oldpapps
Member
Ramblings
Alternate AR upper caliber?
Interesting subject.
Why? To increase the functional use of a familiar weapon system, the same grip, trigger, stock.
Cost? This varies greatly depending upon the upper. A .22 RF shoots for cheap, but does that equate to replacing existing 22s with a conversion unit or complete upper? The 6.8 as well as others, requires new/different magazines. Is this a game changer in the cost side?
Capabilities? Here is the big difference. The normal .223 Rem/5.56 NATO loading is a well balanced and functional loading out to farther than I normally shoot. The energies are lacking, bore diameter is ‘too’ small or some other variable as determined by regulators. It serves no use for me to argue with the powers that makes the hunting rules, so I smile and move on. The little 22 CB cap will kill. Does that make it suitable for hunting? Here comes the advantage of other uppers.
For my needs and desires, I have the following. An older 5.56 chambered autoloader that has never failed me. A new 20 inched bull barrel in .223 Wylde chambering, totally set up for accuracy and does a very suitable job of it. However, this weapon is way too heavy to carry about. Strange, I have no problem toting a M1A or M1 Garand about. So, I have added a slick little 16 inch stainless, also in .223 Wylde, which is light and handy. It is not set up for great accuracy with a 4 mil red dot. It is fast and does the job well. So what do I want? Something suitable for Missouri White Tail and maybe pigs. Yes, I know, I have several other weapons on hand that are more that suitable for this, but not in the AR platform.
Before I continue, with the exception of 22RFs, I have not bought commercial/factory ammunition in 30 some years or more. I load all of my own. I see people touting how great or terrible steel cases are in 223s. I don’t have a clue, never shot any. Others claim that XYZ brand ‘target grade’ stuff is so good/bad and the price is only ‘OMG that is high’. My reloads don’t cost anything like what they are charging and my loads are tailored to each of my weapons.
But I want more…
I looked at several of the better known and better reviewed options. The big 45 and 50 caliber jobs, I have passed on them for now. I can’t justify to myself uppers of this extreme, for now.
I looked at and like the .204, but again, justification for a great little varmint round, just not there.
I don’t shoot long ranges. Don’t have a place to conveniently do so. So, the 6.5 Grendel, as good as it is, has fallen to the side.
I have a desire to go after hogs, wild ones. This brought me to the 6.8 SPC and the .300 AAC Black Out. Looking in depth at both, my conclusions came to the facts that the 6.8 SPC is an excellent hunting round. But at the time of my research, the pricing for anything 6.8 was ridiculous. The pricings have become more into line of late. I looked at the .300 Blackout and found it was being tailored for suppressed use. I looked deeper. The supersonic loadings are every bit as suitable for hunting to ranges well beyond my normal hunting ranges. Add to this, the barrel is the only, listed, part to be changed out for the conversion. There is the possibility of some modification in the buffering needs for some uppers and or loads. I have yet to delve into this process, no need so far. So, I have no firsthand knowledge in this need. (Please don’t jump on me for not knowing about something.)
I made my decision to go with the .300 Blackout, this time. Why? I’m cheap. I have several on hand 30 cal bullets (that is a short term excuse). There are many lower priced 30 cal bullets to be had. Lee has cost effective dies. Brass is now available at a good price, but my original concern was taken care of by re-forming existing .223/5.56 brass. I have no plan at this time and don’t anticipate, dealing with suppressing hardware and the fees associated with those items. I know that these are rather slim excuses and my response to this is, yes and a 6.8 SPC is coming. With a 6.8 SPC, I don’t see a 6.5 Grendel in my future, one of those mammoth rounds, maybe.
Now it’s time to irritate others. I have no intent to make anyone mad at me. These are my views.
Pistol calibers uppers, 9MM, 40 Cal and the like. A pistol loading by definition must be soft enough that a handheld weapon can be controlled. Unless the desire is to supplement your pet hand gun, why cripple a long gun with a pistol caliber? I have no problem with them, just no use for one.
Chambering for Com-Block ammunition. This is a totally personal view. I decline to want any weapon or round that me or mine have been shot at with. So, no 5.45X39, 7.62X39, 8MM Mauser or 7.62X54R for me. Oh, all of that cheep 7.62 stuff will dry up and the big draw to what I think of as crap guns will be gone. (Remember, this is my personal views. Don’t tell me how great your weapon is, I don’t care. I don’t like glocks either. Again, personal views.)
Final thoughts. Start with one or more ARs in the conventional round. As your experience grows, when the time comes, look at those ‘other’ chambered uppers. It is a whole new world to explore.
