AR's in 7.62 x 39 or 5.45 x 39 Russian

[Gun Surfer]

For the AR, if you want best accuracy and least hassle, as recommended stick with 5.56. The little bit more you pay for the ammo will be worth it IMHO.

I shoot a fair amount of the 5.45x39 in an AK-74 with no chrome. It is a great round and I really like it, but as stated the cheap plentiful ammo is the Russian or Bulgarian surplus corrosive. Unless you have chrome in the rifle, you have to be concerned about the bore and the carrier group and you have to clean for corrosive. Many will say how easy is - just wash everything with hot water. Personally it will be a cold day in h--- before I would stick a nice AR under water.

So I shoot only non-corrosive in my AK. For me the Wolf and even the Silver Bear was not near as accurate as Barnaul laquer coated 55gr HP and Golden Tiger 60gr, but finding those is hit and miss. Wolf ammo, which I have nothing against in most cases really turned the rifle into a spray gun. Also, I had to toss out 3 of my mags. With the good mags, prob due the angle of the case, I have to take time to load very deliberately or it will jam.

[Stevo]

By the way what's the differance between an AR 15 and a M 4? I thought the 4 was a 308 cal. But it seems I'm ill informed. Do they make one in 308?

M4 is the designation for the select-fire carbine in US service. In the commercial world it's a generic term that generally describes a carbine with 16" or 14.5" barrel and collapsible stock. AR-15 is another generic term for the whole gamut of rifles/carbines based on Stoner's design, unless you're referring to an original Armalite AR-15.

Pretty much every AR maker has a different model designation so it's a lot easier to use "AR-15" and "M4". You can find them in .22/.223/5.56/6.8/7.62x39, pistol cartridges and other "intermediate" power cartridges.

"AR-10's" are generally .308 or 7.62 NATO guns. There's less commonality of parts across the "AR-10" spectrum than with AR-15's. Also, many different individual maker designations.

[DaveN]

OLYMPIC ARMS got back with me. They do not recommend shooting surplus 7.62 X 39 in their AR so I would not save on ammo. Said for larger cal I should consider the 6.8 Remmington SPC?
So I finish the email and then watch my recorded guns and ammo and they have a segment on ....... Wait for it .....an AR rifle in 6.8. Go figure right!
So that's a .270 or .277 with a 110gn bullet.... I like it! Comments welcome.

[RCS]

I believe someone is alot offering a 30 Remington cal which has been updated with new loadings (this was the rimless 30-30 for the Rem 8 and 81 rifles)

[jmoore]

.....an AR rifle in 6.8. Go figure right! So that's a .270 or .277 with a 110gn bullet.... I like it! Comments welcome.

If you are content with an underpowered 6,5 Carcano type round with a slightly larger (0.009") but much lighter bullet, then have at it.

Why not .300 "Blackout"/ AAC/ "Whisper"? It's an "AK like" round that fits in regular AR mags. Best bet if you want to run subsonic bullets and a suppressor. Otherwise, what in tarnation is wrong with 5,56x45?

[Midmichigun]

Guys,
I think it was best said earlier that if you want more knockdown power, go with an AR 10 (7.62x51), and if you want cheaper, go with a 22lr conversion. Otherwise stick with NATO in your AR.
No digs on the other calibers.... as I have AK's in both cals. I love them both, and each caliber has its attributes. I think one argument is that ballistically the 5.56 and 5.45 are close enough to not be "very different". Experts can digress from there.
What I have found, and many "preppers" or EOD people, claim, is that keeping common calibers with NATO or local law or military "seems right". Or at least have large stockpiles in case of supply problems.
I have had problems actually finding 5.45x39 at most gunshops. Buying bulk packs at a Gunshow or the Internet spot is fine.... but trying to find it locally has proven tough, especially "by the box" type sales. Also, as one person told me, "What if there is a ban on importation of cheap ammo." Then you are left to big name makers to supply, instead of cheap Bulgarian or Russian milsurp. The question on supply and cost re- equate themselves. While some domestic makers do supply 7.62x39...... 5.45 is slowly catching on...
I think the trick with the blackout/ 6.5 and 6.8, is that they are "exotic" enough, IMHO right now to be a little more pricey. I haven't seen Golden Tiger or Brown Bear or Tula load these yet. However, they were created to fill a perceived niche......
Trying to pick a "best/ cheapest" caliber for any platform is tough, and has to be based on your intent and research. Kinda like "how long is a string" type conversation. This argument holds water due to the plethera of calibers and guns.... everyone has a "favorite".
FYI, many makers do not "recommend" shooting Milsurp in their rifles. It is hard to back a product if your ammo was made in a 3rd world country with quality control issues, or different intent. Calling up Oly or Springfield with a warranty claim is tough if you admit that you were shooting WWII era ammo loaded in Outer Mongolia to unknown standards.
I am sure experts will have a different opinion.
Corrosive or not, I would suggest cleaning the rifle in question after every shooting session. The corrosive issue generally rears its ugly head based on the level and depth of cleaning you are prepared to do.

[DaveN]

Absoulutly nothing wrong with 5.56. I always knew in handguns the old 9 mm vs 45 ACP (sub any combo here) semi auto vs revolver.... You get my drift. I guess I was applying the same thoughts in the AR kingdom. I'm so glad I have the options that I see in this catalog I got from Olyarms. It has really opened my eyes to the possibilitys available in this platform. Your comments are even more helpful, thankyou.

And having firearms in 5.56 and .40SW in my opinion is a must.
I don't even want to start a conversation about an AR in pistol calibers ( 9, 40, 45)