Need some valid opinions.

Howard Law

Pick a pistol caliber

  • 5.56

    Votes: 2 28.6%
  • 300 blk

    Votes: 5 71.4%

  • Total voters
    7

Cudruln

Turning dollars into pennies.
Lifetime Supporter
Jul 5, 2015
4,337
4,579
113
Rockmart, GA
Zip code
30153
So I am getting ready to build my next ar pistol. But I am pretty much stuck on which route to take. For some reason I can't decide between a 5.56 or 300 blk. Obviously if I got with the 300 it will suppress better, but that will be well down the road for me. Though I am unsure if I want to get into another round. I just recently finished for first legit ar in the 5.56 round and I am already going to be buying ammo for it.

Cliff notes.
5.56 or 300 blk?
Possibly suppressing in the future!
What will be the more favorable pistol round not being suppressed?
 

dougiemac

Lord of Chaos
Owner
Lifetime Supporter
Aug 26, 2014
3,140
3,695
113
North Georgia
So I am getting ready to build my next ar pistol. But I am pretty much stuck on which route to take. For some reason I can't decide between a 5.56 or 300 blk. Obviously if I got with the 300 it will suppress better, but that will be well down the road for me. Though I am unsure if I want to get into another round. I just recently finished for first legit ar in the 5.56 round and I am already going to be buying ammo for it.

Cliff notes.
5.56 or 300 blk?
Possibly suppressing in the future!
What will be the more favorable pistol round not being suppressed?

I really want to build a 300BLK, but the cost of ammo is a little inhibiting. However I believe it's @handloader that says he loads 300BLK for under $0.50 a round which isn't bad at all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cudruln

Liberty

nitrocellulose dispenser
Site Supporter
Mar 27, 2015
697
612
113
Ga
Zip code
31901
I really want to build a 300BLK, but the cost of ammo is a little inhibiting. However I believe it's @handloader that says he loads 300BLK for under $0.50 a round which isn't bad at all.

Actually you can load it for .25c per round using plated 150's. I use the same bullets for gallery loads in .308 and 30-30. The loads are similar to a hot, heavier .357 magnum.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cudruln

Liberty

nitrocellulose dispenser
Site Supporter
Mar 27, 2015
697
612
113
Ga
Zip code
31901
I use Extreme double plated bullets, they will tolerate reasonably high velocities without coming apart. Accuracy is on par with a pistol caliber carbine. .300 blk is really a magnum pistol load, even though the parent case is .223. Is is also uniquely suited to shorter barreled firearms since it often uses faster burning pistol/shotgun powders.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cudruln

Willy Leadwell

Purveyor of Polyurethane
Lifetime Supporter
Mar 26, 2015
2,159
1,679
113
Loganville, GA
Zip code
30052
Between those two I would definitely build the 300. If you don't think you'll be suppressing it any time soon, have you considered just building a 7.62x39? With what you save on ammo you can build the other gun in no time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cudruln

Cudruln

Turning dollars into pennies.
Lifetime Supporter
Jul 5, 2015
4,337
4,579
113
Rockmart, GA
Zip code
30153
@dougiemac @handloader
As far as reloading, it is something I have not really considered yet. I will probably get into it later, but as of today's time I would not be able to aquire enough time to actually be able to produce. So ammo cost is something I am taking into account. But I am mainly looking for that woo pow factor. So unless @handloader wants to reload for me, it is something I would not currently be able to do.

@Willy Leadwell
I currently have 3 in that flavor (2 rifles and a pistol). I pretty much stumbled into those builds when I started getting into the ar scene last year. I really like my AR47s, but am just wanting to expand my collection. Thanks for the advice though.
 

Willy Leadwell

Purveyor of Polyurethane
Lifetime Supporter
Mar 26, 2015
2,159
1,679
113
Loganville, GA
Zip code
30052
@dougiemac @handloader
As far as reloading, it is something I have not really considered yet. I will probably get into it later, but as of today's time I would not be able to aquire enough time to actually be able to produce. So ammo cost is something I am taking into account. But I am mainly looking for that woo pow factor. So unless @handloader wants to reload for me, it is something I would not currently be able to do.

@Willy Leadwell
I currently have 3 in that flavor (2 rifles and a pistol). I pretty much stumbled into those builds when I started getting into the ar scene last year. I really like my AR47s, but am just wanting to expand my collection. Thanks for the advice though.
Well it sounds like it's time for an SBR then.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cudruln

Cudruln

Turning dollars into pennies.
Lifetime Supporter
Jul 5, 2015
4,337
4,579
113
Rockmart, GA
Zip code
30153
I would consider Ammo cost (do you reload?) and barrel length (how short do you want to go?)
What do you plan to use it for?
Ammo cost is a factor. No reloading at this time. I have not really decided on barrel length yet as I would be doing more research to determine the best for suppressed and non suppressed. But it will probably be in the 8-10" range. As far as use I just want to make it go pew.
 

