The same ol “What caliber AR should I build next?”question

Tarowah

Tarowah

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I sold my PA10 because I’ve decided to build a precision rifle on a standard AR platform and I’m driving myself nuts going back and forth between a few calibers.

I’m looking at the .224 Valkyrie, 6.5 Grendel and the 6.8 SPC II.

The plan is to build a rifle with a 20+ inch barrel, add decent glass and attempt to shoot small groups and maybe hunting ( doubtful but you never know) I know the .224 Valkyrie has the best ballistics for long range target shooting and varmint hunting but it’s still so news I’m not sure about its future, the 6.5 Grendel has the advantage of heavier projectiles for medium game hunting and is suitable for ranges out to 1000 yards, the Valk definitely has the advantage out to 1000 yards in terms of bullet drop and wind deviation, the 6.8 SPC II offers similar ballistics as the 6.5 Grendel out to 500 yards but starts to fall behind beyond that, but it also offers the ability to go with much heavier projectiles for larger game and with the US military adopting the caliber I expect to more support from the manufacturers over the next few years.

So any advice and first hand experiences are welcome to help me decide.
 
If you want to only punch paper, 224V.

If you'll ever take it hunting, and also want to punch paper, out to 1000.. 6.5G all day long.

6.8 doesnt compete with either of these rounds at distance.
 
I love my 6.8SPC. I ain't no long range/precision guy, but I can shoot MOA at 300yds, prone with just a rolled up Army blanket for a rest. Furthest I've had the opportunity to shoot it, but it is definitely no slouch in the accuracy department. Hell on whitetail, too. First DRT I'd ever seen was with my 6.8 & SSA's 110gr Nosler Accubond load.

6.8 deer.jpg
 
.22 Nosler and .224Valkrie have issues with case life I understand. 6.5G was designed as a match cartridge and the 6.8 SPC was designed as an assault rifle cartridge to put bad guys down. All four work in the AR15 platform for which they were designed to be an improvement on the .223 Rem/5.56x45. I'm biased toward the 6.8 as I know the guys that designed it and why.

CD
 
Tarowah said:
I sold my PA10 because I’ve decided to build a precision rifle on a standard AR platform and I’m driving myself nuts going back and forth between a few calibers.

I’m looking at the .224 Valkyrie, 6.5 Grendel and the 6.8 SPC II.

The plan is to build a rifle with a 20+ inch barrel, add decent glass and attempt to shoot small groups and maybe hunting ( doubtful but you never know) I know the .224 Valkyrie has the best ballistics for long range target shooting and varmint hunting but it’s still so news I’m not sure about its future, the 6.5 Grendel has the advantage of heavier projectiles for medium game hunting and is suitable for ranges out to 1000 yards, the Valk definitely has the advantage out to 1000 yards in terms of bullet drop and wind deviation, the 6.8 SPC II offers similar ballistics as the 6.5 Grendel out to 500 yards but starts to fall behind beyond that, but it also offers the ability to go with much heavier projectiles for larger game and with the US military adopting the caliber I expect to more support from the manufacturers over the next few years.

So any advice and first hand experiences are welcome to help me decide.
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From my perspective is this. If you have access to 400+ range? Do you plan shooting in matches? If not its a waste of money and time in the long run. It seems like a fun dream to gather parts, build and then take up safe space... Whats the point if you are not going to run them as designed? You would get more use out of a dedicated 22lr build if you onyl have 100yds or less. Same is true with a AR9 and the like.

John
 
Have 6.5 creed, 308, 260, 204, 223, 223AI, 458soc, 5.7, 6-223, 300bo uppers. Don't know where you're getting info that the 224v is best for long range. Be happy to answer any questios you have.
 
REELDOC said:
Have 6.5 creed, 308, 260, 204, 223, 223AI, 458soc, 5.7, 6-223, 300bo uppers. Don't know where you're getting info that the 224v is best for long range. Be happy to answer any questios you have.
Click to expand...


Of the three calibers I listed the Valk has the best ballistics for long range shooting, I should have clarified.

Thanks for the the input everyone, I’m leaning towards the 6.5 Grendel simply because it appears to offer good long range ballistics and the ability to take medium sized game, anything bigger than deer I’ll break out the .458 Socom!

I’ll definitely look into the 6.8 SPC more and give it more thought, the majority of the range time will be at 200 or less but I will have access to a 700+ yard range a few times a year so that is why I am interested in a cartridge that will have legs, I’m not a great marksman so the flatter the caliber shoots the easier it will make it for me to get on steel at the further distances.
 
I actually wanted a Grendel initially, but at the time anything 6.5G was money. It's a very cool round, but I went 6.8 instead, stockpiled a bunch of ammo & components & couldn't be happier. I'd need more glass to shoot past 300 (Vortex Viper 2-7x32 on it now) & a place to do it but it hits hard at the distances I'll shoot.

If I had access (& skills) to shoot at 700 yds, I'd definitely find the 6.5G much more interesting.
 
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