Wondering if Ar10/Lr308 is a good shtf rifle? Or should I upgrade to something else in 308?

The LR308 I own has run flawlessly and is pretty accurate. But I'm unsure of its long term reliability or field reliability.

Also, is 308 a relevant cartridge anymore? Since military has now moved on to something else?

Very useful, yes. Especially if it doesn't weigh 20 lbs. I would certainly keep as they are versatile in use and easy to maintain, like an AR 15. Just get some spare parts. As for ammo, our military won't be coming off the 7.62x51 cartridge any time soon. The 6.8 IMO won't go full deployment soon, if ever.

 

The military hasn’t actually moved on to something else. They suddenly realized the same thing everyone else was talking about….the new Sig is heavy and super expensive, super complicated, and a few steps too far, too early in the development. Oh, and let’s not forget NATO either. The investment in .308 and 5.56 is huge, there’s no way they jump to the Sig cartridge

The .308 will be in service for a while longer.

As for the AR10/LR308, there are good options. It’s reliability is fine, they’ve been in military service for decades already.

The lighter versions by POF and Ruger are also creating an option that makes the 308 even more attractive to many.

 

Short version? Absolutely great rifle and round. Versatility for days

One of my favorites

 

you could certainly do far, far worse.

show-stopper in defense, reliably useful for hunting medium+large game

combine that with a CCW pistol, and a 22 or shotgun for pest control and small game, and you've got a combo

 

One of the most accurate semi-auto platforms on the planet, with a vast array of customizations from many, many, manufacturers (so parts are plentiful and easy to get).

It's a great choice IMO.

 

The .30-06 is more than a century old now, and it's still around. Once you get to the .308's century mark, ask this question again.

In the short-term, you'll benefit from the cheap prices you get on mil-surplus ammo in 7.62mm. I've stock up up for my .308s.

 

Pair it with a high end Titanium suppressor and you'll be good to go.

 

This is just a silly question.... Everyone but the bad guys need an AR10 in 308, then one in 6.5cm, then another in 243 or 6mm. I have a few with a recent "lightish" coyote hunting 243 build at 14lbs, and currently waiting on a barrel for finish up a second 243 build that should be about 7lbs without optic and suppressor. This one will likely be the new yote slayer.

But yes! An AR in 308 has a n extremely great place for its uses. Hunting large game if needed, heavy enough to have energy at longer ranges, yet little recoil, and can be used for close combat if needed. Especially great if you need to fight through walls. My advise, keep the one you have and build or buy another in 6.5CM or 243. They both have their own niches.

 

Thing is I own like 3 ars now. LoL

 

Rookie.....

Come on man....are you even TRYING to prep?🤣

But seriously....depending on LOTS of things, like the ideas 44Special was talking about; three may be enough....or it may not.

I like options. I like having those options on hand now, I'm not leaving them as something to deal with once the SHTF.

So...I have three large caliber AR type rifles. I have several large caliber NOT AR rifles that use US based ammo, and even more smaller caliber rifles, including a collection of .22's that makes people shake their heads. I have several AR15 type rifles, in several different calibers. I have several rifles that take Russian ammo, and a few other oddballs as well.
Depending on what SHTF looks like...I will determine which best fits the need. Is that a waste? Maybe. But it's not detracting from my other preps, and I enjoy them as a hobby.

 

The LR I think has surpassed the AR10 in parts/mag availability. Currently it's my "battle rifle" if a full on shtf developed. .308, for when you absolutely, positivily need to shoot someone, hiding behind a freezer, in your neighbor's house...

 

@UserNameTaken followed by chattering teeth at 600yards for the next objective.

 

Wondering if Ar10/Lr308 is a good shtf rifle? Or should I upgrade to something else in 308?

The LR308 I own has run flawlessly and is pretty accurate. But I'm unsure of its long term reliability or field reliability.

Also, is 308 a relevant cartridge anymore? Since military has now moved on to something else?

Remember that SHTF isn't necessarily staying in one place forever. At over 10 lbs not including very heavy ammunition in comparison, is that a good choice?
I'd say it has it's place. If you're in a compound with a community and part of a security watch on the borders, I'd say ok. If not, well, it very well might be something you end up having to leave behind. So have a gun you can run with.
I think also, that there is a value in interchangeability; at least with ammo. Most likely 9MM and 5.56 are going to be the primary types you run into; along with 12 Ga, and 22LR. Some say that only means that my ammo will be everywhere because nobody wants it. I say, everyone who reloads will want it. It will disappear too.
Things to think about.

 

They're cool, but not what I'm grabbing if I have to leave. Way too heavy.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

They're cool, but not what I'm grabbing if I have to leave. Way too heavy.

Agreed…. My LR’s are built for long range, stationary high jerks. Both (308 and 6.5cm) have 20in heavy barrels, muzzle brakes, bipods and scopes. I don’t have a light weight AR15, so if I had go mobile, I‘d have to grab an AK47 or 74.

 

I would look at weight, durability, ammo availability, and maintainability. Regarding weight, if you are not young, not in good shape, injured, sick, have to travel in a group, have to help with other things while carrying your firearm, have limited food supplies and want to conserve energy, you want a lighter, easily maintained weapon. Depending on how much money you want to spend you can get an AR-10 that is lighter than an AR-15. The 22LR is the most common ammo, but doesn't have stopping power. After that is the .223. Ammo is heavy and you'll want to use an ammo everyone else is likely to use.

 

If you decide to stick with your .380 AR and are in need of more ammo you may want to pick up some of the Saltech 7.62 NATO ammo being imported now. I purchased some a few years back and it's very accurate in both my Amralite AR-10 and my PTR 91. It's not the cheapest, but I think it's the best performer for the price.

