Best tactical rifle choice

[Sam1911]

I realize shooting experience will out weigh internet reading, so I'm ordering about 1000 rounds of 5.56.

Awesome!

Next thread: Over in S&T -- who's class have you signed up to take? What matches are you going to shoot this summer? What drills are you practicing?

You got the EASY part figured out now!

 

[benEzra]

Yeah, it's a wonder we got through WW2 and the Korean War with those M1 Garands and that 30-06 caliber... lol... and the M1A is a great defensive rifle also...

Except the Garand wasn't very good at close-quarters engagements or inside buildings, which is why the U.S. issued the Thompson, the M3 "grease gun", etc. etc.

The M1 Garand made a great offensive rifle in the fields of Europe, but isn't necessarily the best choice as an HD rifle, due to length, power, and capacity.

Just read about 'Filthy 14' -- very impressive. There are still 2 big caveats: not all ARs (and AR parts) are the same, and must be properly lubed. This begs the questions: how does one know which ARs (and AR parts) are truly built to meet or exceed specs; and secondly, what are the particulars of proper lubing?

Lubing an AR: whenever is convenient, pop the rear pin and wet the bolt, carrier, and charging handle channel with any decent oil. (Even cheap motor oil will work fine, though synthetic lasts longer and smells better.)

If no time to pop any pins, squirt oil into the two gas discharge holes in the ejection port side of the bolt carrier, with the rifle assembled and the bolt forward. Repeat as needed.

 

[awgrizzly]

For defense, parts, durability, dependability and ease of ownership the AR should be fine. (If you want to shoot larger animals, get a .308.) The DDM4 should be fine, or just about any good quality AR like Colt, Bravo Company, Palmeto, S&W, to name a few. Also to be considered are the shotgun and handgun for carry and home defense... in addition to the AR. For durability get a chrome lined barrel, and for accuracy a stainless steel (for those elusive brain stem shots). What sets the ARs apart are the manufacturing tolerances and quality testing. Else there isn't that much difference... the mil spec design is the gun. Penetration might be an issue in a house. The 5.56 won't hardly penetrate hardwall without disintegrating while most hand gun calibers will penetrate. BTW, there is no excuse for not cleaning and lubing. You can get a AR grip that has a compartment for a cleaning kit and oil, so it will always be available for those short pauses while the zombies regroup. =o)

 

[kopcicle]

I think you need to more closely define "tactical rifle" and try again .
No I'm not trolling I'm just offering an opinion .
My choice would be a Belgian 50.61 , 50.63 , 50.64 .
It appears my tactics differ somewhat

~kop

 

[LAK]

C-grunt

What engagements have you been involved in where the M16/M4 has failed to deliver rounds on target effectively. I personally and several people I know have had good results out to and beyond 400 meters

.
None, and I am equally sure that it has been used well beyond 400 - very common engagement distances.

That does not change the fact that the 5.56 is simply no equal to the 7.62 at longer ranges; it became obvious in both Iraq and Afghanistan that a heavier weapon was needed. Hence the M14 EBRs etc.

 

[C-grunt]

C-grunt.
None, and I am equally sure that it has been used well beyond 400 - very common engagement distances.

That does not change the fact that the 5.56 is simply no equal to the 7.62 at longer ranges; it became obvious in both Iraq and Afghanistan that a heavier weapon was needed. Hence the M14 EBRs etc.

What became obvious in these wars was the need for magnified optics to identify and locate the enemy at distance. Not all units used M14 EBRs and they are not as universally loved as some would lead people to believe.

You could give every Soldier and Marine a 308 rifle and it wouldn't increase the effectiveness of our rifle fire at long range. Our rifle fire is ineffective because your a average Soldier and Marine is not able to locate the enemy at those ranges let alone hit them with rifle fire.

The M16 is plenty accurate and the 5.56 is powerfull enough at 500 meters to drop bad guys. The problem is making the hits. But that why we have machine guns.

 

[Lee D]

well said^^^

 

[LAK]

There have been many optical sighting options for the M16 platform going back a long ways. If the EBR offered no overall improvement I do not believe they would have remained in use for so long in addition the squad MG.

 

[C-grunt]

There have been many optical sighting options for the M16 platform going back a long ways. If the EBR offered no overall improvement I do not believe they would have remained in use for so long in addition the squad MG.

They do offer an improvement over a standard rifle. But most of the improvement comes from the extra training that a DM recieves in distance shooting. You can't just give EBRs to everyone and expect distance kills to increase.

The 308 is always a better choice for long distance shooting. However in the situation of the SDM the newer match 5.56 works well. The DMR is not a sniper rifle, except in the case of the USMC issuing Mk12s as DMRs. It was implemented to give a squad a precision rifle to accurately engage targets at normal to extended rifle ranges.

 

[LAK]

No arguements with that.

 

[SpeedAKL]

For a primary defensive weapon, getting the DDM4, putting a good optic on top, and saving money for ammo and training is a common-sense way to go. Secondary recommendation would be the SCAR 16S. A solid argument can be made that it's a superior rifle to the AR. Having said that, the DD is far less expensive and (as others said) AR parts are everywhere.

 

[kopcicle]

They do offer an improvement over a standard rifle. But most of the improvement comes from the extra training that a DM recieves in distance shooting. You can't just give EBRs to everyone and expect distance kills to increase.

I'll put my trust in a Jarhead's rifle training . Some of course are better than others but all are a cut above the general GoPo . I've worked with both . I'll relate that my nephew on his return from Iraq feels that we gave him better instruction than he received prior to his deployment . However once deployed he ran into excellent instruction and better training . We're more than happy to have him home safe . A good sized care package was sent in return for the care , concern and excellent training he received .

Even though a rifle is nothing without the man behind it you can only be as good as the rifle will let you . My dinosaur choice is still .308 preferably in an FAL variant and I wouldn't squawk loud at all if forced to use an EBR (of any variant) .

Forgive me for being redundant, insistent or just a pain but I still have to ask just what is a "tactical rifle" ? My Bushmaster , an AK , My FN-FAL/STG , EBR ? Can I paint my .308 700BDL Heavy Barrel rattle can black and over scope it and call it a "tactical rifle"? . The term is over used , misinterpreted and is used by those without the knowledge or experience to express themselves effectively .

Lest you think I'm here to berate and taunt the membership look no farther than my sig line .

~kop

 

[Art Eatman]

See Post #68.