Funny, but true of the Ar15

[Strykervet]

Great to hear! I've been building 'em for years. I have all the build gear, so it is cheaper in the long run for me and I get better quality and I can fit all my parts better than someone building a rifle for a paycheck will. If you have the gear, that much is true for sure.

I love the platform, I was an AK kid back in the 90's when I was a teenager, but when I was 21 I bought my first AR15, PWA "pre-ban" for $600. I was hooked. I joined the Army infantry and got real hooked on the platform, went so far as to become an SDM instructor using a very slightly modified M4 as the original SDMR. As a perk, I got to go to the SF compound and work and learn from their gunsmith. THAT is where I really learned to build RIGHT.

So now I don't even own a factory built AR. Not one. Every single one is a custom one-off specialty of some kind or another, none can be bought in the configuration they are in. To me, they are "perfect". This is the whole reason for building your own rifle.

I just built a Grendel that had heads turned at the local range recently myself. Shut the firing line down Robocop style I did! A father and his two sons were very interested. I was ringing a plate at about 200y, had it swinging like mad, and was shooting it probably faster than they allow. With 100gr. AMAX, I got a sub-moa group at the 85th shot --not even broken in yet, haven't worked up loads yet, etc.! Because I handload, I shoot .50Beo, 6.5Grendel, soon the .300BLK, as well as the 5.56mm, and I love them all. BTW, the 5.56mm with the EoTech was nailing the plate good too with handload M855, but they didn't have the juice the Grendel did at that range to knock the fire out of it and keep it swinging that hard.

If you like accurate long range shooting, might I recommend a 6.5Grendel barrel in your future? Make sure to get a good one, it'll surprise you. I got a Satern when they quit making them for AA (Bill Alexander is a GREAT guy, but the controlling partner is hurting their business out of greed). That round basically turns the AR into a hotrod, bigtime. The 6.8 doesn't have the BC, the long range accuracy and energy, but is more available. If you purchase only, it may serve you better if you can figure out the chamberings and predict the end... If you handload, forget about it and go Grendel.

Also look into the JP Enterprises "Tactical" bolt carrier. Finest carrier I've ever used BY FAR. Won't use anything else now. I love building, yes I do, because if I didn't build my own rifles, I simply couldn't get the one I really wanted and use parts like these... For as good as Noveske is, I just like the KAC FF rails better, I like particular triggers in certain rifles, and, well, I'm too picky to please anymore when it comes to the AR/M4 platform.

Welcome to the club!

 

[capt.hollis]

Thank You Strykervet !! Wow well said, and great info there.

 

[capt.hollis]

That's the kind of attitude I love about my fellow Texans! Reminiscent of the "Come and take it" flag that was hoisted for the Mexicans to see at the Alamo!

Lmao... True

 

[1stmarine]

A logical alternative to couple to your first build and for a new upper is a nice 20" NM or 22" incher wiht 1:8 for some longer reach. 1:8 will stabilize the 75gr hornady HPBT and Amax, the 77gr Berger VLD and 77gr SMK that is as far as you want to go with the AR COAL.
If you want to try something with more grain and dope 6.8, 7.62x42, 7.62x39 those are no brainers for close work kick ass work.

If you like SPR/SAS or long range in the future out of the AR platform the 264LBC is a pretty good chamber. I have both the grendel and the 264LBC and both are very close but the LBC has more accuracy potential due to the throat dimension. I think a very nice alternative extremely accurate is also the 6.5BR. This is the easiest one out of the 1.5 stack and will give the most terminal performance and accuracy. In the 6mm department we are also blessed with a nice assortment, 6mmAR (Bob Witley) and some recent developments of the 6.8SPC necked down to 6mm (not the WOA) but more geared to the lighter faster bullets. One pretty interesting and simple proposition is the 6x45. I also shoot this out several lengths 18, 20, 24.

You will find many addicted to all sort of good uppers here.

 

[HammerheadSSN663]

hey guys, I'm ignorant on the TSX round.

