AR-15 build verses buy

[Heredoggydoggy]

If you had a complete lower and  wanted an upper to hunt with what round would you use? Ammo/Brass availability would be very important to me, knockdown power THEN range.

 Using your criteria, 300BLK, followed by 6.8SPC.
Distance you will most likely hunt plays a role also.

It always amazes me at all the hype over the 300 BLK--who but a suppressor user would want a subsonic variant of the 223 case.  Might make a good brush gun, but that's about it!    Go 6.8 and you won't be sorry.

Why do you think the 300BLK is only useful sub sonic?

Because it was designed to be a suppressor round.  you put a 30 caliber bullet in a shortened and cut down .223 case, and that's what you get--a slow freight!  It was nearly impossible to make a sub-sonic .223 round for suppressor use, so the 300 Blackout was invented.  Actually, it was first called the 300 Whisper, but the guy that invented it wouldn't let anyone else use the name.

[mountainman]

J.D. jones from SSK. Super sonic 110 equals a 123 out of an AK when both are running 16". Anemic, but coupled with the improved accuracy in an AR over an AK, AND the option of running under 1000 fps and supressed, lends more options. Hornadies or the specialized Barnes 110 makes it a viable medium game round.

[Heredoggydoggy]

J.D. jones from SSK. Super sonic 110 equals a 123 out of an AK when both are running 16". Anemic, but coupled with the improved accuracy in an AR over an AK, AND the option of running under 1000 fps and supressed, lends more options. Hornadies or the specialized Barnes 110 makes it a viable medium game round.

What do you call "Medium game"--cats?  Racoons?    

[Biggerhammer]

Puuuuuuft , never was one to carry anything that would handicap me even mid range wise. Never saw anything in the ".300 Whisper". Something to play with sure but application wise, I'll pass.

[mountainman]

J.D. jones from SSK. Super sonic 110 equals a 123 out of an AK when both are running 16". Anemic, but coupled with the improved accuracy in an AR over an AK, AND the option of running under 1000 fps and supressed, lends more options. Hornadies or the specialized Barnes 110 makes it a viable medium game round.

What do you call "Medium game"--cats?  Racoons?    
[/quote]Or squirrels, possums, or even pixies! 

Seriously though, I was just stating the energy level comparing to another caliber. Not quite a 30/30, but close. It would be very capable for deer sized game out to a couple hundred yards easily. Running lehigh bullets, a little more so. BUT, the Blackout was not designed for that purpose. More aptly for close in clean up work in an urban environment. Scenario..a team gets sent into a structure to clear. A number enter, a number sets the perimeter. Say even a light built structure for the sake of making a point. Penetration become an issue not only for interior team members, but people possibly in other rooms, along with perimeter team. Mp5's ideal for that situation. But bad guy makes a run out the back and down the alley. 100-150 yards away. Handgun round you hope might hit the target, a 30 cal with twice the smack hits the target! Plus, supressed in the interior allows members to communicate and save their hearing. Thats more in tune with what the "whisper" was designed for. Not an aplication that everyone needs or uses..for us, its just flat fun!  plus, they say you can shoot a deer in the nose at twenty paces and actually knock him out!

[Jim the Plumber]

If you had a complete lower and  wanted an upper to hunt with what round would you use? Ammo/Brass availability would be very important to me, knockdown power THEN range.

 Using your criteria, 300BLK, followed by 6.8SPC.
Distance you will most likely hunt plays a role also.

It always amazes me at all the hype over the 300 BLK--who but a suppressor user would want a subsonic variant of the 223 case.  Might make a good brush gun, but that's about it!    Go 6.8 and you won't be sorry.

Why do you think the 300BLK is only useful sub sonic?

Because it was designed to be a suppressor round.  you put a 30 caliber bullet in a shortened and cut down .223 case, and that's what you get--a slow freight!  It was nearly impossible to make a sub-sonic .223 round for suppressor use, so the 300 Blackout was invented.  Actually, it was first called the 300 Whisper, but the guy that invented it wouldn't let anyone else use the name.

