Long range, factory ammo, Ar-15 upper

[dust]

Have some money, and a lower, and I am looking at getting another upper. Want something that can get out to longer ranges. Ultimately would be a varminter, but don't have a problem adding pigs or deer to the mix if possible. The only thing I see in this area is the Grendel. Is there some other caliber that I am missing?

 

[ROAMNHUNTER]

You won't be disappointed with the Grendel. There are other ones; 6.8 SPC, 223 WSSM, 243 wssm, 25 wssm, and others. The bolts are not design for the pressures of the wssm cartridge, but they do make them. The factory ammo shots great in the Grendel and is an easy cartridge to reload for. The ballistic coefficient makes the Grendel a better choice over the 6.8 @ long range distance. But I have a Grendel and I am bais. I shoot the Grendel a lot and love it!

 

[LouBoyd]

Have some money, and a lower, and I am looking at getting another upper. Want something that can get out to longer ranges. Ultimately would be a varminter, but don't have a problem adding pigs or deer to the mix if possible. The only thing I see in this area is the Grendel. Is there some other caliber that I am missing?

Is limiting your rifle's performance just because you already have an AR-15 lower a good decision? That's sort of like buying a car because you already own four tires and rims . An AR-10 in 260 Rem or 6.5 CM can give considerably more supersonic range, more terminal energy, and less wind deflection than a 6.5 Grendel. So can many bolt actions.

 

[dust]

I am not limiting myself to just an AR-15. i am just trying to find out what is available in the field of AR-15 based calibers.




An AR-10 lower will run $200 plus, an the upper in the $1K up arena. At that point I can build a 260 or a 243 in Savage for less and have more space for longer bullets, etc. At that point I can step up to the magnum or short mag stuff because the gun is gonna be modified with DBM, scope etc, and the long action and short action are pretty much the same price wise.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

6mm turbo, 6.5 LBC, 30AR, 7.62x40 wilson combat, 6.8 spc with spec II chamber.

 

[CLICKBANGBANG]

IF* you are a reloader, then I would say the Rem 30. Fits the AR-15 lower and ballistics nearing the .308. Uses .30 bullets so there is no problem finding any projectiles that you might need. Getting brass would be the only pricy spot. I believe Hornady is making the dies for the Rem 30. Not sure if you can get an upper only for a build though.

 

[BigSkyGP]

6.8 SPC makes nice holes, in and out at 200yds, with 110gr TSX, on MT mulies.

 

[BMP]

My next build will be for 500 yards +. I looked at the 6.5 Grendel and the 243 WSSM. I'm giving the WSSM the nod.

Brad

 

[ROAMNHUNTER]

I also looked @ the wssm line and wanted one, but ended up with the grendel. I have talked to people who are smarter than I and look at any reloading data. The AR is designed to function at presures in the 40,000 range. The wssm line runs in the 50,000 range! Yes they do make wssm uppers and I don't know of any problems. Look at the numbers any ways. The 243 wssm 90gr 3000fps, 6.5 grendel 90gr 2850fps. Not much difference plus with the 6.5 BC it wouldn't take long to catch up. Another problem would be barrel life. The grendel runs such low presures it will last forever.

 

[Kevin Thomas]

Actually guys, the AR was made to run in the 52,000 CUP/62,000 psi/4,300 bar range, but that's with the 5.56x45mm cartridge. The larger WSSM head size will translate to greater bolt thrust at the same pressures than a 5.56mm, so that's not exactly an apples to apples comparison.

 

[dust]

After hearing about wolf releasing steel core for 189 per 1000, and the brass being about 12 per box, I can see plinking and regular short shooting being 5.45x39 price range.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

After hearing about wolf releasing steel core for 189 per 1000, and the brass being about 12 per box, I can see plinking and regular short shooting being 5.45x39 price range.

your going to brake alot of extractors shooting the wolf stuff

 

[Specialist1]

I am building a 6.8mm SPC. I was told it has better long range capability with a flatter flight path than a 5.6 with the punch of a .308
There is an artical about the 6.8 by Shotgunner Magazine..I think.

Normal AR lower is used but a new Bolt and magazine will be needed.

Check it out for yourself. Good luck

 

[dust]

Specialist, sorry, no interest in the 6.8. I have a 7.62x39 upper, and the 6.8 is a .277 and has what seems like only 100 yards or so on the x39. I have a terminal ballistics chart for the .308, 6.8, and the Grendel.

I can hit him man, considering I have shot a total of 10 CF rounds in 5 years, unless that number greatly multiplies, I don't see anything i have wearing out anytime soon. I will take it into consideration though.