FatAlbert

Cerakote applicator, PM for quotes.
Kalash Klub
Lifetime Supporter
Mar 25, 2015
503
310
113
GA
www.facebook.com
Zip code
30286
I buy 300blk for about $0.43/round shipped from freedom munitions. New customers get free shipping so I've created about six accounts there. If your not going to suppres 5.55 is annoying loud from a pistol and looses a lot of performance. 300blk is the way to go in a AR pistol or sbr. When you wanna shoot volume really cheap just shoot your AK. If you don't have a AK then shame on you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cudruln

DoglegArms

Silencer Dealer of 2015, 2016, 2017
Jul 12, 2015
1,596
660
113
Dallas, GA
www.doglegarms.com
Zip code
30157
If you're barrel length is going to 8.5" 300BLK. 10.5" or more 5.56
Ammo cost is a factor. No reloading at this time. I have not really decided on barrel length yet as I would be doing more research to determine the best for suppressed and non suppressed. But it will probably be in the 8-10" range. As far as use I just want to make it go pew.

8.5" = 300BLK
10.5" = 5.56

I say go for another 5.56 since you'll be buying ammo for your other build. Then you'll have a carbine and pistol in 5.56. Only reason I'm building a 300BLK is to suppress it otherwise I wouldn't build one. And you can always suppress 5.56. I'm actually surprised how well 5.56 can be suppressed now.
 

Red Dawn

Wolverines
Site Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Aug 12, 2015
5,743
6,957
113
H Town
Zip code
30228
I'd go with the 300blk. I've been wanting to take the Crusader lower and build it as a suppressed 300blk. There are a couple places online that have the ammo cheaper than in store. Check the steals & deals page. Ozark Ordinance is 1. Good Luck.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cudruln

dial1911

Waiting for the flash
Site Supporter
Jul 15, 2015
7,331
27,066
113
Anywhere but here
southeastoutdoors.boards.net
Note- Suppressed 5.56 through a 10.5" barrel is still annoyingly loud... same as suppressed 5.56 from a 16" barrel. The supersonic crack is just enough to make my ears ring a little. And there's no point in subsonic 5.56/.223- that is called 22LR.

I built a .300 pistol using one of DSG's uppers. Haven't shot it much yet, but I like it. I really feel like it needs a 1-4x scope on it to be complete.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cudruln

PewPewPewCo

Sniper
Mar 23, 2015
2,139
1,075
113
Georgia
Note- Suppressed 5.56 through a 10.5" barrel is still annoyingly loud... same as suppressed 5.56 from a 16" barrel. The supersonic crack is just enough to make my ears ring a little. And there's no point in subsonic 5.56/.223- that is called 22LR.

I built a .300 pistol using one of DSG's uppers. Haven't shot it much yet, but I like it. I really feel like it needs a 1-4x scope on it to be complete.
What? Am I just fucking deaf? 10.5" isn't bad with a can to me
 

dial1911

Waiting for the flash
Site Supporter
Jul 15, 2015
7,331
27,066
113
Anywhere but here
southeastoutdoors.boards.net
What? Am I just fucking deaf? 10.5" isn't bad with a can to me


I didn't say it was that bad- and I literally can't hear crap out of one ear. It just sounds the same as a 16" barrel to me- just ears, no meters or anything fancy. My 16" carbine with a specwar and regular .223/5.56 ammo vs. the 10.5" pistol and more or less any ammo both make my ears ring a little. Not uncomfortable, darn sure not the same as full bore, non-suppressed .223/5.56, but still not the same as .308 subs/.300BLK subs/anything else subsonic that I've shot.
 
Aug 17, 2015
42
35
18
Delray Beach
So I am getting ready to build my next ar pistol. But I am pretty much stuck on which route to take. For some reason I can't decide between a 5.56 or 300 blk. Obviously if I got with the 300 it will suppress better, but that will be well down the road for me. Though I am unsure if I want to get into another round. I just recently finished for first legit ar in the 5.56 round and I am already going to be buying ammo for it.

Cliff notes.
5.56 or 300 blk?
Possibly suppressing in the future!
What will be the more favorable pistol round not being suppressed?
Why not build 2 different uppers. One in 5.56 and the other in 300 BLK?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cudruln