New AR-15 build, what caliber?

[BallisticSam]

Just picked up a Aero builder set from a guy here on the Hide. Now I'm wondering what caliber to build it to. This is a "any use rifle" so I might shoot it at coyotes, deer, squirrels, in a match or at the neighbors dog. It will have an Optic that revolves around the caliber. So like 300blk maybe a 1-6x24, 22 Nosler 4-16x44. And it will be ran suppressed with either a SilencerCo Specwar 556 or a DeadAir Sandman Ti. I'm not picky on Barrel length just not something SBR'ish so more than 16" and I already own one in .223 thats why its not on the list. Whats your thoughts?

Here is my list:
300blk
204 ruger
6.5 Grendel
6mm AR "6mm Grendel"
6x45 "6mm .223"
22 Nosler
25-45 sharps

 

[Mike_in_FL]

You didn't mention what ranges you'd be shooting at. Anything over 200, I probably wouldn't try using a .300BO. And I wouldn't try suppressing this caliber with the 5.56 can, lol. For what you're asking, I would get PVA to build me a 22" .224 Temeyo.

 

[BallisticSam]

All the ranges doesn't matter. And yes my DeadAir SandMan Ti (30cal) for anything bigger than .224, my Specwar 556 for 22 and less got it. I'm leaning towards the 300blk but also would like the 204 Ruger. I put Gredel on there but, I have a friend who built one and has had it a year and still can't get it to run....so this is just a kinda informal poll.

 

[kingzero]

My vote would be for a 6.5 Grendel. It's a versatile cartridge with pretty damn affordable factory offerings. I was very impressed shooting a buddies to 700 yards.

What problems is your friend experiencing?

 

[softcock]

Grendel is great with also factory ammo .
Neck-up Diam.on the .223 case is GTG also for you, except the anemic .30 blkout . 6mm-45 is the king and I also been playing with the .25-45 for last couple mounts and it is surprisingly performs more than I excepted .
I have not done work with the 6.8 Brass but people say change the bolt and Neck Up or Down the 6.8 spc brass is pretty BadAss for the accuracy, speed and killin coyotes too .
.

 

[ChadL]

I've got a 6x6.8 and really enjoy it. You can go with a slower twist like 1:9 or 1:10 for pure coyote destruction. Or you can do what I did and go with a faster twist, 1:8, and have a deer, and coyote gun. Big downside for some is its reload only.

 

[BallisticSam]

My vote would be for a 6.5 Grendel. It's a versatile cartridge with pretty damn affordable factory offerings. I was very impressed shooting a buddies to 700 yards.

What problems is your friend experiencing?

I think its his barrel, he's using factory Hornady ammo 123sst and 123eld. Bad ejector swipe and super flat primer/brass. I've been reloading for auto's for ten years and I told him i've never seen "hot" loads like this come from factory ammo. I plan on loading for him to find out what his chamber likes more than the barrel. I'll find a load that will cycle then work on accuracy. He has done everything trying to get to work and just can't. I told him to replace the barrel but he spend 500 on it with the company he went with and they won't take it back or help. "I won't say who".....b/c I can't remember lol.

 

[BallisticSam]

I've got a 6x6.8 and really enjoy it. You can go with a slower twist like 1:9 or 1:10 for pure coyote destruction. Or you can do what I did and go with a faster twist, 1:8, and have a deer, and coyote gun. Big downside for some is its reload only.

I know a guy that runs that round too and he hammers coyotes with it. I know the 300 is anemic...but.... I reload almost 100% for everything I shoot so NBD for wild cats. Anyways lots of choices.

 

[Potss]

See if dtech can use it to build you a .243wssm upper.

 

[ChadL]

Anyways lots of choices.

That's what I love and hate about the AR-15. We have a lot of really good cartridges to pick from. Which is what I love. Trying to decide which cartridge to run is what I hate. I'd love to build a .20 caliber. Like other calibers there's options. There is the good ole ruger .204. Then there are the 20 practical and 20 tactical. How does one choose? Kinda frustrating at times. Anyway, good luck. The good thing is its tough to make a bad decision. All the cartridges you're looking at are quite good.

