I Have A Question about the "Black Rifle"

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target1911

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I am looking at getting me an AR before long.
I want a Cabine style upper and a Predator style upper.
I was thinking of possibly getting the predator upper in a different caliber if possible.
My question is, as far as the uppers, what other caliber upper can be used on a 223/5.56 lower? My reasoning for this queston is I want a 'do all' rifle.
I want the Predator upper for everything from predators to deer, but I dont care for the 223 as a deer caliber.
The carbine would be used for HD and shooting carbine matches.

Thank You all for your input....in advance.
 
other caliber for a predator upper?

.22lr
.204 Ruger
.243 Win

If you want predators/deer
.243 Win
.260 Rem
.280 Rem
.308
 
other caliber for a predator upper?

.22lr
.204 Ruger
.243 Win

If you want predators/deer
.243 Win
.260 Rem
.280 Rem
.308
Click to expand...

You missed the main question...........what other caliber upper can be used on a 223/5.56 lower?
 
Sorry, I think I was completely wrong. I just found a link and I think most of the .243 and up are for ar-10 only.

Any of the more knowledgeable guys have a complete list of caliber changes by just swapping uppers?
 
The two best...

The 6.8 SPC and the 6.5 Grendel

The 6.8 is less expensive and more companies offer it. Good accuracy to about 200-300 yards, but limited bullet weights.

The 6.5 Grendel is a little more expensive. Very accurate has been used in AR's out past 1000 yards. Soft recoil. Wide variety of bullet weights and designs 90gr up to 130gr will feed from magazines. Wolf is now making inexpensive brass cased ammo and will soon be making steel cased cheap stuff.
 
I'm sure some one does, but...

Does anyone still make 7.62X39 uppers for ar-15? I asked at a gun show a while ago, I was told Colt used to make them, but not anymore.
Click to expand...

The main problem is that due to the steep case taper of the 7.62x39in order to ensure reliable feeding, the magazines need to be drastically curved, like an AK mag. Of course, these mags will not work with a standard AR lower.
 
Here's DPMS's list:
.204 Ruger
.22LR
.223 Remington
5.56x45mm
6.8mm Remington SPC
7.62x39mm

.243 Winchester
.260 Remington
.308 Winchester
.300 Remington SAUM

There's also quite a long list on wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AR-15
There's pistol caliber conversions out there as well, 9mm luger at least.

The first group of carts above would work on a std AR-15 lower.

Those cartridges based on the .308 parent case (.243 Win, .260 Rem, & .308) will use an AR-10-type lower, for the bigger cartridges. Armalite also makes an AR-10 , but they use different mags than the DPMS. I don't know if the .300 SAUM is a different lower or not.
 
Most popular, at least lately are the .204 Ruger (awesome performance) and the .458 socom (drops like a rock after about 75 to 100 yards)
.204 Ruger is really a good performing cartridge for both target and varmint
"work", nice and flat shooting, high velocity and explosive on varmints.
 
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Which calibers are you wanting to use with your AR15 lower and we can tell you if it will work or not. I think that would be easier.
 
I was wanting to use the 243 because it is good on deer as well as smaller critters but I see I cant use that one.
I dont know anything about the 6.8 or 6.5. How are they on deer and how easy is it to find reloading componants for them?
 
I'll do my best here

I dont know anything about the 6.8 or 6.5. How are they on deer and how easy is it to find reloading componants for them?
Click to expand...

On deer? They rock. Lots of folks have used them on deer with much success.

For reloading? You will need dies of course, but Lee makes both. Want better dies? So does Reading, Forester, etc. They are both quite popular rounds in the AR world. The 6.8 a bit more so, but the 6.5 has a strong grass roots type backing.

For the 6.8 you will need bullets made for the 6.8 SPC. Due to case design, the bullets are rather short and stubby.

For the 6.5 Grendel you can use any 6.5mm bullet in the 85-130gr range and still have them feed from the magazine. Over 130gr and you will probably have to single feed them, but you can use up to 142gr. The 6.5 uses a fatter, stubbier cartridge, allowing a greater variety of bullets. The 6.5 Grendel uses the same size bolt face as the 7.62x36. The 6.5mm bullets have great SD's and BC's. There are factory loaded 90gr Speer TNT's for varmints, 120gr Nosler BT's for hunting, Lapua 123gr Scenars for paper punching, Wolf Gold 123gr SP's for hunting/ general use, 129 Hornady HP's for hunting, 130gr Swift Scirocco's for hunting

Magazines are available for both and are usually the same price. C Products makes 25 round mags for both. 6.5 Grendel mags made by Alexander Arms are high quality stainless steel and are available in different sizes. Keep in mind that most states require you to use a 5 round mag while hunting.

For more info on the 6.5 Grendel, check out www.65grendel.com or http://www.alexanderarms.com/
 
Sogarmory.com has 7.62x39 uppers in several configurations. I bought one used in new condition from a forum member here. The mags are only 10 rounders as the taper in that round requires a Very curved magazine and the AR mag well does not allow for such curve. I also have an upper in the AA .50 Beowulf and it snaps right onto the standard AR lower and even uses the same mags in a singlestack config. The bolt faces are in Two different sizes. one size shoots the .223, and .204 while the other bolt face shoots 6.8 SPC, 7.62x39, 6.5 Grendel, .458 Socom, 450 BM, and .50 Beowulf. I keep complete uppers with their own BCG's so no confusion.
 
Just my two cents worth, as an extra caliber I would go with the 6.5 Grendel, a really excellent cartridge that's next on my list. It has everything going for it, great ballistics and excellent bullets for everything from varmints to deer and long range target shooting.
 
SilentArmy, just a correction. There are 3 different boltface sizes. The 6.8 is .421.
The wait time for an Alexander 6.5 Grendel according to the last E-Mail inquiry I made is 14 to 26 weeks. There may be some out there that could be had sooner, but prepare for a wait.

The 6.8 will likely be easier to get and ammo is available from several sources. I get my 6.8 brass from Silver State Armory. The best stuf available.
http://www.ssarmory.com/68 ammo.htm
 
Mc223

The wait time for an Alexander 6.5 Grendel according to the last E-Mail inquiry I made is 14 to 26 weeks.
Click to expand...

The Sabre Defense units are running almost real time. They are also very, very high quality.

6.8 ammo may be available from more sources, but 6.5G ammo is available from many sources as well. Also, some that uses lapua brass is uber quality and will last for many reloadings.
 
Olympic makes a .223 WSSM AR15 upper, but IIRC, parts of it and possible the whole receiver had to be made non-standard to withstand the round.


Here's one 6.8 SPC site with load data, FAQs, etc:

http://www.68spc.com/
 
The bolt/carrier, barrel extension and upper receiver are all specific to the WSSM on the AR-15. The uppers do function perfectly on an unmodified AR-15 lower.

The bolt and barrel extension was made large enough to accept the huge head on the WSSM.

Magazine length gets to be an issue on the .25. It would be nice to have more room in the magazine, but in spite of the constraints, the .25 WSSM is still the flattest shooting, with the highest energy of anything that I have ever seen shot out of an AR-15.
 
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