to 6.8).

6.8 seems like similar to .270, which I have been thinking about buying, but I'm already halfway there with the parts I have so would use 6.8 to come close.

Opposite end of the spectrum .22 lr is still calling me for some reason but don't want to spend 100's on barely reliable conversion kits. But I do already have .22's.

No budget in mind but thinking maybe tops 500 for either. Reasonably do-able?

 

[96coal449]

Me and my big mouth talked myself into a compliant 6.8 Reese.

My own fault. I had to bring up the 6.8 SPC.

Now I plan on getting one this season. Along with .......

 

[Robin]

Other than the weight of a double cup Reeses candy bar, what is a 6.8Reese?
Robin

 

[Twogunwilly]

I second 7.62x39, lots of cheap ammo & does a fine job on deer.

 

[BDinPutnam]

So this is what I have - I'm thinking 6.8 fills a niche at least if I'm going to build on AR platform. Appreciate all the info and opinions.

.177/.22 air rifle
20 gauge pump
20 gauge s/s
12 gauge pump
.22 lr bolt
.22 lr semi
.22-250 bolt
.223 wylde semi
.30-30 lever
.308 bolt
.30-06 semi
.30-06 bolt
.300 Win mag bolt

 

[dsdmmat]

So this is what I have - I'm thinking 6.8 fills a niche at least if I'm going to build on AR platform. Appreciate all the info and opinions.

.177/.22 air rifle
20 gauge pump
20 gauge s/s
12 gauge pump
.22 lr bolt
.22 lr semi
.22-250 bolt
.223 wylde semi
.30-30 lever
.308 bolt
.30-06 semi
.30-06 bolt
.300 Win mag bolt

With that list the only thing the 6.8 AR gives you is another semi auto. If you are trying to justify it to yourself just say you want something different than what you got. I am all about adding more guns to the safe but,I don’t kid myself about assigning them a roll that needs to be filled. Realistically the guns I had 20 years ago filled every roll that I could think of that needed to be filled. Every other gun I have acquired since then has filled a want nothing more, nothing less.

 

[ManrisFrack]

Got me leaning toward 6.8...

Any recommendations on barrels / bcg?

So I use AR15 Performance for my barrels and bolts. My 18" is capable of 1 MOA or better with the right load (post #125). It'll do the same with the old SSA 110Accubond Tac load. You won't get an unthreaded barrel from ARP if you want a featureless though. They tried them in the past and unthreaded just doesn't sell well.

Cheapest I've seen is the Bear Creek Arsenal stuff at under $100. Personally, I'd stay away. Just the fact that they put the 1/2-36 thread on a .270 bore is enough to send me running - I suspect the Anderson of similar spec and price is the same barrel.

I've heard good stuff about Wilson Combat and Bison Armory but they can get pricey; no personal experience.

Green Mountain and YHM are sub $200 and I'd have more faith in them than the BCA.

 

[turbobike]

Go Big Bore...450 Bushmaster or 458 Socom...nothing like a thumper on the AR15 platform...

 

[BDinPutnam]

Dsdmmat I think you kinda nailed it. I just keep seeing this stuff next to my gun desk/workbench and thinking "why is this just parts? What could this be?"

Thanks to all for the heads ups, thoughts, and links for vendors. Still pending, might sit a while.

Much appreciated, ya'll.