What a dilemma...AR10 or AR15

[redneck2]

got a "problem"...well not really a problem I guess

our company had a sales contest. I qualified for a gift certificate for $1,000 (Merry Christmas to ME!) Seems the best way to use it would be a rifle.

I have a .22 mag, then jump to a 22-250. What I'm looking for I guess is an intermediate range (400-600 yard) prarie dog rifle. I don't have an AR, any 223's or a 308. I do have a 25-06, but I guess I'm slipping over to the dark side and "need" a battle rifle. I have a 7 Mag I'm setting up for 1,000 yard work.

So..for shooting on the high plains, would you pick a fast twist .223 with a Match grade barrel to shoot 69 to 80's??? Then again, the idea of a semi-auto .308 that does 1/2 MOA or better is also super interesting.

 

[Steve Smith]

Tough choice. Much more wind drift with the .223, but ammo and reloading costs are WAY lower. AR-10 in .243 could be VERY fun for your purposes. As pricey as .308 to reload, though.

 

[3 gun]

No dilemma as far as I can see. One is a real rifle and the other is a toy, IMHO. I'd get the 308 and never look back. You too can be known as "RedMist" when chuck hunting.






P.S. In case you can't tell I'm not a fan of small bores in centerfire.

 

[Redlg155]

Your chances of obtaining a rifle that will shoot 1/2 MOA or better will be greater with the AR15 than the AR10. If you factor in costs an AR10T will cost you a good deal more than an AR15 with a 20-24in Bull Barrel setup. Getting an AR15 with a 24" target barrel under 1000 is easy. Finding someone willing to part with an AR10T for 1000 is going to be extremely hard unless you settle for an Eagle Arms. The extra money could be plunked on optics.

Since it's a first for the "dark side" you might also want to consider that you can get any number of different uppers in different calibers, barrel lengths and configurations. Your choices for the AR10 are very limited.

You could get a complete Rock River lower with a 2 stage trigger and top it with a JT Dist 24" bull barreled flatop for about $850 total.

Good SHooting
RED

 

[Swamp Yankee]

Recommend starting with the AR15 but there's nothing wrong with an AR10.

Ar 15 is about as versitile a platform as you can find. An entire different rifle is just an upper swap away. Decent mags are plentiful and cheap. Non-neutered AR10 mags are very expensive and tough to find. Ammo is about as cheap and plentiful as it gets.
If you decide on an AR15 with a target barrel you'll probably want to install a good 2 stage trigger, if not installed at the factory. I like the Jewell but have heard only good things about Rock River's offering.
If you decide on an AR10 the Eagle Arms is not a bad shooter. I picked one up when I couldn't find an Armalite flattop. The money I saved went into 20 round mags and an aluminum free float tube.
Will be going to the 'smith this winter for a JP Enterprises brake. (They're gonna love shooting next to me).
Take Care

 

[redneck2]

Yeah, I keep forgetting about swapping the upper thing

Now that you mention it, sometime ago I saw a guy in Florida that had a .50 BMG upper for the AR. I'm thinkin' that'd do.

Steve S...(or anybody else with field knowledge)..is there a twist rate like maybe 1-8 or 9 that would handle 55's and still work with heavier bullets like the 69's, or do you basically have to pick one and go with it??

 

[Steve Smith]

1 in 7 or 1 in 8 will easily stabilize 55s as well as 69s, 75s, and 77s.

55s are usually FMJ, so don't expect stellar accuracy from these.

 

[ZOG]

If you want to go .308 but keep the cost down check out the new DPMS 308

http://www.dpmsinc.com

 

[Russ]

Get the .308. At least you can drop real game with it.

 

[80fl]

Tough call. If you can get the 10, clean for 1k, I would be inclined to go that route. You can always get the 15 in, at last count, 2 billion varieties.

The 15 is a smooth, cheap, accurate plinker or varmiter.

There are plenty of 308 choices out there that would end up cheaper in the long run, considering mag availability, such as a FAL based rifle.

Again, though, if I could get a 10 for a thousand, that would be my choice.

Congrats and happy hunting!!

 

[glockster96]

Get the .223 and don't look back.

If you are going to be doing a lot of high volume dog shooting at 400-600 yards, your shoulder will thank you for it later.

The 10 would be really cool, but after several hundred rounds (such as one might fire when shooting dogs), you're gonna be pretty sore.