Tray Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Hello all, Here is my quandry. I want to shoot in my local 3 gun matches and need a rifle to do so. While it would be nice to have a dedicated rifle for that its not practical for me at this time. I want to use the rifle for as many things as possible. Hunting and matches at the least. Everyones favorite match rifle seems to be the AR15 platform in .556/.223. That is not heavy enough to hunt with so I was thinking of an AR10 variant in .308. Reasons for this are you have a lot of manufacturers and a lot of ammo options from cheap surplus to match quality ammo. I can load it down for 3 gun and also use it for hunting as needed. The other choice is the 6.5 or 6.8. Problem is ammo is usually more expensive and limited in choice. So is anyone using .308 for 3 gun? How does it handle in comparison to the .556? Is recoil a problem with factory ammo? What about the 6.5 or 6.8? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maineshootah Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Hello all,Here is my quandry. I want to shoot in my local 3 gun matches and need a rifle to do so. While it would be nice to have a dedicated rifle for that its not practical for me at this time. I want to use the rifle for as many things as possible. Hunting and matches at the least. Everyones favorite match rifle seems to be the AR15 platform in .556/.223. That is not heavy enough to hunt with so I was thinking of an AR10 variant in .308. Reasons for this are you have a lot of manufacturers and a lot of ammo options from cheap surplus to match quality ammo. I can load it down for 3 gun and also use it for hunting as needed. The other choice is the 6.5 or 6.8. Problem is ammo is usually more expensive and limited in choice. So is anyone using .308 for 3 gun? How does it handle in comparison to the .556? Is recoil a problem with factory ammo? What about the 6.5 or 6.8? The issue is going to be: "what is good for the woods" may not "be good for the range", and vice versa. There are folks using a .308 in 3 gun, however, it is rare. It really depends on what class you are trying to compete in. 308 will have a capacity issue (less) when competing against .223 .223 rules the roost in 3 gunning right now. If you can't afford two rifles, what about a .223 lower and a .223 upper as well as a 6.8 upper? That would allow you to compete as well as hunt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigbrowndog Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 there are generally divisions available that you can shoot a 308 in and be competitive or compete against others doing the same however this is normally at major matches. If you choose to compete against those using .223's you will be at a capacity disadvantage, as well as a recoil one. DPMS,Armalite,DS Arms, Springfield armory, and my favorite JP, all make good 308 rifles suitable for Hunting and Competition. recoil in a AR based 308, or FAL or M1A for that matter, is negligable. One problem you'll have to overcome is sights, a low power optic works well on any of the 308's mentioned except the M1A, it just does not work well with mounts. this will also limit your choices of divisions you can shoot in, at major matches. the HM optic division is very new, and never seen in USPSA, only in "other" matches. Trapr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek45 Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Buy or build a 5.56mm 3-gun rifle, and buy a 6.8mmSPC upper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtm Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Cheap .308 win. surplus ammo??? WHERE???? KurtM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tray Posted September 25, 2008 Author Share Posted September 25, 2008 Hmmm, sounds like 308 may not work in this case. I hadn't really thought about a 223 lower and upper along with a 6.8 upper. Will the 223 lower work with a 6.5 or 6.5G upper? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Anderson Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Hmmm, sounds like 308 may not work in this case. I hadn't really thought about a 223 lower and upper along with a 6.8 upper. Will the 223 lower work with a 6.5 or 6.5G upper? Yep, no problem with that combo either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tray Posted September 25, 2008 Author Share Posted September 25, 2008 (edited) Cheap .308 win. surplus ammo??? WHERE???? KurtM Well let me clarify. I have seen it cheaper than 6.8 or 6.5. For those looking for ammo and prices book mark this link. They keep track of all the 308 surplus on a weekly basis. Edited September 25, 2008 by Tray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tray Posted September 25, 2008 Author Share Posted September 25, 2008 So how does the 6.8 or 6.5 compare to the 223? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tray Posted September 25, 2008 Author Share Posted September 25, 2008 Hmmm, sounds like 308 may not work in this case. I hadn't really thought about a 223 lower and upper along with a 6.8 upper. Will the 223 lower work with a 6.5 or 6.5G upper? Yep, no problem with that combo either. I meant 6.5 and 6.8! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellyn Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 The idea of competing with a .308 is completely false economy. The cost of competing with a .308 or worse a 6.8 is FAR greater than a .223. By the time you are done feeding a 6.5, 6.8 or .308, you could have paid for a .223 and ammo so you might as well get the .223 for competition and then hunt with a 6.8 or 6.5 upper or just get a .308 as well as the .223. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Religious Shooter Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 What are you going to hunt? I think it will be cheaper if you just get a dedicated hunting rifle. A lever action 30-30 or even a lower end (but serviceable) 700 of the caliber of your choosing will likely be cheaper than an AR upper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Sierpina Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 Cheap .308 win. surplus ammo??? WHERE???? KurtM Kurt, it's in 1982, that's where! