What should my next AR upper be?

[Greywolf]

OK, I'm thinking of selling my 9mm AR upper (8" barrel) and going another route.

My criteria: Accurate, reliable, can be reloaded (ammo) relatively cheaply, would be nice if I could use standard mags but have no problem buying proprietary if I need to (if I don't already have mags that will do the trick), uses a regular AR-15 lower.

I already have brass and dies for all of my current calibers.

I do NOT have an upper, bolt, carrier, etc. yet for the new project, just a complete lower.

I want it to be a rifle with good short and medium range capabilities (especially in terms of energy delivered on target - I'd like it to be good for hunting medium sized game and hogs, with good defense/anti-personnel uses if TSHTF).

I'd like to go with a 14.5" - 16" barrel max.


Here is what I already have:

.300 BLK in 16" (soon - TP555 working on that)
.300-221 in 8" (will probably convert to .300 BLK)
5.56 in 16"
5.56 in 14.5"
LaRue OBR 18" (heavy sucker)
6.5 Grendel 20" (somewhat heavy sucker)

So, would I be best served with just another, much lighter weight 16" or 14.5" Grendel? Or is there something else out there that might be in the cards?

I've seen arguments for/against the following:

6.8 SPCII
.25-223
6.5 MPC (SSK proprietary)
6x45
6.5 TCU-AR

 

[unwise11]

300 blk with a 12" inch tube, and a can, since it sounds like you are class 3.

or .264 LBC Ar.

 

[Sky]

I have been thinking of the 7.62x39 for short to mid ranges and price of ammo.

 

[nelsonal]

What about one of the big bores?

 

[Greywolf]

Would like it to be lightweight, so the big bores are out. Already have a .308 OBR that is pretty hefty.

Problem with 7.62x39 is the mags and bolt - I've read the bolt is a bit weak, and the mags are very long and angled hard due to feeding issues.

Plus my .300 BLK is already pretty close to the x39 ballistically.

 

[G27RR]

How abou one of these?
.450 Bushmaster
.458 SOCOM
.50 Beowulf

 

[FLAvalanche]

.50 Beowulf

 

[Skylerbone]

I'd vote 6.8SPCII but you're already loading for 6.5 Grendel... .243wssm? It doesn't apear this will be your last build, seems you've got the fever. FWIW I do ocasionally grab the wrong ammo for range trips due to multiple firearms in the same chambering. The loads are generally similar but not hitting to POA tends to agitate me. Guess I need more labels.

 

[gunnutery]

I like the idea of the 5.7x28 (especially the downward ejection) but I'm holding out for the .357 mag version

 

[magnumman44]

I vote .450 bushmaster! I love mine, and will be deer hunting with it in about 2 weeks!!

 

[magnumman44]

I vote .450 bushmaster! I love mine, and will be deer hunting with it in about 2 weeks!! It groups really well out to 200 yards.

 

[GMHAYESUSN]

.450 Bushmaster or .458 SOCOM