 

I have a few .308's, theyre not much heavier than a sexy 5.56. The whole premise behind it is half the ammo. It takes half the ammo to put down a target/defeat a barrier, or hit at extended ranges when you're bucking the wind, and barrel life, love the .243's but barrel life sucks on them.

 

I wish I had an AR-10. I lost mine in a boating accident, just like half the members in here. 🤣

Boats and Survialistboards members just don’t mix. We are jinxed.

 

You too huh? All I got left is this old rusty .38.

Our only problem around here is with Lake Mead drying up all the lost guns and dead bodies are resurfacing.

 

Considering that the AR10 and 7.62 NATO are around 70 years old…
and the 30-06 is over 100, as are the 9MM Para, and 45 ACP, etc..
I don’t think they are going to be outdated any time soon. Just sayin’.

 

There's only one .308 battle rifle I know of I would consider for my primary. FN SCAR. It's light, super accurate, and extremely reliable. The others, like the AR-10, CETME, ect, are just to bulky for me. Then again I am 5'5". You do you. Ammo loadout for a .308 is HEAVY.

 

I’ll see your 7.9 lb SCAR and raise you a 16” 6.8 lb Ruger SFAR. Or the 20” 7.3 lb model.
Adjustable Magpul Carbine stock, AR compatible CH, trigger and safety. About $1100.

 

The usefulness of AR10s and .308 will outlive everyone on this board.

Besides, WWIV (we are in WWIII now) will be fought with sticks and stones.

 

AR-10 Pattern rifles would be very servicable as a SHTF rifle. The 7.62x51/308 Winchester aint going anywhere any time soon. I retired as a weapons tech in 2006 and we were still using the heck out of 7.62x51 and had more pallets of it than I could count. My Homies still on active duty tell me very little has changed! All of the Armories I worked in had racks of M-14's although we had more M4's. A MBR in 7.62x51 is a great combo if your in a static defensive position or in a area of operations where shots at longer ranges are the norm or barricaded hostiles are your target. If your kicking in doors, in a urban environment and on the move there are better options in my opinion/experience. MBR's are heavy generally speaking, the ammo is heavier and the recoil is much stouter although managable by most shooters with experience.

In Afghanistan we generally had M4's and at longer ranges we generally encountered they left a lot to be desired. On the next supply run from the ship I grabbed a few of our M-14's and they performed much better at the extended ranges we often were in, even better than the MK-12 Mod 0's with the 77 gr loads. In Fallujah, the M4's were a much better weapon as the fighting was pretty close in and we usually had a couple of DM's with us.

Look at your situation and choose appropriately. I own several MBR's from my earlier days as a prepper, and love them. I still have them today but I reach for one of my AR-15 in one flavor or another more than I do my MBR's. Different tools for different jobs...

 

AR's in .308 can be great. I have a 20" AR .308 that I have assembled and it is a great shooter. As others have said, heavy though. It would not be my choice to bug out with. I have a couple AR15's that I would choose instead. If ammo availability was not an issue, I would take my 18" 6.5 Grendel instead for the sake of much less weight and similar performance.
If you can get a lighter weight 16" AR in .308, then it can certainly work.

 

if youre big enough to carry the thing and use it without getting fatigued, then yes, great rifle.

 

still have my Armalite AR10. I admit, as I've climbed into my mid 60s age bracket, that rifle has gotten heavier (grin). While none of the civilian market rifles are "battle rifles" it still remains my go-to should we find ourselves in a serious fight out here in the countryside.
CQB is different story. I'd be grabbing an AR15 carbine
So I'll say that I'm not biased, as I am privileged to have options.
SHTF plan is to stay put out here if at all possible. And it's 225-350 yards from the house to the tree lines of our woods. So my AR10 is scoped and built (and I'm trained at those distances) to defend our home.
If we had to load out and leave, that particular rifle bag is built around an AR15.

 

I went through this thought process a few years ago. I do have an FAL, M1A (older Bush model), and a PTR91, but I wanted an AR in .308. Lots of choices, but I ended up going with a POF Revolution. Yes, it’s a gas piston. Yes, it has a few proprietary parts. Yes, I have spare parts. Yes, many parts are compatible with regular AR15 parts. Yes, the base weight was only 7.3 pounds. Yes, it’s far more accurate than I am with a guaranteed one-MOA. Yes, it’s been 100% reliable; zero issues with several hundred rounds.

It fit my requirements, I know the parts constraints, and with the lightest scope (Leupold 1-6 VX-6HD) and mount (LaRue, although Scalarworks now has a lighter mount), and a lightweight WML, I have the overall empty weight right at 9 pounds. Not a lightweight, but much lighter than any of my other .308 rifles, by far.

Even with the acceptable weight to actually “carry”, ammo weight sucks. It’s more of a patrol option around my immediate AO, not a long-range recce rifle.

7.62x51/.308WIN is still a very viable and effective cartridge and likely will be for decades to come. The .30-06 served for about 65 years (adopted in 1906 and served into the early 1970’s). The 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge was adopted in 1954 and is still serving today…it’s almost been 70’s years. Ironically, countries like Germany and Turkey have issued .308 rifles to Infantrymen (and they’re not DMRs). Finland and Sweden are also looking at developing a new line of NATO caliber weapons, one is an infantryman rifle in 7.62x51mm. Their use in GPMG’s are likely to also continue for more than a few decades and it’s still a pretty accurate cartridge inside 1000 meters; more than accurate enough for the vast majority of combat conditions.



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