what to do with an AR lower

[yorketransport]

I've got a complete AR lower sitting around doing nothing that needs to be put to good use. I have it listed in the classified section but there's not a lot of interest there, so I may as well come up with something fun to do with it. It's the same lower that I used during my brief mid-life crisis when I was pressured by Biggerhammer and Jay_sharkbait to play with the AR platform. It'll be fun they said, ARs can still be interesting, there are good chamberings available that make it a gun worth actually owning........  All lies!!! 

It's the same lower that I used for the 6.5 BRX, 270 AR and the very short lived 6x45 projects, so it was intended to be more of a target/hunting setup than a defensive one. Here are the possible ideas for an upper that I've come up with so far:

- 270 MSR. This is the newer version of the 270 AR that I had before. The original 270 AR used 6.5x47 Lapua (or similar) cases cut down and formed to the 270 AR. The newer 270 MSR uses 6 Dasher brass necked up making the cases much easier to form. The performance is nearly identical, so 130gr bullets at around 2600-2650 fps from a 20" barrel. The upside to this option is that it would give me a use for all the 270 bullets I have left over from the 270 Boondoogle disaster.

- 6mm AR Turbo. This one is basically a 243 LBC improved. I like the idea of a little 6mm ballistically similar to the 6mm BR in a gas gun. My PRS super star buddy thought it would make an interesting gun for me to use to try and get into PRS (I'm constantly making fun of the PRS crowd for all shooting the same chambering/rifle combo). It seems a little redundant though since I actually have 6mm BR and 6.5 Grendel bolt guns.

- 224 Valkyrie. I hate the 223/5.56 but I like the idea of a moderate capacity .22 for plinking and mid-range shooting. A 22-24" barrel and the right bullets could make for a fun setup. I've got a buddy with 2500 of the 75gr ELDm bullets we could burn through playing around.

- 375 or 358 SOCOM. Jay_sharkbait and I talked about a 338 SOCOM a few years back and dropped the idea in favor of other ways to waste time and money. Now that Tromix has done some significant work with the 375 SOCOM and a little bit with the 358 SOCOM, they might be worth looking at. I don't know what I'd do with either one of those chamberings but they sound awful fun.

The idea is to build another side charging upper and use an adjustable gas block for whatever I do so that I can close off the gas port and use the rifle like a straight pull action if I wanted to. I hate chasing brass all over place! Let's here what you folks have for suggestions. No idea is too obscure or ridiculous, in fact those are usually the best ones.

[Dan-o]

I'd go SOCOM. 

JUST BECAUSE I COULD. 

PROBABLY 375. 

[jasnt]

338 socom  or ar turbo gets my vote.  224 ar turbo would be fun

[konradcountry]

You will have to come down on price if you want to sell it.

Everyone wants to sell their AR lowers and uppers based on what they paid for them but the market has brought the prices down of quality components.

You can get a complete Aero lower for $200 and then add a hiperfire trigger for $100. That's a sweet setup for less than what you are offering.

As for what to do I would look at blackout with a short barrel. Has a nice bang and the ammo is reasonable.

[yorketransport]

You will have to come down on price if you want to sell it.

Everyone wants to sell their AR lowers and uppers based on what they paid for them but the market has brought the prices down of quality components.

You can get a complete Aero lower for $200 and then add a hiperfire trigger for $100. That's a sweet setup for less than what you are offering.

As for what to do I would look at blackout with a short barrel. Has a nice bang and the ammo is reasonable.

We could go round and round on the value of the used AR lowers. If I needed to sell it and get the cash I'd just roll the complete lower for $200 with the CMC trigger in there and be done.

I played with the 300 Whisper (blackout) for a couple years in a Contender. It was alright, but under powered. I dropped it in favor of the 30 Herrett which was nearly 125 fps faster in the same length barrel. I still haven't figured out why the Blackout is as popular as it seems to be. There are better hunting chamberings in the AR and there are better options for targets/plinking. 

[Jolten]

Sell it to biggerhammer, buy my Grendel, build your son a Grendel, or if your feeling a bit fancy could build a 6.5prc

[yorketransport]

Sell it to biggerhammer, buy my Grendel, build your son a Grendel, or if your feeling a bit fancy could build a 6.5prc

Biggerhammer was the first guy I hit up when I was trying to come up with an idea for something fun/unusual to do with the lower. I thought about trying to sell it to him, but I think he finds ARs under the seat of his truck the way the rest of us find old french fries. :chuckle

The last gun I built for my kids was the little CZ 527 in 6.5 Grendel. It's my favorite gun that I built for them and they never shoot. Ungrateful little buggers....... I just had to keep it for myself.

[carpsniperg2]

What about a 450 bushmaster? I built one not that long ago and am having a lot of fun with it chucking 250/300 grain pills down range.

