Need a 40~55gr AR-15 upper - where, who, how much ...?

[Sid Post]

I think it's pretty hard to drive a bullet that fast in a .223/5.56. You may be able to run light bullets fast enough in a .224 Valkarie to come apart, but why run light bullets in one anyway?

Andy

I want a big 'compression wave' in the dogs that are attacking me and my property that turns their insides into JELLO. I also want something that will break up more easily if I miss and hit a rock buried in my 'backstop'. Lighter bullets will also carry less energy downrange in the unlikely event one of them leaves my property.

[dperdue]

I shoot feral hogs with a 6.8SPC, and a 6.5Grendel and 300BO for fun. I also have an AR-10 so, defensive loads are not a concern. My AR-15 is 1/7.

I have played with 77gr loads in my AR-15 and for me, they don't offer anything special for where and how I shoot. I just don't see the benefits of 1/7 barrel for my AR-15 with the more common 55/62gr loads I use. If I was competing with heavy match loads or shooting tracers, then maybe my 1/7 barrel would make more sense for my shooting.

All of my .223/5.56 ARs are 1 in 7 except for one Compass Lake barrel which is a 1 in 8 (I think technically 1 in 7.7). They shoot a wide range of bullet weights well. I have shot a few rounds of the 50gr Vmax from a Remington model 7, which I believe is a 1 in 9. The rifle belonged to a friend I used to visit in Texas to hog hunt with. It was a good shooting rifle and load as best I can remember.

[Todd.K]

If a custom 224 Valkyrie slow twist for varmint bullets floats your boat I say go for it. I can't say I've never thought of it...

Back to 223. If your common 55-62gr includes green tip then you should not go as low as 1/12, you should get a 1/9.

If you have been told your 1/7 is "over spinning" your 55-62gr bullets and reducing your accuracy, I have not found this in testing. I worked in manufacturing barrels and have tested AR barrels with lots of different ammo.

I recommend you try some 50-55gr varmint ammo in your current rifle. 52gr BH blue box has been a consistently good performer for the price. Unless you just want a good reason to build another, there is nothing wrong with a 1/12 barrel for 55gr and lighter.

[AndyLate]

I want a big 'compression wave' in the dogs that are attacking me and my property that turns their insides into JELLO. I also want something that will break up more easily if I miss and hit a rock buried in my 'backstop'. Lighter bullets will also carry less energy downrange in the unlikely event one of them leaves my property.

Yeah what I was saying was not clear I mean I don't think anyone would run a light bullet in the Valkarie I understand why the light bullet in in 223 / 556.

[MegademiC]

1/12-1/9 will be perfect for light skinned 40-50 gr vmax loads.
You have your other bases covered with the 1/7- sounds like you are on the right path for a niche purpose.

Honestly- Id use 50-60gr vmax for dogs- good penetration/cavitation balance for frontal and side shots.
1-8/9 would be good, 1/12 will work, but i think a good barrel in 1/9-1/8 will be easier to find.

What is your accuracy requirement at what range?

[Jsp10477]

Before I started hunting with AR’s I hunted coyotes with Remington 700, 22-250 I had rebarreled with a 26” 1 in 8 twist. 40 grain vmax and Nosler ballistic tip bullets held together @ 3900 FPS. I don’t think you can drive them faster than that out of an AR. I tried using Barnes varmint grenades and the Hornady 35 grain Hornet bullets and some of those came apart at the same velocities.

[Campbell]

I have shot a lot of coyotes/feral dogs. I would lean more towards the 60-70 grain hunting loads offered at normal 556 velocity. If your worried about over penetration or ricochet, then it may not be a safe shot regardless of load choice.
Since .223 is legal for deer hunting in so many states now, there are fantastic loads offered that are very lethal.

[Sid Post]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to try a 1x9 and see how it goes. We all have different needs and purposes so, while I may not agree with everything said for my PERSONAL uses, I can see how it is appropriate for many others.

[Sid Post]

... If your worried about over penetration or ricochet, then it may not be a safe shot regardless of load choice...

Maybe over cautious but, unlike others around me who shoot into the air to scare dogs away, I am pretty strict about the shots I take and pass up many others would take. YMMV