Help me choose a caliber for a new AR project.

[Cbmax]

Hi all,

I am looking to plan a new AR project for early next year. I am in the process of doing my research now. Figure what better place to get some opinions than here.

So here are the contenders as far as caliber. All will be custom builds. One is an ar-15 platform and others are ar-10:

1) 6.5 Grendel
2) .260 Remington
3) 6.5 Creedmoor

My issue with 6.5 Grendel is that I already own several ar-15's in .223, 6.8 SPC, .204 Ruger and .50 Beowulf. I'd like to consider an ar-10 for my collection. The 6.5 Grendel has great ballistics but is a little limited in case capacity.

The .260 Remington would get me into an ar-10, but good quality brass is tough to come by. Nosler is now making .260 brass, but it is pricey. Ballistically, .260 Remington is very close if not better than 6.5 Creedmoor.

Finally 6.5 Creedmoor has factory ammo available from Hornady. However brass and loaded ammo is only available from Hornady.

Intended uses of rifle are long range predator / varmint hunting and target range use. I'd like something in a more compact package. I do not want to exceed barrel length of 24 inches for purposes of portability. I seem to believe the 6.5 Creedmoor prefers a barrel longer than 24 inches. Please correct me if you know differently.

I guess I am leaning a little towards an AR-10 platform as I do not currently own an ar-10. I am intrigued by the 6.5 Creedmoor as good reloading data is readily available. ( I do reload)

I believe .243 Remington is out as I hear barrel life is somewhat limited.

So what does everyone think?

CB

 

[Cbmax]

Re: Help me choose a caliber for a new AR project.

Hi,

Okay, I think I have decided on 6.5 Creedmoor. I hope Hornady stays in business a while. I think they will! Even though Hornady brass may not last as long as Lapua in other cartridges, it isn't nearly as expensive. 6.5 Creedmoor seems to a a very good following, so I doubt it will go away. Reloading this cartridge seems simple and straight forward. Ballistics should easily satisfy my purposes which are informal long range target shooting and occassional varmint hunting.

CB

 

[Goin'Hot]

Re: Help me choose a caliber for a new AR project.

Good choice with the creed. The case design works better with a 2.8" mag length keeping the bullet out of the powder stack. I'm slowly piecing together a creed build myself.

 

[oneswithfunes]

Re: Help me choose a caliber for a new AR project.

From what you already own and want to do I would go Creedmoor and not look back.

 

[pe5b]

Re: Help me choose a caliber for a new AR project.

If i had the funds i would be getting in on the POF group buy for the 20" Creedmoor.So my vote is also for the 6.5 Creedmoor