Also super in love with the new 338 federal but you would need to trade up to a 10 of course.

Also the 350 legend that's new a guy could play with.

[emac]

What about a 450 bushmaster? I built one not that long ago and am having a lot of fun with it chucking 250/300 grain pills down range.

Also super in love with the new 338 federal but you would need to trade up to a 10 of course.

Also the 350 legend that's new a guy could play with.

What would be your make distance for a shot on an animal with the 450. I was looking at one of those or a 458 socom or the legend

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[konradcountry]

We could go round and round on the value of the used AR lowers.

I have no interest in doing that. I'm just pointing out that you are priced over a new setup.

I played with the 300 Whisper (blackout) for a couple years in a Contender. It was alright, but under powered. I dropped it in favor of the 30 Herrett which was nearly 125 fps faster in the same length barrel. I still haven't figured out why the Blackout is as popular as it seems to be. There are better hunting chamberings in the AR and there are better options for targets/plinking. 

Because most people don't reload and the barrel will cost more so at 30/30 ranges you are really paying for that 125 fps. I'm not an evangelist for the cartridge but it makes sense for a lot of people. If you have an AR you can swap in a $100 barrel and be hunt ready.   

[carpsniperg2]

I feel very confident to 200/250 with it. I have the CDs system and shoot it at 300 a good bit. On game 200 and under would be preferable.

[Alchase]

We could go round and round on the value of the used AR lowers.

I have no interest in doing that. I'm just pointing out that you are priced over a new setup.

I played with the 300 Whisper (blackout) for a couple years in a Contender. It was alright, but under powered. I dropped it in favor of the 30 Herrett which was nearly 125 fps faster in the same length barrel. I still haven't figured out why the Blackout is as popular as it seems to be. There are better hunting chamberings in the AR and there are better options for targets/plinking. 

Because most people don't reload and the barrel will cost more so at 30/30 ranges you are really paying for that 125 fps. I'm not an evangelist for the cartridge but it makes sense for a lot of people. If you have an AR you can swap in a $100 barrel and be hunt ready.   

I was kind of thinking the same thing, but, I live vicariously through people like yorketransport who dare to do different builds that others won't, or what my stupid common sense would say not to try.

 

[yorketransport]

What about a 450 bushmaster? I built one not that long ago and am having a lot of fun with it chucking 250/300 grain pills down range.

Also super in love with the new 338 federal but you would need to trade up to a 10 of course.

Also the 350 legend that's new a guy could play with.

The 450 bushmaster does actually intrigue me. It’s on the list of potential candidates for a 16.5-18” encore barrel. I hadn’t done much research on it until recently but it looks like a decent package. The 350 Legend had my attention too until I found out it uses .355 bullets instead of .357 or .358s.

I was kind of thinking the same thing, but, I live vicariously through people like yorketransport who dare to do different builds that others won't, or what my stupid common sense would say not to try.

 

I’m here to help! Life’s too short to shoot boring calibers!

[Alchase]

What about a 450 bushmaster? I built one not that long ago and am having a lot of fun with it chucking 250/300 grain pills down range.

Also super in love with the new 338 federal but you would need to trade up to a 10 of course.

Also the 350 legend that's new a guy could play with.

The 450 bushmaster does actually intrigue me. It’s on the list of potential candidates for a 16.5-18” encore barrel. I hadn’t done much research on it until recently but it looks like a decent package. The 350 Legend had my attention too until I found out it uses .355 bullets instead of .357 or .358s.

I was kind of thinking the same thing, but, I live vicariously through people like yorketransport who dare to do different builds that others won't, or what my stupid common sense would say not to try.

 

I’m here to help! Life’s too short to shoot boring calibers!

But not all of us have the cojones to take on these builds. And all of them are interesting   

 

[carpsniperg2]

That's weak. I hadn't planed on the 350 but for sure pass with the 355

I'm waiting for things to mellow. Got a couple of 10's still so thinking a 260 and maybe a 358 win.

[konradcountry]

But not all of us have the cojones to take on these builds. And all of them are interesting

I don't think it is a matter of cojones. Some of us would rather just buy a box of ammo and get to the range.

Since so many calibers have already been done you are often just splitting hairs.

[jasnt]

Wild catting isn’t for everyone.  If your happy just buying a box of rounds and heading to the range that’s great.  For some of us it’s more fun building our own rifles and building our own rounds and going shooting with something no one else has.  Even if it’s just a tiny bit different than what’s on the shelf. 

[jay.sharkbait]

SOCOM

Because you’ll get to say SOCOM all the time......

