Troy PAR Caliber Swap...But To What???

[Wildman1024]

So...I did some looking around the interwebs and realized I could change the barrel on my PAR easily. It is currently just 223/556 with the stock 16" pencil barrel. Its a great shooter as is, but with 2 other AR style rifles in 223/556, I was thinking this would be a fun gun to make something different.

OK...So let me hear what caliber you would go with and why. I only wanna hear about calibers I can get off the shelf!!!! I have a re loader but do not want to be dependent on that and having special things made etc.

Also keep in mind that the total barrel diameter cannot be greater than about .875" to make sure there is plenty of room for the action as the ID of the pump is .980". I am also not a fan of pencil barrels and prefer bull or HBAR barrels.

I would really like to get something in 450 bushmaster or 458 socom but thing the overall barrel diameter will be too large.

Calibers I am debating:
7.62x39 - I have plenty and feeding shouldn't be an issue since limited to 10 round mags. Cheap
300blk - Never shot this like like 7.62x39. Like retaining 223/556 bolt and only needing a barrel swap. No extra mags to buy and gains a few hundred foot pounds of energy over 223/556.
6.8spc - ???

 

[JamieZ]

What caliber I would suggest going with would depend on what you plan on using the gun for. 3 that I have,,,,

223= cheap rounds, lots of bullets to choose from for reloading, great chuck and yote killer.

204 = lightning bolt death ray caliber, deadly accuracy, not so cheap rounds but will start reloading them soon, kickass chuck gun and can use it to hunt coyote during deer season in areas that you cant use a rifle bigger than 22 caliber because its a shotgun only deer area.

6.8 = Great deer hunting gun in areas where rifles are allowed, short barrel with still good velocity, accurate, doesn't kick very much at all now that I just stuck an adjustable gas block on it, quicker follow up shots.

 

[Exonautic]

http://www.tromix.com/458-socom-parts-1.html
they have some barrels that are only .9" at max OD and one that's a lightwieght (relative i guess) profile that is a max of .85"

 

[Marine Cpl]

How about a pistol calibered carbine? .22 LR, 9mm, .40 S&W, .357 Sig, 10mm, ect? It could be a gun that takes your everyday carry ammo.

 

[Wildman1024]

How about a pistol calibered carbine? .22 LR, 9mm, .40 S&W, .357 Sig, 10mm, ect? It could be a gun that takes your everyday carry ammo.

That’s actually a good idea. I wonder if someone like ADCO can machine the bolt for that? Then I would have to find a bolt that fits the carrier. Most of the pcc’s have a solid bolt

 

[Marine Cpl]

I believe my 9mm bolt and carrier is one piece. I haven't been able to take it apart unless I punch out some pins.

They sell them complete.

 

[Exonautic]

That’s actually a good idea. I wonder if someone like ADCO can machine the bolt for that? Then I would have to find a bolt that fits the carrier. Most of the pcc’s have a solid bolt

also no gas key.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

That’s actually a good idea. I wonder if someone like ADCO can machine the bolt for that? Then I would have to find a bolt that fits the carrier. Most of the pcc’s have a solid bolt

I am not following this. Are you trying to make a 9mm? I would not bother. By the time uou spend money custom making a bolt, uou could probably buy a “real” 9mm carbine......

It looks like a regular bolt. I bet any ar15 bolt will work in that carrier. Or run a caliber that uses the 556 as a parent case.

 

[Wildman1024]

I am not following this. Are you trying to make a 9mm? I would not bother. By the time uou spend money custom making a bolt, uou could probably buy a “real” 9mm carbine......

It looks like a regular bolt. I bet any ar15 bolt will work in that carrier. Or run a caliber that uses the 556 as a parent case.

No not looking to do 9mm or really any pistol sliver as the bolt won’t work. It was brought up and is interesting that’s all.

But what I am looking for is something off the shelf. Already produced barrels and bolts. Something bigger than 556. Would like something along the lines of 450 bushmaster etc.

 

[Marine Cpl]

That's an idea with the .450 Bushmaster. If you went .458 Socom they sell standard 10 rd magazines.

.458 SOCOM 10rd Magazine

 

[Wildman1024]

That's an idea with the .450 Bushmaster. If you went .458 Socom they sell standard 10 rd magazines.

.458 SOCOM 10rd Magazine

View attachment 20364

I’ll gladly do either if I can find a barrel thin enough.

 

[Exonautic]

I’ll gladly do either if I can find a barrel thin enough.

see post #3. .458 socom barrel with a .85 max profile.

 

[ManrisFrack]

You can buy factory PARs in 300 BLK.

talonxracer over on 68forums converted one to 277 Wolverine. That's probably not what you're looking for as the ammo is only made by one or two small shops. It did just get submitted to SAAMI though so maybe it'll get more ammo in the next couple of years.

Also on 68forums, a Canadian (goes by "sqr") swapped a PAR to 30 Herrett AR. It's based on the 6.8 case so that means there's no concern with the larger case working. However, he did mention some initial concern about the ejection port being large enough. It worked for the Herrett but if he was concerned with the .421 head of the 6.8/Herrett, it would absolutely be something to check before you put a .458 SOCOM or .450 Bushmaster barrel on.

