AR15 Calibers other than the 223R/5.56 - How to decide

[Meketrefe]

As you know the AR15 (not the AR10) can take uppers in many other calibers.
This is a list of calibers that are available and can be found in stock or must be placed through special order
but that had gained a following of enthusiasts due to its specific characteristics.

As you can imagine other popular carbines like the AKM/Saiga, Mini-14, etc.. can be found in some of these calibers
or otherwise could be ordered to be chambered by a gunsmith.
The main characteristic is that the shooters and enthusiasts can achieve different levels of performance even
when limited by the COAL (Cartrige Overall Lenght) that would be 2.3" maximum with the latest magazines.


This is what you will find on this list.....

A) Cartrige Name.
B) Rifle or Pistol Round?
C) What Bolt does it use? 223R and 6.8Bolts are the strongest. I put AK for the 7.62x39 but only a few manufactures make quality strong ones for these cartriges.
That is what I use in the gunner. 308W means the same diameter bolt face but still AR15. Some are for low pressure and cannot take much heat like the 458 socom or bushmaster.
The strong 308w bolt faces for the AR15 are pretty hard to find. WSSM is proprietary bolt and carrier group like the 30 RAR that is pretty much dying courtesy of remington.
D) What magazines can use. 223R-M means a modified version of it.
E) Is ammo available if one doesn't reload? 0=No, 1=Some, 2= Plentiful or at least reasonable assortment.
F) Does it give a performance improvement at 100 yards in terms of speed and/or energy vs. the 223? Power or speed at the muzzle are meaningless.

I am sure I missed quite a few but these should cover the most popular commercial and wildcats.

A	B	C	D	E	F
AR15 Calibers	Type	Bolt	Magazines	Ammo	100Yard
10mm	Pistol	10mm	10mm	2	No
20 Practical	Rifle	223R	223R	0	Yes
204 Ruger	Rifle	223R	223R	2	Yes
222 rem	Rifle	223R	223R	2	No
223 AI	Rifle	223R	223R	0	Yes
223 Remington	Rifle	223R	223R	2	NA
223x42	Rifle	68spc	68spc	0	Yes
25 WSSM	Rifle	WSSM	WSSM	1	Yes
25x45	Rifle	223R	223R	1	Yes
30 BR	Rifle	308W	AK&6.8	0	Yes
30 BRX	Rifle	308W	AK&6.8	0	Yes
30 Remington AR	Rifle	308plus	223R-M	1	Yes
300 OSSM	Rifle	WSSM	WSSM	1	Yes
300Whisper/Blackout	Rifle	223R	223R	2	No
30-68 Herret	Rifle	68spc	68spc-M	0	Yes
35 AR Gunner	Rifle	AK	AK&6.8	0	Yes
357 SIG	Pistol	40cal	40cal	2	No
358 Hoosier	Rifle	308W	AK&6.8	0	Yes
358/.25 WSSM	Rifle	WSSM	WSSM	0	Yes
40 S&W	Pistol	40cal	40cal	2	No
45 ACP	Pistol	45acp	45acp	2	No
450 Bushmaster	Rifle	308W	223R	2	Yes
458 SOCOM	Rifle	308W	223RM	2	Yes
50 BEOWULF	Rifle	AK	223R-M	1	Yes
6.5 BR	Rifle	308W	AK&6.8	0	Yes
6.5 BRX	Rifle	308W	AK&6.8	0	Yes
6.5 TCU	Rifle	223R	223R	0	Yes
6.5/.25 WSSM	Rifle	WSSM	WSSM	0	Yes
6.5Grendel	Rifle	AK	Grendel&AK	2	Yes
6.5LBC	Rifle	AK	Grendel&AK	2	Yes
6.5x42	Rifle	223R	223R	0	Yes
6.8 SPC	Rifle	68spc	68spc	2	Yes
6mm norma BR	Rifle	308W	AK&6.8	2	Yes
6mmAR	Rifle	AK	AK	0	Yes
6x45	Rifle	223R	223R	1	Yes
6x45(long)	Rifle	223R	223R	0	Yes
7.62x39	Rifle	AK	AK	2	No
7.62x40	Rifle	223R	223R	1	No
7mmx40	Rifle	223R	223R	0	Yes
7mmx42	Rifle	68spc	68spc	0	Yes
9mm Luger	Pistol	9mm	9mm	2	No
9x25	Pistol	10mm	10mm	1	No
Tokarev	Pistol	9mm	38super	2	No

[Meketrefe]

We will include a section to talk about popular choices for self defense in close quarters, average hunting, long range, and even big
game hunting.

[Meketrefe]

...

[Meketrefe]

Any interest on this? otherwise close the thread.