Since I built my AR, I’ve fallen in love with the platform. To the extent that I’ve made the decision to replace my Remington 700/ Leupold VX-I platform with a dedicated AR (I have a spare lower already.) My only question is caliber. The 700 is in .270 Winchester, and I want something with close to that same power.
I had (kinda) ruled out the 6.8 SPC, but it seems that it has a proven track record. So my options are: 6.8 SPC (.277, same as a .270), .30 Remington AR (more energy, but DPMS and Remington don’t seem to be selling uppers separate yet), the .25 WSSM (at least it’s a Winchester…), or the .450 Bushmaster (recoil heavy, and I don’t really need that much energy.)
So, considering the cost of the ammo and the upper, any thoughts or recommendations?
Bill Waites
5 Jan 10 at 1:37 PM
Hmmm…
The obvious choice is none of the above.
The 6.5 Grendel allows the use of much higher BC bullets than the 6.8, less recoil than the .30AR, the .25WSSM, and the .450 Bushmaster.
It was designed as a hunting round for use in the AR15 platform by Bill Alexander of Alexander Arms.
1000 yard ballistics are similar to the .308 when using the high BC bullets it allows.
Barnes makes 100, 110, and 120 grain solids, and just about everyone makes very good conventional bullets in the caliber.
Dixie
5 Jan 10 at 6:13 PM
The problem is that I’ll never take a 1,000 yard shot with this AR. The whole reason that I’m trying to move away from the 700 platform is that I need a fast second shot in tight quarters. Most of my rifle shots have been sub-100 yards, and none have been past 200.
I’m also worried about ammo availability… the .25 WSSM and 6.5 are slightly rare in my area (no long range shots, no long range shooters, no long range ammo) but I can find ammo for the 6.8, .30 AR, and .450.
Not saying the Grendel is a bad round, but I need short range power for anything from deer to black bear, not long range precision. (As it stands, I can’t shoot the 700 to its fullest due to the fact that I can’t find a 250+ yard range to shoot on.)
Secesh
6 Jan 10 at 7:34 PM
How about the 7.62X39? It should work at the ranges you mention.
Dixie
7 Jan 10 at 1:18 AM
I’ll have to look at it. I know the .30 RAR has more power, but if I can’t find uppers for it, it’s a moot point. Not to mention firing Commie ammo from an AR-15 seems… wrong somehow.
Bill Waites
7 Jan 10 at 4:36 PM
Of the rounds you mention, the only one appropriate for bear is the .450 Bushmaster. I have doubts about its long term viability, as Bushmaster ran what appeared to be a fire sale late last year. They sold uppers at prices that were essentially the same as parts prices. (I almost bought one for the parts!)
None of the rest of those rounds are truly bear stoppers.
That said, I think you misunderstood my post on the Grendel. Simply because it will be effective at long range doesn’t mean it is less effective at short range. It will do everything the 6.8 will do, simply by choosing the right bullet. The 6.8, conversely, will not do what the Grendel will do.
I’m also not convinced the .30AR is long term viable, but it is Big Green, so who knows? It is, essentially, a 7.62×39 in an American wrapper.
Bill
Dixie
7 Jan 10 at 11:14 PM
As far as viability goes, I’m with you. The .450 seems to be a niche round, with the 6.8 being the same. I’m looking more into the 6.5 and the 7.62×39, but I keep coming back to the 6.8, just because I have an affinity to the .277″ round. Call me sentimental. (chuckle)
Bill Waites
9 Jan 10 at 10:03 PM
There is nothing wrong with the 6.8. However, it is best used to run light for caliber bullets at high velocities. That was the intent of the design. Thus the 80-100 grain bullets are the top performers. It’s a good caliber, with decent ballistics out to 300 yards, and the 110-115 grain bullets do OK. You can’t really use the same bullets as a .270 because they just can’t be pushed to decent velocities in the 6.8.
The Grendel shoots heavier, high BC bullets at slightly slower velocities, but because of those BC’s it reaches further.
However, and this may be critical, neither is a good choice if bear is part of the requirement. If that is part of the game, then you HAVE to look at one of the big bores. Either the .450, (I’ve already stated my problems with it) the .50 Beowulf, or the .458 SOCOM.
I prefer the Beowulf, it’s been around the longest and seems to have long term support. The SOCOM would be my second choice, and the .450my last.
Bill
Dixie
9 Jan 10 at 11:14 PM
“… neither is a good choice if bear is part of the requirement.”
Bear’s a wishful dream, Bill. (chuckle) Every season, I keep hoping the FWC will open up a bear, panther, or ‘gator permit lottery in the Northwest area, and every year they don’t. It’s to the point that bears are becoming roadkill like deer in this area. So bear’s just a dream. (Hey, wait… if I get a 6.5 now, I can justify a bigger gun *later*…)
Bill Waites
10 Jan 10 at 9:12 PM
Well, then, 6.8 or 6.5, for me the Grendel wins because it CAN shoot out at those longer distances. Of course, I live in a wide open western state!
Good luck either way.
Shoot straight and keep your ammo dry!
Bill
Dixie
11 Jan 10 at 12:16 AM
Looking it over, I think I’m going with a 6.5. I’m already going to add a K31 sometime soon, and that’ll cover the “heavy” end of the spectrum. The .30 RAR doesn’t seem to be getting traction, and the .450, .458 and .50 Beowulf all look like too much gun for the job. (Although, it does intrigue me as to how a whitetail would react to a .50 hit…)
Thanks for the advice.
Bill Waites
11 Jan 10 at 7:10 PM
LOL!!!
They react by falling over! Not much running when the Beowulf whacks them!
Good luck!! Feel free to email with questions!
Dixie
12 Jan 10 at 12:15 AM
Heh. Friend of mine hunts with a 7mm Rem. Mag… for close work. “I’m too old to chase them!” is his stance.
Thanks for the help.