Deciding between 308 & 556

[07JKX]

.308!!! if you are rich or reload. 5.56/223 otherwise.

I love my .308 both for range, penetration and power. I have s308 and it is my go to rifle for anything. I hunt, plink, home defense, etc with it.

 

[tljr]

if for no other reason...when the crap hits the fan 5.56 is what everybody else is gonna be using. Everybody sharing rounds means more people shootin'. When you run out of 308, you're done.

 

[hjblwme]

if for no other reason...when the crap hits the fan 5.56 is what everybody else is gonna be using. Everybody sharing rounds means more people shootin'. When you run out of 308, you're done.

Yes and no. 5.56 IS more common as both a military and civilian round (223). Where as 308 is only slightly less common but as a 7.62. That's the primary caliber of military full auto machine guns. Which do require large amounts of ammo. So both calibers are "essential" in any "good" arsenal.

 

[chastaingrading]

Consolidating different types of ammo is something I have been trying to do. That is also part of the decision process for me. I have traded off most of the guns that I have had that are not .223/.556, 12 guage, .22, .45, or 9mm. I just like being able to stock up on ammo that can be used in multiple guns. With that in mind, and getting the range I am looking for, maybe a 223 bolt gun with a heavy barrel? A 308 bolt gun sounds appealing too... I think I have been around my wife too much lately, can't decide what I want.

 

[artd]

The AR-15, in 5.56, dominates the high power, across-the-course venue. Nationals are won with the tricked out AR's. At 600 yards, you will need a 20 - 24" barrel that will stablize an 80gr+ bullet. That requires 1:7.7" minimum twist with a long enougth throat to handle the longer bullets. I shoot 80gr A-Max at 600 and 75gr HPBT at 200 and 300. I addition to the barrel, you will need a free-float tube or handguard and a good trigger. I shoot a Jewell 2-stage with a 3.5lb first stage and 1lb second.

 

[tljr]

Yes and no. 5.56 IS more common as both a military and civilian round (223). Where as 308 is only slightly less common but as a 7.62. That's the primary caliber of military full auto machine guns. Which do require large amounts of ammo. So both calibers are "essential" in any "good" arsenal.

nicely put...you got me on that one.

 

[RichardGA]

You can get a descent 5.56/223 AR platform rifle and a decent 308 bolt gun with a workable scope (not a great one) for the same price as a decent 308 AR rifle. If prices ever die down you can get a decent AR-15 for $800 and a decent bolt 308 (standard big box store black synthetic Rem 700) for $350 + 150 for a decent hunting (but not precision long range target) scope. That will run you about $1,300.00 which isn't much more than an entry level 308 AR. You can then practice with both and wait to see whether you will want to save your pennies for a tricked out 700 in 308 or an AR Platform rifle in 308.

 

[chastaingrading]

The AR-15, in 5.56, dominates the high power, across-the-course venue. Nationals are won with the tricked out AR's. At 600 yards, you will need a 20 - 24" barrel that will stablize an 80gr+ bullet. That requires 1:7.7" minimum twist with a long enougth throat to handle the longer bullets. I shoot 80gr A-Max at 600 and 75gr HPBT at 200 and 300. I addition to the barrel, you will need a free-float tube or handguard and a good trigger. I shoot a Jewell 2-stage with a 3.5lb first stage and 1lb second.

Excellent info!

 

[YOTESHOOTER]

call and talk to ivan, at the firing line shooting range in bogart/athens, area, he shoots an 5.56/223 in competetion at gun site hills and does real well in shooting with this caliber.

its all a matter of what you want to shoot, all ammo is not real friendly in price now. really do not look for it to go back to old price ranges. its just like milk, eggs, smaller and smaller sized food packages however the price did not go down it has increased some.

we will never see 25# slab of bacon for a $ .25 again, the dollar is only worth $ .18, thats the reason everything in our economy has risen in consumer cost. the government is printing 85 millon per month with nothing to back it up. so inflation is started and it will get worse..

it's your shooting choice, what do you like, what caliber are you comfortable with, and do you have to buy ammo, or do you reload your own.


REMEMBER BY NOT MAKING A DECISION, YOU HAVE ALREADY MADE A DECISION..........

 

[moosensquirrel]

Right now, your best choice may be something in .243. If you go to walmart, the shelves are empty except for .270 and .243. I like the .243 for its relatively light recoil. I have a $329 walmart 700 Remington with a Zeiss fixed 4x scope and can hit an 8" paper plate at 500 yards all day long with 85-100gr factory ammo.