[Dan-o]

I figured out what you should do:

1.  Go 375 SOCOM
2.  Use good quality parts
3.  Tire of it quickly
4.  Sell it to me at a tremendous discount
5. Rinse and repeat

[Jolten]

Well.... Neck a .243 wssm up to a 6.5 caliber?

[huntnphool]

 I’d wait to see if martial law is declared and confiscations begin, you may be able to get 10x the amount you are currently asking.

[yorketransport]

That's weak. I hadn't planed on the 350 but for sure pass with the 355

I'm waiting for things to mellow. Got a couple of 10's still so thinking a 260 and maybe a 358 win.

I always thought a 358 Win in an AR 10 would be pretty cool. The 338 Federal would make more sense, but you don't get as many style points.

But not all of us have the cojones to take on these builds. And all of them are interesting

I don't think it is a matter of cojones. Some of us would rather just buy a box of ammo and get to the range.

Since so many calibers have already been done you are often just splitting hairs.

It's been a long time since I built something practical. Sometimes the best way to get 340 Weatherby ballistics is to neck down a 375 Ruger case and fireform that sucker in an 18" pistol. Or you can get all fancy like Jasnt and run a 338/375 Ruger reamer in a little deep and go with an 8x68s case instead!

Besides, after the ammo hoarders have bought up all of the available ammo off the shelf, I'll still be shooting because I'm not dependent on factory ammo.

I figured out what you should do:

1.  Go 375 SOCOM
2.  Use good quality parts
3.  Tire of it quickly
4.  Sell it to me at a tremendous discount
5. Rinse and repeat

Didn't we go through this scenario once before with the 270 RUM idea?

SOCOM

Because you’ll get to say SOCOM all the time......

Now that's operator.......

[kselkhunter]

My vote is a 35 cal.  But I'm a 35 cal guy.  Ranger Point Precision built an AR on their 36RPP design which was cool; a shortened 35 Whelen wildcat.   358 Win would be more straightforward.  I'd do that over 358 SOCOM.  Yeah 338 Fed would also make sense.  I like 375 cal stuff, so 375 SOCOM perhaps.


350Rem would be interesting too.   

 

[Skillet]

Now that's operator.......

That operator may be operating on behalf of Instagram, but he's not keeping the spell check operating.

~Spelling Operator

 

[mountainman]

35 Gremlin. Lots of parent brass available

[Alchase]

Well.... Neck a .243 wssm up to a 6.5 caliber?

He said ".243wssm"   winner, winner 

I love them, they are so cute!

 

[Fl0und3rz]

Now that's operator.......

That operator may be operating on behalf of Instagram, but he's not keeping the spell check operating.

~Spelling Operator

 

That's a tactical fold in the T shirt to lure the unwary into the operator's trap.

[yorketransport]

Now that's operator.......

That operator may be operating on behalf of Instagram, but he's not keeping the spell check operating.

~Spelling Operator

 

Internet
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We're kind of a big deal.......

Looks like I may throw the AR lower back in the safe for another year or so, I have a new idea! Somebody is going to give me a 1-7" twist .224 barrel blank with the only condition being that I have to do something unusual with it. I have an idea already.

[jay.sharkbait]

Now that's operator.......

That operator may be operating on behalf of Instagram, but he's not keeping the spell check operating.

~Spelling Operator

 

Internet
Sniper
Training
Association
Global
Resource
    and
Asset
Management

We're kind of a big deal.......

Looks like I may throw the AR lower back in the safe for another year or so, I have a new idea! Somebody is going to give me a 1-7" twist .224 barrel blank with the only condition being that I have to do something unusual with it. I have an idea already.

Maybe get all weird and wacky and neck 300 blackout down to .224!

That would be awesomenessssss! (Extra ssss’s added because that’s what internet operators do)

[yorketransport]

Maybe get all weird and wacky and neck 300 blackout down to .224!

That would be awesomenessssss! (Extra ssss’s added because that’s what internet operators do)

That's a crazy idea! I bet that would work well out of something like a 10" barreled handgun with a flimsy plastic stock, I'll have a little diamond on the forend though, so it'll still be cool! I bet it would look kind of like this. Man, think of the fireball that would make!!! 

[Jolten]

Now that's operator.......

That operator may be operating on behalf of Instagram, but he's not keeping the spell check operating.

~Spelling Operator

 

Internet
Sniper
Training
Association
Global
Resource
    and
Asset
Management

We're kind of a big deal.......

Looks like I may throw the AR lower back in the safe for another year or so, I have a new idea! Somebody is going to give me a 1-7" twist .224 barrel blank with the only condition being that I have to do something unusual with it. I have an idea already.

Maybe get all weird and wacky and neck 300 blackout down to .224!

That would be awesomenessssss! (Extra ssss’s added because that’s what internet operators do)

22boondoogle?