AR-15 or AR-10 why buy one or the other?

Status
Not open for further replies.
ms6852

ms6852

Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2009
Messages
4,008
Location
TEXAS
I am retired army so I know my way around the AR platforms. I do not own any of this since I never felt the need to own one. I just like the old lever actions and bolt actions, but recently I have been bitten by the bug to buy one.
My dilemma is which platform to get. I would like to know what were your reasons for buying a 5.56 vs a 308? I hunt and shoot frequently at targets because I enjoy it but I do not compete. Thanks for your help
 
If your looking for target and Defense I would suggest 5.56 since ur prior military you are already familiar. Bulk ammo is affordable especially Federal XM, and you can also get a 22LR kit for it (CMMG has some of the best) and shoot all day for pennies on the dollar. In the 308 plat form is great for hunting though target can get pricey unless you load your own or have the money. Basic design is the same as it was when Stoner created it. The only other suggestion would be to split the difference and get an AR in 6.8 SPC.
 
I prefer the AR's in the 5.56 caliber as they are fun to shoot, ammo is cheap and plentiful and the gadgets, oh my..Ha Ha..No I too was bit by the bug..But I love these little rifles..Here is my Colt LE model with a Aimpoint and Surefire as well magpul ..Its easy to dump thousands into these..So many accessories..I have a Fal for the .308 cal.
 

Attachments

  • CIMG0776.JPG
    CIMG0776.JPG
    84 KB · Views: 73
It depends what you want it for, if its to be used as a survival gun probably an ar15, you can carry more rounds and you can kill almost all north american game with one, sure bear and elk will take a few rounds.

ar15 is also cheaper to shoot and you don't have to worry, picking up all you 308 brass

ar15 has a 22lr conversion for practice, try that with an ar10

Ar10 are nice guns if ammo was as cheap as it was 10 years ago, but it is not and they cost a fortune to fire.

If you want a high power center fire, your better off buying something like a savage 7mm or 270, 30-06 bolt acton, or even the howa 1500 is a great gun in a bolt action for under $400 and set it up in a sniper configuration.

The simple facts are that 30 cal high power semi autos are cool to fire and look at, but unless your actually going to be using it for actual combat duty, it makes no real sense to own one. Most of them end up in the safe as a dust collector.

The other fact is that almost any out of the box commercial bolt action will out shoot any ar10 all day and they only cost 1/3 rd. the price. Also a bolt action will do anything the ar10n can do and do it better. Bolt actions are also lighter weight and come with better triggers.


So if you have a lot of money to burn and want to play GI JOE then by all means buy the ar10.

But the smarter way to go it to get a good ar15 and also a nice sniper bolt action rifle. You can buy both for the price of the ar10
 
Last edited:
Size, weight, aftermarket support. If these are major factors for you, look into the AR15/M4 style rifle. If 5.56 doesn't do it for you, there are other great cartridges out there too, but you won't be seeing them at Walmart anytime soon.

If you would prefer the power of .308 or like sized cartridges, go with the AR10 style. Unlike the AR15 style rifles, make sure you know which magazines and supporting parts are compatible with the brand AR10 you select as they differ.
 
howa 1500 is a great gun same as a weatherby bolt action for under $400 Ha ha Please clarify..You mean same as the Weatherby Vangaurd action.. ;D But I know what ya meant!! Yeah The Howa is a great alternative to the more expensive bolts including the way over priced Vangaurds which are made by Howa....I would like to see a tactical Mark V action..I know they made one but never handled it..
 
Ha ha I knew someone would say something..I was not dogging the Howa.. :p Just clarifying its not a MKV action..I own a Howa as well and just uploaded a pic of mine on another thread here..
 
If its more of a range/target gun I would without a doubt get the ar15. If you actually plan to hunt with it the ar10 will be a better platform. Thats not to say you can't hunt with a 223 but that opens up a whole new can of worms with the .223 being enough for hunting etc etc...

If it were me I wouldn't get the ar15 because for long range target work or hunting there are better less expensive choices.

Have you given the 6.8spc any thought? I've come across many happy people who use that round.
 
AR-15 or AR-10 why buy one or the other?
Click to expand...


Lets get back on topic. This is not about Bolt guns.


Weight would be a consideration if you want a walk around rifle. AR 10 is a bit heavier than the common AR 15.
 
Last edited:
Post #6 sounds like a plan. 223/5.56 ammo anymore just ain't 55gr FMJ...Selections for intended purposes are readily available and as mentioned CMMG chrome .22lr conversion and you have a small little varmint rifle that is quite/cheap and fun to shoot. Reminds me; I need to check accuracy between a 24" and a 14.5" using the .22lr.
 
