Originally Posted By: Plant.OneOriginally Posted By: cjclemensThat's doable, but it seems like it would be a real and unnecessary pain in the butt to switch back and forth. It would literally be like building an upper, taking it apart, and re-building it again every time you want to switch. With prices on components as low as they are, I would just attach it to a dedicated upper. If you don't want the added expense of an extra set of optics, you can still swap optics back and forth, but I think making two uppers is gonna save you a lot of time and frustration in the long run.
^^ this. even if you were to swap the barrel back and forth, you're still going to have to re-zero your optic every time you do so on the caliber switch.
if you wanna do on a budget right now, all you'll need is a upper and a handguard to get started. you should be able to share the BCG and chargingin handle, but again with the prices right now, might as well build a ready to go, swap two pins, type of upper.
even a nitrided BCG can be had for under $100
one thing to consider - black friday is coming shortly! i know that likely puts you past deer season, but if you need to go on the cheap this might be a way to do it.
if you cant wait, i'd suggest this - rebuild your current upper to 300 blk. then when black friday gets here order an upper receiver, bolt carrier group, charging handle, optic and handguard and rebuild your 223.
just something to consider.
+1 to that ^^^^^
I have many uppers and a few lowers. I set up my uppers for specific hunts, like my 6.5G for coyotes, my 17 Remington for fox/bobcat and then just swap them onto my lowers. That way you learn your trigger, and your optics stay mounted/zeroed on your uppers.
Swapping barrels back and forth sounds good, but it isn't.