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShooterSteve Posted September 25, 2008 Share Posted September 25, 2008 I've looked into this idea a little also, and I am very impressed with the 6.5 Grendel. Ammo isn't cheap, but for hunting it would be ok, and with a seperate upper, it would be a quick and simple switch out. It uses the same mags. Google 6.5 Grendel and read up on it, I'm sure you will be impressed. I'm not knocking the 6.8, but for deer sized stuff I think the 6.5 is the way to go. It will also do double duty if you want to do some of the longer midrange accuracy stuff too. I would be trying to work one up, but I'm getting ready to start a Whisper project. I have funds, but they aren't unlimited, I wish I could do both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tray Posted October 6, 2008 Author Share Posted October 6, 2008 I've looked into this idea a little also, and I am very impressed with the 6.5 Grendel. Ammo isn't cheap, but for hunting it would be ok, and with a seperate upper, it would be a quick and simple switch out. It uses the same mags. Google 6.5 Grendel and read up on it, I'm sure you will be impressed. I'm not knocking the 6.8, but for deer sized stuff I think the 6.5 is the way to go. It will also do double duty if you want to do some of the longer midrange accuracy stuff too. I would be trying to work one up, but I'm getting ready to start a Whisper project. I have funds, but they aren't unlimited, I wish I could do both. Thanks Steve, I'll look more into the 6.5. I had read at somepoint that they were having issues with excessive chamber pressures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiking Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 I had read at somepoint that they were having issues with excessive chamber pressures. No problems at all, as long as you don't load really hot. My current Major load is 123grs Scenar at 2550 fps and that is absolute at the limit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cardinal Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 I had read at somepoint that they were having issues with excessive chamber pressures. No problems at all, as long as you don't load really hot. My current Major load is 123grs Scenar at 2550 fps and that is absolute at the limit. ? Thats PF 313,65, IPSC major is 320 Did you mean 2650 or with 130gr bullets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiking Posted October 14, 2008 Share Posted October 14, 2008 Did you mean 2650 or with 130gr bullets? 2650fps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OUshooter Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 I'm in the same boat as the OP. I would like to find a rifle I can use for 3gun + hunting. My budget simply won't allow for 2 rifles to fill the bill. The .308 is the caliber I've decided on for various reasons. What I'm really down to is M1A or AR-10. As far as 3gun goes....I'm not looking to be highly competitive...just have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiking Posted October 15, 2008 Share Posted October 15, 2008 (edited) I'm in the same boat as the OP. I would like to find a rifle I can use for 3gun + hunting. My budget simply won't allow for 2 rifles to fill the bill. The .308 is the caliber I've decided on for various reasons.What I'm really down to is M1A or AR-10. As far as 3gun goes....I'm not looking to be highly competitive...just have fun. Having owned both (M1A sold), personally I would go for the AR10. For IPSC rifle I find it better than the M1A, especially if you plan to mount optics. Also I like the ergonomics better. For hunting I don't know... Btw: I do my elk hunting with an M1 Garand. Edited October 15, 2008 by Wiking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tray Posted October 30, 2008 Author Share Posted October 30, 2008 Thanks for all the advice. I am going with a 5.56 AR15 and will look into getting another heavier caliber upper (6.5 or 6.8) later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMAC Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 You may want to check on AR15.com in the AR Variants section of AR15. There is an abundance of information/opinions there about the calibers of your interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sideshowbob Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 You can get two rifles for the cost of an M1A or AR-10. If you do a little shopping, and are not afraid to build an AR, one can be had for 750. As for a hunting rifle, Tikka's can be had for 500 bucks. Bringing your total to 1250. I think street price for the M1A and the AR-10 is around this price. I vaguely remember CMMG having some bargain ARs, or maybe it was Buds Gun Shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tray Posted October 30, 2008 Author Share Posted October 30, 2008 (edited) Thanks all. FYI, if you are planning on buying lowers soon I suggest you order now. Most places are reserving the lowers for complete rifle builds. Novesky and LMTs are SCARCE if any available for the next 7-10 weeks. DPMS has a 5-7 month black log now and the others are soon to follow. After ALOT of research I ordered the Charles Daly M4LE. Great review, specs and good price! Now I am looking for an optic. Leaning toward Aimpoint Comp4ms on a Larue QD mount. Edited October 30, 2008 by Tray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sideshowbob Posted October 30, 2008 Share Posted October 30, 2008 Good choice. FYI, you can get up to 25% off if you use Microsoft Cashback via www.live.com and the buy it now option on eBay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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