.223 or slugs?

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bartv

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Given a choice between a shotgun loaded with slugs only and any .223 chambered rifle, which would you choose and why?
The purpose would be general, that is, home defense, hunting, dedicated car/truck firearm etc.

I have this really strong urge to get a .223 rifle but have to justify getting one since I already have shotgun which would serve most purposes mentioned above, and mind you it would'nt hurt to use some of the reasons you would give on the missus since she cant see the reason for so many guns.
 
pardon my ignorance, but why slugs only? is you SG a rifled bbl.?

Otherwise, for me I'd get a smooth bore bbl and be done. If by hunting you mean deer and bear only, the slug gun would be my choice. Not much else you can hunt with slugs.
As for a truck gun you can pick up a Saiga in .223 for $230.
 
bartv,

If you're looking for reasons to buy a .223 rifle you might want to hit the Rifle forum. The guys there should be able to give you the "right" phrases to use on the missus. ;)

I think on the shotgun forum we would mostly favor the versatility of a shotgun over a .223 rifle. In my state I can't hunt "big" game with a .223 so the shotgun would work. A .223 is too powerful for small game, so a shotgun with the right load would work. Given barrel choices and the low expense of basic shotguns (think 870) I can't see how you could go wrong with a shotgun.

Personally, I favor a shotgun for home defense vs almost anything else. Long sight radius easy to use and nothing else will pack a whollup like an once or so of lead hitting ya. Oh and fire it in the dark at least once to get a feel for the intimidation factor coming out the end of the barrel. :D

So no vote for a .223 rifle here. I have one, but other than punching paper it sees no other use. Now if you figure you'll have to hold off a bunch of bad guys at distances beyond say 40-50 yds, then the .223 rifle might be just the ticket. ;)
 
It's an apples and oranges comparison. Two different firearms for different purposes. If I had the choice of one gun only it would be a shotgun but not restricted to slugs.

Despite my overwhelming love for shotguns, I prefer a .223 rifle for a very specific role and that is predator control at my small horse farm. The .223 with light frangible bullets is very desirable for managing unwelcome citters in a semi-rural environment. Powerful enough to get the job done while presenting a very low risk of ricochet should a round hit a rock.

In my very narrow mission requirements I prefer the .223 rifle to the shotgun. The rest of the time, it's no contest.

Paul
 
:eek:
Ok I admit it I have let my rifle skills erode. I used to compete in rifle matches when dino's roamed ...

Shotguns I feel most comfortable with as far as long arms are concerned, Gimme slugs, heck gimmee a Shotgun and various loads, I've spent more time with a shotgun. I have to go with platform on this one. Can I have a 1911 and or a K frame just for b/u and whatevers? Spend more time with these platforms. Ok I'm in trouble with the rifle bunch...
 
Get a .223, you already have a SG and then you'll have more of the bases covered. Tis true most 223's do no more than punch paper and small game / varmints, but you just never know what may happen and if tshtf, 223's will become very useful. Even if ts dont htf, its money in the bank cause the gun market is not theory of what may be, it's what IS. Plus 223's are just loads of fun to shoot with the low recoil and high accuracy potential.

223's are wonderful womens guns. A woman who's uncomfortable with A SG could still be mighty efficient with a 223 in a God forbid defensive scenario against man or beast. It'd be like an extra insurance policy and money in the bank that lets you have your interest in fun, Today.

If shtf any AR type rifle would probably be instantly worth 5 grand. (Not that you'd want to sell it if it did happen but you dont have to mention that to her). Probably the best reasons to get it are that she's have something to shoot so she can go too, and if she's like most women she'll be able to recognize the investment angle. (thats also why you invest wisely in a good Bushmaster which'll easily hold & appreciate its value!)

Investment angle worked real good for me with my wife. She's a bean counter and see's them as money in the bank! You wouldn't be lieing to her either as its the truth. I see carbon steel as holding its value better than gold with the political climate what it is. Good Luck!
 
I can comfortably carry about 360 rounds of 5.56 on me...how many slugs can you carry? Also, what if the target is beyond 150 yards? IMHO that is very long distance for slugs. YMMV of course.
 
Good points all folks. It is true that at close range encounters I would always reach for a shotgun and I doubt I'll ever need long range fire power in a defensive scenario. So I guess for me getting a rifle is one of those things I just feel I need to get and would be nice to have for the sake of having one. As for the wife, I just compare my guns to her need for make-up ,shoes, jewellry etc. and IMHO I think its a great comparison don't you think? :)
 
Range, recoil, accuracy, and body armor are the main reasons I'd reach for a .223/5.56 over a slug fed SG. At home, my Sweetheart gets the carbine, & I'll reach for the SG. (Kids are gone now :)...)
 
Neither is suitable as a home defense firearm. Too much penetration. The .223 is no good for deer or bear. The slug is no good for small game. My truck does what I tell it so I don't need a dedicated vehicle firearm. It's illegal here anyway. Vehicles are hunted here with check books and letters of credit.
 
I would own both.
If, for some reason I could only own one, it would be an AR15.
Thankfully, I have a number of both.
 
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