Gunsmithing Opinions on 6mmBR on AR platform?

[nikwho]

Hello guys! I am new here. I didn't see an introduction area, so I will get right into posting. I was a member of a tactical team for the AZ. Dept. of Corrections. but i am now a career Fire Fighter/Paramedic. I enjoy the heck out of shooting and I am looking to start getting out to 1000+ yards and starting some competitive shooting. Moving on, I am looking into buying a 6mmBR barrel, bolt and magazines for an AR platform from a local gentleman that is also on this board, if I remember correctly. So, if I do this, it will be a rifle for my 10 year old son to start taking his shooting to longer distances. i have a complete DPMS lower receiver. This gentleman is selling a 22" stainless barrel with low profile gas block, bolt and three mags. To finish the rifle I would need a BCG, gas tube, an upper receiver and some various small parts to wrap it all up. I have a couple of questions.

1) The bolt included here is a standard .223 bolt that was milled out (looks very nice and professional). Would a milled out .223 bolt be safe? Would it last? Or is that too much material to be taken off of the bolt?

2) What kind of life do these 6BR barrels have? Not the hottest round out there, owner guesstimating 3000+ rounds through the barrel (he is the third owner). Rifling looks good, but I am certainly not a gunsmith! The extent of my experience thus far has been assembling lower receiver parts kits. The gentleman who is selling the barrel was kind enough to offer to come to my home and help me build the rifle if i buy the parts.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your guys' time!

Nik C.

 

[Nortex]

Re: Opinions on 6mmBR on AR platform?

Why not 6mm AR? Easier to get magazines for and bolts are easier to come by as well.

 

[nikwho]

Re: Opinions on 6mmBR on AR platform?

I have thought about the 6mmAR. I came across this barrel, bolt and mags locally and just got intrigued. I am not bound and determind on the 6BR round. I liked it because it was accurate out to longer distances than a .223 and has 55% less recoil than a .308. Sounded like a fun project and fun rifle for my son to shoot. Just kicking it around.

 

[BigBlue&Goldie]

Re: Opinions on 6mmBR on AR platform?

I would think with 3000+ rounds through it already, it would be on a sharp downward slope as far as barrel life is concerned. The bolt would also likely be close to the end of it's useful life before the lugs start to crack. I would highly doubt it has that many rounds though.

 

[nikwho]

Re: Opinions on 6mmBR on AR platform?

Yeah, i thought that sounded high, but he did follow that up with that he did not know its history. He was speculating.

 

[Hellbender]

Re: Opinions on 6mmBR on AR platform?

Was the bolt truly a machined out 223 bolt? If so stay away.

If it is an Olympic Arms bolt you would be OK. This is made as a system with Upper, bbl. Ext, and bcg, but as there is no bolt carrier, it's probably not Oly.

 

[LRI]

Re: Opinions on 6mmBR on AR platform?

I had the privilege of working with Steve Houseman for 3 years in Baghdad. Steve was the former production manager for Olympic Arms and basically did all the odd ball projects they'd come up with.

We met while sharing booth space on Commercial row at Camp Perry during Nationals.

Steve's built about every conceivable AR platform/caliber choice. BR's, WSSM's, WSM's, etc.

All were done using regular Mil Spec AR-15 bolts.


Since your in AZ (op) I would look up Derrik Martin from Accuracy Speaks. Derrick is a VERY experienced gun plumber and he's built a ton of AR type rifles. He's also one hell of a shooter with numerous national level event wins.

My gut says you'll be fine with the parts you have and not to worry. Manage your charges and start slow/work up once you have it together.

The BR is a great cartridge. The biggest challenge you'll likely face is getting it to feed reliably. The BR is known for being a bugger due to the short/fat case geometry.

Good luck and hope this helps.

C.

 

[John L]

Re: Opinions on 6mmBR on AR platform?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nortex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why not 6mm AR? Easier to get magazines for and bolts are easier to come by as well. </div></div>

I have to agree with Nortex on this one. My 6 AR is a very accurate rifle at 600 yds. Feed and function are flawless, and as Chad said feeding with the 6 BR can be problematic. The smaller casehead of the Grendel leaves a bit more metal on the bolt and barrel extention but cannot say it makes a huge difference.
I ordered my upper from Robert Whitley at 6mm AR.com and have been more than happy with it. Many people I shoot with also have uppers from Robert and the care and construction on all of them is top quality. Just some food for thought.

 

[BigBlue&Goldie]

Re: Opinions on 6mmBR on AR platform?

Derrik Martin is one of America's authorities on AR based rifles! His shop is at the Rio Salado range off of Ellsworth. I think he is primarily there on weekends.

 

[steve123]

Re: Opinions on 6mmBR on AR platform?

The barrel is at the end of it's life shortly if it has 3000 rounds through it and like mentioned the bolt might be giving up the ghost soon too.

The 6mmAR's or even the 224AR that Whitley sells is the way to go because...

1. The dies are custom and perfectly dimensioned for a match semi auto.

2. The case is short so the bullet isn't way back in the powder column.

3. Double stack mags so you aren't limited to 5 per mag.

I have the 6mmART40. If you want to shoot it sometime you are welcome to.

 

[mecher50]

Re: Opinions on 6mmBR on AR platform?

If you are in the market for a 6br on the ar platform Harrison at Ar Preformance is the man to talk to. I have a 6Brx barrel that he put together top notch work and support. The Bolt and extension are custom made and larger that the standard bolt my Brx feeds from unmodified Pri 6.8 mags one thing it does not like not balistic tip bullets. I could never get the last one out of the mag to feed always got caught on the end of the chamber. Since I switched to amax bullets that problem has gone away. ArPreformance

 

[AKA-Spook]

Re: Opinions on 6mmBR on AR platform?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mecher50</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you are in the market for a 6br on the ar platform Harrison at Ar Preformance is the man to talk to. I have a 6Brx barrel that he put together top notch work and support. The Bolt and extension are custom made and larger that the standard bolt my Brx feeds from unmodified Pri 6.8 mags one thing it does not like not balistic tip bullets. I could never get the last one out of the mag to feed always got caught on the end of the chamber. Since I switched to amax bullets that problem has gone away. ArPreformance </div></div>

Ditto, H is the "Go To" guy on the BR and BRX calibers. Using his bolts and extensions I've done 6 and 6.5 BRX, 338BR and 375BR all feeding from PRI 6.8 mags on an AR platform.