.223 or .308?

My last gun thread was about a .22 rifle. I still haven't bought either one we talked about. But, now I am thinking on whether I should get a AR-15 or a SCAR 17s. I am preparing for extreme circumstances, and want to know what the best gun would be to have in a battle situation.

The SCAR is a lot more expensive, but is also light weight and more destructive. Is it worth the money to have that much fire power or would an AR-15 be sufficient for a combat situation? Is there a better, cheaper .308 chambered rifle than the SCAR 17s?

originally posted by: smithjustinb
My last gun thread was about a .22 rifle. I still haven't bought either one we talked about. But, now I am thinking on whether I should get a AR-15 or a SCAR 17s. I am preparing for extreme circumstances, and want to know what the best gun would be to have in a battle situation.

The SCAR is a lot more expensive, but is also light weight and more destructive. Is it worth the money to have that much fire power or would an AR-15 be sufficient for a combat situation? Is there a better, cheaper .308 chambered rifle than the SCAR 17s?

Get the SCAR....you won't regret it. I am a huge .308 fan but have .223 rifles as well.......308 just has that "feel" to it when you shoot.

308 definitely has that little extra something.
.223 is ok for what it is but if you want the stopping power upgrade, 308.

originally posted by: EyesOpenMouthShut
308 definitely has that little extra something.
.223 is ok for what it is but if you want the stopping power upgrade, 308.

Obviously, the .308 is more effective. But, is it necessary? Is a .223 enough to get the job done? Or are there certain applications where the .223 falls short that the .308 excels at?

Oh, and yes....I have had 3 SCAR's.....they are really nice rifles.

a reply to: smithjustinb

Are we talking caliber/chambering or the gun itself?

5.56/22cal has but a lot folks in the grave, so has 7.62/30cal. I always say it is the shooter not the weapon.

a reply to: smithjustinb

I look at it like this. Sure, a .22 pistol is enough to get the job done as long as the shot is placed correctly. A .45 will stop someone regardless of where the shot is place. So, sure, a .223 will get the job done, but a .308 will stop whatever it hits even if not a kill shot.

a reply to: smithjustinb

I'd go with the .308 every time.

But them I'm biased, because I love mine! hehehe.

a reply to: eriktheawful

I would go with a .308/7.62 NATO. It's just a better hunting rifle as far as I'm concerned.

But there are elements in your post that do alarm me. Who exactly is threatening you?

a reply to: smithjustinb
You need to do a bit more studying for yourself.
.223 is NOT 5.56 NATO.
A 5.56 gun can fire .223 but a .223 cannot fire 5.56 safely.
check into this first.

originally posted by: ABNARTY
a reply to: smithjustinb

Are we talking caliber/chambering or the gun itself?

5.56/22cal has but a lot folks in the grave, so has 7.62/30cal. I always say it is the shooter not the weapon.

Well, its partly a question of is it likely, in shtf scenario, that I'm going to need a gun that can accurately reach out to the distances that a .308 can that a .223 can't as well.

We're talking caliber, but we can also talk about guns if you think there is a better gun for .308 than the SCAR or AR-15 for the .223.

On the ar platform you can swap out uppers. You can go from a 223/556 to a 7.62x39. if i am not mistaken is the 7.62x39 similar to the 308 or am i wrong still a newbie thanks

originally posted by: Vasa Croe
a reply to: smithjustinb

I look at it like this. Sure, a .22 pistol is enough to get the job done as long as the shot is placed correctly. A .45 will stop someone regardless of where the shot is place. So, sure, a .223 will get the job done, but a .308 will stop whatever it hits even if not a kill shot.

That is a good point.

Know that the US went to 5.56 from 30 cal for a reason, look into this as well.
Another thing to look into is the 7.62x39 vs .308 NATO
Many differences and options, the words diminishing returns comes to mind, I am surprised nobody has brought this up.
size, weight, capacity, penetration, over penetration, accuracy, what range do you want/need many things to consider.
I know what works for me in my scenarios, you need to develop a plan of attack first then custom tailor your needs.

originally posted by: g146541
a reply to: smithjustinb
You need to do a bit more studying for yourself.
.223 is NOT 5.56 NATO.
A 5.56 gun can fire .223 but a .223 cannot fire 5.56 safely.
check into this first.

I admit I am not as gun saavy as a lot of you, but I do know this much.

a reply to: switchqm8
This is correct, there are many good choices in the upper for an AR, ammo availability should be a concern as well.

a reply to: smithjustinb I face the same question. Simple answer 7.62(.308).

A.T.&T....reach out and touch someone.

Also, the feds will likely ban/restrict 223s before 308s...

a reply to: g146541

Thanks 4 the answer.So i would say go with the ar 15 and get 2 uppers the 5.56 and and 7.62 upper. Also you can get a 22 upper also one lower and a lot of options for the upper. Oh also they have pistol uppers 2 the ar has a lot of options..just my 2 cent

originally posted by: g146541
Know that the US went to 5.56 from 30 cal for a reason, look into this as well.

My understanding was that if they killed someone, the other soldiers would keep fighting, but if they wounded someone, the wounded would have to be attended to by medics and other personnel, and that would more effectively reduce the amount of time the battle would take to neutralize the threat.

originally posted by: switchqm8
a reply to: g146541

Thanks 4 the answer.So i would say go with the ar 15 and get 2 uppers the 5.56 and and 7.62 upper. Also you can get a 22 upper also one lower and a lot of options for the upper. Oh also they have pistol uppers 2 the ar has a lot of options..just my 2 cent

The AR-15 is designed to withstand the forces of a 5.56 round. I don't know how well it could tolerate the strain of something more powerful. I know that there are a lot of people in forums who say they don't like the AR-10 for its unreliability.