Help Choosing A Precision AR Caliber

[Jason Elmore]

Hey guys. I'm really wanting to build a precision ar on a small frame. I'm probably going to go with a aero precision upper, lower, and atlas one 15" rail. This will be my first precision AR and I need some help deciding on what caliber. I've been looking at .224 Valkyrie, 6.5 Grendel, and 22 nosler. This gun would probably be mostly for target shooting and maybe shooting the occasional Whitetail. Any input would be really helpful on deciding this. Other things I'm not really set on are barrel make, length and twist. Any additional info on this would be helpful too. Thanks guys.

 

[ATH]

For targets, I'd keep it simple (223). That's what I did for my precision AR.

But with deer hunting thrown in, I would look at the 6mm or 6.5 options.

 

[Gord0]

Grendel. Just don't cheap out on the barrel, and don't try to hot rod it and it'll serve every purpose you have. 22nos... Are they still making it? Lol. 224 Valkyrie looks good on paper, but rarely have I seen one live up to the hype. Also not the greatest for deer.

 

[snox801]

I would also add that I have about every round that will fit in the 15 and the Grendel is about as good as it gets.
Now I've always thought the best would be 6mm Grendel or as it's called 6mm AR.
If you don't mind spending a bit more and are ok with forming brass the 6mm at turbo is as good as you can get in a ar 15 platform. It's a 6mm improved Grendel.
But the 6mm AR is a simple neck size and go. So if you want absolutely the best 6mm AR.
Next runner up with factory ammo 6.5 Grendel. I only have the Grendel's because I have bolts and can share ammo. But I always dream of a 6mm turbo.
The other mentioned were just a flash I. The pan. I kept waiting. For the 6mm nosler I think that would ya e been it but. Oh well.

 

[Jason Elmore]

Thanks for all the replies guys great info.

 

[snox801]

The Grendel is great for deer. My brother has taken a red sheep and mouflon, along with a few big Michigan deer and lots of pigs. Even very effective at 300 yards on pigs. He runs the 123gr but I think the 100gr is perfect for that case. I'm running then99gr hammers and the 100gr eld.

 

[Csafisher]

6mm AR

 

[TangoOscarMike]

I wouldn't count the 6.5 Creedmoor our of the discussion. There are a lot of factory offerings in 6.5CM and even more options if you are having the rifle built. It is a great round for shooting paper and a great round for shooting deer. I would think that would be ideal for your purposes.

 

[dreamhunt]

For cheaper, plentiful brass (556-based variants) consider the 6x45 or 6mm.

 

[Greyfox]

I have a 6mmAR. Exceptionally accurate, excellent feeding, simple to size/load, very long case life(Lapua 6.5 Grendel, 20x). I use this rifle for 300 yard egg shoots.

 

[cohunt]

OP said ar15 chassis-- 6.5cm is large frame ar10

 

[Memberberries]

Grendel is where it's at for ar15 lowers. Buy a good barrel and you won't regret it. 223 has a lot of limits with heavy bullets because of mag length.

My Ballistic Advantage 223 barrel shoots quite well for the money but I had to cut the front of the magazines out so that my rounds fit because the lands are so far out. No polymer tips for me that's for sure.

My buddy's shilen grendel barrel is crazy good but I think it was close to $500

Also I have an aero m4e1 set and I'm going to use another for my next build because I like it so much. I prefer them over my black rain, sota, S&w, rainier, and almost all the others I've built on over the years.

 

[Coyote_Hunter]

For targets, I'd keep it simple (223). That's what I did for my precision AR.

But with deer hunting thrown in, I would look at the 6mm or 6.5 options.

Targets = high volume, so cheap is good. It doesn't get much cheaper than the .223.

For longer ranges and hunting deer I'd go with a .243 or larger. My ARs are .223/5.56 (Wylde chamber), .300BLK and .308 Win. The only one I got for hunting is the .308 Win. The 300BLK was for fun and the .223 for SHTF and targets.

 

[TangoOscarMike]

OP said ar15 chassis-- 6.5cm is large frame ar10

I didn't see that. My bad.