I found a few AR-15 lowers in a box the other day, and I got to thinking about what I should do with them. I already have AR's built into every configuration I desired. I have .204 Ruger's and .223 Wylde's set up for hunting predators. I have several 5.56 and .300 Blackout set up for home defense. I have some 5.56 and a 9mm that are basically range toys. I really don't think I have a need for anything else, but to have lowers sitting in a box unused seems wrong as well. So, what should I build ? And WHY ?? First thoughts are to build a thumper - perhaps a .50 Beowolf or .458 SOCOM or .450 Bushmaster. Then the thought of building a 5.7 x 28 hit me. I don't have anything chambered in any of those cartridges, and the thought of adding more to the already long list of cartridges I stock and reload for is less than appealing. Thoughts ?
What to build ? (AR Lowers)
- Thread starter Tisto
- Start date
5.7x28 is a pia to reload for but it is doable.
I could almost justify building a .17 Win Super Mag. I haven't looked to see if anyone makes a barrel for that or not. I'm guessing no, but I don't know. At least with that being rimfire it would be one less thing to have to load for. I've considered buying a bolt action .17 WSM plenty of times before, bit never wound up taking one home.
6.5 Grendel
gundigest.com
Why Buy A 6.5 Grendel?
While its competition is more than stiff, the 6.5 Grendel still holds its ground as a top-notch hunting option for the AR-15.
gundigest.com
kev74
20×102mm Vulcan
45 ACP. Because... why not!
17 wsm is a really nice little caliber,,,,buddy has one that he brings out when we chuck hunt. Ive thought about buying one but im afraid it will become a gun that i never use,,,,like my 22lr and my 17hmr
I think Franklin Arms might be the only 17wsm AR parts maker,,,,,,I think they are the only ones making a complete AR
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Robin
.475 A&M Magnum
Any of those 'thumpers' would make a dandy deer rifle for most parts of NY.
Robin
Robin
My mistake,,,,after some research I found others making them.
JARD J72
jardinc.com
So I guess Jard makes parts too
fnfalguy
.308 Win
458 socom
meketrefe
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Is this something to use and practical or more for collection/show & tell?
Do you like something really special?
Do you prefer extreme power or extreme precision or both?
Do you reload?
Do you like something really special?
Do you prefer extreme power or extreme precision or both?
Do you reload?
I found this box of lowers. There are 4 of them. Yes, I reload a ridiculous number of cartridges. The safes contain at least one, if not several weapons to fulfill every one of my needs. I have guns chambered in .22 rimfire up to and including .50 BMG. There is really nothing else I need, which is why I'm asking for suggestions. Tell me WHY I need to build something - what does it do that something else I already have doesn't do ? Most of the things I could find can't be built on a AR15 platform.
I looked at the Jard website and I could only find complete rifles chambered in .17 WSM. Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see a barrel.
Haven't found any other barrels chambered in it yet, but I'm not done looking. If you find one, let me know.
dwa12479
.338 Win Mag
I've always thought. 458 SOCOM would be a cool build. Maybe someday for me.
meketrefe
.450/400 Nitro Ex
I was asking in case you want to assemble one of rhe usual suspects vs actually building something new.
One can go small or go big but the limitations are well known imposed by:
x39 quality bolts are scarce and .473 high pressure bolts and extensions nearly impossible. No socom bolts but a bolt one cam use to build a 6, 6.5 or 7mm BR.
Then the max coal imposed by the magazine, gated or not.
An alternative are old single stack mags that allow you to feed the longest compact caliber like 223AI, 6x45long, 6, 6.5 or 6mm tcu long.
The nice abou the tcu line os that one can use standard bolts and free brass for some pretty good calibers to do target or hunt with autority.
Wssm derivates is Oly or Dtec but too much headache for what you get.
I find the 35 gunner to be the best balance between raw power and still nice trajectories.
At 200 yards hits harder than the Beo or socom. At 300 yards puts more energy than an ak at the muzzle.
