Lets talk new AR15 cartridges

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Okay so I wanted a cartridge I could use for hunting in my AR15. After much research I decided to go with 6.8 SPC because we can't hunt deer with a 5.56 in my neck of the woods, bigger bullets work better, ranges where I hunt rarely exceed 200 yards. So what did you folks chose and why?
Only problem now is finding a holster for my 30/06, you know, just in case.:uhoh:
We (wife and I) used Barnes VOR-TX 5.56x45 70gr TSX for a hog hunt last year. The rifle she used was a SIG 516 with a Leupold 1.5-4x VX-R Patrol scope. The ammo is accurate and resulted in near instant kills. We picked it because it was one of the few factory ammo choices with a hunting bullet in 5.56. Not sure it it would be legal for deer in your state. Probably a superb varmint round too.
 
I’ll be testing .45 Raptor on some MI white tails this year and I expect the same DRTs as 12 ga slugs normally produce.

I get runners with .450 Bushmaster but not far. I load Partition HGs for both. I’ll probably buy a box of BB 300 gr XTPs to use too. I’ve had good luck with 240 gr XTPs from a .50 cal muzzleloader in the past. I use the Partitions for that now anymore.

The .45 Raptor is being touted as a dangerous game round but there are better choices out there in lighter packages. It is a fun novelty for me because it can be used in the straight wall states and I hunt in one of them so it’s a toy to play with more than anything.
 
Another thing I found less than ideal about the 45 raptor is it take proprietary mags since its a shorter OAL than a 308. Not a big deal, but definitely not a mark in its favor. Another I have been looking at is the 375 Raptor.
 
Your doing pretty darn good if you manage to build a comparible AR10 that is only half a pound heavier. I would say more like 2 pounds when similarly outfitted.
Meh what do you call similarly outfitted. There's about 1/2# difference between my PSA PA10 gen 2 upper,lower,BCG and a mil spec upper,lower,BCG everything else is pretty much the same parts. So unless you're barrel profile is a pound heavier I dont see 2# and if your barrel is a pound heavier I'd argue it isn't similarly outfitted.
 
Meh what do you call similarly outfitted. There's about 1/2# difference between my PSA PA10 gen 2 upper,lower,BCG and a mil spec upper,lower,BCG everything else is pretty much the same parts. So unless you're barrel profile is a pound heavier I dont see 2# and if your barrel is a pound heavier I'd argue it isn't similarly outfitted.

By similarly outfitted I mean similar style of forend, barrel length and profile, stock, ect... The BCG alone is almost a half pound heavier. Even with the same profile and length the barrel is also going to be heavier because they have a much larger barrel shank. The handguards are generally heavier as well due to the larger diameter. And of course the receivers are going to be heavier since they are longer and larger around. Not to say you can't make a light weight AR10, but there is no way your going to make one only 1/2 lb heavier if you apply all the same weight savings to both.
 
By similarly outfitted I mean similar style of forend, barrel length and profile, stock, ect... The BCG alone is almost a half pound heavier. Even with the same profile and length the barrel is also going to be heavier because they have a much larger barrel shank. The handguards are generally heavier as well due to the larger diameter. And of course the receivers are going to be heavier since they are longer and larger around. Not to say you can't make a light weight AR10, but there is no way your going to make one only 1/2 lb heavier if you apply all the same weight savings to both.
Well I guess my postal scale is wrong. Have a nice day.
 
I built a 6.8x39mm, better known as the .277 Wolverine.
I’ve been using the 90gr TNT bullets, but getting ready to start loading 100gr.
The Wolverine is my little hog gun.

My favorite projectile was the Sierra 110 Prohunter but they unfortunately retired it. The reasonable prices of the Speer 90gr Gold Dots have me experimenting with those. I loaded 50 rounds last night. Looking forward to getting out to the range this weekend and checking out the performance.
 
In my experience they are about 2-2.5lbs different on similarly outfitted specimens. I spent a lot of time researching .308 AR parts and rifles prior to building mine and thats roughly what it works out to. My Aero Precision .308 build that has an 18 inch barrel vs my .277 WLV 18 inch is almost exactly 2 lbs heavier when both rifles are without stocks or optics. The 2 lbs isn’t a show stopper by any means but I much prefer my AR15s balance and .308 is really unecessary for a lot of medium game. Hogs, deer and antelope flop just fine with a 1800 FPS 110 gr. projectile.

Meh what do you call similarly outfitted. There's about 1/2# difference between my PSA PA10 gen 2 upper,lower,BCG and a mil spec upper,lower,BCG everything else is pretty much the same parts. So unless you're barrel profile is a pound heavier I dont see 2# and if your barrel is a pound heavier I'd argue it isn't similarly outfitted.

By similarly outfitted I mean similar style of forend, barrel length and profile, stock, ect... The BCG alone is almost a half pound heavier. Even with the same profile and length the barrel is also going to be heavier because they have a much larger barrel shank. The handguards are generally heavier as well due to the larger diameter. And of course the receivers are going to be heavier since they are longer and larger around. Not to say you can't make a light weight AR10, but there is no way your going to make one only 1/2 lb heavier if you apply all the same weight savings to both.

Well I guess my postal scale is wrong. Have a nice day.
 
Three hundred AAC. The only thing different from the 556 is the barrel. Other parts interchange such as mags. Enough gun for anything around here. I've not grasp the subsonic concept yet. Plinking ammo .40 per round.

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I am loading "plinking" subsonic 300BO ammo for $0.31/rd using Berry's 220gr plated bullets. You can get another few cents a round under that if your willing to use polymer coated lead. My subsonic hunting loads are $0.92 /rd.

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LeftL Maker REX 220gr, Right Berry's 220gr plated
 
Taken any game with that Maker bullet?

Not yet, missed a big coyote a few weeks ago, but that was my fault not the bullet. Hoping to take a few coyotes, armadillos and raccoon this summer with it before possibly trying in on deer this fall (assuming it performs as expected on the smaller critters)

ETA: I should have include this. I have done some terminal testing with them just not on critters yet.

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This 220gr Maker REX bullet was fired into a line of 1 gallon milk jugs full of water at ~50 yards. It split the first two wide open, punch a ragged hole through both sides of the third, and was found in the fourth jug in the line.
 
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Taken any game with that Maker bullet?

I’ve killed a few pigs with the Maker 500 gr from my 458 SOCOM. It’s a solid performer. I was VERY impressed considering it was subsonic. Imagine a Rage broadhead at 1000 FPS and I’d say you have a pretty close approximation.
 
I would base my decision on what's within my budget. Whether you reload or don't, is the supplies or ammo you need available to you?

I learned the hard way, i built a .277 wolverine upper, had the hornady dies, bullets, but couldn't get the powder I wanted here in Hawaii. I was in search for Shooter's World blackout or AA1600 for almost a year. My go to Local gun store couldn't get it in for me either, they did try to, but their vendor doesn't supply it. The other store would charge me hazmat fee (special order) which was around $500 by boat. I know other powders could work but for what? I will always want to get the most performance I can and not have to settle for less. I ended up selling the upper along with the dies and whatnot. Ended up with PA10 gen2 .308 and installed a 18" BSF barrel to shave more weight. My PA10 weighs a little less than my bergara ridge sp and is a lot nicer to shoot, especially if its all day. With brake or no brake, i usually have the surefire warden attached.
 
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