{"id":1499,"date":"2020-12-01T11:21:18","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T16:21:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/?p=1499"},"modified":"2021-02-11T12:28:37","modified_gmt":"2021-02-11T17:28:37","slug":"top-three-ar-cartridges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/top-three-ar-cartridges\/","title":{"rendered":"TOP THREE AR CARTRIDGES"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Craig\nBoddington<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two most popular actions in the U.S. must be John Browning\u2019s Colt 1911 pistol\u2026and Gene Stoner\u2019s Armalite 15, long shortened to AR15 (which does not<\/em> stand for \u201cAssault Rifle\u201d). Dozens and dozens of large and small firms make (and have made) firearms based on these actions. All self-loading actions have sharp limits on the size of cartridges they can accept. The .45 ACP cartridge was developed for and around the Colt 1911. Browning and his team must have done a good job because, 110 years later, the .45 ACP still rules the 1911 world. Although easily adapted to 9x19mm (and expanded to 10mm), the Colt 1911 frame has spawned few other pistol cartridges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"AR15
AR15 Rock River groups: Boddington\u2019s \u201cranch rifle\u201d is a left-hand Rock River AR in 5.56mm. It has served well from varmints to deer, and both availability and choices in ammo are strong suits of the .223\/5.56mm.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The AR15 action is also\nnot new. Developed in the 1950s, it is fast approaching retirement age. Formal\nacceptance of the AR15 and<\/em> its \u201cfinal\u201d cartridge by the U.S. military\ncame in 1963. That cartridge was \u201cCartridge 5.56mm Ball M193, already released\nto the public as the .223 Remington. Then and now, the .223 is a great\ncartridge. It is not as inherently accurate as the .222 Remington, but the\nmilitary specs required more velocity. This led to the .222 Remington\nMagnum\u2026which led to the .223.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Old-timers (including me!) lamented the loss of the M14 and its 7.62x51mm (.308 Winchester), more powerful and offering greater range\u2026at cost in rifle and ammo weight and recoil. Right or wrong, the deal was done, and for decades the AR15 platform and the 5.56mm\/.223 Remington were inextricably linked. However, there has been much recent development in \u201cAR-compatible cartridges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\"DSC_2228:
DSC_2228: An Alexander Arms 6.5mm Grendel, perfectly at home in a prairie dog town. The little Grendel delivers impressive performance, and Boddington considers it the most versatile of all AR-compatible cartridges.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With finite limits on\nbolt face, magazine, and cartridge length, to a degree this has been like\nseeing how much juice can be squeezed out of a lemon. Over time, two things\nhappened: On the military side, some operators wanted more capability. And, on\nthe civilian side, as the AR platform grew in popularity, there was a hunger\nfor cartridges with more power, performance, or versatility. The limitations\nare still there. No matter what you do, you are not going to harness .7.62x51mm\n(.308 Winchester) performance in an AR15 action. However, with new propellants,\ncase designs, and different bullet diameters, a number of cartridges have been\ndeveloped that can be squeezed into the AR15 platform\u2026from .204 Ruger to .500\nBeowulf. Again, the limitations are real: There are no elephant cartridges; and\nno 500-yard deer cartridges that can be housed in the AR15 action. But, today,\nthere are lots of choices. It seems to me the top three AR-compatible\ncartridges currently available are the original 5.56mm\/.223, the 6.5mm Grendel,\nand, surprising even to me, the new .350 Legend. Here\u2019s why:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5.56x45mm NATO\/.223 Remington<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"AR
AR Rock River whitetail: A good Kansas eight-pointer, taken with a Rock River AR .223 using a 62-grain Barnes TSX. With proper bullets the .223 is adequate for deer-sized game, but Boddington believes you must pick your shots carefully.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the \u201csmall-bore\u201d category, AR uppers are available in several choices, including .17 Remington, .204 Ruger, and newer cartridges such as .22 Nosler and .224 Valkyrie. Always, it depends on what you want to do. The .204 Ruger is my favorite varmint cartridge\u2026but it is inadequate for deer-sized game. We could argue all day if the .223 should<\/em> be used for deer. I\u2019m on the fence on this; with heavier bullets it works okay, but you must be careful and pick your shots. That said, .22 centerfires are now legal for deer in most jurisdictions, and they are certainly used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"DSCF9111:
