How are you going to use the FN SCAR? Do you want to hit a target at 400 yards or at 800 yards?

 

400 would be nice... 800 would be really nice , but i really dont really need to touch out that far .... the rifle will go it my SHTF kit , probably take it out with me in the woods camping here and there , play in the desert with it.... I'll set it up with tac options , and a nice scope

 

I may be wrong here but as it was explained to me the SCAR was developed to be interchangeable like the M16 except smaller and easier to switch out, is it possible to get both barrels? I want to say you didn't have to change out the mag well or anything except the upper receiver. I'm not a fan of the .223 personally but for home defense inside my home it would be 1000 times better than .308, cheaper and easier to come by ammo for in a SHTF environment because everyone and there dog has .223/5.56. I would prefer a .308 for animals, precision distance shots, and stopping power, but that's just me.

 

I just got my Armalite AR10 .308.
I have little expeirience with a .223, but for home defense won't that go through drywall pretty darn quick? My personal opinion is both are best for longer ranges. The difference is two fold in my mind. One reaches out a lot farther but costs a lot more to shoot, the .223 a bit shorter on range but way cheaper to shoot. A .223 is also a bit lighter. I choose a .308 for range and as I reload it's not so costly. If buying new rounds you're looking at close to $1 a shot. Though I did get some 150 grain Federal Eagel for $330+$45 shipping for 500 rounds FMJ.

 

ok that helps me out a bit... this is somthing i plan on carrying with me probably as my primary weapon in a number of any given scenarios..

 

The .308 is a bit heavier.
But it will do it all. 800 yards is a snap in the right hands. (not my hands I just got it)

If you walk/hike long distances that .223 will be a lot easier on ya.

Either way chaeck out these prices.

www.luckygunner.com

 

Im checking it out and I can almost guarentee already the shipping prices arent somthing that are standing out to me , but I'll check around on there and if I find somthing I think is a good deal I'll support the site !

 

For HD I would pick up almost anything B4 the 308

 

They are two different types of ammo, designed for two different types of shooting. If I have to cut a 18" tree down, I wont reah for a trim saw, and if I need to trim a piece of base board, I won't grab the 24" chain saw. The fact that you're asking us to help you pick between the two, tells me you should get the 223. If the 308 was right for you, you wouldn't have asked the question.
For plinking and smaller game, even self defense, take the 223. Have the 308 over the fireplace for those times when you might be about to fill your pants, or your game is really big.
As far as going through drywall, get a shotgun to prevent that with bird shot.

 

if you think you will ever have to use it in a self defense scenario, ask yourself this question. would your offender rather be shot with a .223 or a .308? I myself would rather be shot with a 223 vs a 308. got a better chance of living with a 223. also, a 308 would be a better choice at larger game if you had to survive the wilderness with it.

 

800 yards is a snap in the right hands for a .308? Really?? That's actually the max effective range for the round and it is capable, but a snap it is not.

 

5.56 ammo is cheaper and will kill you just as dead as the .308 will. Quicker follow-up shots. 0-300 or so yards is what the SCAR is meant to accomplish, not 1/2 mile Hail Mary's. I would probably not buy a SCAR, but if I did, it would be a 5.56 SCAR. If you want a .30 caliber carbine, I would look to the 300 AAC instead, unless you need the power for Bear and other game in your area, in which case, the .308 SCAR is definitely a superior option to anything in 5.56

 

not even close totally different purpose for each round

 

If you or anyone else using the rifle is recoil sensitive, 223 is better. If you are planning on carrying any amount of ammo on foot, 223 is a lot lighter.

308 has a much longer effective range, and generally far more damaging.

So if you're young, strong, and like to shoot big game at long distances, 308 is a better choice.

For home defense, I'd get a shotgun or a hi cap pistol. Although the SCAR would be a nice thing to have around in a wrol type situation.

You could always get both. I mean, they're only $3k apiece, so it's not like they're expensive or anything.

Az

 

nice input



a wrol would be the perfect scenario to describe as to what i will apply one of the many uses for this... i havent set my mind on a scar yet but ive been checking them out and they are highly customizable.. thts one reason i have been considering it.

i'm pretty good on home defense for the most part ive got a 12 gauge shotgun not to mention many pistols including a 3.8 XDM 9mm 19+1 ... but i can always add and rotate which weapons i keep at hand... also picked up a s&w model 60 357 mag the other day for what i refer to as my always carry.. even at home. not too big not too small nice snug fit,,, not to mention it packs a serious punch

 

do you want to shoot 3 rounds to put someone down, or do you want to shoot 1 round to do the same?

i would go with the .308 personally, but it is also important for you to make your own selection... you are going to get a mix of input on the boards, some prefer the .223, some prefer the .308, but you are the only one that can anylize the capabilities and costs for your specifications and make an informed decision on your caliber.... i have 3 rifles that can shoot .223 and 3 that can shoot .308 as i prefer .223 for its cost effectiveness in range use and bulk reloading... when the SHTF i will be reaching for my kel tec RFB in .308

