The AR-15 has become synonymous with modularity, given its ability to adapt to virtually any shooting style or environment. Building a custom AR-15 is one of the most rewarding experiences that one can engage in, starting from the ground up by selecting one of the various AR calibers available. Fortunately, most barrels will allow for an MLOK style handguard for attachment, regardless of the caliber selected. This alone gives the end-user countless options to customize and outfit their AR-15 for the job at hand, and RailScales offers great solutions for virtually any custom AR-15 set-up. While larger caliber rifles typically won't have as much heat transfer from the barrel, having a set of G10 MLOK rail panels to ensure grip traction and proper indexing will objectively enhance any shooting experience.
AR-15s are versatile weapons that have endless opportunities for customization. One of the most popular areas to customize, especially for those building a custom AR-15, is the caliber.
RailScales is an AR-15 accessories shop that offers the best AR-15 rail covers, handstops, vertical grips, iron sights, and more. Our team is passionate about helping you enjoy shooting your AR-15, so you'll continue to do so. Below, we'll take a look at some of the many different AR-15 calibers available. Shop our AR-15 accessories online today!
Different Types Of AR-15 Calibers
5.56
The 5.56mm round for AR-15s has been the standard for over 60 years. It was developed in the 1960s as the U.S. Military was looking for a more reliable, accurate, and lighter general issue weapon and cartridge. Before this, NATO was looking for a single rifle cartridge that could be adopted for use by all of the allies so that if war happened again, these rounds would be easy to distribute and produce by everyone. At the time the AR-10 was developed into the M16 and then the AR-15 was developed. The U.S. Military adopted the 5.56 as its round of choice, so ARs began to be made with these as well.
.300 Blackout
The .300 Blackout is also commonly known as the .300 BLK or as the 7.62x35mm. This caliber was designed to be usable on existing AR-15s that were chambered for the 5.56, but could be a heavier, more intermediate cartridge. The goal was to be similar to 7.62x39mm but still be usable in existing AR-15 magazines. This caliber is very accurate and loses very little velocity when fired. However, it can be very expensive and hard to find. Plus, it's not the best for long-range shooting.
6.5 Grendel
Also known as the 6.5x39mm, the 6.5 Grendel is very similar to the .300 Blackout. It was designed to be highly accurate and have a low recoil. This round is shorter than others with a larger diameter case so that it can fit into the 5.56 AR-15 magazines. This caliber is better than the 5.56 with better terminal energy and range. However, it is not always reliable in a 5.56 magazine and won't feed the best. Plus, you may want to switch out your upper receiver for this caliber, but it will still be compatible with a 5.56 lower.
.50 Beowulf
If you know the story of Beowulf, you know that Beowulf was a Danish prince who took on the monster Grendel and Grendel's mother and made the kingdom safe again. Thus, with a name like Beowulf, you should expect great things — and indeed, this caliber delivers. This monster caliber was developed by the same people who developed the 6.5 Grendel. Powerful and great for hunting big game, this caliber is the hardest to come by, and you'll probably have to learn to reload it if you want to ensure a good supply. It goes without saying that this caliber is a great self-defense choice and is great for close-range hunting
.458 SOCOM
Again, the military was involved in the development of this round. The 5.56x45mm NATO round was not getting the job done in terms of stopping power when the U.S. troops were in Somalia. Thus, the .458 SOCOM was developed to be larger and have more stopping power but could still be used in the M4 and M16 rifles. This caliber is fully compatible with the 5.56 AR platform, including the magazines and buffers. However, this round takes up more space in a magazine, resulting in fewer rounds being loaded. For those looking to defend themselves against grizzly bears, this has become the bullet of choice because it can be fired rapidly. However, this caliber is expensive, can be hard to find, and has a limited number of rounds in a magazine as a factor.
6.8 SPC
The 6.8 SPC or 6.8mm Remington Special Purpose Cartridge, was designed to replace the 5.56. It uses the same diameter as the bullet for a .270 Winchester, and offers twice the ballistics. It is best used at short ranges rather than long ranges. This caliber is also an expensive one and is a great caliber for hunting medium-sized game, such as hogs and small deer at close to moderate range and offers tremendous stopping power. The 6.8 SPC is also a great self defense choice for AR-15s, and this ammo is not too hard to come by.
9mm
Though traditionally associated with pistols, 9mm has found its way into the AR-15 platform through pistol-caliber carbines (PCC). AR-15s chambered in 9mm are popular for target shooting, home defense, and even competitive shooting. The 9mm round offers low recoil, affordable ammunition, and compatibility with many popular handgun magazines. It's a great option for those looking to train or defend themselves with a firearm that doesn’t have as much of the muzzle blast and recoil of larger calibers.
.22 LR
The .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR) is one of the most versatile and commonly used calibers for training, small game hunting, and recreational shooting. AR-15 rifles chambered in .22 are known for their low recoil and cost-effective shooting. Because .22 LR is affordable and readily available, it makes for an excellent choice for new shooters or those looking to practice basic shooting fundamentals. However, it doesn’t pack the same punch as larger calibers and isn’t typically used for self-defense.
CHOOSE RAILSCALES FOR ALL OF YOUR AR-15 ACCESSORIES TODAY
Upgrading and customizing your AR-15 are two of the funnest activities you can do if you love shooting. Since there are so many choices when it comes to everything AR, you'll want to make sure that what you choose makes sense for your use so you don't end up going down the rabbit hole and spending a lot of money on AR parts you really don't need.
When it comes to caliber, RailScales recommends that you stick to considering power, the availability of your chosen cartridge, and the cost as well. Ammunition can quickly add up, especially if you shoot a lot. However, reloading cartridges is always a viable option as well to keep you in constant supply at an affordable price. Will you be hunting, shooting in competitions, or investing for self-defense?
RailScales offers the best rail covers to make your shooting time comfortable and easy. Our rail covers are made for the MLOK and KeyMod rails. These handguards offer heat protection and superior grip, so you can shoot longer. They are thin and lightweight and take up hardly any noticeable rail space. These tactical grips are easy to install and come in cool colors to match your AR. We also offer handstops and vertical grips, as well as iron sights and sling mounts.
Whether the goal is to have a high-caliber, long-range precision target AR, a versatile hunting AR for traversing difficult terrain with ODG HTP Scales to blend in, or a short-barreled .300 BLK AR-Pistol tucked away for home defense, RailScales has a solution for virtually any custom AR-15 setup.
The choice is clear. Choose the best rail covers in the industry from RailScales, and order online today!
Disclaimer:
This blog content was generated by a human and with the aid of artificial intelligence. It may contain errors or inaccuracies and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. This content is for SEO/entertainment purposes only and the views expressed in this content does not necessarily reflect the views of RailScales LLC. For more information, please refer to bullet point #13 on our FAQ.