Can an AR 10 be chambered for the 223 Remington round?

[lrrifleman]

By subforum descriptions, this question doesn't fit well in any subforum, but fits better here. If I placed this in an improper subforum, please feel free to place it properly!

After becoming disabled, I have focused on building a thousand yard capable AR15 for both sling and F T/R matches. On paper, I have developed loads that are 1,000 yard capable with reduced charges and deep seated bullets (80gr and over) ... these are marginally 1,000 yard capable. These rounds go subsonic at about 1017 yards, so I don't anticipate the best grouping. If I can load these rounds longer (to recommended COL) I can use a bit more powder to boost both velocity and range. All of these loads are single load propositions.

I was wondering ... can an AR15 barrel be fitted to an AR10 upper, an AR15 bolt fitted to an AR10 bolt carrier, and an AR10 magazine be adapted to allow magazine feeding of rounds such as an 80gr HPBT 223 Remington loaded to a COL of about 2.625". If this is viable, I believe that this could be an ideal platform for 80gr - 95gr rounds in the 223 Remington / 224 Valkyrie / and 22 Nosler families that would accommodate magazine feeding and potentially lengthen the range of these rounds.

Could the AR10 be successfully adapted to handle the 223 length rounds with the heavier bullets?

Thanks in advance for your ideas!

 

[MichiganScott]

High power competitors commonly load the bullet you wish to use in .223 to 2.550" and shoot them single loaded in AR15's on the 600 yard line. The .22 Nosler can be loaded even hotter and remain at magazine length in an AR15. Using the AR15 platform would allow you to build a lighter rifle for your purposes.

Just an observation and not an answer to your question.

 

[lrrifleman]

@MichiganScott,

Thank you for sharing. I have been shooting high power since '88 and aware of this. Since becoming disabled, I have had to look at competition a bit differently. For the foreseeable future, I am limited to either 600 yard and 1000 yard matches, most will be fired F class, unless I can develop a successful 1000 yard load.

Because of the chamber in my long range AR, I can only load my 80gr bullets to 2.435" ... I had to develop a reduced powder charge for the increased seating depth in order to use the 80s. These I do fire single load because they do exceed magazine length. Because of the fractures and muscle damage, I need to concentrate on low recoiling rounds and heavier rifles.

My home 1000 yard range is actually 1039 yards, and the load I have developed goes subsonic at 1017 yards, on paper. This gives me little margin for tight groups at 1000 (a requirement for F class) and will not work for me at my home range. I have the ability to shoot my AR with the sling in prone for a 20 minute/shot string, but not much longer ... too much irreparable tendon and muscle damage. With this barrel, I am limited to 80gr bullets ... for windier conditions, I could benefit from 85s, 90s and 95s. While I am comfortable firing "single load", I would like the ability to use the magazine once in a while! If I rethroat the barrel, I don't gain much in the velocity arena.

With the introduction of the 22 Nosler and 224 Valkyrie, I can get a bit more velocity. Since finding COL numbers for the 224 Valkyrie is difficult, I thought building one on an AR10/Mk110 platform could provide a higher degree of flexibility.

I am ok with shooting F class (Open and F T/R), I miss and long for the ability to shoot sling matches ... that is the type of competitions that I grew up with. I don't want my disabilities to keep me down. I do have my 7mm Remington Magnum 700 Long Range for F Open matches, but shooting off of a "benchrest" isn't necessarily my idea of "shooting" ... it makes it easier in my opinion.

 

[sgtsandman]

There would quite a bit of adaptation to do it. Everything is quite a bit larger on an AR10 compared to an AR15. I suppose with enough money it could be done though. Let me see if I can get you some pictures of the rifles and BCGs next to each other. I don't want to tear the rifles down for barrel extension comparisons but it might give you an idea.

 

[sgtsandman]

 

[MichiganScott]

I feel your pain (literally). I started high power competition in the early 1990's and was forced to give it up in 2010. I'm down to only five vertebrae between my skull and pelvis that are not fused and rodded. I finally sold my sport touring bike in 2014 and am now without a motorcycle for the first time since 1968. Position shooting is no longer possible, so my range time consists of buying rifles of different calibers and finding out all I can about reloading the different calibers with different weight bullets.

Isn't F T/R restricted to .223 and .308? Wouldn't that rule out the Nosler and Valkyrie anyway? If it were allowed, a 6.5 CM in a M&P10 would make a great 1000 yard gun if you could find a competent 'smith to build one at max weight. Maybe it's time to consider F-open.

 

[batmann]

If it could be done, my question is why?
There are a multitude of capable.223/5.56 rifles out there. Most manufacturers offer a specialized long range rifle.
I’m not trying to rain on anybody’s parade, but just the cost, assuming it could be done, would be more than a specialty rifle.

 

[rwsmith]

I agree...

If it could be done, my question is why?
There are a multitude of capable.223/5.56 rifles out there. Most manufacturers offer a specialized long range rifle.
I’m not trying to rain on anybody’s parade, but just the cost, assuming it could be done, would be more than a specialty rifle.

Getting a match barrel chambered in .223 will cost a few hundred plus the adaptations to just about everything that touches the cartridge.

Put together a match quality AR-15.

 

[WR Moore]

As someone already noted, F class Tactical Rifle is limited to .223/5.56 x 45 mm and .308/7.62 x 51 mm.

You might want to talk to someone like Les Baer to check on practicality. Your project proposal sounds like you'd need to send in your rifle and a bale of Benjamins. Just off the top of my head, even if a .223 bolt would fit in a .308 carrier, I doubt it'd pick up a round given the additional height/diameter of a .308 carrier.