pondering next AR build, opinions/suggestions needed

[Guest nysos]

So I have a second lower sitting around and although I won't be buying parts for a while, I have been pondering what sort of build to do. The main reason I want to have this build figured out in the next few months is so that when I finish my AR pistol I can keep an eye out for good deals on the next build.

In the lead are just a 16" carbine to replace the one I used to have, but traded away - or the other contender in the lead is an 18-20" SPR build. Both of these would be in 5.56 unless I think of a more preferable caliber. Nothing exotic or fancy, I know.

My only requirements are I would prefer it to be something common enough where I can buy ammo for it and reload it easily/cheaply. I don't 100% reload all the time, so until then being able to buy factory ammo is a must. The only other caliber I have considered is 6.8 if I did the SPR build.

I forgot to mention, I do want to keep it in rifle calibers. Another rifle or 2 down the road and I will probably do a 9mm AR or something.

[Lumber_Jack]

So other than your 300 build, why ARs do you have?

I would keep a standard 16" carbine for sure, so if you don't have one that's where I'd start. I would like a 20+" upper for shooting long range varmints and targets but wouldn't build that before my standard fighting carbine.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

If you do a 6.8, you won't get much benefit out of anything longer than a 16" barrel. Pick a 1/11 or 1/12 twist.

[Guest nysos]

[quote name='Lumber_Jack' timestamp='1352132831' post='839392']
So other than your 300 build, why ARs do you have?

I would keep a standard 16" carbine for sure, so if you don't have one that's where I'd start. I would like a 20+" upper for shooting long range varmints and targets but wouldn't build that before my standard fighting carbine.
[/quote]

Right now just the 300 and a spare lower. The only other AR I had I traded away, hence I think I might just rebuild a carbine just for the reasoning of good to have a 16" carbine sitting around.