Alternate AR upper caliber?

[DesertFox]

If I were to be in the market for an AR upper other than 5.56, what to do? 9mm? 300 Blackout? 7.62x39? 5.45x39? 6.5?

 

[Zen Archery]

Define the purpose and then you'll get a better picture.

If you're just wanting to burn rounds get a .22

 

[tulsamal]

Yep, a dedicated .22 is sweet.

For deer hunting, I like 6.8.

For general purpose fun, something like .458 SOCOM.

Gregg

 

[Lonerider357]

one of the Russian cal's lot's of cheap ammo!

 

[RCArms.com]

7.62x25mm

Stupid Fun for not a lot of coin.

 

[DesertFox]

Ah, I wasn't specific enough... I do have a .22 upper already. Was inquiring for centerfire choices. .458 SOCOM sounds entertaining...

 

[wnycollector]

I have a S&W 5.45x39 upper. The upper is accurate, reliable and inexpensive ($499 from cdnn). Its also hard to beat $0.12/round 7n6 that is more accurate than russian commercial 5.56 ammo.

 

[DesertFox]

Thanks wnycollector, I think that might be the ticket.

 

[tarosean]

I almost jumped on the bandwagon. But it seems no one wants to make specific mags.(?) Just your run of the mill 223's with huge variances on limit depending on cal.

 

[SlowFuse]

The 243 WSSM has caught my attention. Something interesting between the 5.56 and 308 ARs. Wouldn't be a cheap plinker though.

 

[68wj]

The .458 is a great hard-hitter and the recoil of a lightweight carbine lets you know that it is bad news on the receiving end. I like my 6.8 SPC for accuracy and hunting, but it is no cheap plinker. Factory ammo cost is on par with comparable quality in other cartridges and reloading helps.

 

[why.kyle]

My vote would be for 5.45x39. Great little round for cheap. Second vote would be for something .30 cal. Or 6.5/6.8 bigger is better right?

 

[wnycollector]

I run 5.45x39 in USGI 30 round mags with the old style black followers. If I only load 25 rounds of 5.45 they run with 100% reliability.

 

[jmorris]

Most of mine are .223 but I wanted a quite one for hogs. Went with the 458 and a F1 can.

 

[GLShooter]

I would consider a 6X45 for fun and games. Lots of utility in the game fields and not a big jump from the 223.

I currently have a 20 LBC, a 20 Tactical, 223's, 6X45's 6 PPC and 25 WSSM with a new 6 X6.8 wildcat in the next two weeks or so.

Everything from mild to wild can be had in an AR15 format.

Greg

 

[DFisher3112]

I would go with a 7.62x39 upper. You can have a lot of fun with little cost in ammo especially if you stock up on the TulAmmo stuff from Dicks Sporting Goods and Walmart when it goes on sale.

 

[JimStC]

.204 Ruger

 

[GCMkc]

10mm

 

[redneck2]

You've got a lot of answers so far, but we still don't know the question...

what do you want to do??

I've got three AR's. All are different calibers and do different things.

 

[TXSWFAN]

.50 bmg

 

[nyc71]

I have several different calibers AR (22lr, 9mm, 5.45x39, 5.56, 7.62x39, 6.8 spc, 7.62 NATO) if I have to pick one all around fun/SD would be the 9mm because the price & availability of ammo. My kids prefer the 9mm & i enjoy the 7.62 NATO. My next project is 458 SOCOM.


"Real liberty is never found in despotism or in the extremes of democracy"- Alexander Hamilton

 

[ritepath]

If the 300blk really catches on that's what I want. A fun plinker that I can also deer hunt with. Same hilts same Mags. Little weak but I don't shoot past 230 yards anyway.


Now who thinks it's gonna catch on?

Is wolf gonna produce 6.5?

Why doesn't 6.8 catch on better?

 

[dprice3844444]

Yep, a dedicated .22 is sweet.

they make 22 adapters for the 223 upper,save the expense of a full setup

 

[7.62 Nato]

Another vote for 6x45. Like the .300 BLK, all other parts but the barrel are the same as the .223. I already reload .223, and .243. I also understand the 6x45 has greater accuracy potential than the .300 BLK (not that it matters when I shoot).

 

[DesertFox]

Purpose is to accumulate more AR uppers! ;-) I see a 5.45x39 in the cards, 10mm, 7.62x39, and 9mm in the cards. 5.45 to have a comparison to the Saiga, 10mm to finally have a carbine to gather chrony data on my reloads, 7.62x39 cause I don't have anything in that and a 9mm to accompany the Camp 9.

Colt 6450 and 6830 fit those 2 bills - will prolly go with that S&W 5.45 and does anyone besides Oly do the 10mm upper?

That 458 with the F1 can is sick.