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4/23/2007 7:56:13 AM EDT
The only AR15 I have ever had is in .223 and I am thinking of a few other calibers.  A replacement upper for each caliber seems like the best option.. is this correct?  My budget is in the $500-$600 range at most.  Please advise below if the Upper replacement is the best idea on the calibers... :) + the other questions.


1) If I got a 9mm upper what else would I need?  Does the reg lower accomidate the 9mm mags? I am guessing a bolt carrier is also needed.  I am looking at a 16" barrel.  Is 9mm a good AR15 fit? Function, etc.  Who has a good/cheap deal on this caliber?

2) 6.8mm, seems like a nice caliber, have any strengths/weeknesses over the .223? Best cost/dealer? Avg cost of a box of 20rds?

3) .308  way above my budget?

4) 50 Beowulf, ammo still high?  Uses a .223 mag correct? Upper cost?  Can you use a collapsable stock with this?  Good for deer? (So I hear)  Any problems?  Diff makers?


If anyone has a pet caliber that fits my criteria please suggest it.  thanks guys!!

4/23/2007 9:27:27 AM EDT
[#1]
.50Beo ammo is $1 per round unless you reload.  It'll kill an Alaskan moose at 200 yds, so probably would kill a deer at 100 .  It slays piggies pretty regularly as well and should prove to be a deadly bear gun.  Cost for an upper might be a touch over your $600 cap.  All my D&H 30rd AR mags work flawlessly with 50beo ammo, as well as the AA mags which are made by CProducts.  Some AR mags need a little filing at the front of the mag, but I have never had to do that.  Collapsable stocks are a bit risky, but we are going to try the MagPul CTR and then the new Magpul when it comes out too.  I hope the CTR works, as I really like it.  The recoil is pretty stout.  If you are used to heavy recoil, it is not a big deal really.  Like a 12gauge.  

Any more questions?

Oh, the 6.8 would be better than the .223 for sure.  You could also check out the 6.5Grendel Tactical upper in 16" barrel.  Price is about $550 I think.  Deadly caliber.

4/23/2007 7:48:57 PM EDT
[#2]
What Curlymaple42 said.
4/23/2007 11:20:24 PM EDT
[#3]

Quoted:
The only AR15 I have ever had is in .223 and I am thinking of a few other calibers.  A replacement upper for each caliber seems like the best option.. is this correct?  My budget is in the $500-$600 range at most.  Please advise below if the Upper replacement is the best idea on the calibers... :) + the other questions.


1) If I got a 9mm upper what else would I need?  Does the reg lower accomidate the 9mm mags? I am guessing a bolt carrier is also needed.  I am looking at a 16" barrel.  Is 9mm a good AR15 fit? Function, etc.  Who has a good/cheap deal on this caliber?  You need upper/bcg, hammer, mag block conversion and mags.  Out of your price range most likely

2) 6.8mm, seems like a nice caliber, have any strengths/weeknesses over the .223? Best cost/dealer? Avg cost of a box of 20rds?  Dont know much about 6.8

3) .308  way above my budget?  Yes and will not work on a 223 lower

4) 50 Beowulf, ammo still high?  Uses a .223 mag correct? Upper cost?  Can you use a collapsable stock with this?  Good for deer? (So I hear)  Any problems?  Diff makers?  Price is out of your range and as has been said, very expensive unless you reload and then its only expensive.


If anyone has a pet caliber that fits my criteria please suggest it.  thanks guys!!



Consider 300 whisper (called lots of different things.  Basically a 223 necked upto a 30 cal.  Not true definition, but close.  If you build your own you can probably build one in your price range.
Also consider a dedicated 22lr upper.  Loads of fun and very cheap to shoot
4/24/2007 4:54:53 PM EDT
[#4]
Who all makes dedicated .22 LR uppers?
4/24/2007 5:01:33 PM EDT
[#5]
Best bang for the buck is a Ko-tonics upper!
4/24/2007 5:45:55 PM EDT
[#6]

Quoted:
Best bang for the buck is a Ko-tonics upper!


Tell me more....
4/24/2007 6:15:34 PM EDT
[#7]
Go to Ko-tonics.com and look at uppers. They are reasonably priced. I have three of their barrels and they are great. I have been tinkering with the 6.8 for 5or 6 months now and have not shot my 270 or other AR's since. Really pleasant to shoot and very accurate. I do reload which helps on cost. I don't think you would regret buying a 6.8 or doing business with Ko-tonics. Good luck!
4/25/2007 2:51:18 PM EDT
[#8]

Quoted:
What Curlymaple42 said.


What cg said!

What do you plan to use it for?  If you want to do competition, 6.5 Grendel is the way to go.  If you want to hunt medium game - 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel.  If you want to hunt large game - .50 Beowulf.  If you want a long range rifle - 6.5 Grendel.

6.5 Grendel
- cost per round $0.50+
- 500 ft-lbs at 900 meters
- all production guns shooting 1/2 MOA or better

6.8 SPC
- cost per round $0.75+
- 500 ft-lbs at 550 meters (hotter loads with mil-spec rifles only)

.50 Beowulf
- cost per round $1.00+
- 2000 ft-lbs at 100 meters (significant drop after 200 m)
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