Are they only rounds that one has to load/press themselves or are they say Hornady, Winchester, etc. factory available?


....nevermind...Internet search is our friend. duh....

 

[LoonWulf]

You can get the TSX from a number of sources right now. http://www.midwayusa.com/Find?statu...PreviousCategoryDimensionId=9785&promotionId=

 

[1stmarine]

TSX and TTSX are solid copper from barnes. Very good performers in terminal ballistics.
Also check Hornady GMX. same idea.

Some folks say they get barrels dirty quickly but do not agree. the copper is copper whether there is a lead core or not.
Even a 55gr or 62 grain are devastating. This doesn't mean there are many others good ones like Nosler, Hornady vmax, sierra and
many others. but the solids keep well the weight. I know folks in texas are popping deer and pigs with the 55grainers no problem.
I personally will go with the 62gr or if longer range is needed a higher BC from the 70gr but this one requires a 1:8 twist
solids are longer so they need faster twist. they have to be longer in order to meet the grain.

I think the 70gr in a 223 case works best of a longer COAL (I have special VLD magazines) but 62gr is plenty and the bullet enjoys a better
expansion due to the higher velocity for average range (lets say form 80 up to 200 yrds)

TSX and TTSX (I am pretty sure GMX TOO) are devastating in any caliber & grain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQx2eHpDVnE

 

[35 Whelen]

One pretty interesting and simple proposition is the 6x45.

I was sitting on the crapper looking at an '70's Speer manual and ran across this cartridge. Pretty impressive velocities. Ought to make a nice deer/antelope round and would work on an AR.

35W

35W

 

[1stmarine]

I found some manuals are misleading as they do not talk much about the chamber, barrels and cases which is key. Do they mention anything in the speer manual about this?

Well there is always an advantage to elevate the many times discarded .223 case to the next level.
I have several uppers running in the 6x45 shooting like the house is on fire. Extremely accurate. More than the .223 itself.
I am running 90gr Sierra GAme kings and Hornady's V-Max 87gr at 2750fps on Lothar walter LW50 20" 1:9 barrels.
I have some milder and hotter ones but w/o running into the red.
One advantage is that I can use the VLD magazines (same used for the Ackley rounds) and pop deer, antelope, black bear at 300 yards with confidence. or even coyotes up to 600 yards.
I have a 1:8 barrel with a long chamber and can run Amax and berger VLD 105grs at 2600fps with nato case. These I can seat at 2.650 OAL with the VLD magazines.
Now keep in mind these bullet are well over G1 .51 BC. so it is a huge improvement in terms of speed and terminal energy retention.

I put some developments here...
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=564287

Now I am working in the 6.5BR but the 6x45 as you can see a simple yet decent improvement.
But this is not for everyone if they do not want to reload you have amazing loads in 6.8SPC
for up to the same range. I think beyond that range the 6mm is still very efficient.

Some compares
I have it set to 100 due to most hunting here is <150yrds with some exceptions ;-).

24 incher


rapid fire right, slow fire upper left. within a dime consistently.

 

[LoonWulf]

Im also using a version of that round. Ive got a 6x47, running berger 88s at 2900 out of a 24" tube. When i get around to putting together an AR, im thinking ill probably go with the 6x45 seeing as over the last few years ive scrounged some 20lbs of .223 cases LOL.

(is it just me or does spell check REALY like to be a pain in the ass some times).

 

[1stmarine]

very nice! I have seen some interesting loads with the 6x47 improved both in 30 and 40 shoulder angle.
IMO the advange of the 6x45 is the NATO case. 62k psi and pretty decent capacity with the hard brass. Obviously if one wants to use lapua as a baseline that is great but LC, PPU and other nato cases work really well.
I mean, FCs are great but I leave the softer brass for the 'slow music'.

 

[LoonWulf]

Yeah, im with you on the brass. My 6x47rem brass comes from...remington lol, and can be hard to find and expensive. Ive got a mix of mostly PMC and LC brass for the future