AR platforms in calibers other than 5.56

[SniperStraz]

I'm looking for something with a little more power and long range accuracy. WHat aremy options? Thanks for your help.

 

[Deer Hunter]

How about 6.5 Grendel?

 

[SniperStraz]

Thanks for a quick response. I'm looking for the actual makes and models so that I can check into them. Any reviews and experiences would also be great.

 

[Number 6]

6.5 Grendal
6.8 SPC
450 Bushmaster
458 Socom
50 Beowolf

6.5 Grendal is most likely going to satisfy your wants. It has the best tradeoff between long range accuracy and power of those listed above. The bottom three have the most stopping power, but are pretty heavy bullets. The 6.8 is a good round, but I believe the 6.5 beats it in terms of long range accuracy. All are going to be expensive.

 

[SniperStraz]

Is there anything in 7.62x39 or .308?

 

[hankdatank1362]

.308?


Yeah, an AR-10, the original AR.

Several lowers for 7.62x39.

 

[Roadwild17]

There are several UPPERES for ARs in 7.62x39 that use a sandard lower.

 

[Number 6]

Is there anything in 7.62x39 or .308?

Absolutely. In .308 take a look at Armalite and DPMS. They both offer excellent .308 AR-10 like rifles. They take different magazine types so be sure to be aware of what magazines fit each design. Rock River also produces a .308 AR that takes FAL mags, but the wait list is quite long.

In 7.62x39, Armalite, Del-Ton, Model 1 Sales, Olympic, and probably a few that I am forgetting all have 7.62x39 rifles in production. Colt used to, but has discontinued that line. The two big problems with 7.62x39 are that after 300 yards the round drops off quite a bit, and reliable magazines are hard to come by. At least for magazines C-products has somewhat solved that problem.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

I would choose 6.8, if I were setup for reloading.

However, I really like 5.56 and see no need to switch.

 

[HorseSoldier]

6.8 Rem SPC or 6.5 Grendel are probably the two rounds you're mostly looking at, unless you want to go to a AR-10, in which case you can get 308 (as mentioned) or a number of 308 based cartridges or other full-sized cartridges.

Depends on what you want the rifle to do.

 

[kcmarine]

If cost and ammo availability is an issue (which it most likely is, because it is 99% of the time) go with the 6.8x43mm RSPC. Seems to be more available than any of the others. 7.62x39mm isn't really worth the trade offs you make.

 

[bedlamite]

If you're only shooting at paper, the 6.5 Grendel is your best bet, even with the weaker bolt.

If the target is made of meat, either the 6.8 SPC or 308 would be better depending on the intended target and range. These also have the advantage of commonly available ammo and more manufacturers producing rifles.

If the target thinks of you as lunch, 458 SOCOM or 50 Beowulf is the best choice for an AR.

7.62x39 has the advantage of cheap ammo, but the disadvantages of a weaker bolt, short range, and mediocre accuracy.

For brands, there is Stag, Rock River Arms, Bushmaster, Barrett, CMMG, Noveske, LWRC, and there are several more. Choose a caliber before you decide who to get it from.

 

[gvnwst]

i found a round called the 6mmAR Turbo. it is based of the 6.5 grendel, with .243 win ballistics! it fits in the standard ar mags and is very accurate. it does require reloading equipment though. not quite as powerful as 6.5 grendel, but faster, flatter and basically a long version of the 6mm PPC(says a lot for accuracy)

 

[SniperStraz]

OK so I think I may have found what I'm looking for. Panther™ LR-308 AP4 by DPMS but I'm looking to soup it up a little and that hand rail doesnt look like it will accept any sortof bipod or anything like that. And it looks like its one big piece that would be hard to remove. Plus the flash hider has holes on the bottom which isnt great. What do you guys think?
http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/?prod=4854&cat=1737

 

[bedlamite]

The AP4/M4 profile barrel will not be as accurate as a standard barrel. IMO, the only reason to get that profile is to mount a grenade launcher, it's useless otherwise.
The flash hider can easily be changed, they are standard 5/8-24 threads.
That looks like an Aluminum FFT, it's easy to drill and install a sling mount that a Harris bipod will mount to.

 

[Taurus44]

I went with the 6.5 Grendel and have been very happy with it. It won't replace my .308 bolt guns, but it is a nice compromise that is much cheaper than .308 to shoot. And since you can use regular old AR15 parts (barrel, bolt and magazines are the only difference), you can roll your own rifle pretty cheap.

I've found that my gun seems to like the new 120gr MPT load from the Wolf "Gold" line, and at $10.77/box, it's hard to beat. Sub-MOA performance out to 300 yards (the farthest my local range goes) is plenty accurate for punching paper and trigger time in general.

 

[Eyesac]

Yup I'd go w/ 6.8 if I was going to, a lot more popular than all the others (or just go w/ an AR10).

 

[snakeman]

olympic arms makes uppers in the wssm calibers, long range they beat the crap out of the rest, however, power is on the light side.

 

[R.W.Dale]

power is on the light side.

in the case of the 25wssm

I wouldn't go so far as to say that a cartridge that surpasses 25-06'es performance is "light" on power. The 25wssm AR15 surpasses many of the cartridges available in the ar10 in terms of raw energy delivered downrange

 

[NavajoNPaleFace]

In addition to all calibers listed DPMS also offers a .204 and a .243.

The availability of the 6.5 Grendel and the 6.5 SPC ammo had me concerned when I was considering mine.

 

[jerkface11]

I'm going to get one of the Oly .25 WSSM uppers. Probably before the end of the year.

 

[ryoushi]

For the AR15 platform I think the 6.8SPC is about optimal. How do you define long range? Do you routinely shoot your rifles over 300-400 yds? If not I think you will find the 6.8spc a great choice. If you like to shoot further than that wouldn't a .308 sized case really be a better choice?

RRA is selling very nice 16" flattop uppers for under $500 and that would be my choice if you are on a budget. If you want a rticked out custom rig I'd go with AR Performance Harrison knows the 6.8x43mm inside and out and can set you up with a great high performance upper at a reasonable price.

 

[esheato]

No suggestions for the .260 Rem?

Ed

 

[ryoushi]

.260 Remington will not fit into an AR15 magwell. You need to move up to an AR10 for .308 length cartridges.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

Knight's Armament makes some top-notch AR-10's (SR-25, as they call it).