223 or 308

[jay43]

I'm looking into buying a savage 10fp. the only doubts i have is to get it in 223 or 308. I'll be shooting mostly paper, 100 to 200yrds about 98% of the time I don't hunt, but hopefully plan to some day. With ammo prices so high would it be better to get the 223, or would it cost about the same to shoot both. and there is no difference in rifle price for either calibor thanks

 

[JWarren]

Just paper? I'd get .223 all day long and spare myself the anguish of .308 costs.

That, or start reloading... (which I need to do.)


-- John

 

[JimmerJammerMrK]

Sounds like you should go with the .223. I'm in a similar situation myself right now; trying to figure out my answer to basically the same question.

For me, the .223 makes sense because of its cheaper price (less of a blow to my wallet), less recoil (can be shot longer and more often), the fact that I'm limited to 200 to 300 yard ranges (nowhere to take advantage of the better range of the .308), and the fact that I don't hunt.

On the last point, it isn't that I don't want to hunt, it's that I don't have anybody to show me how. When I do, it'll be an excuse to buy another rifle.

 

[jhansman]

Don't own a .308, but I have shot with many who do. To a man (woman?) they are hunters and like the caliber for it accuracy and the kills they get with it. Too much report and recoil for my kind of range work. I do own a Savage .223, (12VLP) and it is, for me, perfect. Just enough felt recoil to know you have a centerfire rifle in hand, accurate to 200 yds. and beyond, and affordable and fun to reload. If you can find a source of once-fired, military brass, your costs will really stay in line. Good luck.

 

[alucard0822]

I have a 10fp choate in 308 and absolutely love it, and am looking for a similar one in 223 http://www.savagearms.com/12vss.htm. Figure on ammo or components costing at least double in 308. 223 also takes longer to heat the barrel, so it is probably the better and more economical paper puncher under 400yds, especially with the subtle recoil (even 308 hardly has any in a rifle this heavy), you can fire it all day for cheap if you reload. Now if you want a bigger boom, bigger hole in the paper, are not concerned about the cost and might want to try longer ranges, then 308 is a good choice. The rather fast twist rates for both seem to favor heavier bullets, and fire-formed cases can really surprise you with CONSISTENT sub moa accuracy. Anything can get an occasional 2 or 3 shot group under 1" at 100 yds, but a dialed in handload in my 10fp can get that out of a 10 shot group, even with light winds, you will be happy with either rifle.

 

[Lurp]

What do you plan on hunting with that rifle? If you’re going to go for small game or varmint the .223 is your best bet, but if you are going to be doing some deer hunting I would definitely go with the .308. Shooting a deer with a .223 is un-ethical in my opinion as it's to small a caliber to reasonably insure a take down shot. Which brings me to my next point...which is the better military round .223 or .308

 

[six 4 sure]

I have a 10fp in 308 and a couple of 223's I punch paper with. I have found that the .223's are more enjoyable at the range.

I reload for both and it seems that the .223's seem to be easier (and cheaper) to find components.

 

[jpwilly]

100 to 200 yrds! Get the 223. My Opinion...get the 10FP in 308 and a Varmint AR in 223! The difference in the cost of 308 will pay for the AR in just a few thousand rounds!

 

[YodaVader]

For short range target shooting I have used both .223 and .308 in the last 10 years or so having owned Remingtons in both calibers 700VS and 700P in .308 and 700VLS and 700LTR in .223 and last year even added a Savage 12BVSS in .223.

The .308s are now gone , the last being used as trade fodder for the 700 LTR .223. Have no regrets. The .223 (for me) is far more pleasant to shoot , is less expensive to shoot , and the accuracy for me has been much better than the .308s. The accuracy of the LTR with match ammo far exceeding my expectations on what is possible with a factory rifle. Was out shooting a few through it just last night.

Now if I were able to find a 500+ yard range to shoot at I might consider the .308 again.

Now one great feature of the Savage is the "ease" of switching calibers from .223 or .308 depending on what you buy with a new barrel/bolt head and probably a magazine follower. I am lucky enough to live close to a Savage smith that can do it for me if I ever decide to go that way with mine. More than likely it will remain a .223 , just with a match barrel next time!

 

[browningguy]

I would also say the .223 in your case, ammo is much cheaper and you can get in plenty of practice. The barrel on the .223 Savage will probably limit you to 69 gr. or lighter loads, still good enough for shooting out to 600.

For long range target shooting what I've just done is buy a 10 FV in .243, then I'll add barrels in .260 and .308 later. As they all use the same bolt changing calibers is a 10 minute job on the Savage.

 

[Davo]

I have a 10fp in .308. Id say go with the .308, it is more versatile, and if you decide to hunt eventually you have that capability. And dealing with the recoil of the .308 will aid in training, for when you do hunt or try some long range shoots.
Unless you are shooting hundreds of reloads a month, the price difference when reloading isnt that much-certainly not as much as the price of the new barrel youd need when going to .308.
Heres the review of mine BTW...
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=275156

 

[alucard0822]

Unless you are shooting hundreds of reloads a month, the price difference when reloading isnt that much-certainly not as much as the price of the new barrel youd need when going to .308.

It costs me $42 per 100 for 168gr SMK loads in 308
It costs me $27 per 100 for 69gr SMK loads in .223
this does not include brass, but basically there is a $15 per 100 difference in cost of adams and bennet barrel $150, a $20 barrel wrench $30 worth of headspace gauges, and 15 minutes of your time=$200

New production federal GMM (my loads are fairly close in performance, and use the same projectiles) $175 per 100 in 308, $150 for .223. $25 difference per 100,

800 loads of factory GMM pays for a new barrel, and you would have spent $1200 by that time on .223

Or 1350 rounds of reloads to pay for a barrel swap or $351 in reloading components.

So this should tell you 2 things. Buying a rifle in .223 will save you enough to pay for that 308 barrel fairly quickly, about 100rds a month for a year with reloads. 2nd is RELOAD, the difference in cost will pay for a nice setup within a couple hundred rounds, and these rifles will outright surprise you with a decent handload.

 

[jaholder1971]

Go with the .223 10FP.

The 1X9 barrel should allow you to shoot bullets up to 75 grains, like the Hornady match bullets. The 75 AMAX's may or may not shoot well, YMMV.

I've heard of guys shooting Sierra 80's out of a 1X9 in 26 inch barrels but cannot vouch for them not keyholing.