what caliber for an ar

[hunter243sgk]

am thinking about putting me a ar together.It would be for some varminting and plinking.What caliber is a good choice for a accurate platform.

 

[spclark]

How far out do you want it to be 'accurate'? How much do you want to spend on ammunition for, say, a month's shooting? Do you reload now or if not, do you plan to begin?

The AR is a capable platform, onto which a wide range of uppers can be mounted for different intents. How far you can "push the envelope" depends on to what degree you can support your choice(s). It's easy to acquire uppers for different end uses, chambered in different calibers, though case head diameter might limit you a bit. Still, swapping out bolts & maybe carriers isn' unheard of....

 

[hunter243sgk]

I guess I should have put more info.Yes I reload for a few calbers now.I don't need a real long range ar as my bolt guns will do that.I just don't really want the usual 5.56 or 223 for it.Maybe as a secondary upper.I was really interested in the 20 tac or 20prac.But I am open to suggestions.I wont be shooting it out farther than around 300 or so.

 

[mac86951]

I guess I should have put more info.Yes I reload for a few calbers now.I don't need a real long range ar as my bolt guns will do that.I just don't really want the usual 5.56 or 223 for it.Maybe as a secondary upper.I was really interested in the 20 tac or 20prac.But I am open to suggestions.I want be shooting it out farther than around 300 or so.

20 practical is nice for finding brass. If you want to be different, then go 6 - 6.5mm cartridges. Uppers are easy to change, so pick something that feeds from a common mag. (The 20s you mentioned). I know you said you don't want a 223, but hard to argue with finding components for it and 45gr bullets aren't too far behind the 20s. (Get a standard 223 chamber an a 1:12-1:10). If I built another I'd go 6.5 grendel, or 6mm AR.

 

[wapiti25]

Do you own a 223 or 5.56? A 223 with a 1:8 twist is very different than the 1:12 with 55 gr. I shoot a 223 at 600 yds using 80 gr bullets. The ar mags are short so I use 69 gr bullets.

 

[hunter243sgk]

No I don't own a 223 I do got a 222 bolt gun that I like. What I want to do is get something a little different to play with.I have even though about the 6mm ar turbo 40 but then got to thinking about one of the 20s I named.Then later I will get a 223wyled upper to have around.The 20s should be easy to load for and fun to shoot and I think they would make a good little varmint gun.And no I have never had a fast twist 223.I would just like to hear from others on what they got and why they like it.Thanks

 

[IMMORTAL]

I would look at the 20 Practical. Brass is cheap. I'm looking at getting one from WOA right now.

 

[L.Sherm]

+1 on the 20 prac.

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

No I don't own a 223

You want varmint and plinking? .....223 is my vote. You can buy cheap ammo for plinking, and better ammo for varmint.

Others are nice, but they could get expensive for plinking.

Everyone should have a 223 and a 22lr. (and a shotgun)

 

[spclark]

With the info you've added I think 20PRAC's your first option. Fast twist in a 223 is only needed if you go over 69 - (some) 75 grain bullets to reach out beyond 500 - 600 yards. For little to nothing beyond 300 you can shoot more lighter bullets in a 1:9 - 1:12. 6mm's get the most out of the platform @ 600 but for your stated intent would just cost you more. Some like 6HAGAR (my choice for NRA competition) have brass issues (irregular supply, few options for brass to form from) but 6RAT/FATRAT/Whitley's 40's use more plentiful 6.5 Grendel or even 7.62/39 in a pinch. Case capacity there's a bit limited with 6.5's over 120 grains though but for 300 yards it's enough.

There are a few who've used 6.5 Grendel brass necked down to 223 or 200 too for 'pink cloud' afternoons. Those are special-purpose but ought to be a real hoot to shoot.

 

[mshelton]

22 short

 

[kjcpoint]

20tac.
I am waiting for a Lilja AR blank to show up. Defiance upper/lower and JP low mass Bolt. Be a light fast little rifle with the 32's.

Kyle

 

[Phil]

Brass Belchers are cool, but have a few drawbacks.

First is the potential for the brass that can be lost.
Dented cases
COAL limitations, bullets have to fit and feed from the magazine, this also limits use-able cartridge/bullet combos.

That said there are some really cool combos that work famously with the AR platform.

If you are truly missing a .223 from your collection, then start with the easiest one and get a .223, you can always get other uppers as you go along.

Good luck in your decision,

Phil.

 

[22DASHER]

Everyone must have 223 AR-15....plain and simple

 

[hunter243sgk]

Thanks fellows for the info and opions.Now I am going to have to decide.And I diffinitly agree with most of the posts.Thanks

 

[boltgunluvr]

For resale value and practicality ............223 Rem. But they do get rather boring since the market is flooded with them.

 

[mshelton]

Everyone must have 223 AR-15....plain and simple

I think I'd rather grow a vagina....

 

[22DASHER]

Everyone must have 223 AR-15....plain and simple

I think I'd rather grow a vagina....

:-X

 

[Terry_M]

For something different and to stay within 300yds there's the 6.8 SPC, but with the limits of the case capacity it's no lightening bolt.

Every 6.5 Grendel I've shot has been very accurate, but I've only fired 3 and don't own one so I can't say all are going to be that way.

There is also the 300BLK which can be a fun round for target shooting an can be suppressed with relative ease.

Lots of choices...

Good luck, and don't worry whatever you build I'm sure will leave you wanting for another new???? in the future ;D

 

[stinnett1981]

For a AR15 I would go 204 Ruger or 20 Prac or plain jane .223. For a AR10 I would go 6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5-47L.