.30 cal AR-15 variant options and info ?

roky0702

New member
So I got to thinking...I've got two .223s (one tactical SBR and one lightweight for hunting) and I plan on building a (semi)custom Rem 700 in .308. If I ever do get into reloading, I figured it would be nice to have a .30 cal variant for my third AR-15 build as a short range, medium-big game rifle so I would only have to buy .223 and .308 dies/etc. What are my options and how would they perform for my intended purpose? I looked at 30 Rem AR, 300 AAC Blackout...what else? 300 BLK is cheap, uses .223 parts, and has a lot of support which seems to be the opposite for 30 Rem AR, but does it have enough energy? No plans on suppressor as I live in MN. Or keep debating between 6.8 SPC and 450 Bushmaster? Thanks for opinions, I'm just stressing myself out trying to decide!
 
Last edited:
Well there is the Olympic 300 Ossm, a 25 wssm necked up to 30. Performance of a 30-06 approximately.

Also you'd be surprised how light/handy feeling the DPMS 308 LW rifles are. I handled one at a gun store and was completely impressed.
 
Originally Posted By: 204 ARAlso you'd be surprised how light/handy feeling the DPMS 308 LW rifles are. I handled one at a gun store and was completely impressed.

Until I reload (which I'm unsure if I will) factory ammo would be nice, that could be another alternative. Just get a compact 16" .308 AR-10...hmm.
 
Don't stress yourself out!! I can't offer up much advice other than that. I too would love a 30 cal AR. Let us know what you end up with!
 
Hope a few people will give opinions of the 30 Rem. AR for you. I don`t have one but came very close to impulse buying one last October..price was $950.00
 
.300 AAC Blackout shout be plenty potent for deer and bear sized game. Easy to build and easy to load for.
 
Originally Posted By: 223PeteDon't stress yourself out!! I can't offer up much advice other than that. I too would love a 30 cal AR. Let us know what you end up with!

Well I have all the parts besides stuff depending on caliber so I wanna get it built and shoot it! I may stick with 6.8 and use it as a medium game rifle and shoot something else for bigger rather than trying to cover everything with one rifle. I'll keep thinking about it and post pics once it gets built.
 
Last edited:
I got a cmmg 300 blackout 16 inch barrel. Bought it for a cast bullet plinker, it shoots a 180 gr rcbs cast into one hole groups at 25 yards.Nice little rifle to use plinking with the grandkids.Low cost and easy to load for, brass is cheap . tks for your time ken
 
Originally Posted By: roky0702 Or keep debating between 6.8 SPC and 450 Bushmaster?

It really depends on your application. Inside 300 yards a 6.8 is tough to beat -- great terminal performance, factory loads aplenty, minimal recoil, excellent accuracy -- all out of a 16 inch barrel. Usually when I point this out folks mention the 6.5 Grendel, which is another option.

My 6.8x43 is from ARPerformance and sub MOA. It shoots very nicely with a 6.8 AAC SPR/M4 QD suppressor. That suppressor and rifle set up may be seen here .

Go to page 17 to watch the video.

Sendit
 
You are at the same spot I stater at - I went into the AR game looking at the 30RAR but with a total lack of support from Remington, difficulty and expense on ammo, I pulled back and started shooting others. I found the 300 whisper a nice short range rifle, but the mortar tracking out to 200 yards and especially beyond made it less desirable for my deer hunting and predators. The G is still on my list but I wanted a short tube for hunting more than a long stick for reaching out there. At that time, AA had the G tied up as proprietary plus I couldn't find ammo easily locally and it was relatively high even for hunting ammo on line.

I bought the first 6.8 and then a second and really like what it brings to the table for hunting in my area as well as both are below 1" groups. Ammo is available in my area as well as internet at anywhere from 16 to 30 bucks a box with reloading making it a lot easier on the budget. With the 140 grain slugs now out, it is still supersonic at a 1000 - not that it will replace the LAR8, but it can now reach the farthest "bottom" of 450 yards with gas to spare.

At some point, a 300 AR-15 of some type will go into the rack but thus far, the 6.8 does what I want for hunting. I do look forward to results on the 30 cal, 110 TSX to see if it does as well as the 85 TSX in the 6.8 and gets the track down to something where i can be off 20 and not shoot over or under.

Once again, I deal with coyotes and deer. I'm not into 3 gun, zombie hordes, defending from a Cuban invasion nor overly concerned about ner-do-wells coming over the fence for my cattle.. Just shootin' whitetails and coyotes and beating buddies out of crispies once in a while.
 
Saw one at Whittaker's for 980 or so with sling and high rise but not scope. I think they had 2 magazines with it as well.

As you said, it is fodder for an impulse buy....but not before I get a 1903A3!
 
Re: Rem's 30 RAR. I own two, enjoy reloading for it very much, got a chance to take out to Utah for predator hunting and some load testing as well. I am keeping them and will most likely buy another around Christmas time. There's a nice article about it and hog hunting in last month's nra magazine as well. The brass quality could be a little better, otherwise no complaints.
 
Your sentiments echo the other two shooters that I have found over the years. Great round, versatile, deadly on game...but just no industry support from Big Green.

Where are you finding brass? or are you modding 450 BM or 284 Win?
 
I've got two 6.8MM's and my son has one for predators and deer it's been a great round.
Lots of factory ammo available and easy to reload for.
 
Originally Posted By: Predator StrikeforceWhile I absolutely love the .300 BLK, I think without suppression, it has no benefits. With suppressor, its the obvious choice. Best of luck!

Actually I think a supersonic round may be a good youth platform for deer hunting also.
 
I have one of the R-15s in 30 Rem AR. I love it. I got it for $799 from CDNN. I reload 135gr SMKs with 36 grs of Benchmark. It's a nice shooter and easy to load for.
 
Back
Top