What caliber should I choose for my next AR-15 upper?

[vsteel]

Can't get brass for it.

Not sure what you mean. Brass is available from Starline, Midway, SBR ammunition. There are times when it goes on backorder from time to time, but so do other calibers. Even if it does go on backorder, it quickly becomes available.

 

[Grunt Medic TXARNG]

Grunt, given the thread title I assumed he was looking for just an upper for under $550.

Good point - reviewing it I see what you mean. And good link!

 

[jerkface11]

Not sure what you mean. Brass is available from Starline, Midway, SBR ammunition.

It then quickly returns to backorder and stays that way for months.

 

[bowyer19]

J&S Gun Parts in Washington has Bushy 6.8 complete spec.2 uppers for $522. I just got one and it is a flat top and came with the detachable carry handle/sight and 1 26 rnd. magazine.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

the way things are going, stick with a common caliber...when the SHTF I dont believe the oddball calibers will be available

 

[bowyer19]

I keep the 5.56 upper for WTSHTF, the 6.8 upper is for hunting with my AR. The common lower gives me the same feel and trigger pull. The 5.56 upper is the one I keep on the carbine.

 

[Art Eatman]

Shooting Bambi in the white spot is about as ethical and humane as it gets, and a .223 will do as good on that as anything else. Spend the $550 on practice ammo and field-position shooting so you're good enough to hit Bambi in the white spot.

 

[wally]

drawbacks: possibly inaccurate and magazines don't work well

The 10 round mags seem to work fine in my experience. For hunting wouldn't you need to block them to 5? So I'd see this as a minor issue.

Since I replaced my C-Products 7.62x39 30 round mag springs with springs from a Bulgarian AK mag they've all been 100% with FMJ ammo, a couple of them sometimes hang with the JHP rounds so I just shoot FMJ or SP ammo.

 

[Owen Sparks]

The 6.8 seems to be pulling ahead in popularity. Check out the 6.8 forums and look at the hunting threads. Lots of hunters are using that round for deer and hog now. It is also a much more effective round for dangerous "game" in the 200 pound class. I love mine and no longer own anything in .223.