DSCF9111: A Texas hog taken with .350 Legend bolt-action, using a 170-grain bullet. Practical range isn\u2019t much beyond 200 yards, but the Legend performs extremely well.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Both the .22 Nosler and .224 Valkyrie are faster than the .223 and deliver more energy. The .224 Valkyrie was developed to perform with extra-heavy .223 bullets (clear up to 80 grains). So, whether in an AR frame or other action, if your primary use for a .22 centerfire is deer-sized game, then more energy and heavier bullets are to the good. However, you cannot wring .22-250 performance out of an AR15; the action just isn\u2019t big enough. The .223 Remington is a fine varmint cartridge and is plenty of gun for coyotes. With hunting bullets in the 60 to 70-grain range, it is enough gun for deer if you\u2019re careful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"IMG_0362:
IMG_0362: On the bench with a Mossberg Patriot in .350 Legend. Recoil is extremely mild, and the report is also noticeably soft.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My primary \u201cranch rifle\u201d\nis a .223\/5.56mm from Rock River (which happens to be left-hand eject). I use\nit for varmints, take it prairie dog hunting, and occasionally hunt deer with\nit. The cartridge is fully adequate for these purposes. So, while I concede\nthat the newer cartridges are \u201cbetter,\u201d I stick with the .223 because it works\njust fine. And, since it\u2019s the world\u2019s most popular centerfire cartridge, there\nare myriad loads\u2026and (at least in non-pandemic times), ammo is readily\navailable and inexpensive.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6.5mm Grendel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"IMG_0440:
IMG_0440: Most \u201cAR cartridges\u201d are also available in other action types. This Mossberg Patriot bolt-action in .350 Legend offered good accuracy, certainly more than needed for the cartridge\u2019s effective range.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Much development has gone into AR-compatible cartridges that deliver more capability than the .223\/5.56mm. As an old infantryman, I think this is valid for military purposes\u2026but it\u2019s also valid if your interests run more toward deer-sized game than small varmints. One good option pre-dates the AR15: The 7.62x39mm Russian, introduced at the end of WWII. As a hunting cartridge, it\u2019s similar to the .30-30 in performance, which is certainly not damning with faint praise.) Introduced by Remington in 2002, the 6.8mm SPC is faster. The 6.8mm SPC is actually a \u201c.270,\u201d using .277-inch bullets. The .300 AAC Blackout was designed to approach7.62×39 performance, but utilize standard AR (5.56mm) bolts and full-capacity magazines. As hunting cartridges, all three (7.62×39, 6.8 SPC, and .300 Blackout) have the same problem: Because of action and magazine length, they are limited to light-for-caliber bullets, at least in supersonic mode. All can certainly be used for deer and hogs, but range must be kept very short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"IMG_0475:
IMG_0475: Left to right: .30-30 Winchester, .350 Legend, .35 Remington. In performance on game, the .350 Legend is sort of between the .30-30 and .35 Remington, both legendary deer cartridges.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As a general-purpose hunting cartridge, I am most impressed by the 6.5mm Grendel, introduced by Bill Alexander of Alexander Arms in 2003. The Grendel is not<\/em> the equal of the 6.5mm Creedmoor; the AR action just isn\u2019t long enough to utilize 140-grain bullets. However, the little Grendel can propel 129 or 130-grain 6.5mm bullets at 2500 fps, and 120-grain bullets all the way to 2700 fps. In 6.5mm, these are credible deer\/hog bullets at meaningful velocities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"IMG_4168:
IMG_4168: Washingtonians Larry and Erin Tremaine had a brand-new .350 Legend AR at Boddington\u2019s Kansas farm during the 2019 rifle season. It accounted for several whitetails out to 200 yards, delivering impressive performance.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I was introduced to the Grendel by old friend Jason Morton of CZ USA, who has been doing most of his recent hunting with a bolt-action 6.5mm Grendel. Since then, I got my hands on an Alexander Arms Grendel. I\u2019ve found it an excellent \u201ccrossover\u201d varmint\/deer cartridge, accurate and surprisingly flat-shooting, with excellent performance on deer-sized game. The Grendel bolt face is the same as the 7.62×39 Russian, and it needs a unique magazine. Ammo is not as available nor as inexpensive as some of its competition but, for sheer versatility, the 6.5mm Grendel is an amazing little cartridge.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"IMG_0878,
