What AR to build next?

[Hokie_PhD]

I'm wrapping up my budget 3 gun rifle build. (I've ordered the barrel and am waiting on it).

With all of the talk of banning ARs, I'm thinking I might like to build one in honor of all of those who are calling for an AWB.

So if I do it what should I build?

I currently have a basic PSA 16" carbine.

So I'm thinking of

Option A) a lower exactly like the 3 gun rifle with a 22 upper for practice

Option B) a 300 Blackout - a set of dies and an inexpensive HF mini cutoff saw are all I need to make brass to relload

Option C) a 6.5 Grendell - I have a few pistols, a shotgun and a few ARs. So this would be something with "longer legs".

Option D) some other suggestion

 

[Klint Beastwood]

Imo, even with for any potential ban, I thinking building a rifle just for the sake of it is a bad idea.
Then again for you maybe not. I like to think every gun I own has its time and place. Do with that as you will.
However, aquiring stripped lowers and uppers may not be a bad idea because if you ever decided to build for something specific you have the resources to do it. It’s unlikely that AR small parts and barrels will be hard to come by, even in the event of a ban.
This is where 80%s shine.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

Imo, even with for any potential ban, I thinking building a rifle just for the sake of it is a bad idea.
Then again for you maybe not. I like to think every gun I own has its time and place. Do with that as you will.
However, aquiring stripped lowers and uppers may not be a bad idea because if you ever decided to build for something specific you have the resources to do it. It’s unlikely that AR small parts and barrels will be hard to come by, even in the event of a ban.
This is where 80%s shine.

Normally I'd agree with you. But it's also one of those "I feel like planning my next build" too.

And I'm with you on getting parts. I can see picking up a few more stripped lowers and uppers. Nothing like a panic but if I see another sale or a good price.

Anyway, the point of the post is what should I build as I've decided that these three options are things I want/need in the bigger picture.

 

[<*(((><]

6.8 SPC or 7.62x39

 

[Hokie_PhD]

6.8 SPC or 7.62x39

I'll pass on 7.62x39. I'd rather have the 300 Blackout

If I'm not mistaken the 6.5 and the 6.8 have similar ballistics. What does the 6.8 offer that's better than the 6.5 Grendel?

 

[Varminterror]

The 6.8 offered better brass and factory ammo availability until recently. The 6.5 has access to more viable bullets, and that factory ammo & brass comparison flipped around a couple years ago. A guy can get more horses out of the 6.8, especially in a shorter barrel, but you don’t get as good of BC’s on the SPC as the Grendel, and both really tap out at about 120grains.

You’ve seen the pics of the 20” Grendel I’ve been running the last year - I built it to instruct a newbie on building AR’s, so I took an opportunity to shoot it against my 18” 6.8spc. Out to 500yrds, it’s hard to find any difference between the two. At 800, the Grendel shows a marked advantage in connection percentage. It was a sad day when I had to really try to connect at 800 against a newbie who was shooting groups twice as big as mine at 200...

If a guy reads into it, the 6.8 has few faults, whereas the Grendel had a rocky start with bolt breakages. I’ve never experienced any issues with the Grendel’s I have built, but I don’t I’m picky about whose bolts I buy. I don’t fault anyone who bypasses a Grendel in deference to the rumors of risk.

If it’s meant for mid-range shooting, regularly over 300, but not necessarily over 600 too often, I’d get the Grendel over the SPC. Closer, flip a coin. Regularly or primarily farther, neither.

On the other hand - I have a co-worker asking me to build a 458Socom SBR for him... 10.5” barrel gets here in 2wks, conformed today, aero enhanced upper and handguard, geissele G2S-E, UBR, Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8x plus magpuls, Liberty Goliath... the mock-up without the barrel is a wicked kitten. Can’t wait to see it when both stamps come in.

 

[Everready73]

I would go with the 6.5. longer range than 223 and better for hunting etc if permitted in your state.

I would just get a 22 conversion kit if you want to go that route. Way cheaper and can use existing lower/upper

I am not big on 300 BO unless you plan on suppressing. Pistol length is also optimal in this caliber so you would prob want to build a pistol lower or sbr

Another option would be ar15 pistol build. Something like a 10.5 or 11.5 inch barrel. The braces available know are nice and the kak shockwave is good and can be had for $50ish. You could always sbr at a later time if wanted. I don't see much of a point in less than 10.3 inch barrel for 556 due to ballistics. PSA sells the complete lowers with KAK or SOB braces ( or without brace) and they have multiple uppers available in those lengths.

 

[Everready73]

224V is also interesting and already getting a lot of industry support if you wanted something for longer range. Used are if receivers. All you need is the barrel. 6.8 bolt and some mags. The AE plinking ammo is about 50 cents per round. 20" barrel or longer is recommended from what I have been seeing. The claimed velocities were from a 24" barrel