I have several AR-15's chambered in 5.56 ( a few..), 6-223, 6-6.8 ( haven't shot this one yet), and 300 BLK.
My favorite for everyday shooting, plinking, coyotes, out to 300 yards is the 300 BLK. It's a ton of fun to shoot, both super sonic and sub sonic, all run suppressed.
 Minimal recoil, low blast, even un suppressed, doesn't dirty up the action when suppressed like the 5.56's do.
 Very forgiving to reload. Bullets from 95 grain up to 240 grain and all will function the rifle.
 I would have no issues taking a deer sized animal out to 300 yards with it. Will I ever? most likely not as I have better choices. Coyotes to ~300, absolutely.
 I would be happy to meet up with you and let you shoot my 300BLK. It will surprise you.

[Swannytheswan]

so what would be the way to go for a feller that doesn't reload...wish I could but I don't have the space for it

[Biggerhammer]

so what would be the way to go for a feller that doesn't reload...wish I could but I don't have the space for it

For a hunting AR? If that's the case, it's hard to beat a 6.5 Grendel with factory Hornady loads in 123gr SST or 123gr A-Max at 24.00 bucks a box. I was purchasing the 123gr A-Max locally for 21.00 this last summer. I haven't  looked at local prices lately because I stocked up on them due to the fact they shot so well. It was well worth the loaded price. It shot so well that I haven't even touched my Lapua brass for reloading. I did order 10 more boxes locally but I didn't ask the price, I guess I'll find out when they show up.

I've been witness to a 6.5 Grendel one shot stop on a Mulie at 496 yards with a 120 Ballistic Tip in .264 LBC brass launched from a 16" Alexander Arm M4 carbine barrel.

Precision Firearms sells a wide verity of 6.5 Grendel / .264 LBC loads. I shot a bunch of their .264 LBC through my Grendels.

http://www.precisionfirearms.com/29.html


MidWay USA has a M4 6.5 Grendel barrel and bolt on hand in stock right now for 279.00. They go fast, you can throw the barrel on any AR, change the bolt and stuff a 18.00 buck Grendel magazine in it and your good to go.

Barrel.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/884877/ar-stoner-barrel-and-bolt-ar-15-65-grendel-medium-m4-contour-1-in-8-twist-16-stainless-steel

Magazine.

http://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2726

[Swannytheswan]

that is what I was thinking...and the 6.5 grendel just requires new bolt and barrel correct?

[Biggerhammer]

Yes, most Grendel barrels come with a bolt. Magazines are only 18.00 bucks or so. The barrel I added above to my post is a 8 twist to boot.

Best your going to get out of a AR with factory foder available.

[Biggerhammer]

This is from my 17" 6.5 Grendel at 300yards. This is with factory Hornady 123gr A-Max!

One of the better groups.



About its average at 300 yards.



The 123's kill Rockchucks... DEAD! Tried to keep the photo half way decent. You can tell he's a little thin with the unzipped side down.

[Swannytheswan]

I think I'm sold... Got a stripped upper already it will prolly be a long term build when I get the money/see stuff on sale kinda deal

[Biggerhammer]

I think I'm sold... Got a stripped upper already it will prolly be a long term build when I get the money/see stuff on sale kinda deal

PM me what other parts your interested in or may be looking for, a general idea of what type of AR you want to put together. I may have them or can help find them new or used for a decent deal.

Now days on assembling most AR's , I start with the barrel if I have to order it from a custom maker. The barrel usually takes the longest. The rest of the parts come easy.

[Heredoggydoggy]

If you have to buy a Grendel bolt, make sure it's a Type II bolt, and not just a 7.62x39 bolt.  The Grendel Type II bolt is 10 thousanths deeper than the 7.62x39 bolt so it chambers the round and the bolt fingers lock up with the barrel. 

[mountainman]

Back to the OP

My son looked into buy verses build and it looks cheaper to buy one out right then to build?  Crazy...  I guess when you buy in bulk you can put together those rifles pretty cheap. 

Kinda went sideways discussion wise, as they sometimes do when opinion between us gun loonies opens up. Hopefully, you question was somewhat answered? Cheaper to buy complete for a basic gun, cheaper to build if you want to go with a certain look, spec etc. and I will check on the Daniels Defense for your son.