Ordered My First Lower...Now On To The Planning

[Medic218]

Ok, so I ordered an AR lower yesterday and now I'm trying to decide which route to go as far as caliber.

I'm sure there are some applications that I am forgetting but due to recent conversations on here and other boards I'll discuss my concerns about each.

300 Blackout and 6.8 SPC
I already have a 5.56 rifle that allows me to shoot up to 75 gr bullets and I also have an AK.
I admit that I haven't done a lot of research as of yet, though I have done some, but the 300 BLK and the 6.8 SPC just aren't winning me over right off the bat like I thought they would based on the way I have seen people talk about them.
They both have offerings in the same general range as a heavier 5.56 cartridge and are similar to the 7.62x39 round as well.
I'm aware that there is probably more to each round that I just haven't stumbled upon yet but in due time with some more research I might find something that sways my opinion.

6.5 Grendel
This cartridge intrigues me and is definitely something I'm going to be looking into a bit.
My biggest concern with this round is the cost and the retail availability of it.
It also seems to hover in that general 7.62x39 area though.

7.62x39
I could do this, I suppose, but I really don't see a benefit since I already have an AK.

.458 SOCOM
NOW WE'RE TALKIN!!!!!!
This looks like one serious, butt stompin round!
I love the idea of it being able to single stack into the many AR mags I already have but again with the price and availability issue.
I don't want to have to plan my range trips out so far in advance that I have to special order ammo from some website.
But then again having the choices to choose from on this one are pretty nice. You can use anything from an 87 gr hyper-velocity to 600 gr subsonic. 600 GRAINS!!!!!!
For my intended use for this rifle I think this round might be a little bit of overkill but you only live once right? lol

.450 Bushmaster
Ehhh....Not doing it for me. Seems costly and I would feel like I was building a "Hey look and how cool I am" gun.

I mostly want to use this build for hogs and coyotes and maybe a deer if I ever get around to doing that.

Any and all input is welcomed. Thanks in advance guys!

[APynckel]

Some food for thought...

6.5 grendel is now SAAMI and has much better ballistics and reach than 6.8 SPC.

Also, .458 SOCOM shares the same lead as a .45-70

[74novaman]

300 blackout is a fad caliber I think. And no real point if you're not going to be running suppressed. Ballistically its a lot like 7.62x39, so its funny when the AR fanboys poo poo 7.62 but tout 300BLK.

6.8 is nice if you're going short barrel I guess.

I've shot OldCannons 6.5 Grendel gun and was VERY impressed. I'm far from an expert marksman (I shoot pistols way more than rifles) but first time I shot his gun at 100 yards I had 3 rounds in about a 2" diameter group...at an indoor range with poor lighting, wolf ammo and no trigger time on that gun.

If I ever do an oddball caliber I thin it'll be 6.5 Grendel. Since AA dropped the copyright stuff, I think you're going to see the round start taking off, and availability of magazines/ammo should be good. Heck, Wolf already makes 6.5 grendel.

I agree with not doing 7.62x39 in an AR since you have an AK. Doesn't seem to be much point.

Don't know much about the .458 or or .450.

My .02, worth maybe half of that.

[SRH78]

The biggest difference, imo, between the 458 Socom and the 450 Bushmaster is in the choice of bullets. The 458 uses .458 bullets just like the 45-70. Generally speaking, these will be 300-500 grains. The 450 Bushmaster uses .451/.452 bullets like the 45 Colt, 454 Casull, and 460 S&W. These will generally be 240-360 grains but you can get bullets over 400 grains. These are plenty to go through any hog you will ever run across. Either round will work just fine for your intended use. Imo, the 458 has the advantage if you are going to shoot suppressed and the 450 has the advantage if you have any intention of using it for home defense.

Btw, I am speaking in general as someone who handloads and isn't really an AR guy yet so I am not really sure what is available as far as factory loads.

[gigag04]

.300 blk + can = awesome

[OldCannon]

• Room clearing: 300BLK, 2nd choice 7.62x39
• 50-800yds: 6.5 Grendel, 2nd choice .308 (7.62x51) (I suck too much past 800 yds )
• Scare the media and kill pickup truck motors/wolly mammoths: .458 SOCOM, 2nd choice .458 SOCOM
• Blend in with everybody: 5.56
• Submit to the will of Obama, The Wise and Powerful: .22 short, in 5rd magazines that require a key to swap out.

[Medic218]

Thats guys.
I've done a little more research and I think I'm leaning towards the 6.5 Grendel now.
Due to the odd case shape do they ever have loading issues?

[APynckel]

• Room clearing: 300BLK, 2nd choice 7.62x39
• 50-800yds: 6.5 Grendel, 2nd choice .308 (7.62x51) (I suck too much past 800 yds )
• Scare the media and kill pickup truck motors/wolly mammoths: .458 SOCOM, 2nd choice .458 SOCOM
• Blend in with everybody: 5.56
• Submit to the will of Obama, The Wise and Powerful: .22 short, in 5rd magazines that require a key to swap out.

Don't underestimate the power to kill zombie elephants....

Thats guys.
I've done a little more research and I think I'm leaning towards the 6.5 Grendel now.
Due to the odd case shape do they ever have loading issues?

It's a great round (and will prolly be my next upper build). No, you shouldn't have any feeding issues.

[RECIT]

.330BLK is awesome with a can.

All the other choices other than the 6.8SPC seem too pricey to me. Even if you reload the components are spendy. Any of the rounds listed will do all the jobs you ask. Even the 5.56 will kill a hog or deer with a good shot. It won't turn them inside out or anything but dead is dead. The other rounds all have more knock down than the 5.56, but critter getting shot is no more dead than another.

All choices mentioned are great for hogs and seem overkill for coyotes. I think 5.56 round is the best mentioned for coyotes followed by the 6.8SPC.