6.5 Grendel upper
I'd like to start hunting(deer) with my AR15 but would rather use a larger caliber than .223,a new upper in the 6.5 Grendel looks promising or maybe the 7.62X39 any input from those experienced with either would be appreciated.
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DBuesching,
The sky is the limit. There are a multitude of chmberrings out there for the AR-15 now, and some of which use the WSSM case, including the 223, 243, and 25 WSSM rounds. There is a specialty shop that does conversions in 6.5, 7mm, 308(close to a 308 winchester, and 30-06 power wise), 338, and 358 bullet diameter's, all on the WSSM case. Olympic arms has the 300 OSSM, which they claime to be just a little warmer than a 30-06 too.
Then there are the 6.8 SPC chambered rifles, along witth the 30 Remington AR.
Of your two choices, I would take the 6.5 in a heart beat. just so you do know, the 223 Remington, can be a 200-300 yard deer gun, when loaded with the proper bullet...like the 62 or 70 grain Barnes TSX.
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If I could not get .257 Bob I would go for the 6.5 Grendel or 6.8 SPC. 0 -
If you don't hand load the 6.8 would be a better choice then the 6.5. Many more factory loadings are available. If your a hand loader the 6.5 would be the way to go. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by DBuesching
I'd like to start hunting(deer) with my AR15 but would rather use a larger caliber than .223,a new upper in the 6.5 Grendel looks promising or maybe the 7.62X39 any input from those experienced with either would be appreciated.
As tsr1965 noted, there are a ton of cartridges that will fit in the AR-15 platform for hunting. Ability to obtain everything you need is the key to making it work.
I've loaded for and shot .223, .243 and 25 WSSM out of an AR-15 now, and I think that is the most power you can get out of the platform. You take standard 20 rd. mags and change out the follower so now you have single stack. Capacity is greatly reduced, but it works. 30 rd. mags have a tendency to jam. But, the caveat here is I didn't try any mags specifically built for the WSSM cases.
The BR cartridges fit in the AR-15 platform but are difficult to get to feed and function correctly in volume. I understand the 5 rd. mags work the best. I haven't messed hardly at all with any of these rounds in an AR-15.
The ones I have worked with a bunch are the 6.5 Grendel and some 6.8 SPC. When they have their own magazines specifically made for either of these cartridges, they work very well. I have been able to get 2700 fps safely from a 24" barrel in 6.5G with a 123 gr. bullet and 2850 with a 110 gr. bullet from a 6.8 SPC in a 20" barrel. The key to both for getting velocity is having a full length gas tube. I see way too many guys sacrificing big chunks of velocity for the 'convenience' of a short rifle. IMO, the rifle is short enough in standard configuration. There is no need for a carbine length rifle unless you plan on doing some building clearing. That said it never hurts to own one. These two cases are about the most efficient use of the AR-15 platform. Anything bigger needs to be loaded down, and anything smaller can't move up in power/speed to these two.
Lastly, there are the necked up .223 cases. Those only work with really light bullets for caliber. They'll give you more energy, but less velocity. For shorter ranges, these work pretty good. The most common is the 6x45. With a little 'massaging' you can get improved/TCU cases to run through a mag. It's generally easier to just stick with the standard case though. Less headaches...
Anyhow, that's my synopsis on the whole thing.0
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