Anyone use a Big Bore AR15??

[thatguy]

I got bit by the Big Bore AR15 bug last week and cant stop thinking about getting one.. I like the idea of using it for deer hunting here in VA..

I am leaning toward the 450 Bushmaster mainly because the ammo is available (not a lot of mfg or bullet choices though) and the ammo is not outlandishly expensive ($27/box hornady, and soon to be availabe Remington Core-Lokt will be around $24)..

My first want was a 50 beowulf - but that ammo appears to be almost non-existant.. The 458 Socom was also on the list, but what ammo i found online was almost double the 450BM..

I currently dont reload so that is not a variable.. BUT I have a neighbor with the basic equipment that I bet I can use if i buy my own dies and supplies down the road..

Any thoughts.. Suggestions??

 

[actionaj]

I have a BushMaster in .243 absolutely love it. Great round great gun.

 

[Western]

Try ar15.com I think that's it, there is allot of good discussion, pros and cons, of differant ar makes and models

 

[gsganzer]

If you want something with more versatility and range, I'd get an AR-10 style in .308

I use mine for hunting deer and hogs and love it. I can buy a box of 150gr. Winchester Power Max for about $22/20rds and the ballistics of the .308 are very good.

.

 

[Ductape]

My neighbor has a .50 beowulf and i want one BAD.


YouTube - 50 Cal Beowulf vs Watermelon .50 cal

 

[thatguy]

thanks everyone.. I have already read thru the 130ish pages of stuff at ar15.com and found a lot of useful information. Actually way more info than my brain can comprehend at the moment.. lol

I like the idea of a 308/243/7mm-08 AR, BUT that requires a new lower and I didnt want to go that direction.. Less costly to just get a new upper..

the 50 beowulf/450 Bushmaster/458 Socom will fit my needs for where I live.. I already have a Ruger M77 .308 so I really dont NEED anything, but like Ductape I WANT one.. LOL

Brian

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

how about a 7.62x39 upper?
gives you cheap ammo for plinking and ballistics similar to 30-30 for hunting.

 

[gsganzer]

I like the idea of a 308/243/7mm-08 AR, BUT that requires a new lower and I didnt want to go that direction.. Less costly to just get a new upper..

True, but once you have the larger AR platform you will have both lowers. Then you accomodate every upper/chambering you may ever want.

I love helping people justify spending money on things they need (notice I didn't say want..)

A quality upper in the chamberings you mention will probably run at least $600 (or more). An AR-10 will run you $1K. Pay once and cry once.

 

[thatguy]

how about a 7.62x39 upper?
gives you cheap ammo for plinking and ballistics similar to 30-30 for hunting.

I thought of that and it certainly would be cheap enough ammo.. BUT for right now 'I feel the need' for something a little bigger.. Not sure why.. I just do..

I also thought about the various 6.5/6.8's - which would work on Deer as well.. But the call of that big bore is very strong.. LOL

 

[thatguy]

True, but once you have the larger AR platform you will have both lowers. Then you accomodate every upper/chambering you may ever want.

I love helping people justify spending money on things they need (notice I didn't say want..)

A quality upper in the chamberings you mention will probably run at least $600 (or more). An AR-10 will run you $1K. Pay once and cry once.

BUT - if i just buy the upper I can tell the wife Im buying some 'accessories for hunting' if i buy the ar10 i am buying a 'gun' and she will probably say i dont need it.. LOL

to be honest she wouldnt care what i bought or how expensive it is... Im pretty frugal most of the time.. The AR10 is something I should look at though..

Brian