This season, I want to hunt deer and hog with an AR-15. No, I will not be firing .223 ammo but rather a larger bore. I am going to change the upper to one of the following and would like to get the opinion of the forum as to which one to get and why. Will be shooting out to 200 yards.

1. .50 Beowulf by Alexander Arms. - $675.
2. .450 Bushmster by Bushmaster. - $???.
3. .458 SOCOM. - $???.
4. 6.8mm SPC - Rock River Arms. - $475.
5. 6.5 Grendel - Alexander Arms. -$675.
6. .243 WSSM - Olympic Arms. - $672.
7. 25 WSSM - Olympic Arms. - $672.

Is the .450 Bushmaster available and are there any other large bore uppers available?

6.5 Grendel would be my choice the WSSM's are dying a quick death.

6.5 Grendel would be my choice the WSSM's are dying a quick death. .

The 6.5 Grendel is my first choice but Alexander Arms wants $675 for one. The 6.8 SPC cost $475 at Rock River Arms. I am not that fond of the 6.8 SPC but it sure is a better deer cartridge than the .223.

I'm not an AR guy, so hope this isn't a stupid question.

WHy not a 308? Is it not compaible w/ the standard lower made for the 223 guns?

NITRO, Will try to help with your questions. I'm not an expert,but do have some working knowledge of the AR platform. Will try to stick to topic and answer questions as asked.

Hope you don't have a Colt lower. If so that will pose a slight problem(pin size).

The 200yd thing would limit the choice(weed out) several of the above calibers. No.'s 1,2,3,are great powered short range calibers. Can you hit/kill hogs and deer at 200+yds,??,heck yeah. But I consider 200yds the very end of the practicality thing for the top three. I have punched paper with my Bushmaster/.50 Beowulf/Leupold 3X7X33,and with the proper rest, targeting a 6"circle at 200+ yards, is extremely doable. This from bench and bag. Rested over a tree stump,animal moving,and/or a rushed shot,is entirely different.

All the choices above are for handloaders IMO. Several have commercial ammo available...BUT...most of the above really shine if handloaded. Remember no lead bullets jacketed only.I handload for the Wulf and to me that is what makes the caliber really shine. Especially when loaded with Powerbelt muzzleloader bullets.

Of the choices listed above,taking into consideration the 200yd thing,as a handloader,I would choose the .25. If not a handloader I would choose the .450 and buy a bunch of ammo.(caution: only one loading and from Hornady)

Note: I have had dealings with Bill Alexander at AA and he and his staff are a real pleasure do talk to. He is very informative and shares info readily. He will offer all the technical expertise needed to make his weapons,ammo,and associated equipment,really shine.

Also,for my application,heavily wooded river swamps in NW Fla.,my shots are 100-150yds max,and that is somewhat rare. Under 50 is the norm. I would have to reccommend the .50Beowulf. It, and the 300gr Gold Dot, will absolutely hammer the biggest of hogs. If needed(?) I can load a 500gr Hornady XTP or a 530gr Powerbelt.

You cannot put a .308 upper on a AR lower.

Specific info,PM me.-----pruhdlr

NITRO,To add to my above, I don't believe that you can obtain an upper only in .450 from Bushmaster(could be wrong on this).

Another loading is the .499 Leitner/Wise(sp?). It is a real "specialty round". Essentially a lengthened Wulf. Puts out 'bout the same power. This is strictly a handloaders round.

Also by "large bore uppers",if you consider the following to be "large bore" these are available from Wilson Combat,DPMS,and a few others.
.260,.243,7-08 and a couple others that i can't recall. ----pruhdlr

I'd prolly go with the 6.8SPC, as ammo is more "available" than the other specialty rounds, and the ballistics are ...close-to....308

The only other I'd choose that U listed would be the .25wssm, as I have read that it is close if not better ballistically to the 25-06.

But honestly, for the cost of the upper, I'd ditch the whole sha-bang and purchase a package Savage-with-scope in the caliber of your choice.

But that's me...

good luck with your choice.

There has been a rash of articles on the Berger VLD bullets for hunting lately, wonder how a heavy VLD would work out of a 223 for deer?

Take note that the Berger line of bullets is for(designed for) target only. Check the design of a bullet before you use it for hunting. Sometimes the jacket,base,ojive,hollow point,and other designs of a bullet, make it less that optimal for hunting due to it's terminal performance.

On the other hand,I have used the Sierra Matchking very successfully in taking game at the longer ranges. Possibly due to the speed upon impact. ---pruhdlr

That's what I thought too, but there were articles in Shooting times and Rifle or Handloader in the past month or two about using them

sorry, that should be shooting illustrated, not shooting times

It was handloader. here is the only digital article I could find on it http://www.gunhuntermag.com/features/070709both.htm