Building another AR, what caliber this time?

[Lennyjoe]

Lets have a little fun here....

So I've built several AR's over the years and am in the process of building 2 more. I currently have AR's in 5.56 (2), 7.62 x 39 (1), 6.8 SPC (1), and suppressed .300 Blackout (1), all of different variations in regards to barrels, furniture, optics and such.

Sitting on the shelf I have an A2 upper receiver on a DTI lower and a flat top upper reciever on a Spikes Tactical lower. The A2 is getting a 20" 5.56 barrel, magpul furniture and standard A2 front sight. So that one is pretty much done.

The flat top/Spikes lower is the one I'm trying to figure out what to do.

So the dilemna for me is not so much what to build, but what to build it for. The 5.56 (x 3 that I will have now after the 20" build is done) and the 7.62 x 39 are for SHTF and need to survive rifles since they are in a common caliber. The 6.8 SPC and .300 will be useless after I run out of ammo since its not a common caliber.

So now that I have the one remaining, do I continue the doomsday prepper thought process and build another common caliber rifle or should I expand to say a 6.5 Grendel?

What say you?

 

[a-sheepdog]

Might consider a second 7.62x39 since ammo is generally easier to find in bulk, I like redundancy in calibers.

 

[Walkalong]

Let's please discuss this from an angle other than SHTF or doomsday prepping. We don't do that here.

So my vote is 6.5 Grendel or some other cool caliber for playing, target shooting, or hunting.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Sounds like you need a .50 Beowolf in an 18ish" barrel.

 

[crazysccrmd]

Maybe a varmint caliber, 204 ruger, 20 practical or similar. 6x6.8 would be something cool and different.

 

[MErl]

Agreed P.B. He is missing a big bore.

 

[MtnCreek]

.....So my vote is 6.5 Grendel or some other cool caliber for playing, target shooting, or hunting.

After ready about that cartridge, that or maybe even one necked down to 6mm has really caught my eye.

 

[oldpapps]

Lennyjoe,

3 .223/5.56s.... Well are they all just for you or are you building for an extended family?

I have a personal problem with the 7.62X39 and the weapons that use it, so no comment.

The 6point8 does have a difficult/limited brass supply but it is a 'nifty' (when was the last time your saw that word used?) round. I like it.

The BlackOut???? ".300 will be useless after I run out of ammo since its not a common caliber" Yes, you can't walk into the corner gas station I pick up a box or two. But if you reload... .223/5.56 brass, 30 cal bullets.

What's next to build? 6.5 or Beowolf in one of the flavors/versions look like a good option. Or a bolt/single in 6.5 Creedmore to play with.

 

[SuedePflow]

How about a pistol caliber? 9mm could be fun in an AR.

 

[sixgunner455]

.458 SOCOM. A .45-70 in AR mags, very cool. But for my next AR, I am going to build a CMP Service rifle, in 5.56 naturally. I only have one stripped lower right now, though, and I might be coerced into using it to build a dedicated lower for my 6.8 SPC upper b/c my son really likes it and wants it for himself.

 

[USAF_Vet]

.458 Socom or .50 Beowulf.

 

[LebbenB]

If you didn't already have a stripped upper, I'd say 5.7mm FN. Or you could do a dedicated .22 LR AR as a low-cost training set up.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Oldpapps, one for everyone. Walkalong doesn't want us to talk about SHTF so I won't go into details but I want me + 3 to have a long rifle to compliment the sidearm just in case...

I have been interested in the .458 Socom.

 

[Tejicano Loco]

How about a 458 SOCOM handgun? 11.5" barrel with a nice red dot on top?

 

[hatt]

9mm

 

[heavydluxe]

Hardly an expert here, but I like building ARs and so I resonate with the question.

It seems to me there are two ways to go:
The "Practical" approach, in line with your reasons for multiple 5.56 rifles: A 9mm AR carbine, or something in a large bore like .458SOCOM or .50 Beowulf

The "Fun" approach, just adding to your collection for giggles: Add the 6.5 Grendel to the list of practical calibers above.

 

[Jet-mech]

.50 BMG . You end up with a bolt gun going down that road , not to mention a much lighter wallet. Still hard to beat the awesome factor of a .50 !

 

[cfullgraf]

How about 17 Remington?

My 17 Rem AR shoots better than my 17 Rem bolt rifle. It was an easy build and has been very reliable.

I have built two 204 Ruger ARs and each has had some feeding issues. I think I have finally got them solved. Hopefully i get it confirmed before my next prairie dog hunt.

The 204 Ruger AR is cool as well.

 

[petrey10]

17 rem would be cool! But so would the beowolf

 

[wally]

If you like guns with hard to find ammo, a .22lr AR is great

I'll be another vote for 9mm so you have some ammo commonality with a lot of pistols.

 

[Mike1234567]

I'll add a fourth vote for .458 SOCOM. I want one!!

 

[Outlaw Man]

A 204 would be great if you don't have anything set up for long range/varmint type work.

If you do, I might lean more towards the 50 Beowolf/458 SOCOM idea. I personally keep talking myself into and out of a 458 SOCOM for my next AR.

 

[Casefull]

I just did a skinny barrel car type ar with flip rear sight. Everyone who shoots it offhand loves its light wt and also shoots much more accurately than the front heavy ar's that most of us now have. When you handle it you realize how quick pointing a rifle it can be.

 

[SilverCat]

Haha, buy a 5.7 upper, just for the heck of it!!!!

 

[justice06rr]

Another 7.62x39 perhaps; always have duplicates. The 5.56 and 7.62 will have plentiful ammo unlike the other calibers.

If you want something different, I'd try the 50Beowulf or 450Bushmaster.