Alternate AR upper caliber?
Interesting subject.
Why? To increase the functional use of a familiar weapon system, the same grip, trigger, stock.
Cost? This varies greatly depending upon the upper. A .22 RF shoots for cheap, but does that equate to replacing existing 22s with a conversion unit or complete upper? The 6.8 as well as others, requires new/different magazines. Is this a game changer in the cost side?
Capabilities? Here is the big difference. The normal .223 Rem/5.56 NATO loading is a well balanced and functional loading out to farther than I normally shoot. The energies are lacking, bore diameter is ‘too’ small or some other variable as determined by regulators. It serves no use for me to argue with the powers that makes the hunting rules, so I smile and move on. The little 22 CB cap will kill. Does that make it suitable for hunting? Here comes the advantage of other uppers.
For my needs and desires, I have the following. An older 5.56 chambered autoloader that has never failed me. A new 20 inched bull barrel in .223 Wylde chambering, totally set up for accuracy and does a very suitable job of it. However, this weapon is way too heavy to carry about. Strange, I have no problem toting a M1A or M1 Garand about. So, I have added a slick little 16 inch stainless, also in .223 Wylde, which is light and handy. It is not set up for great accuracy with a 4 mil red dot. It is fast and does the job well. So what do I want? Something suitable for Missouri White Tail and maybe pigs. Yes, I know, I have several other weapons on hand that are more that suitable for this, but not in the AR platform.
Before I continue, with the exception of 22RFs, I have not bought commercial/factory ammunition in 30 some years or more. I load all of my own. I see people touting how great or terrible steel cases are in 223s. I don’t have a clue, never shot any. Others claim that XYZ brand ‘target grade’ stuff is so good/bad and the price is only ‘OMG that is high’. My reloads don’t cost anything like what they are charging and my loads are tailored to each of my weapons.
But I want more…
I looked at several of the better known and better reviewed options. The big 45 and 50 caliber jobs, I have passed on them for now. I can’t justify to myself uppers of this extreme, for now.
I looked at and like the .204, but again, justification for a great little varmint round, just not there.
I don’t shoot long ranges. Don’t have a place to conveniently do so. So, the 6.5 Grendel, as good as it is, has fallen to the side.
I have a desire to go after hogs, wild ones. This brought me to the 6.8 SPC and the .300 AAC Black Out. Looking in depth at both, my conclusions came to the facts that the 6.8 SPC is an excellent hunting round. But at the time of my research, the pricing for anything 6.8 was ridiculous. The pricings have become more into line of late. I looked at the .300 Blackout and found it was being tailored for suppressed use. I looked deeper. The supersonic loadings are every bit as suitable for hunting to ranges well beyond my normal hunting ranges. Add to this, the barrel is the only, listed, part to be changed out for the conversion. There is the possibility of some modification in the buffering needs for some uppers and or loads. I have yet to delve into this process, no need so far. So, I have no firsthand knowledge in this need. (Please don’t jump on me for not knowing about something.)
I made my decision to go with the .300 Blackout, this time. Why? I’m cheap. I have several on hand 30 cal bullets (that is a short term excuse). There are many lower priced 30 cal bullets to be had. Lee has cost effective dies. Brass is now available at a good price, but my original concern was taken care of by re-forming existing .223/5.56 brass. I have no plan at this time and don’t anticipate, dealing with suppressing hardware and the fees associated with those items. I know that these are rather slim excuses and my response to this is, yes and a 6.8 SPC is coming. With a 6.8 SPC, I don’t see a 6.5 Grendel in my future, one of those mammoth rounds, maybe.
Now it’s time to irritate others. I have no intent to make anyone mad at me. These are my views.
Pistol calibers uppers, 9MM, 40 Cal and the like. A pistol loading by definition must be soft enough that a handheld weapon can be controlled. Unless the desire is to supplement your pet hand gun, why cripple a long gun with a pistol caliber? I have no problem with them, just no use for one.
Chambering for Com-Block ammunition. This is a totally personal view. I decline to want any weapon or round that me or mine have been shot at with. So, no 5.45X39, 7.62X39, 8MM Mauser or 7.62X54R for me. Oh, all of that cheep 7.62 stuff will dry up and the big draw to what I think of as crap guns will be gone. (Remember, this is my personal views. Don’t tell me how great your weapon is, I don’t care. I don’t like glocks either. Again, personal views.)
Final thoughts. Start with one or more ARs in the conventional round. As your experience grows, when the time comes, look at those ‘other’ chambered uppers. It is a whole new world to explore.