I am not using it for home defense I have a nifty 870 pump for that. I like to shoot and do not plan on using it for hunting. I would have to read what the laws are for using a 308 with a 5 round or 10 round magazine would be. I shoot my 30-06 for long distance plinking to about 700 yds. So I was just wondering what your thoughts were. So far every one had very legitimate answers.

If I remain undecided I might end up with both platforms.
 
As I mainly use a 30-06 and do my own reloads. I hunt prairie dog to elk using a 110 gr or 125 grain for varmint depending on distance, and 150 to 165 grain for the bigger game.
I am also consider it in a 243 winchester caliber. Just can't decide. I am thinking the 243 would fill niche for varmint and deer hunting as well as some long range plinking at cactus and rocks. Got plenty of that here in Texas.
 
mc223 "Lets get back on topic. This is not about Bolt guns."It is now.. :p I would still go with the AR-15 variant...You will have more fun with it and if you can get both platforms then you will be rockin.. :D
 
My brother has the bushmaster and had me sight it in for him to 200 yds a couple of weeks ago. He had the EOTECH on it, and I think this was all the drug I needed to get hooked on this little black rifles all over again. So I am now researching what is out there and it seems like a lot. But I am leaning towards Rock River Arms as I have shot it at the local range.
 
Being a 6.5 nut, and, truthfully, not being so fond of the AR-series (blasphemous, I know :p). I'd recommend the AR-15's. AR-10's are a more exclusive club, as already posted, and their ammo WILL be more expensive. AR-15's have a MUCH better aftermarket "upper" selection, the base ammo is cheap, and getting a cheap "plinker" upper is easy business (either .223 or .22LR).
If you want to go hunting, get an AlexArms 6.5 Grendel upper - MANY in the 6.5 community have yet to really have a good argument against it, as it is a 6.5x55 built for a semiauto AR-15 platform. For the price of an AR-10 AND an AR-15, you could (much cheaper) have a single AR-15 with a 6.5G upper, and be all set for any purpose. Or, as stated - the 6.8SPC (better for sub-300yds, AFAIK though). Also, the Grendel has been doing well in 300yd+ shooting competitions...

For "Grendel Takedown Power", follow link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwtOBLrmLiw

Plus look for other videos. It's truly a remarkable cartridge, this coming from a die-hard 6.5 Swede fan, and self-proclaimed "Euro-[british cigarette]" :p

For the AR-10, there is the Creedmoor, but that's been criticized as a barrel-burner as of recent...which is never a good plan.

Oh, and to really get your jollies-rockin', there's the .50 Beowulf uppers for the 5.56/AR-15 platforms. Again, versatility... ;)
 
I have heard some good things about RRA version..I have shot DPMS and they seem to be fine as well..I stick with Colts because I am old and stubborn .. I think most major manufacturers of the AR's do a great job..Most anyways..Eotech makes great sights..I went with the Aimpoints because I like them just a tad better..I do have a Eotech 511 and its been a great sight..Either way you go is a good choice..
 
I want to check out one of them Grendels..I read about them a little while ago and considered one of their uppers..I must head to the local gun shop monday..See what I can get one for here..
 
Ms6852,

As you have defense and hunting well covered already, you are looking for entertainment value. The .223 is more entertaining: lighter to carry, kicks less, cheaper to shoot. It is astonishingly accurate when tuned; look at how USAMU chews up targets with tweaked m16's. Happy as clams, until the wind blows.
 
Kendal Black

I think you have pinpointed what I needed to know and help me in the decision making process. It is entertainment that I am looking for and 5.56 would cover this urge just fine.

The Obama scare and drought we had a few years ago made me fall back to 22lr and had a ball shooting tons of bullets on the dollar. The 5.56 will provide the same. Thanks.
 
i'd go 6.8 SPC. I recently picked up a Bison Armory with a SPEC II chamber and couldnt be happier. I got the weight of an ar15, but a larger caliber which I can legally hunt deer with. The weight of the ar10's is what turned me off from them.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

N
  • Locked
Food Source for AR?
Replies
6
Views
427
NoBite
N
bender01
  • Locked
AR-10
Replies
15
Views
1K
Lloyd Smale
L
T
  • Locked
why build? ar .308
Replies
17
Views
746
theflatlander
T
U
  • Locked
Q: Accuracy comparison: AR-15 -vs- AR-10
Replies
3
Views
812
Mags
M
U
  • Locked
Why is it that the AR can only be had in only a few calibers?
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
Lobotomy Boy
L
Back
Top