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Posted: 7/2/2015 5:55:15 AM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
Was recommended that I buy a 18" or 20" rifle length gas system AR15. Are they really that fun to shoot? Just makes me wonder if it'd be preferable to just get a .308 gas gun at that rifle length for long range shooting. What's the appeal to 18"/20" 5.56? You're on the right train of thought here IMO. I sold all of my 5.56 ARs longer than 14.5 inches long ago, grabbed a 16" LMT MWSE 308, and have zero intention of ever going back to anything longer than 14.5" in 5.56 again. My 14.5" 5.56 rigs do any and everything I'd ever want out of that caliber, and when I really want to reach out and touch something with a gas gun, my AR-10 more then fits the bill. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 8:02:37 AM EDT
[#2]
How do you define fun?
Cheaper to shoot and less recoil seems like a good start. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 8:06:20 AM EDT
[#3]
Depends on what you want. I was shooting my 18" SPR at 800yds this weekend, it's fun and cheaper to shoot than my 308. Get the gun that will best serve your needs.
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Posted: 7/2/2015 8:11:10 AM EDT
[#4]
20" 5.56 is a soft shooter. the heavier 75/77gr rounds are effective pretty far. Not like a 308, but cheaper to shoot, lighter, common parts, etc, etc. Build yourself a 18 or 20" SPR'ish upper, try it out, don't like, sell on EE for profit
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Posted: 7/2/2015 8:43:00 AM EDT
[#5]
Definitely go 308.
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Posted: 7/2/2015 8:56:34 AM EDT
[#6]
IMHO the only advantage to going with the 5.56 is commonality in ammo and mags. Otherwise, I'd go 7.62.
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:30:24 AM EDT
[#7]
BOTH.
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Posted: 7/2/2015 12:44:34 PM EDT
[#9]
But I wouldn't build one longer than 18" whether you go 5.56 or 7.62..
FAR too many references on the internet about the diminishing returns for barrels longer than that in these two calibers. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 1:06:46 PM EDT
[#10]
A diminished return is still a return.
Not to mention a reloader can do better than typical factory ammo with longer barrels. I tend to pick my barrels for my intended use. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 1:12:12 PM EDT
[#11]
When Ruger decided to make an "all-around" .308 AR they did it right. Not too long, not too short. Not too heavy, not too light. Expensive, but not too expensive. And best of all, has a soft recoiling piston system. Get one and you will be happy happy happy!
 !
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Posted: 7/2/2015 1:26:01 PM EDT
[#12]
I would say it depends on what you consider long range? For me personally, I do have a both a SPR and a couple of .308 gas guns and, I like shooting the SPR when I plan on shooting no further than 600 yards. It's cheaper and easier to shoot, especially when a suppressor.
I say really sit down to figure out just how far you plan on shooting 90% of the time and decide from there. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 1:49:07 PM EDT
[#13]
I really enjoy shooting my 18" and 20" 5.56 guns. Extremely mild recoil and less cost per shot. If I was planning on shooting a long range I would go 6.5 Creedmoor over .308. I'll probably end up with a 6.5 next year sometime.
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Posted: 7/2/2015 1:54:34 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I really enjoy shooting my 18" and 20" 5.56 guns. Extremely mild recoil and less cost per shot. If I was planning on shooting a long range I would go 6.5 Creedmoor over .308. I'll probably end up with a 6.5 next year sometime. I plan on rebarreling my 308 to 6.5 at some point. I barely shoot it anymore and am about to steal the glass of it for one of my AR's. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 2:41:08 PM EDT
[#15]
I have a lot of rifles, my 5.56mm's get shot ten times more often than any other caliber. If you hand load 5.56mm is every bit as accurate as a .308 out to 600 yards.
If you don't hand load you'll never get the full potential of any caliber, unless you're independently wealthy. I own two Noveske built AR-10's, a 21" and a 16" and rarely shoot them. They are big, bulky and kick much more than standard AR's. I would hate to lug them through the field for a day, especially with a full load out of ammo and gear. AR-15's are just plain handy. I shot M1-A's in competition for over 10 years and they weigh more and kick less than AR-10"s. A Mark 12 Mod 1 mock up of an AR-15 is a great rifle. Develop some loads using 69 grain Sierra Match Kings for 300 yards and shorter targets. Develop some 75/77 match loads for longer ranges. VihtaVuori N140 RE-15 Varget H4895 IMT-8208-XBR are my go to powders |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 4:36:07 PM EDT
[#16]
Apples and oranges. About the only thing the two have in common is that they look similar. The differences are significant and are well-summarized above.
OP just needs to evaluate them and make his choice, eyes wide open. Each has benefits and disadvantages. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 4:45:42 PM EDT
[#17]
A 16" .308 would do everything an SPR should and do it better. Either go 16" or 20" in 5.56 unless you build a clone.
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Posted: 7/2/2015 6:44:09 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
How do you define fun? Cheaper to shoot and less recoil seems like a good start. so... .22 lr then... |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 6:49:54 PM EDT
[#19]
I have a 16" .308 and an 18" 5.56. I only have and use my .308 for hunting even though it is light for a .308. The SPR is much more enjoyable to shoot. They both are about the same weight and are light enough they could be humped around but would suck for an extended period of time.
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Posted: 7/2/2015 6:53:42 PM EDT
[#20]
Double Tap
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Posted: 7/2/2015 7:08:06 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
so... .22 lr then... Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
How do you define fun? Cheaper to shoot and less recoil seems like a good start. so... .22 lr then... No need to be a smart ass. He listed two options, neither were .22lr |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 7:31:44 PM EDT
[#22]
They can both be fun. Heavy bullets in .223 can go a long way. Biggest challenge is calling misses on them.
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Posted: 7/2/2015 7:51:39 PM EDT
[#23]
Some pluses for 308 - match ammo costs the same as match 223. SPR-ish 15 builds tend to be front heavy and almost as heavy as a lighter 308 ar10 when you factor in optics and bipods, etc.
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Posted: 7/2/2015 8:09:23 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
BOTH. That's what I did. 
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Posted: 7/2/2015 8:19:22 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
BOTH. Yep. Went 308 then LaRue had their sale so now I'm building an 18'' precision rifle. The 308 will be to bang steel out to 1000 (hopefully  ) and the 18'' 5.56 will be to get the tightest groups I can. It'll probably be pushed to 500-750 yards occasionally as well.
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Posted: 7/2/2015 9:32:56 PM EDT
[#26]
I say SPR. I only shoot 9mm and 5.56.
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Posted: 7/2/2015 9:45:31 PM EDT
[#27]
5.56 in semis, .308 in bolt guns.
I had a .308 AR and really didn't care for the recoil impulse. It's just very foreign feeling to me, but I greatly enjoy shooting my .308 bolts. |
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Posted: 7/3/2015 1:15:19 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
No need to be a smart ass. He listed two options, neither were .22lr Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
How do you define fun? Cheaper to shoot and less recoil seems like a good start. so... .22 lr then... No need to be a smart ass. He listed two options, neither were .22lr Fair enough. i was just demonstrating a counterpoint (saying that, cheaper and less recoil doesn't necessarily equal "fun" to everybody) but it did come off smart-assy. my bad |
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