I want an AR rifle, do I get a 223 or 308?
- Thread starter mtonetwo
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usp_fan
Member
One prime advantage of the standard 5.56 platform is parts. They are everywhere and pretty much affordable and standardized.
Moving up to the 7.62 platform brings lots of non-standard parts in the AR series. If you go that route, lay in critical spares.
I love my AR carbine. I like my FAL. They do different things.
--usp_fan
Moving up to the 7.62 platform brings lots of non-standard parts in the AR series. If you go that route, lay in critical spares.
I love my AR carbine. I like my FAL. They do different things.
--usp_fan
atblis
Member
If you're just starting out
I'd start with the 223 (and than later get the 308). Additionally I'd wait to see how the 308 AR market sorts out. There are a few companies competing now so it can only get better (assuming no more stupid laws). Magazines are an interesting problem for the 308 ARs.
I'd start with the 223 (and than later get the 308). Additionally I'd wait to see how the 308 AR market sorts out. There are a few companies competing now so it can only get better (assuming no more stupid laws). Magazines are an interesting problem for the 308 ARs.
an ar style 308 is a specialty critter. If you don't know why you want one or if you want one, you probably don't want one.
A regular .223 ar is cheaper to shoot, a lot less hassle, and has accessories out the wazoo. This makes it more fun IMO. The .308 variants are also severely front heavy, and feel a bit awkward due to this.
I have an ar-10 and a parts AR I put together myself. My parts gun gets taken out more and is closer to being what I want.
A regular .223 ar is cheaper to shoot, a lot less hassle, and has accessories out the wazoo. This makes it more fun IMO. The .308 variants are also severely front heavy, and feel a bit awkward due to this.
I have an ar-10 and a parts AR I put together myself. My parts gun gets taken out more and is closer to being what I want.
waterhouse
Member
As said above, it depends on what you want. I picked up an AR-10t because I got a good deal on it and because my bolt guns are .308s. It is a lot of fun for long range shooting. I use it like I use my bolt guns, just with less recoil and I can pull the trigger faster, which is fun 
It weighs a little much for carrying around hunting, but it's a fun toy at the range. And it makes bigger holes
As a first AR, I'd get it in .223. I've got a couple and they have practically no recoil, can be very accurate, and are just super fun to cook off some rounds with. Plus they are realy cheap to shoot and lightweight to carry.
Here's my ar-10. I don't have any pics of the ar-15, guess I need to do that at some point.
It weighs a little much for carrying around hunting, but it's a fun toy at the range. And it makes bigger holes As a first AR, I'd get it in .223. I've got a couple and they have practically no recoil, can be very accurate, and are just super fun to cook off some rounds with. Plus they are realy cheap to shoot and lightweight to carry.
Here's my ar-10. I don't have any pics of the ar-15, guess I need to do that at some point.
DMK
Member
What is your intended use for the rifle?
Normally, I'd say 7.62 is overkill for home defense. However, out in Colorado you still have some wide open spaces, so maybe you have a big spread or something. If you have other houses around, stick with 5.56 for home defense.
7.62 beats 5.56 for effective range and it penetrate solid objects better. If you want to defend your homestead out past 200 yards or defeat cover such as vehicles or wooden barriers, get the 7.62.
You can hunt larger game with 7.62. 5.56 is great for varmints.
7.62 can certainly be accurate especially with the AR platform and match ammo. However, 5.56 does it a lot cheaper. I can buy low cost surplus 5.56 or bargain .223 and shoot near MOA all day long. Cheap 7.62 ammo isn't going to shoot quite as well. 5.56 is also just easier to shoot with it's low recoil and flat ballistics.
So basically 5.56 is for varmint hunting, target shooting and HD up close out to about 200 yards. 7.62 is for larger game hunting, punching holes through stuff and shooting long range.
Normally, I'd say 7.62 is overkill for home defense. However, out in Colorado you still have some wide open spaces, so maybe you have a big spread or something. If you have other houses around, stick with 5.56 for home defense.
7.62 beats 5.56 for effective range and it penetrate solid objects better. If you want to defend your homestead out past 200 yards or defeat cover such as vehicles or wooden barriers, get the 7.62.
You can hunt larger game with 7.62. 5.56 is great for varmints.
7.62 can certainly be accurate especially with the AR platform and match ammo. However, 5.56 does it a lot cheaper. I can buy low cost surplus 5.56 or bargain .223 and shoot near MOA all day long. Cheap 7.62 ammo isn't going to shoot quite as well. 5.56 is also just easier to shoot with it's low recoil and flat ballistics.
So basically 5.56 is for varmint hunting, target shooting and HD up close out to about 200 yards. 7.62 is for larger game hunting, punching holes through stuff and shooting long range.
artherd
member
Aside from the .308 version being almost twice the size and weight of a .223
The .308 ARs are generally best thought of as self-loading PRECISION rifles. They are thus fussy tight chambered scoped machines.
Wheras the standard chambered .223 ARs can take some much and keep going.
(there are of course exceptions to the above, ie match chambered .223 ARs, and the standard Armalite AR-10 which is supposed to have a looser chamber.)
The .308 ARs are generally best thought of as self-loading PRECISION rifles. They are thus fussy tight chambered scoped machines.
Wheras the standard chambered .223 ARs can take some much and keep going.
(there are of course exceptions to the above, ie match chambered .223 ARs, and the standard Armalite AR-10 which is supposed to have a looser chamber.)
thereisnospoon
Member
No Logical Reason Why
IMHO...there is absolutely NO logical reason to choose a .223 over a .308, other than personal preference.
IMHO...there is absolutely NO logical reason to choose a .223 over a .308, other than personal preference.
rbernie
Contributing Member
Why not split the difference and get an AR15 platform in 6.8SPC or 7.62x39? 
Thanks for the replies.
waterhouse - nice pm's, one of my favorites to take to the range.
raz-0 - come on, do I have to know why I want one. I want one because I don't have one!!
everybody - I like the idea of getting both, but storage is becoming a bit of a problem
In our ever-changing world outlook/economy, which ammo will be the easiest to come by, 223 because everybody keeps the demand up, (but will it stay readily available?),
... or 308 because everybody else is shooting 223 and there are fewer people seeking to acquire the 308 production?
waterhouse - nice pm's, one of my favorites to take to the range.
raz-0 - come on, do I have to know why I want one. I want one because I don't have one!!
everybody - I like the idea of getting both, but storage is becoming a bit of a problem
In our ever-changing world outlook/economy, which ammo will be the easiest to come by, 223 because everybody keeps the demand up, (but will it stay readily available?),
... or 308 because everybody else is shooting 223 and there are fewer people seeking to acquire the 308 production?
DMK
Member
That might depend on the preferences in your locale. If there is a lot of deer hunting in your area, there might be a good stock of .308 in your local stores. Of course, there might be a lot of folks with hungry .308 rifles too. If you live in an area where there's a lot of varmint hunting then the converse might be true.
If I had such a dilema, I'd scope out the local gunshops and sporting good stores. See which caliber they stock more of. Likely though, it will be a fairly even split. Both are popular calibers.
Both are also popular with NATO countries and have been a while. Surplus ammo is fairly plentyful and should be for the foreseeable future, barring any more insolent legislation.
Thin Black Line
Member
How about an FAL using FAL mags?
Average Joe
Member
Get a PTR-91 in .308
DMK
Member
Purists...Sheesh.
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