IMG_0878, 0884: Boddington\u2019s \u201ctop three\u201d AR-compatible cartridges, left to right: .223 Remington\/5.56x45mm NATO; 6.5mm Grendel; .350 Legend.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

.350 Legend<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduced by Winchester in 2019, the .350 Legend is among few AR-compatible cartridges developed with no potential military purpose. The Legend is compatible with a standard 5.56mm AR bolt, although 5.6mm magazines must be modified. The cartridge was designed to take advantage of new legislation that allows use of limited range \u201cstraight wall\u201d centerfire cartridges in areas that were formerly \u201cshotgun only.\u201d Michigan was first, but now Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio allow centerfire rifles with straight cases in lieu of shotguns. Other examples include .444 Marlin, .450 Bushmaster, and .45-70.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"IMG_4286:
IMG_4286: Max Page with a nice Kansas buck, taken with an Alexander Arms 6.5mm Grendel, one shot at about 185 yards.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When Ruger chambered their American bolt-action in .450 Bushmaster, they were shocked by the number of rifles sold in Michigan alone. My guess is this had much to do with the development of the .350 Legend! Now, if you want to hunt black bear with an AR, the .450 Bushmaster is the way to go; it is actually more powerful than standard loads for the .45-70. However, it delivers more power than is essential for deer and, along the way, delivers a lot more recoil. The Bushmaster is a powerhouse but, especially in light rifles, it isn\u2019t much fun to shoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"IMG_6820:
IMG_6820: On a portable bench in a Wyoming prairie dog town with a Rock River AR in .223\/5.56mm. Newer .22 centerfires deliver more velocity and energy, but the .223 remains accurate, effective, and versatile.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So, in keeping with the short-range intent of the straight-wall legislation, the .350 Legend was designed to provide good performance on deer-sized game out to a maximum of 250 yards. In 2019 Larry and Erin Tremaine brought a brand-new .350 Legend AR to our Kansas farm and shot several deer with excellent performance. Lately I\u2019ve been using the Legend in a Mossberg Patriot bolt-action. Recoil is very mild, and although I haven\u2019t yet used it for deer, I\u2019ve found it very effective on hogs. The .350 Legend shares cartridge length and rim diameter with the .223\/5.56mm, and uses a .357-inch (9mm) bullet. This creates manufacturing efficiencies. Winchester intended, and produces, inexpensive .350 Legend ammo. For a brand-new cartridge, factory loads have proliferated very quickly, so I think the Legend is here to stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"IMG_9945:
IMG_9945: Jason Morton with his best-ever whitetail, a big Kansas buck taken with a CZ 527 bolt-action is 6.5mm Grendel. Morton has done a lot of hunting with the Grendel, finding it extremely effective out to about 300 yards.\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is not as versatile as\nmany other AR-compatible cartridges but, without question, it is the new\ndarling among the many deer hunters in the straight-wall states. In power and\nperformance, I rate it sort of between the .30-30 and the old .35 Remington.\nFor deer and hogs, that\u2019s saying a lot!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Craig Boddington The two most popular actions in the U.S. must be John Browning\u2019s Colt 1911 pistol\u2026and Gene Stoner\u2019s Armalite 15, long shortened to AR15 (which does not stand for \u201cAssault Rifle\u201d). Dozens and dozens of large and small firms make (and have made) firearms based on these actions. All self-loading actions have sharp … Continue reading “TOP THREE AR CARTRIDGES”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false},"categories":[7,101,21,24,47,15,3,35,72,1],"tags":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1499"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1499"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1499\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1547,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1499\/revisions\/1547"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1499"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1499"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wholesalehunter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1499"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}