GSR .308 or .223

[Milkmaster]

I generally do not use optics on my rifles. Instead I choose to use peep sights with usually an improved front sight than stock. Therefore the GSR would fit my wishes. I am asking for opinions on the caliber preference for general shooting at the range. Hunting is no longer something I do very much with a rifle.

I already own and enjoy plinking with my AR15 and Mini 14 in the .223/5.56 caliber. The AR is what it is, and the Mini 14 satisfies my Garand action urge for the most part.

I am thinking about a Ruger GSR rifle in my future. Do I continue with the fun in .223/5.56 or start a whole new caliber for me in the .308? Do you find yourself shying away from the higher caliber powers with age and physical decline? The 5.56 ammo is fast and cheaper than .308. Any different fascination with the larger .308 cartridge that I a missing and makes it more fun?

Please share reasons for your vote.

 

[Reloadron]

At this point I am with the other person who voted .308 Winchester.

Do you find yourself shying away from the higher caliber powers with age and physical decline?

While I still enjoy shooting 30-06 Springfield and 308 Winchester I no longer reach for the 7mm Rem Mag or any of my other larger calibers. At 66 I have no problem running a few hundred .308 Winchester rounds down range. I shoot both .308 Winchester and .223 Remington extensively and load both. I also shoot both from several rifles, open sights and scope.

I chose the .308 Winchester simply because I see it as the more formidable longer range cartridge. I am not saying you can't shoot a .223 Remington 1,000 yards or 500 yards. I am saying at those distances, given a choice, I choose the 308 Winchester. If on a budget then shoot .223 Remington I guess but I choose the .308 Winchester. All things considered I could likely flip a coin but since we need to choose one between the two I like the .308 Win over the .223 Rem. Just my choice.

Ron

 

[chicharrones]

Magazines.

I understand the desire to shoot a milder cartridge as one ages, however due to the limitation of variety in 5.56 magazines for the GSR I'd stay with a .308 GSR. Or look into another 5.56 bolt gun altogether.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Normally, I would say .308 GSR all the way.

But, for your uses, .223 makes more sense. If you're just range shooting, why bother with the added cost and recoil of .308? If you're a peep sight shooter, further still to choose .223. I'm sure you also have plenty of .223 ammo as well.

An irons-only .223 GSR sure would be a fun range popper. There are all kinds of loads you can try.

 

[Geno]

Milkmaster:

If I were looking at a GSR purely for range fun, I would go with the 5.56/.223 Rem. However, since I try to purchase dual-purpose firearms (range and hunting), I would seek out the 7.62/.308 Win.

Without doubt the 5.56 ammunition is less expensive to purchase, and to reload. It certainly has significant fun-factor too. 8^)

Geno

 

[aka108]

I'm knocking on 80 and physical cond has me pretty much shooting off the bench now. Lousy legs and balance. Used to love shooting the heavier stuff but find now that unless I used a Past shoulder pad they are out of the question. I enjoy the 223 and I reload for it. The range where I shoot has enough 223 cases laying around so that getting brass is never a problem. A 223 can be shot all day long and not leave you the sore shoulder, esp. when the rotator cuff is messed up.

 

[Frostbite]

I voted .223 because you already shoot it and do not need a hunting rifle.

It is less expensive, it recoils less, so you can shoot more.

You mentioned aging and the preference for peep sights; I would tend (I might be wrong, but there is not much I do better now than ten years ago) to think that shooting range diminishes as age increases, and even more so if keeping scopes away, since eyesight usually follows that curve, so the increased practical range of .308 Win. over .223 Rem. becomes less important with age.

However, if you have never shot a real rifle, by all means, get the .308!

 

[200Apples]

.
I think if a person could only have five firearms, they should be:

.22LR rifle

.45 ACP pistol

5.56 AR carbine

.308 bolt (I prefer it in a short, light and handy config: SCOUT)

12 ga shotgun


If limited to just four firearms for the sake of discussion, I would choose the .22, the .45, the .308 and the 12-bore.

If just three, the .45, the .308 and the 12... so there's my answer to the OP. In other words, if you don't already have a .308 rifle, you should. Then invest in stocking the cartridge.

 

[Krusty]

Going by the info you have posted I would say go with the .223. You know you can shoot it, you're set up to load it and the weight of the GSR will make it even more pleasant.