 

Making the case



Gee,
Where have you been in all the fights over .223 vs.308. You just put the words in my mouth that I wanted to say but couldn't think of. It makes no sense to have to carry 3 times as much ammo .223 to get the job done. You always here that shot placement is where it is at.But if you are in a the middle of a fire fight with multiple attackers you made not get but 1 shot at each attacker. As for the cost and weight 3 .223 cost more and weight more than 1 .308/30-06.You made the case that I have tried to make. And as for effectiveness the .308 out ranges the .223 by a couple of hundred yards, and if you are older and can't move as fast it may make the difference same for hunting food.You have a better chance at putting meat on the table.

 

Going threw the wall shouldn't be on your mind in a kill or be killed situation.

 

how many angles can dance on the head of a pin?

my thoughts in psedocode no less

If ( going to / would you like to ba able to hunt deer size game with it)
then set answer = .308
else set answer = .223
end if

 

thats a really good point to take into consideration.. i havent thought about it all that much... but it might be necessary at some point for me to start taking down game as my primary source of rations.. at the same time though it would be nice to have something a little more lightweight. making it a little more versatile or portable for me.. in the end (or whatever happens ) , i dont want to take more with me than I need to , I dont think anyone does..

 

Yea, don't believe a .223 is sufficient for deer. The hundreds that are taken each year with the round are make believe. The favorite caliber for poachers and spotlighters has always been either a .22lr or a .22mag. I guess they are more powerful than a .223.

 

and the millions taken each year with more powerful centerfire rounds (.243 and above) must be legend as well

 

The 223/556 was brought about because the military feels that more rounds are better. Now this maybe true if you have a military sending 10,000s of rounds down range but id rather go with the 308 myself.

 

I like both....although my. 308 is meant to reach out and touch someone. Think of a defense grid if you will. Beyond 300 yards is 308 territory. Hopefully I can dissuade any baddies from coming closer with precision fire. 300 yards and in, its a little more serious and I'll be ****ing lead from an M4gery. If that doesn't work, and they keep coming....I want maximum damage at minimum distance. It would be a 12ga at that point.

Distance is your friend and would be a good time to identify and eliminate any leadership you can pinpoint. But don't restrict yourself to one platform or caliber. Sometimes you need a hammer. Sometimes you need a wrench.

 

My vote is for both!

 

No funky guy. .308 is quite a bit more powerful. No one is arguing that. But you stated you do not believe the. 223 is adequate for deer. You are without a doubt wrong regardless what you believe. Ryan, I stated that in jest bc hundreds of deer are killed each year with a .22lr or. 22mag yet the funky guy doesn't even believe a .223 will do the job.

 

I see the old 5.56 vs 7.62 debate is still going on......whatever you pick stock up on ammo

 

atm im leaning more towards a .223 round... i went out and got to shoot my friends 308 the other day , and ive gotta say... thats a wonderful piece of engineering.. i dont think either way im gonna be dissatisfied , im also thinking about how much ammo ill be able to carry in my go bag and other details like that

 

besides 30-06 in the form of the M1 Garand is most betterester than either anywayz

:

on the practical side - how many folks here have the ability to make a shot past 100 yards anywho?

(duck and cover drill)

 

i would hope most... one of the best shots i've ever made was @ 600 yards with a .270 weatherby(bullseye shot) , i can consistently make 100 yard shots... i would hope most everyone else here can too so i dont have to start feeling bad for people, does anyone know the max effective range for a 223 round ? someone already stated here that 900 yards or so is max effective range for the .308

 

The OP didn't say, but I'll assume the intended purpose is for all-around home defense and potential SHTF uses. If so, the .223/5.56 is the most practical for numerous reasons. Yeah,yeah, I know, the .308 packs more punch and has greater range, but for likely,realistic applications for a regular joe in the United States, the .223 is closer to being ideal.

 

what he said

 

.308. It's got better range, is more lethal, and has better penetration at all ranges.

 

.223 max effective range is 600 yards.
.308 max effective range is 800 yards.

 

The real question is just how effective is the .223 at any range.

 

I've also considered a Ruger Mini-14 , or a Saiga AK-47, the price is right on both.. My buddy has a Saiga AK and a Saiga 12 Gauge , both which are very nice guns, the Siaga 12 gauge takes a while to break in though if you choose to do it by hand ... Anyway, off of that I'm not looking for another shotgun (at least not yet... when I do pick one up I'm thinking I'll get one of those tactical riot mossbergs.. ) Anyway back on subject - does anyone have any experience with these rifles ? I plan to complete this purchase within the next few days , so right now I'm really just at a crossroads as to which direction I should go with this.