Currently, my only rifle is an AR15. I use it as a target rifle and also for home defense. I’m going to start shopping for something in a larger caliber as a SHTF and ultimately longer range rifle and I’d like to know what caliber you would recommend and why. I’m going to consider .308/7.62, 6.8mm and 300 AAC. As far as rifle type, AR style, Mini-30, Gunsite Scout but probably not Ruger American because of limited capacity. At this point, I’m really most interested in what caliber people recommend and why. If it makes any difference, I’d be reloading ammo once I break it in. Once I get past .223/5.56, I’m pretty ignorant so please help educate me. Thanks.
Depends on what you mean by “longer range rifle.” If you’re talking 600+ yards, then the 7.62/308 is really the only choice of those listed. That’s the only one that is going to have any amount of punch left at that range. It’s going to be more expensive to shoot than the 5.56. The 6.8 and 300 AAC would be fine for around 200-250.
By longer range, I’m talking 100-300yds, but as I currently don’t have a range greater than 100yds to shoot at, this part isn’t my greatest concern. I’m more interested in it as a good SHTF with ammo and components that will be readily available.
At 100-300 yards 5.56 with a decent load will suffice and since it is cheaper you’ll be able to practice more.
From 1-300 yds I think a 5.56 is still going to work very well for a “SHTF” rifle caliber. Ammo is cheaper, lighter, and smaller so you can afford to get more of it and carry more of it (if the situation arises). Look into a heavier HPBT (77 or 77 grain) bullets to load, or maybe a bonded bullet like the 64 grain Nosler if you are planning on handloading. There are also plenty of great factory loads available.
If that is the max distance you’re looking to shoot, I’d consider the 300 or the 6.8 and they both are larger than the .223 and have more KE.
As far as the reloading and component side, the 300 does have the upper hand without a doubt. It uses plentiful .223 brass and .308 bullets. Probably the 2 most prevelant calibers in this country. It also uses standard mags and bolts.
The 6.8 does have the edge on the 300 in terms of external and terminal ballistics but for me, the commonality of the 300 supercedes the 6.8, especially if you are considering it as a SHTF type setup.
Id prefer to not have to reload at all in a post apocalyptic SHTF world, but if I had to choose between 300 and 6.8, the 300 will absolutely be easier to acquire brass and bullets for. And cutting & sizing .223 brass to 300 is not difficult. Try making yourself 6.8 SPC brass ;-).
If you were not going to stick with the AR15 platform, I’d go with the .308 for sure. Either in LR-STYLE or a bolt gun. That ammo will likely be the easiest to acquire of all 3 options you listed.
best of luck and ymmv
5.56 is a good choice since you’ve already got that caliber, but 7.62/.308 gives you options. Either would be a winner.
If you are looking at the Gunsite Scout, I’d suggest you also consider the Mossberg MVP. Available in either caliber, it takes common magazines (5.56 takes AR mags, 7.62 takes M1A/M14 mags) versus Ruger proprietary mags. Worth a look.
From my understanding the 7.62 takes M14 mags and SR25 mags, both.
A couple of people on other forums have also recommended the Mossberg. I had never heard of the MVP model, but I think I’ll research it.
Yes, you are correct…
here is a post I made on another thread with a review by a guy on TOS
If I could only have 2 rifles, one would be 5.56 and the other 7.62x51. Ammo for both is more readily available than the other calibers you mentioned. And I still consider 300BLK to be a specialty round for close up work. It’s my understanding the people who use it to shoot bad guys wanted it to replace the HK 4.6. Outside a couple hundred yards it drops like a mortar shell.
As for platform, I’d have to go with the AR. Same controls as your 5.56 and your muscle memory transfers.
OP, you should take a look at the M&P10. It is an affordable, AR-platform rifle chambered in .308/7.62x51. Mistwolf posted a pretty detailed review here: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?134269-Smith-amp-Wesson-M-amp-P-10
Do you hunt? You have to ask what type of platform do you want, do you need or want a detachable magazine, weight, etc.
If you hunt, easy GSR in .308 of course. It uses a more common than you think AI magazine, if pretty accurate, mine are moa. There’s plenty of various rifles out there to choose from. If your post you wants -and needs, we can help.
Also if want off the shelf items vs having some work done. In my opinion so far, bolt gun in .308 GSR with 18" stainless barrel. Either rear mounted scope (of choice) or full rail with iron rear and rear mounted scope and cheekpiece to work with slightly high scope height. This would take an off the shelf item and be able to hunt most anything stateside and satisfy the target shooting within reason, give you a detachable mag system with well made rifle with a good track record and not designed around a simple magazine to say it takes one of the type.
Although a magazine can be fitted, Winchester model 70 CRF type. Or the Tikka line, if looking into the precision realm, the Tikka CTR with an option of adding a drop in chassis like the XLR line is a great option as well. While I have no experience with the Tikka, many have good words and experiences with them, I’m thinking of one as well.
http://www.eurooptic.com/tikka-t3-ctr-rifles.aspx
http://forum.snipershide.com/snipers-hide-bolt-action-rifles/151305-tikka-t3-picture-thread.html
If this is a true SHTF rifle, then look into getting an upper that has a shorter barrel for better handling and a scope that is better suited to 100-300 yd shooting.
Stick to the 5.56, since the ammo is cheaper, lighter and should be easier to get if the apocalypse happens.
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IMHO buying professional training or even such a force multiplier as night vision and ir-laser would go further in enhancing your shtf capacity than an additional caliber.
I already have a two 5.56 ARs and a 308/7.62 LMT, so I just ordered a 6.8 SPC-II rifle, a LWRC Six8 SPR. The regular ARs are my go-to training/SHTF guns, the 308 is for longer range use, and the 6.8 will be for intermediate-range hunting (south Texas hogs/deer).
Since you’ve mentioned that you’ve stayed within 100yd because you lack access to a longer distance range, unless you have a specific, terminal ballistics oriented desire to do something other than tag cardboard/paper/steel at distance, then the firearm you have now is adequate.
Spend money on an optic that plays nicer at distance, get some good ammunition, and see where that gets you. Start reading (a LOT) and you’ll realize that a platform with some decent equipment bolted onto it and fed good ammunition from quality magazines is what you’re already describing, and you have the base for that already.
If you very much want something larger caliber (and can justify it - not to me, it’s your money anyway) then .308 is where to look: bigger bullets at twice the weight of 5.56 moving quite quickly, with good barrel life and unbeatable aftermarket support - up to you if you want a very hunting centric setup, a precision rifle (again still quite useful for hunting/sporting applications), or just something that is gas operated (or for more money, you can get all three). I’m in the midst of looking into the MVP .308 myself, so I won’t comment beyond the price being one of the most attractive features, followed shortly by compatibility with PMag LR10’s.
Ammo availability in a SHTF scenario will be strictly what you have on hand. If you mean ammo that other will hopefully have as well and even possibly be willing to trade for, well, that’s a whole other mess unto itself but I’ll take a stab and say that .22, 5.56/.223, .308, .30-06, 9mm, .357, .44, and .45 will be your best bets.
For component availability, same story as above. Whatever you have on hand is your best case scenario. Being able to trade after TSHTF is a whole new mess.
I have a great fondness for three of the calibers you’ve listed (5.56, 6.8 and .308), and I really want to recommend the 6.8 for more ‘oomph’ then 5.56 at the ranges you’ve suggested and then some, but unless you are willing to stockpile components yourself beforehand, the AR platform itself may not be for you to begin with, much less an alternative (larger) caliber for it.
As my finances permit, I do stockpile components for the three calibers that I reload