This is probably more of an arfcom type of post lol but here goes…
I’ve already got my HD AR, but now I’m looking to build more of a hunting/target gun. I’d like a round that you can shoot mid and maybe touch long range with. Plus something with a lot of support if I choose to reload some day. I’m thinking about building off a Seekins Precision lower and using an upper from Noveske. What round have you had good results shooting with out of the AR-15 platform? .223/5.56 isn’t out of the question either…
If you are thinking of long range, I’d take a look at the 6.5 Grendel. Especially if you will reload for it as getting factory ammo could be hit or miss.
The best long-range cartridge from a standard AR action is arguably the 6.5 Grendel. Factory support is OK but not to the level of the 6.8 or 300 BLK. Your desire for long-range knocks the 300 BLK out of contention.
I myself have been toying with building a long range AR, but haven’t made my mind up whether it will be sticking with a standard AR package in 6.5 or stepping up to a 308 AR.
A 308 AR has good aftermarket support and 308 ammo/components are very available. However a 308 AR costs at LEAST 50% more than a comparable standard AR, and is alot larger/heavier.
I do not have first hand experience with the 6.5 or 6.8, but if I happen to pick one up I would be happy to contribute my input.
well first off, what is your definition of “long range” exactly? People have shot 700-800 meters with AR’s and 1000+ with bolt .223
If long range is 5-600 yards then a .223 will do the job just fine and will be significantly cheaper than 6.5 or 6.8 for both factory ammo and reloading. So back to square one, what do you consider long range?
Also, you mention hunting. What kind of game will you be hunting? 6.8 is a hell of a hunting round with pretty decent range and power.
I’ve been leaning towards the 6.8. I think 600 yards would probably be the most I’d shoot. As far as what I remember about the 300blk its close to 7.62x39. I have 3 AKs so I don’t really see the need for it. Then again there’s 223.
To be honest, if you are not set up for reloading for awhile, I would stick with the .223 or a 5.56 Match chamber. 600 yards can be done fairly well with this round and ammo shouldn’t be too much of an issue depending on how today goes.
6.5 and 6.8 ammo has not been to easiest to acquire and if the bolshevik gets re-elected today I doubt manufacturers would make those for some time.
I would think as long as you aren’t planning trying to kill any big game then .223/5.56 would be perfectly fine at 600 meters. I’ve never had a 6.5 or 6.8 so I can’t comment on them, but a .308 would also be a great choice- which i realize you wouldn’t be able to do with the standard ar 15 lower, but just a suggestion.
I’ve shot my 16" Noveske Recon 6.8spc out to 700 yards with my 100gr Accubond loads, planning on trying some 900 yard shots once I get my 140gr Berger VLD loads worked up.
Have also shot a 17.5" 6.5 Grendel with Wolf 120 MPT ammo and was making hits out to 800 yards and just barely missed the 900 yard target.
I’m building a 8.2" 300 Blackout SBR right now, and will probably add a 22-24" 6.5 Grendel next year. Heck one of these days I need to get a 5.56 AR15 too.
6.8 spcII is a damn fine round, absolutlyFreakinLove mine:p…just my humble opinion. BUT the 556 will handle most long range plinking (not hunting med/large animals)needs. But dont buy into the 6.8 is soo much more expensive, it’s about the same as some quality match grade 223/556 ammo. You would still be well advised to reload.
I’m going to diddo what everyone has already said. If your long range is 750m and closer, then for the ammo sake go for the 5.56, if you are planing on anything longer range that 750m (sounds like you may not, but you never know), I would go for the .308 because it’s much more plentiful than the Grendel.
I’m seriously looking into thise same sort of build. After a few years in Iraq, the 5.56 is out for any big game. Sure it has the ability to take down with a clean perfect hit but it is much more practical to have a caliber with plenty of takedown energy.
My difficulty is choosing between a 6.5 and 6.8…Any thoughts on the different applications between the two? I’m still in the middle of researching but I feel that 6.8 SPC is more of a battle round and 6.5 has flatter balistics for long range engagements. Any commnets?
For the Hornady 123gr A Max, very impressive. In fact, in the Book of the AR15, they recorded a 0.27" group at 100yds I believe out of a 20" barrel maybe?
Depends on the distances you intend to take game at. I have total confidence in my Noveske Recon 16" 6.8spc upper to take game easily out to 400 yards, maybe a little more if needed.
If I were to go with a 6.5 grendel it would be to stretch the distance a bit more AND give me a target gun for 900-1000yrds. I would choose a 20-22" 6.5 barrel to help me get the most velocity possible.
I own a 6.8spc and will eventually own a 6.5grendel, but for now the 6.8spc does everything hunting wise that I could ask of an AR15.
I was in the exact same boat, looking for a new caliber to play with. Ultimately I settled on building a .308 AR with an eventual plan of a 6.5 Creedmoor upper to swap in as needed.
I was going to go the 6.5 Grendel route because it fits in the AR-15 platform and offers good longer range performance. But my understanding is that you generally need a lot more barrel length to really give the 6.5 the velocity needed to make those impressive numbers (~24"). The 6.8 works better from the shorter barrels and still has plenty of power at practical/ethical hunting distances for me (300 yds and less, usually much less). All my current AR-15 platforms use the heavy weight .223 ammo (77gr SMK, 75gr TAP, etc), and work just find for hitting torso sized steel plates out to the distances I’ve attempted.
The numbers I posted for the Hornady A Max were from a 16" barrel directly from Hornady’s site.
I read some numbers from a 12.5" barrel that were impressive as well. I’ll see if I can post them if I find them again.
Obviously a 24" barrel will give you a solid bump. It looks to be worth another ~200ft lbs at 400-500yds but those 16" barrel numbers are still impressive and makes long range engagements with 16" barrels even sweeter. Of course now the .338 Lap Mag can be extremely good with just a 20" barrel. That’s where I’d love to see us go, shorter barrels with more range. Delicious.
For sure, the numbers from a 16" look good. But the 24" wil put out 2620, which is better for the “touch of long range” mentioned in the OP. That compared to the 2650 to 2900 that could be done with a 5.56 of comparable BC.
Also have to mention that the 6.5 Grendel is almost half the case capacity of something like the 6.5 Creedmoor. If the intent of the project is long range shooting, then my opinion is that it is better to step up to long range performance.
If accuracy at mid range is the primary goal, then I really do think the 6.5 Grendel has a lot of potential. The 6.5 has proven to be very accurate, and does pack plenty of power for hunting use. Honestly, I think it’s really a tossup between them all in the AR15 platform.
