I am planning on building my own AR.  I want to build a varmit type gun, 16 inch barrel, 3x9 scope or so.  Like a model 1 sales 16 inch varmit kit.  But I also have an SKS and a bunch of ammo for it, so it would be nice to use that ammo and it would be nice to not have to buy two types of ammo, plus it looks like 7.62 ammo is about 30% cheaper.

But how does the 7.62 compare to the 5.56 ammo for accuracy?  I am in California so will only be able to have a 5-10 rounds.

These are the two kits I am considering, on the 7.62 kit I would probably upgrade to the free float handgaurd so kit prices are about the same.

http://www.model1sales.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=KV1600&storeid=1&image=v16k.gif

http://www.model1sales.com/item-detail.cfm?ID=KCO762&storeid=1&image=car16post762.gif

There are more ammo options with .223.  Some of the choices are really good.  

With 7.62 uppers, reliable mags have long been a problem.  

I wouldn't want to be shot with either.

Love them both.  There are problems with the cheaper russian ammo.  Go ahead and buy a extra power hammer spring.  Couple of pics for your viewing pleasure.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g311/ssowell/111708-014.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g311/ssowell/111708-010.jpg

J&T puts out a quality product and has excell. CS.

In the same quality barrel shooting ammunition of the same quality 7.62x39 has every bit as much potential to be accurate as 5.56

I have a 20" model 1 kit that's been a real blast, a 7.62x39 upper really turns and AR into a completely different animal. I doubt I would ever bother with a .223 upper.

Would I be correct in assuming the 7.62x39 is a stronger load in energy and damage done to the critters due to twice the bullet weight, bigger caliber and slightly lower velocity?

MSUDawg, great pics, whats the barrel length on your rifle?

It kinda depends on the bullet used, but yes when shooting expanding bullet loads I feel the x39 offers game taking ability far and above what .223 offers. Especally as you go up in critters and size of he game increases

think of 7.62x39 as a rimless short action 30-30 any game you would use a 30-30 on you can  take with the 7.62x39 as well, the two cartridges can be used interchangeably as far as hunting goes. I like to use the 30-30 analogy because that's a cartridge just about everyone can relate to.

read about what my use of 7.62x39 on game

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=121&t=404566



http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=121&t=406040

My take is this: the .223 has a good long track record.  I'd love a 7.62 x 39. but feel like the mag issue is a black cloud.

As much as I'd like one, I can't roll the dice on the 7.62.

My solution was to go to a 6.8 from Cardinal and I'm happy with it.  I have no issues at all.  Ammo is expensive, but it works and in the end that is what I count on a weapon to do.

I think the mag issue is overstated.

Sure if you're one of those hafta have 30rounds at all times kinda guy just go .223

but in a hunting upper for me mag cap isn't even a concern. C products 10 rounder work great and a STD 20 rd 5.56 mag works fine when loaded with less than 8 rds of 7.62x39mm. I suspect that cheap 10rd .223 mags will work just fine as well.

I have no experiance with the 30 rd c-products units so I cannot comment on them.

Heck if we won WWII with 8 rds I think us civilians can manage to get by with that many in the woods

65Cobra, welcome!  My vote is for the 7.62x39.  A good round for up to 300 yards on deer size game and smaller, obviously.

I had given up on the ar15, until I learned about the use of 7.62x39 uppers on ar15.com.  I bought a ar15 rifle in this caliber.  The M43 round is pretty solid and versatile.

I have a new appreciaton for the round and the rifle.  The ar15 can shoot a lot of different calibers.  To each, their own.  Good luck with your choice.

Who all makes x39 in reloadable case's, and who sells resonable priced brass? I am wanting a light ar hunting rifle for deer, hogs and black bear. I am leaning toward a 308 carbine cuz i have the brass and already load for it but i am conserned about the weight carrying it in the mountains. A x 39 sound like a option but i would have to get the brass, dies and such. kerry

The most common I see is Winchester white box at Walmart, etc. for loaded ammo. There are others out there. Wideners has some IMI unprimed brass 1K for $166.00. This is the best I've found as Winchester brass runs about $294/K. If you want that deal, you better move on it. As of this post they have about 110 sell units left. They are a couple weeks behind on shipping but for the price it is worth it to me to wait.