AR 15 for hunting and paper punching in upstate SC

[TripHlx]

I've decided to plunge into another project. I want to build two uppers for my AR-15 rifle. I currently have a 5.56 upper from PSA and love it, but it's illegal to hunt big game in SC with anything .22 caliber or smaller. (The only big game available here is whitetail and black bear, mostly. I have .357 Rem Max for the bear. :D )

I'm looking for suggestions for a moderate recoiling cartridge that works well on the ar-15 platform, over .22x in bullet diameter. The list is large, and I have little experience with the platform in general, so I'm looking for informed/experienced advice. I don't really have an interest in any of the more unusual wildcats, though I do reload, so ammo availability isn't a huge issue.

I would also like to build an upper for a caliber that has a reputation for high accuracy, just to punch paper with. The land I have available to me allows for shooting out to about 300yds or so, but thats about it unless I travel a fair bit.

Thanks a ton guys!

[Acc371]

The 6.8SPC will kill Yotes, hogs & deer. Actually, a bit farther than 300y with SPC II ammo or hot reloads with a 16+" barrel.
All you'll need a new upper & mags (Actually, barrel, bolt & mags).
PSA has uppers (SPC II 1:11 twist), mags & ammo for the 6.8 SPC.

[Quentin2]

The 300 Blackout is an interesting round and gaining traction because of various loads and bullet types/weights. For a reloader like yourself there are few negatives and many positives.

It's somewhere around the power of a 30-30 or 7.62x39. (In fact it's 7.62x35.) Nice thing is you can use existing 5.56 magazines and bolt. The only difference is the barrel and possibly a different buffer weight. The brass can be made from 5.56 brass, shortened.

I'm pretty sure PSA sells 30Blk uppers.

ETA:

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2011/07/foghorn/ammunition-review-300-aac-blackout/

[jason41987]

ive actually made a post nearly identicle to this on another forum looking for the same thing.. looked at all my options and also settled on the 6.8 SPC... it feeds reliably, has a strong aftermarket for it, plenty of factory ammunition now, pretty ballistically awesome out to 600, will kill deer pretty easily too

300 AAC blackout was suggested to me as well, and it doesnt have as much punch as even a 7.62x39 would have, and though im not sure what length of bullets are available for it, i dont think its capable of a long enough bullet for a BC capable of longer ranges, and if it does the case capacity would prevent getting much velocity from it... it would be a great choice for a suppressed rifle, but other than that it doesnt look very useful

[madcratebuilder]

The 6.5Grendel or 6.8 spc well take medium size game well past ethical shooting range. I wouldn't say one is better than the other, just different, with different strong points and weaknesses.

In your case of game within 300yds I would go with the 6.8, if you wanted to do longer range target work, then the 6.5G.

IMHO the 300 Blackout is a great suppressor round for close range work, but somewhat anemic for larger game animals.

Check out the .458 SOCOM. 300-grain round offers a muzzle velocity 1,900 fps and 2,405 ftlbs of energy. That well take deer and bear.

[UtopiaTexasG19]

I am re-loading for the 300 Blackout and am using bullets between 110-220 grains which is a huge weight range. I shoot out to 200 yards which for my capabilities is my max due to health and the .308 rounds used in the Blackout do a lot of damage below 200 yards. No worry about making your own cases at the present time, as there are now sources that are selling them. Once fired .223 cases totally cleaned and remanufactured into .300 Blackout now can be found for 12.5 cents a piece. What a deal! I have re-loaded about
550 of these cases so far and they work great. :)
http://www.blackoutbrass.com/

[Palmetto-Pride]

I currently have a 5.56 upper from PSA and love it, but it's illegal to hunt big game in SC with anything .22 caliber or smaller.

From SCDNR hunting regulations>

Big game hunters are not allowed to use military
or hard-jacketed bullets or .22 or smaller rimfire.

In SC you are allowed to use .223/5.56 the key word there is RIMFIRE. I have a shot a few deer with my AR in 5.56 in SC its perfectly legal.

[TripHlx]

Thanks a lot for the info everybody! And to Palmetto-Pride, thank you for that clarification. I've spoken to a few hunters in my area more experienced than me on that specific rule, and they read as I did; Nothing that fires a round .22x or smaller for big game. It's easily interpreted the way you explained it as well. I guess this just means I need to give the SCDNR a call myself. :)

[Eghad]

Ia m currently in the process of building a 300 Blackout with a 16" barrel the max effective range of this cartridge is about midway 400 and 500 meters depending on the barrel length if I remember right. At 300 meters it has a little more energy than the 7.62x39. Remington has a 125 grain Accu-Tip that can be used for hunting. This a very low cost cartridge to reload It takes less powder than the 5.56. If you have a crap load of 5.56 brass laying around you can use them to make the .300 Blackout with a little extra effort. Since SAAMI has standards for this cartridge there is more industry support for it.

Or you could just buy an upper for your rifle or construct one. Two pins and you are in business.

[Acc371]

The effective range is on humans, not deer or hogs. For them 200-250y, depending on who you ask. Yes, the 300BO is better than the 7.62x39AK at 300m with select ammo/bullets.