 

[Wildman1024]

You can buy factory PARs in 300 BLK.

talonxracer over on 68forums converted one to 277 Wolverine. That's probably not what you're looking for as the ammo is only made by one or two small shops. It did just get submitted to SAAMI though so maybe it'll get more ammo in the next couple of years.

Also on 68forums, a Canadian (goes by "sqr") swapped a PAR to 30 Herrett AR. It's based on the 6.8 case so that means there's no concern with the larger case working. However, he did mention some initial concern about the ejection port being large enough. It worked for the Herrett but if he was concerned with the .421 head of the 6.8/Herrett, it would absolutely be something to check before you put a .458 SOCOM or .450 Bushmaster barrel on.

Yea I know they have them in 300blk already but I already has this 223 version for a few years now so might as well use it. I am considering 300blk but it will be a last resort caliber.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Any barrel can be turned to the diameter you need. Or just have a custom barrel made. It wont be that much really.

 

[Wildman1024]

Any barrel can be turned to the diamyer you need. Or just have a custom barrel made. It wont be that much really.

Yea thats true. I think ADCO will turn a barrel also.

 

[Wildman1024]

Here is a good question that I cannot find. If the 458 socom is made from a 50AE case and the ejection port on the AR is barely .5" depending on how you measure. There sure isn't a lot of room for the case to make it through if any. Are there specific uppers with a larger port that I'm not seeing???

 

[Wildman1024]

Here is a good question that I cannot find. If the 458 socom is made from a 50AE case and the ejection port on the AR is barely .5" depending on how you measure. There sure isn't a lot of room for the case to make it through if any. Are there specific uppers with a larger port that I'm not seeing???

Never mind I figured it out. Port's are enlarged slightly. FAIL for 458 and the PAR

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Never mind I figured it out. Port's are enlarged slightly. FAIL for 458 and the PAR

hog dat bitch out!

 

[Wildman1024]

hog dat bitch out!

I actually just found a place that can do it. All hope is not lost. Just adds another $65 to the price.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

I actually just found a place that can do it. All hope is not lost. Just adds another $65 to the price.

May as well add some lighting cuts to it while it is on the machine/dremel.....

 

[dsdmmat]

The upper is not compatible with any other lower correct? I called Troy when they first came out and was told the receivers would not work with other brands of upper/lower receiver. What is different?


That is the only reason I did not buy one when they came out.

 

[Wildman1024]

The upper is not compatible with any other lower correct? I called Troy when they first came out and was told the receivers would not work with other brands of upper/lower receiver. What is different?


That is the only reason I did not buy one when they came out.

It is true. The uppers and lowers are different then standard AR even though they look similar. I am ok with that and it’s a great gun as is regardless. It’s basically just a barrel change and bolt swap to put whatever caliber you want in this so no real need to change the upper/lower config anyways.

 

[dsdmmat]

It is true. The uppers and lowers are different then standard AR even though they look similar. I am ok with that and it’s a great gun as is regardless. It’s basically just a barrel change and bolt swap to put whatever caliber you want in this so no real need to change the upper/lower config anyways.

Yeah I wanted a pump upper that I could swap out and thought the Troy Par would have been a good foundation but it was not to be the case. I suppose I could buy all the parts from the upper receiver forward and modify the bolt carrier if I really wanted to do something like that.

 

[meketrefe]

Do you reload?
What about a caliber that does both rifle and pistol bullets and outperforms all others including the socom?
Can also load 10 on a 10 round magazine.
It is called the 35 gunner.

 

[Wildman1024]

Do you reload?
What about a caliber that does both rifle and pistol bullets and outperforms all others including the socom?
Can also load 10 on a 10 round magazine.
It is called the 35 gunner.

I have seen your caliber before and it is pretty cool. I do not want to be limited to only being able to roll my own and a proprietary barrel. Being able to just order a barrel, bolt and ammo is a plus for me

 

[meketrefe]

I have seen your caliber before and it is pretty cool. I do not want to be limited to only being able to roll my own and a proprietary barrel. Being able to just order a barrel, bolt and ammo is a plus for me

6.8 spc. The official hog and deer smasher of the state of texas.

 

[Wildman1024]

6.8 spc. The official hog and deer smasher of the state of texas.

You would go 6.8 over 450 bushmaster or 458 socom? Why? My plan is 200 yards and less btw. Just looking for a fun setup. Doesn’t need to be the most accurate.

 

[JamieZ]

6.8 beats 450, 458 in all categories for shooting in NY state,,,,hunting or at the range butttttt 450, 458 beats the 6.8 in the fun factor, I'm sure of that without even shooting one. Big recoil, big bullet for blowing shit up. The TV with the tube I shot up with the 6.8 this weekend would've been much more fun to shoot with the 450 or 458.

 

[Wildman1024]

6.8 beats 450, 458 in all categories for shooting in NY state,,,,hunting or at the range butttttt 450, 458 beats the 6.8 in the fun factor, I'm sure of that without even shooting one. Big recoil, big bullet for blowing shit up. The TV with the tube I shot up with the 6.8 this weekend would've been much more fun to shoot with the 450 or 458.

That’s kinda what I’m looking for. Fun factor.

 

[meketrefe]

That’s kinda what I’m looking for. Fun factor.

Normally I think it is a good thing to start with the bullet and then work it out from there. The rest is just part of the delivery method.
But you mentioned fun factor. What is fun for you? you are talking short term or long term fun?