I'm looking at building a new AR. I'm trying to decide if I want to stick with .223 or move over to .308. What's the current price difference between .223 and .308? Also, what's the NATO caliber that's the same as .308? Thank you for any input.
And correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't they exactly the same specs (as opposed to the subtle differences in 5.56 Nato vs. .223)?
I think you can get .308 for as little as $.48/rnd (that's the cheapest I'd shoot through an AR). If you want to shoot decent distances with any accuracy, you might as well go ahead and get some match-grade ammo for around $.75-$1 per round.
You can get Wal-Mart Federal 100rd pack bulk .223 ammo for $.40 per round and you can order it cheaper online. Almost all the cheap .223 ammo I've shot has been a lot better than the cheap .308 (better OAL, case-seating is noticeably more uniform - patterns are better, more consistent, etc.).
You'll have to order it online or from a local shop that has decent prices (forget Wal-Mart or Academy - they don't have good priced .308 that's worth a crap).
Check this place out - super-fast shipping and watch out for their sales/deals:
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/index.php/cName/rifle-ammo-308-762-nato
Holler at me and We'll go out to the range this up coming weekend and I'll bring out Bertha... (See my recent pics in the AR pic forum)... Our Favorite Rangemaster kept saying "Man thats a freaking big gun..." =)
They aren't the same.
From: http://www.6mmbr.com/308win.html
308 Win vs. 7.62x51--The Straight Scoop Before we go much further, we want to address the oft-posed question "Are the .308 Winchester and 7.62x51 NATO one and the same?" The simple answer is no. There are differences in chamber specs and maximum pressures. The SAMMI/CIP maximum pressure for the .308 Win cartridge is 62,000 psi, while the 7.62x51 max is 50,000 psi. Also, the headspace is slightly different. The .308 Win "Go Gauge" is 1.630" vs. 1.635" for the 7.62x51. The .308's "No-Go" dimension is 1.634" vs Win "Go Gauge" is 1.630" vs. 1.635" for the 7.62x51. The .308's "No-Go" dimension is 1.634" vs. 1.6405" for a 7.62x51 "No Go" gauge. That said, it is normally fine to shoot quality 7.62x51 NATO ammo in a gun chambered for the .308 Winchester (though not all NATO ammo is identical). Clint McKee of Fulton Armory notes: "[N]obody makes 7.62mm (NATO) ammo that isn't to the .308 'headspace' dimension spec. So 7.62mm ammo fits nicely into .308 chambers, as a rule." You CAN encounter problems going the other way, however. A commercial .308 Win round can exceed the max rated pressure for the 7.62x51. So, you should avoid putting full-power .308 Win rounds into military surplus rifles that have been designed for 50,000 psi max. For more information on this interesting topic, read the following articles: encounter problems going the other way, however. A commercial .308 Win round can exceed the max rated pressure for the 7.62x51. So, you should avoid putting full-power .308 Win rounds into military surplus rifles that have been designed for 50,000 psi max. For more information on this nteresting topic, read the following articles: Gun Zone's 30 Caliber FAQ; Cruffler.com Technica Trivia, June 2001; and last, but not least, Steve Redgwell's .308 vs 7.62x51 Analysis, which really Trivia, June 2001 provides a definitive explanation. Reloaders should also note that military ammo often is made with a thicker web. Consequently the case capacity of 7.62x51 brass is usually less than that of commercial .308 brass. You may need to reduce recommended .308 Winchester loads by as much as 2 full grains, if you reload with military 7.62x51 brass, such as Lake City or IMI.
Hmmmmm...
I've just been reading story after story of troops wishing they had a larger caliber and like the idea of 7.62. I can't afford to shoot 6.8 and was wondering about an affordable option for a larger caliber than .223.
I've just been reading story after story of troops wishing they had a larger caliber and like the idea of 7.62. I can't afford to shoot 6.8 and was wondering about an affordable option for a larger caliber than .223.
you can go to 7.62x39 with just an upper and mag change
Lately ive found quality 762X51 surplus for not much more than domestic 556X45 ammo. I like my dpms 308 rifles although they are heavy.
Accuracy is excellent and mags have gotten cheaper as Magpul now makes mags for them. I saw a pic of a new 308 coming out made by Remington and it looks badass! Also alot of ar 15 equipment interchanges with them. The rifles with the stainless 24 inch barrel weighs a ton!
If you get one i doubt youll regret it. There alot of fun to plink with.
Accuracy is excellent and mags have gotten cheaper as Magpul now makes mags for them. I saw a pic of a new 308 coming out made by Remington and it looks badass! Also alot of ar 15 equipment interchanges with them. The rifles with the stainless 24 inch barrel weighs a ton!
If you get one i doubt youll regret it. There alot of fun to plink with.
I'm building a 308 in the DPMS platform right now. It started life as the Classic model and before I disassembled it was a blast to shoot. Very manageable recoil. Mags are readily available and cheap now. I would go for it if you already have a 5.56 AR.
Another option is to work with a friend that reloads to help with cost of ammo. 308 ammo for about .40 per round should be easy to find. I'm using an ar in .338 federal cartridge, love it for the the knock down power... reloading it makes it affordable... you won't be disappointed with the 308, there is a bullets made for just about anything. 110g to 180g bullets and ammo can be found easy for the 308.
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