Considering a .223/5.56 AR Alternative - Thoughts?

[onewhippedpuppy]

I'm considering purchasing another "modern sporting rifle" (whatever that means) to diversify beyond 2.23/5.56. I was looking at the AR style 7.62x39 variants, but have seen some feedback indicating the superiority of .300 Blackout or .308 in an AR style rifle. Any suggestions as to the pros/cons of these different calibers and some reasonably priced ($1000-ish) options of choice? Application would be fun target shooting and killing zombies (of course).

[varmint]

i know nothing about this company. just looks interesting. and i want someone to buy one and tell me about it.

[MT930]

Go 308 .223 never has impressed me and I have a few of them

Armalite AR-10 and several others

Armalite

[HHI944]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I'm considering purchasing another "modern sporting rifle" (whatever that means) to diversify beyond 2.23/5.56. I was looking at the AR style 7.62x39 variants, but have seen some feedback indicating the superiority of .300 Blackout or .308 in an AR style rifle. Any suggestions as to the pros/cons of these different calibers and some reasonably priced ($1000-ish) options of choice? Application would be fun target shooting and killing zombies (of course).

Palmetto State Armory had their PA10 for $899 when I was on their site yesterday.

[HHI944]

PSA PA10 16" 308 1:10 Rifle - 505530

[HardDrive]

I have a stamped Norinco MAK 90 that has never failed me. Not a particularly accurate gun, but quite adept at spraying lead at zombies.

[manbridge 74]

.300 Whisper. I like it that only the barrel has to be changed out.

Run silent, run deep.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I make this thread, and then I priced the ammo.....damn! .300 Blackout is pretty close to $1/round even buying in quantity. Maybe another .223 rifle is a good idea.....

[VincentVega]

Why not an AK variant? Fun to shoot, I love the sound compared to a AR.

[HHI944]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I make this thread, and then I priced the ammo.....damn! .300 Blackout is pretty close to $1/round even buying in quantity. Maybe another .223 rifle is a good idea.....

.223/5.56 is not the same round it was even a decade ago.
Modern, heavy OTM rounds are seriously accurate and can do significant damage.

[911boost]

Ps90.....

[Arizona_928]

I wouldn't even mess around with the ar10. I would get the SCAR IF I was to get into 308. But then again I already have more ARs then arms. The question is do you want to invest in another caliber, let alone another "battle rifle". Are you looking for something to hunt, toy, back county predator protection?


If you're looking for another cool toy. Importers have a current stock of East German DDR ak47 parts kits... "I think Century has a few assembled ones as well".

[SilberUrS6]

It's hard to beat the ammo pricing on 7.62x39. I like 5.56 because my wife and kids like to shoot it, but AK variants are pretty fun to shoot.

[Taz's Master]

.308 is a great round. There's a reason why it is heavily used by the military, hunters and long range marksmen. But it is expensive and the recoil is not insignificant when compared to .223. What do you want the rifle for? I loved my experience with Ruger's Gunsite Scout, and would recommend looking at one. .308 is too expensive to shoot boxes of, so the bolt action won't slow you down, and the stock design/recoil pad really makes shooting pleasant.

If you want another semi auto platform that allows inexpensive shooting, I'd look into a pistol caliber carbine. If you want something to suppress, I'd consider the 300 Blackout. If you want something more powerful, I think I'd look at an M-1 Garand, or a quality bolt action with good optics.

Just my 2 cents, it will be your firearm, you need to like it, and there's no accounting for taste, so get what you want.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Short of the apocalypse, this is just a fun toy for me. I don't hunt so that's not a consideration. If I'm headed to the range or my in-laws' place in the country I don't want to be spending $1/round.

I'll take a look at the other suggestions. I like the 7.62x39 but haven't liked the AK-47s that I have looked at, they typically feel very cheaply made. I do like the availability of the round, I still remember when .223 was hard to find but 7.62x39 was still everywhere.

EDIT: I had forgotten about the PS90 but there aren't a lot of ammo options. I have always liked the SCAR but I really don't want to pay $2500+.

[gr8fl4porsche]

I just picked up a Kel-Tec Sub 2000 Gen 2 . 9 mm folding carbine that uses Glock 17 mags.

Absolutely love it. It is my favorite new range toy.

Allows me to shoot a carbine sized rifle at steel targets. .223 not allowed on steel at my range.

[Bowling]

Hopefully my next purchase.
SWORD International » MK-17 Mod 0 Tyrant 22 Carbine

[berettafan]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Short of the apocalypse, this is just a fun toy for me. I don't hunt so that's not a consideration. If I'm headed to the range or my in-laws' place in the country I don't want to be spending $1/round.

I'll take a look at the other suggestions. I like the 7.62x39 but haven't liked the AK-47s that I have looked at, they typically feel very cheaply made. I do like the availability of the round, I still remember when .223 was hard to find but 7.62x39 was still everywhere.

EDIT: I had forgotten about the PS90 but there aren't a lot of ammo options. I have always liked the SCAR but I really don't want to pay $2500+.

.308 is not suited for goofing around at the range. Serious recoil and expensive ammo. 223 is great for that and 7.62 would be ok as well. as you noted most trailer park assault rifles (AK variants) feel like soup cans riveted together around a piece of pipe. not, IMO, satisfying to handle or shoot.

[VincentVega]

.308 is not suited for goofing around at the range. Serious recoil and expensive ammo. 223 is great for that and 7.62 would be ok as well.

7.62 what? 39? Most interchange 7.62 w/ 308 from the 'old' NATA designation. 308 and 7.62x51 work the same for my. YMMV

[MT930]

Originally Posted by berettafan

.308 is not suited for goofing around at the range. Serious recoil and expensive ammo. 223 is great for that and 7.62 would be ok as well. as you noted most trailer park assault rifles (AK variants) feel like soup cans riveted together around a piece of pipe. not, IMO, satisfying to handle or shoot.

The most accurate AK description I have ever heard.