Think of it like a 180gr 308 but from a 16" ar15 and more killing power/momentum.
The 6.5 and 7mm BR or TCU are my favorites for all around. Extremely accurate like other ar cartriges.
I also have a fractional magnum based on the 284 case. The 7mm gunner.
It puts any 6.5 to shame.
Do you prefer an easy one to make and reload or dont mind additional time to trim and size brass?
I will do some searching. Only bad thing,,,,if I find parts it might push me to build one.
I would actually like to build another 204. Don't even know why,,,,,I guess it's because I just really love the caliber
spat
.700 Nitro Express
Having just acquired my first firearm chambered in 5.7x28 I have to say:
That ammo is stupid expensive right now and very hard to find.
We're talking $1.70 to $2 per round.
I bit the bullet on mine anyway, but you might want to consider how much you'll be able to afford to shoot it for the foreseeable future.
The 7 TCU is one that I keep looking at in the reloading books. It seems like a decent "all purpose" cartridge, with obvious limits. I wouldn't attempt a bear or moose hunt, nor would I try to take a whitetail beyond 150 yards with it, but it could be a general purpose rifle, including moderate range combat applications. That said, I haven't looked to see if anyone makes a barrel with that chamber.
Carlos Hathcock
.450/400 Nitro Ex
6.5 Grendel. I think I have 5.
1075tech
.338 Win Mag
6.5 Grendel and you can take a whitetail at 400 plus. Works just fine for black bear, elk and has taken moose
Did a bunch of reading, and all of the TCU cartridges are too long, so that rules them out. The 5.7 x 28 apparently has issues with reloads. From what I read, the neck is very thin and gets ripped off and remains in the chamber unless the rounds are lightly lubricated around the outside of the neck. That sounds like a problem I don't need. So that leaves me looking at the difference between the .450 Bushmaster and the .458 SOCOM. Ballistically, they are about the same. There seem to be a few more barrel choices for the .450 Bushmaster, but very few of either are currently available.
I ended up going with .450bm over .458socom for the simple fact I can get .450 off the shelf (well I could) almost anywhere but .458socom I could only ever find someplace online.
Next was the least expensive box of .458socom plinking ammo was about the same price as the premium hunting ammo for .450bm.
Check out .450 Bushmaster Barrel & Bolt Combo - Tromix Lead Delivery Systems
^
Unless you plan on strictly rolling your own.
ManrisFrack
6.5 Creedmoor
Everyone needs a 6.8 - even the Grendel pansies that want to carry more barrel to do the same thing.
Lol
While most hunting ranges require similar kinetic energy and trajectory, the 6.5 Grendel outperforms 6.8 SPC with its aerodynamic capacity that allows it to be resistant to wind drift at ranges past 200 to 300 yards. The 6.5 Grendel also has a smaller bullet diameter, lesser bullet drop, better kinetic energy, and lesser free recoil compared to 6.8 SPC.
6.8 SPC vs 6.5 Grendel (2022 UPDATED) 5 Key Differences
Discussing 6.5 Grendel vs 6.8 SPC is tricky business. But if you expect us to steer clear of the topic, you are wrong. Today we check the exact differences so you can ...
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ManrisFrack
6.5 Creedmoor
Lol, you Grendel fanboys... I knew one would bite.
Trust me, I've heard all your arguments and found them lacking. I've read all your hype and found it to be just that.
I've actually got a Grendel barrel that's collecting dust. I'm just enjoying my 6.8's too much to take the time to put the Grendel together.
Trust me, I've heard all your arguments and found them lacking. I've read all your hype and found it to be just that.
I've actually got a Grendel barrel that's collecting dust. I'm just enjoying my 6.8's too much to take the time to put the Grendel together.
northny
.40 S&W
No problem. Build a dedicated .22 rim fire. Now you won’t have to start reloading a new caliber! Go with a CMMG conversion kit and barrel. Buy the better mag adapter to use S&W .22 magazines.