 

[Forward543]

Id you are looking at the .300 blk, i say go 6.8 spc. You can get heavy bullets from mad dog weapons for sub sonic, and the standard supersonics are better than the blk. To shoot subs i think you need a 1-7 or 1-8 twist. A very multi purpose setup. The grendel or the 6mm wildcat would also be sweet. So pick your target and build accordingly.

 

[BallisticSam]

Thanks guys. I'll keep them all in mind. I've had 243wssm before and traded it for something I thought I needed... If I was to run a Grendel I would load it for the 95gr Vmax or the 100gr BT bullets and get it to run just to show my friend it can. Rainier Arms has the 6.5 Grendel Christensen carbon barrel "when in stock" that would look awesome with the Bazooka Green Cerakote on the builder set. Bla..Bla..I have finals tomorrow...need to be studying!!! [h=1][/h]

 

[BallisticSam]

OK going with 300blk......already bought the barrel.

 

[Ayoung1]

I have a 6.8 spc and a 300 blk, the 300 I primarily use for shooting subsonic. I'm currently looking at getting a 6 x 6.8 barrel to replace the 6.8. Nothing wrong with the cartridge I just want to try something different mainly.

 

[softcock]

OK going with 300blk......already bought the barrel.

good, might as well work all that 300BO stuff out of your system now, then regroup .
.

 

[BallisticSam]

hahahha that's awesome!

 

[steve123]

good, might as well work all that 300BO stuff out of your system now, then regroup .
.

Ha, so true.

 

[softcock]

Ha, so true.

I don't dislike 30BO, and worked with the Cal. for many years . Not sure I still 100% have it out of my system, ( for myself ).. I would call it more a ( love - Hate ) relationship .
been dicking around with this Cal. from a 30-221 Rem. to Whisper and then 30BO . I still got one Boltaction, with tearring down my last AR upper in this Cal. last month . I have killed a shitload of coyotes for several years with the Cal. . & when they standardized the 30-221 Rem. with added freebore to a 300 Blackout . I never before seen a better marketing campaign package pushed on public for a new Caliber . with good support on Brass, Bullets, Barrels, Dies, Uppers ..etc.

It 'ok' Cal. for High Vel. Round hunting inside the 150 yard range for AR and Boltaction . and works great and reliable in AR for tuned/dedicated only and Subsonic . It does Suppress better in Boltaction than AR short-barrel . Boltactions plagued with extraction and feed problems . Short barrel AR got some blowback but if you tune Upper for shooting Sub-vel. only, then it better . but only thing I ever found that 'shines bright' and Hands-down the best AR in .300BO, that I ever seen run and shot, that was (100% function reliable) was a factory Noveske FA/short barrel/Suppressed build. eating factory box Sub.Vel. ammo.
.

 

[steve123]

I tried to like it in a Ruger Ranch bolt rifle and see why others would enjoy it suppressed in a AR to a point but the round didn't turn my crank either fast with light bullets or with heavy subs. Also I couldn't get the SD down enough for it to be any good past 400Y and the wind blows it like crazy. Basically I tried to make it something it wasn't but I learned.

I'm really liking 6mmFatRat with 95's going 2870 fps. It has a decent amount of thwack on target, is good in the wind, and the braked recoil isn't much more than 223.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

I have just only recently drunk the .300 kool-aid so I'm not yet disillusioned. I have hunted in 3 southeastern states from treestands totally with bolt rifles. But the fact of the matter is that where I've placed my stands generally means 50 yards would be a long shot. In other words a good pistol shot (not me ) could take deer. Yeah, there are fields and power lines but I never hunted anything like that. This is where the cartridge shines to me. And as bad as my hearing has become, something short, suppressed, supersonic and hearing safe will work.

I even have some original 110 gr. Barnes X bullets from when I tried to make a Mini 30 actually hit something repeatedly, lol.

 

[BallisticSam]

Yeah I could make the rifle anything but I haven't ran the 300blk suppressed yet and want to. I also hunt some time little spots here in Arkansas that the round would shine in for being what it is and quite suppressed. I look forward to it. I'll post pics when complete.