Has anyone tried the .30 Remington AR? I think I'd like one for deer but it looks like they've stopped making the rifles. I emailed Remington for info and will also try DPMS.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...mington_AR

Pkslinger, I looked into it but there wasn't enough infastructure to support it, e.g., barrels, bolts, brass, reloading dies, mags, etc. Then Remington dropped it - a dud. I went with a 6.8mm and have become a real enthusiests. There is a great selection of compoents and the bullets are specifically designed for the 6.8. I've done a lot of testing of them if you would like to see. You don't need 30-cal bullets for deer and hogs with these 6.8 bullets.

68forums.com/forums/sh...erformance

Remington don't do that great a job on the original 6.8mm. With all the shooters working with the internet, the issues with primers, twist, throat angle and depth have resulted in the SPC II that runs at higher pressure. A 16" barrel is really all you need and will achieve 3000 fps with the 85gr bullets. I'm getting 2670 fps with 110gr. If you want more, AR Performance is now making 6mm XBRs and 270AR barrel with more powder capacity if you want more omph. But I'm more than please with a standard 6.8. Check out the last 3 on the first page.

www.ar15performance.com/barrels

Thanks Slim but the 6.8s just don't trip my trigger (excuse the pun). The .30 AR has about 130% of the KE of the 6.8 and I'm already using some .308 bullets in other stuff.

I emailed Remington and they say that the R15 in .30 AR isn't currently in production but will be around "the end of the year".

Hey what about the 7.62x39? I built an AR of that caliber and it works great.

Pumpkinslinger wrote:

The .30 AR has about 130% of the KE of the 6.8 and I'm already using some .308 bullets in other stuff.

Pkslinger, your drinking Remington's advertising "cool-aid". When was the last time you had your game walk up and stand right in-front of your muzzle? Its down-range energy that counts. The 30AR velocity numbers for 2800 fps are based on 125 gr bullets. You say you have .30-cal bullet lying around. How many light-for-caliber ones are in your home inventory?

Some of my passion for the 6.8 is coming out so I don't mean to but you on the defensive. However, there are so many detractors with 30AR concept it turned out to be a dud. The points below will show you why the 30AR is unpopular, or a "jack handle" as Bushy would say, and why the 6.8mm SPC II has turned out to be the most used AR round for hunting deer and hogs.

- Where are you going to get the brass to keep shooting the 30AR. Making your own brass will be a chore. Other unique parts are harder to come by also.

- The magazine that holds 4 round for the 30AR holds 10 for the 6.8. Larger capacity magazines have even a bigger difference.

- The 30AR weighs 7.75 pounds sans scope. The two 6.8s I’ve built weight 5.9 pounds. Having a gun that weights a couple pounds less is a noticeable difference in the field and much more enjoyable to carry.

- And back to your original point, Yes the 30AR has 130% more KE at the muzzle compared to a 120gr in a 6.8mm. But at 100 yards the advantage is 20%, at 200 10%, and at 300 yards they are equal. Oh, wait, that is comparing at 30AR with a 22-inch barrel to a 6.8mm with a 16-inch barrel. If the 6.8 had 22-inch barrel, the difference at the muzzle would be 12% and equal at 100 yards. Beyond 100 yards, that the 6.8 with an equal length barrel has the advantage.

You would love the 6.8 if you got one.

Suz, doesn't the 7.62x39 use .310 diameter bullets instead of .308?

Hey punkinslinger-why do you want to shoot an underpowered 300 savage?Why do you want to have to deal with what is basically a wildcat cartridge?Why not just get a ar-10 style rifle of the lightest style chambered in 308 win,and download it till it just barely cycles?Or just get an ar-10m4,and shoot lighter bullets and loads that will cycle normally?Seems to be alot of unnecessary work to save a little weight,and like any new cartridge-it will probably cost more!I don't mean to be so negative but-is it really worth the effort ?

slimjim wrote:

Suz, doesn't the 7.62x39 use .310 diameter bullets instead of .308?

well now it is supposed to shoot better with .310 if you shoot a slogged out sks or AK . if you have a mini 14 ranch rifle (now there is a cool wee gun) .308 is the way to go as they have that sized barrel. yes it will fire the other but not so accurate according to the gaff written on it. my bisley seems to be happy with .308 cal pills and Im happier with them so have more faith.

or if you want to go .308 whats the story on the Norinco M14 copies??$599NZ
a scaled down Sally Springfield...scaled up mini 14....they look great and are out with shorter barrel and synthetic stocks now.

Punkin, it basically comes down to whatever floats your boat mate. I'm not even remotely familiar with the 30 Remington AR or the 6.8 for that matter, but the the best thing about this Forum, and the part I love about most it, has come to the fore...knowledge, experience and the willingness to share it.

If you really want the 30 Rem AR, go for it mate, but now you have other options to consider and can make a more considered choice courtesy of others.

Can't get better than that mate. Damn I love this site.

Remington and DPMS made, and apparently will be making (according to Remington's email yesterday), rifles and uppers for the .30 RAR. Remington makes ammo (4 loads with at least one more coming) so brass shouldn't be any problem. I've found published loads for bullets from 110 to 160 grains. You can go on Remington's web site and compare the .30 RAR with other cartridges. With Rem factory loads the .30 RAR beats the 6.8 Remington SPC out to 500 yards, energy and trajectory wise. It also beats the 7.62x39mm (138% muzzle energy).

As I said, this would be a deer rifle, not for mowing down the zombie hordes. I have a .308, along with a number of others suitable for deer hunting. I just thought it would be fun to have an AR deer rifle.

thats as good a reason as any

Pumpkinslinger wrote:

With Rem factory loads the .30 RAR beats the 6.8 Remington SPC out to 500 yards, energy and trajectory wise. .... I just thought it would be fun to have an AR deer rifle.

Remington's statement that the .30 RAR beats the 6.8 Remington SPC out to 500 yards, energy and trajectory wise is "coolaid". Maybe with the original 6.8mm SPC they decided so poorly. Not with the 6.8mm SPC II.

Pkslinger, it is fun to have an AR Deer Rifle. Go for it! Before you buy, decide just how heavy a rifle you want to carry in the field.

My problem with the AR as a deer rifle is it has so many things to snag on my
backpack that it's not too fast or easy to swing up to shoot. You have to carry
them in front of you and climbing up a hill is problematic unless it's on my back.
That's the reason I built it with that caliber though, it rivals the 30-30 and my
shots aren't going to be more than 100yds anyway. But I like my 30-30 better
it's easier to carry and quick to plant on my back or to shooting position.
As few deer as I've encountered.....I should take the AR out more often and
devise a way to carry the darned thing. It's such a fun gun to shoot.

Good luck with your build Pumpkin!!

Suz...have a look at the British SA80 sling. It might well be just what the Doctor Ordered mate.