AR Sponsor
Posted: 4/29/2008 7:24:31 PM EDT
| So I am planning out my first build. I am trying to decide which caliber I want...I am looking for something accurate, fun to plink with, but also something that I can take hunting if I choose to. I have been thinking about .308, 7.62x39 mm( thats different than .308 right?), the 6.8 mm, or the .300 fireball or whisper....Now a plus is I think Stag Arms makes the 6.8 mm in lefty model, which I happen to be a lefty....But that leads me to my next question, would the 6.8mm be suitable for hunting, most likely deer maybe hog, (in fl so the deer are not really huge)... Would one of the other be better suited...also I am trying to consider the price of ammo---is one of these rounds easier to find, making it not as expensive as others...I have been reading just have not found answers to all of these questions...Now one more question, with the exception of the .308 do all of the others listed above take the same lower...and would the lower be any different if I got a lefty upper? |
|
The lowers would all be the same, even between right and left handed models, with the exception of the .308, but you might wanna invest in an ambi safety. The 7.62 x 39 would probably be the cheapest to shoot, especially if you aren't reloading. .308 rifles are a LOT more expensive and are a different rifle platform entirely. 6.8 would have plenty of punch for deer just about anywhere, as long as your ranges are reasonable. I would say up to 200 yards with good shot placement. The 6.8 is very accurate as well in most rifles, but ammo is a bit harder to find, so when you find it somewhere, stock up. If you reload, 6.8 is a great option, but is more expensive if you are going to shoot factory loads. |
| It does not sound like the OP is an experienced reloader given the confusion over 7l62x39 versus .308. That and the concern of the price of ammo suggests that OP should stick to 5.56mm. Not a legal big game caliber in many states, but my reading of Florida's big game regulations show no caliber restrictions for deer hunting. Just don't use FMJ and use only 5 round magazines in the field. |
| No i am not an experienced reloader, however I am just getting into it...Everyone has to start somewhere...right??? I just thought I could get some insight or useful information from others on this forum...not someone's opinion on my experience at reloading...I do not remember asking that in my original question...I was asking which of the calibers I listed would be best suited for hunting and which ones would have the best available choices for ammo....If your answer is that some of those calibers would better if i was reloading than maybe you could tell me which ones...instead of trying to turn this into some kind of "newbie" thing |
|
Ok... .308 is an awesome caliber, but it's expensive, both in terms of rifles and the ammo, whether you reload or shoot factory loads. 7.62 x 39 is cheap for factory ammo, but reloading is not much cheaper than .308 or 6.8. 6.8 is rather hard to find, but not particularly expensive. Reasonably priced to reload. 5.56 is fairly cheap for factory loads, and can be quite cheap to reload. Since 5.56 is legal in FL, and ammo is plentiful and cheap, and most AR's are chambered for it anyway, it would be my first choice. 6.8 would be my second if performance, factory ammo cost, and ease of reloading were my primary considerations. With that said, 7.62 x 39 is a good caliber, but I don't really feel it's ideal for the AR platform, due to questionable magazine availibility and reliability. The only thing it has over 6.8 is bullet diameter, and my personal hunch is the 6.8 is a tad more accurate. My old 6.8 m4gery would shoot 3/4 MOA all day long, and my buddy's is just as good. The only thing with 6.8 is if you find ammo, stock up, and SAVE YOUR BRASS! It's not something you're going to find at the gas station on your way to the stand on opening morning... ETA: I think you took the previous poster's intent wrong. He had some good thoughts and concerns, and I'm sure he didn't mean anything negative about your level of experience. I STRONGLY encourage you to get into reloading. It's a great hobby all by itself. Find an experienced reloader to "mentor" you, or buy a good starter kit from Lee, RCBS, etc, and read the manuals and watch the videos that come with it, and you should be good to go. The most important thing is to be able to develop loads safely and knowing what to watch for in regards to pressure, etc.. |
|
I appreciate all the info...and you are right, maybe I did take the last post wrong and I apologize if i came off the wrong way on my reply...it was not meant to disrespect or as a personal attack toward him...if it came off that way then again I apologize ----it is just many times , and not just on this site, but a question is asked and instead of getting an answer with any valid info in it, it turns into someone bashing others or calling people newbie's, etc...I have been trying to read as much as I can to answer my questions I just cannot find all the answers using the search feature.... so 6.8 sounds like a good bet...I guess I will look into ammo prices and availability and see what I come with...thanks again great_snag |
AR Sponsor