Best caliber for an AR build for hunting/long range?

[etwinam]

I have a 20" barrel on my Grendel and it has plenty of legs. I wouldn't say any shorter though.

[Dreamsinger]

<snip>I know that the AR10 is a good platform for the much larger calibers, however, I have all the lower parts necessary for an AR15 platform build.

I was wondering what the most affordable rifle caliber to shoot would be for use in possible deer hunting or long range shooting scenarios?

Just wondering what recommendations you all have for fun, affordable, shooting and possible game hunting. Thank you!

In many states 5.56 isn't legal for deer. Define "long range". For some it 300yds, others it starts at 500 and goes to 1000+. I'm a big fan of the AR10 but it's heavier and capacity limited. Wilson Combat just came out with a round they call .300 HAM'R based on .223 brass. The hype says it approaches .308 and surpasses all other .223 case based rounds. It can use AR15 mags and an AR15 BCG. I'd build two uppers, one in .223 and another in .300 HAM'R and switch them out as needed.

[deckhandmike]

I hope the Valkyrie takes off. I got a 6.8 I could share mags and a bcg with.

[ar15barrels]

Define "long range". For some it 300yds, others it starts at 500 and goes to 1000+.

NRA's definitions:
Shortrange is less than 200yds.
Midrange is 200yds to 600yds.
Longrange is 800yds and beyond.

[Dreamsinger]

By that definition I wouldn't bother with 5.56.

[etwinam]

In many states 5.56 isn't legal for deer. Define "long range". For some it 300yds, others it starts at 500 and goes to 1000+. I'm a big fan of the AR10 but it's heavier and capacity limited. Wilson Combat just came out with a round they call .300 HAM'R based on .223 brass. The hype says it approaches .308 and surpasses all other .223 case based rounds. It can use AR15 mags and an AR15 BCG. I'd build two uppers, one in .223 and another in .300 HAM'R and switch them out as needed.

300 HAMR is basically a slightly more powerful 300 BO. you would be better off with 762x39 at that point

[Dreamsinger]

300 HAMR is basically a slightly more powerful 300 BO. you would be better off with 762x39 at that point

Wilson claims 40% more energy than .300BO. As for 7.62x39 you lose the advantage of a more compact round for pretty much the same performance.

[God Bless America]

Not very similar, especially over 1000 yards.

Well that's what I get for listening to 6.5G.com.

Great.

Thanks a lot.

Now I need a .224V.

[sigstroker]

Wilson claims 40% more energy than .300BO.

At the muzzle. Out where you would consider it close to "long range" it's dropping fast. Besides, nobody considers Blackout a good long range cartridge. Yet with 190 gr bullets, it's probably better than that Wilson.

[tsmithson]

NEMO 300 Win semiautomatic AR is a long range hunting option for big game past 800 yards.(possible function problems aside). Pack Lammas required. So Real big game hunting at long range only leaves a bolt gun as the best option.

[tsmithson]

338 Lapua or 338-378 would be great long range hunting rifles.

[Dreamsinger]

At the muzzle. Out where you would consider it close to "long range" it's dropping fast. Besides, nobody considers Blackout a good long range cartridge. Yet with 190 gr bullets, it's probably better than that Wilson.

I think the OP's idea of "long range" falls far short the NRA definition. That said, The HAM'R appears to have an edge according to these numbers;

https://s3.amazonaws.com/wilsoncombat/files/300_HAMR_Comparison.pdf

FWIW, OP did say "affordable" which I didn't really take into account. 7.62x39 is probably more affordable but weighs more per round and requires a different BCG and magazine.

[ar15barrels]

Wilson claims 40% more energy than .300BO. As for 7.62x39 you lose the advantage of a more compact round for pretty much the same performance.

They are comparing extreme cases to get that 40% spread.
Velocity is the primary factor in energy calculation because you square the velocity and then multiply it by the weight to calculate energy.

[sigstroker]

They are also a bit disingenuous in their comparison. They quote the Speer 125 gr TNT for their load. Speer is a bit "optimistic" with their BC's, so it's hard to compare against Blackout loads using Sierra 190-220 gr bullets. Load data also shows a max 125 gr velocity of 2300 fps for the Blackout compared to the 2175 in Wilson's chart.

Does the Wilson have a horsepower edge over the Blackout? Sure, but that edge diminishes over longer ranges because of using the stubby 125 gr bullets. And you lose the versatility of the Blackout's ability to use a wide range of bullet weights.

[colt11]

I would stick with an AR-10 platform and go 6.5 Creedmore, 243, or 308, in that order. Might also want to check out Wilson Combat's website, they have a "new" caliber their marketing.