New build caliber options

[MISportsman]

Between extra parts I have laying around and a great deal on a blemished stag-15 lower I'm starting another build. I however can't decide on a caliber. I already have a 5.56, a 6.5 grendel, and just finished a .450 bushmaster. I am kind of looking at possibility 6.8 spc, but kicking around maybe building another 6.5 grendel even though I have one, or possibility 7.62x39. Thoughts???

[Old Bob]

.300 Blackout... or... 6mm ARC... :confused:

[RobertFL]

I don't shoot very many bullets at paper and only use my rifles to hunt wild hogs and deer. I started off with a 450 Bushmaster then got a 16 inch 6.5 Grendel rifle then a 12 inch GM group buy barrel for a Pistol build. I keep thinking about a 350 legend build but I am happy with what I have... so it would be an impulse buy if I did find an in stock Faxon 16 inch Gunner 350 Legend barrel and clicked on it.. I seem to carry the 6.5 Pistol to the woods 90% of the time, its lightweight, handy and it will kill large hogs..

[LRRPF52]

I made this graph pre-2020.

Add 6mm ARC and recalculate the ammo cost considerations accordingly.

[grendelnubi]

I have been entertaining the idea of a 300 hamr

[kmon]

I have been entertaining the idea of a 300 hamr

That one looks interesting. Bill has provided a lot of information abut it in this thread
https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbt...t-300-hamr

[Old Bob]

Wilson Combat's first try at converting .223 Rem to .30 Caliber was their 7.62x40WT cartridge. It was Bill Wilson's first attempt at making an efficient feral hog killin' cartridge. I've never used it to kill hogs but it has to be as good as or better than the .300BO with the right bullets. It is a good accurate round. I started using it in 3 gun matches with decent results. My groups with it were the same 1MOA or better with several different bullets (110 to 125grs). Even round-nosed .30 Carbine bullets shoot well in it. I use only one powder - A1680 & my own modified 5.56mm cases. The problem now, for me, WC seems to have put the 7.62X40WT off to the side & is focusing on the 300 HAM'R. So... I've been considering re-barreling my AR to 300 HAM'R but don't know if I ever will.

I thought the only place you could get 300 HAM'R barrels was from WC, but found out Shaw Barrels makes them too. Haven't checked ammo availability though...

https://www.shawcustombarrels.com/shop/c...00-hamr/32

[Mesa1978]

.300 BO and a tube. Much fun.

[grendelnubi]

Looks like the WC maybe dropping the 1-15 twist for the 1-13 twist.

I am close to making my decision of selling off my 300 BLK stuff and moving to 300 HAM'R. Ballistically it looking impressive for a 30 cal hunting cartridge out of the AR platform.

[kmon]

Wilson Combat's first try at converting .223 Rem to .30 Caliber was their 7.62x40WT cartridge. It was Bill Wilson's first attempt at making an efficient feral hog killin' cartridge. I've never used it to kill hogs but it has to be as good as or better than the .300BO with the right bullets. It is a good accurate round. I started using it in 3 gun matches with decent results. My groups with it were the same 1MOA or better with several different bullets (110 to 125grs). Even round-nosed .30 Carbine bullets shoot well in it. I use only one powder - A1680 & my own modified 5.56mm cases. The problem now, for me, WC seems to have put the 7.62X40WT off to the side & is focusing on the 300 HAM'R. So... I've been considering re-barreling my AR to 300 HAM'R but don't know if I ever will.

I thought the only place you could get 300 HAM'R barrels was from WC, but found out Shaw Barrels makes them too. Haven't checked ammo availability though...

https://www.shawcustombarrels.com/shop/c...00-hamr/32

Not too surprised that Shaw is chambering for the HAM'R as it is officially a SAAMI cartridge. https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/202...uction.pdf

[tdbru]

MISportsman,

well, there are now a lot of ctg that will run out of an AR upper.

the 6.5 Grendel is the most balanced to my way of thinking, that's why i have a couple of course.

but, there are a lot of good choices out there. some new, some old.

maybe do something like LRRPF52 did and just make a list of what you'd like to do with another caliber. then go from there.

cheap centerfire plinking and not reloading? well the 7.62x39 is still pretty cheap as it goes, even today, though everything is way up of course.

need more up close thump but don't want to limit range severely? that new 350 Legend looks intriguing.

with the 3 you've already picked up, i think perhaps the next 2 for either cheap utility or new and interesting might be the 7.62x39 or the 350 Legend.

if you're of a wildcatting kind of interest you could wildcat the 7.62x39 case size up and down and all over. Do you want suppressed sub sonic? consider the soviet 9x39 they wildcatted just for that purpose. you could make it 0.358" bore easily to ease heavy bullet availability. or a 7mmx39 if you like that idea. i have a friend who did a 8x39 wildcat. 22PPC? 6mm PPC? i suppose someone has tried a 375x39 too already.

lots of folks here more than willing to help you spend your money LOL. what ever you pick, have fun.
-tdbru

[ricsmall]

If I were building just to consume extra parts lying around and wanted to experiment, I would build a 375 socom. That thing has to be a hammer!!

[StoneHendge]

If the last year and a half has taught us anything, you can never have too many .223s.

[MISportsman]

375 socom would be awesome! But looks a bit difficult to get ammo for. I'm kind of possibility between 6.8 spc and 300 ham'r but nothing for sure yet

[drewthebrave]

6.8SPC and 6ARC won't give much different performance from your Grendel. I'd want a short .300 BLK or 7.62x39 for some variety.

If you just want another caliber for the heck of it, then just pick the caliber that's most readily available to you locally.

[m796rider]

I vote 7.62x39. My 10.5" is fun to shoot and cheap to feed (relatively speaking). The barrel has a single enlarged feed ramp and works perfectly with the Ross Engineering UniMags.

[MISportsman]

I do like 7.62x39 as a caliber. I love my sks. Do you run steel case at all?

[m796rider]

I do like 7.62x39 as a caliber. I love my sks. Do you run steel case at all?

It's basically all I shoot.

[MISportsman]

Very tempting readily available and hard hitting

[RobertFL]

I bought a SKS back when they were $90 along with 600 rounds of ammo, still have over 500 of the 600 and the SKS. The 7.62x39 seems like a fun one to shoot and the steel case ammo was pretty "cheap". I just found a Faxon 350 Legend Gunner Barrel today..I sometimes go to some of the Straight Wall Rifle States where my 6.5 Grendel is not legal for Deer.. so I will be ready if I can get the 350 parts put together.