Any practical reason to have a .308/7.62 X 51?

[r8rs4lf]

Key word in this thread is PRACTICAL!

Right off the bat let me say I don't hunt. I don't care about proprietary mags. I don't want to build one. I'm looking for featureless and don't plan on adding a sh*t ton of aftermarket mods. If it doesn't make the rifle run better, then I'm not interested. I'm more concerned about weight, stacking mags and ammo. One other thing I'm concerned about, is taking a rifle chambered in .308/7.62 to a range near me. I'm not so sure any indoor range will allow this so how do I train besides taking a ride to an outdoor range where I already know, it won't be many trips which also makes this rifle a safe queen. Practical???

I've been waiting for the 2nd gen SCAR 17S in grey to make it's way to California......

I know there are other rifles out there similar (caliber/price) to the 17s. One in particular that I have been tossing around in my head is the A4 HK MR762 since I have seen a few make their way out here. Both are close in weight. I just don't find it to be as sexy as the SCAR. Honestly, it looks like most other AR's IMO. That does not really matter when the SHTF right? Practicality.......

While waiting for this I also wonder if it's a practical purchase. I'm not one of those guys that buys firearms just because they are new on the roster and fill up my safe. I have a few pistols and only want to maybe purchase a 2011 in the future. I'd rather be proficient in what I have then have a lot of different firearms in different calibers.

That brings me to the .308/7.62 platform. I do not have a rifle chambered in this or anything besides my 223/556.

I would like to hear your thoughts.... Do you feel like a rifle chambered in .308/7.62 would be a practical purchase living in the city in good 'ol California with my concerns above? Should I just focus on the 223/556 platform?

 

[Funjeff]

Nah, money pit.

 

[Plenty_Pack_556]

Do you have a range that allows you to fire 556? If so, that range most likely will allow 308.

What do you want for 308? Bolt or AR? Either or can have prop. mags, or will have mags that work and just don't work.

If you're concerned with weight, stick to your peashooters. You either want a battle rifle or plinkers. If you're worried about weight, man up or keep shooting them peashooters.

SCAR? Good luck, no longer produced.

It's a rifle with a higher caliber than AR15. You either want one or you don't. If you don't want to stack ammo for a gun, why you buying those specific guns? Just rent it. Unless you are a collector, but judging from this post, you are not a collector.

 

[r8rs4lf]

Do you have a range that allows you to fire 556? If so, that range most likely will allow 308.

Yes there is an indoor range that allows 556. I have not asked about .308

What do you want for 308? Bolt or AR? Either or can have prop. mags, or will have mags that work and just don't work.

AR

Reason why I brought up proprietary is because from what I understand HK only uses HK mags. I've read about the SCAR using other mags, but have not confirmed myself.

If you're concerned with weight, stick to your peashooters. You either want a battle rifle or plinkers. If you're worried about weight, man up or keep shooting them peashooters.

What I meant about weight was different rifle weights chambered in .308 like the HK VS. SCAR. Last time I looked the SCAR was a bit lighter.

SCAR? Good luck, no longer produced.

HUH??? The SCAR 2nd generation (with many upgrades) made it's debut at SHOT show last year or year before last. Care to elaborate on that?

It's a rifle with a higher caliber than AR15. You either want one or you don't. If you don't want to stack ammo for a gun, why you buying those specific guns? Just rent it. Unless you are a collector, but judging from this post, you are not a collector.

If I didn't want one I would not be waiting on the SCAR? Did you even read my post?

Don't want to stack ammo for a gun? Again, HUH??? I said that in my post. As a matter of fact I have already started purchasing .308 ammo.

You are right, I am not a collector although my stainless Sigs are nice. I'll say it again, the key word in my post is PRACTICAL. Say it with me....

 

[bryanwm18]

I'm not at all familiar with the platform so can't help you there. In terms of getting your hands on a rifle that is hard to find, especially to make CA compliant, I think @WBT Guns is the way to go. I've used them since I'm in San Diego which is where their shop is. I've seen on other threads though that they do a good job of shipping to other FFLs. Looks like they have a link on their site but currently out of stock. I'd reach out to them directly. It may take a little while since they'd have to procure it and then make it XA compliant, but they should be able to help you.

FN SCAR 17S (.308/7.62x51) BLK | WBT Guns https://share.google/hwFW9BlZ9bqI5bfiF

 

[Sloat]

Short answer for your apparent uses: no.

If you're shooting at indoor distances, there's no reason to have a 308. 308 is better for longer ranges than 556 (or if you need more power than 556 at shorter ranges, but since you're not hunting, that's out). 6.5 creedmoor is even better, but at significant cost increase to 308.

 

[mrbieler]

No. Not for you.

 

[ShootFirstFirster]

Tikka t3x arctic. Most practical 308. Can practice good irons marksmanship, hunt, can red dot or scope. If you want the most affordable go new ruger scout.

I think for semi auto here in CA stick with 556.
Go lever or bolt for 308

 

[r8rs4lf]

I'm not at all familiar with the platform so can't help you there. In terms of getting your hands on a rifle that is hard to find, especially to make CA compliant, I think @WBT Guns is the way to go. I've used them since I'm in San Diego which is where their shop is. I've seen on other threads though that they do a good job of shipping to other FFLs. Looks like they have a link on their site but currently out of stock. I'd reach out to them directly. It may take a little while since they'd have to procure it and then make it XA compliant, but they should be able to help you.

FN SCAR 17S (.308/7.62x51) BLK | WBT Guns https://share.google/hwFW9BlZ9bqI5bfiF

I've actually made the trip down to San Diego and spoke with them, really cool guys BTW. When I ran the HK VS. SCAR subject across to them, they actually told me to wait for the SCAR because that's what I really want. I believe he said "if that's what you want then wait for it." I have no problem waiting for it, my thing ATM is practicality.

A previous poster said it's a money pit. I can totally see that with the price of ammo, scope, propietary mags, etc. After all that it becomes an issue of will I ever train or use this thing which can be said about any firearm, but with the range these rifles can shoot, is it practical living in a big city. There's always the saying of " It's better to have and not need than to need and not have!"

 

[jayson_b24]

FWIW: this isn't a .50 BMG, not even close. Most ranges should allow it, unless they have a strict .22 caliber limit.

Honestly, what's your use case? Is this a range toy, an EOTWAWKI wastelander waster, or just to feel something again when you go shooting?

Any way you slice it, I'm always in favor of adding to the repertoire. It will reach out and touch where 5.56 can't. It's a NATO round, so it's plentiful. There's a myriad of bolt or SA options. Maybe start with an inexpensive platform, like a Savage Axis, to see if you even like the round. If you do, upgrade; if you don't, sell and you're not out a ton of money.

 

[RustVendor]

FWIW: this isn't a .50 BMG, not even close. Most ranges should allow it, unless they have a strict .22 caliber limit.

Honestly, what's your use case? Is this a range toy, an EOTWAWKI wastelander waster, or just to feel something again when you go shooting?

Any way you slice it, I'm always in favor of adding to the repertoire. It will reach out and touch where 5.56 can't. It's a NATO round, so it's plentiful. There's a myriad of bolt or SA options. Maybe start with an inexpensive platform, like a Savage Axis, to see if you even like the round. If you do, upgrade; if you don't, sell and you're not out a ton of money.

interestingly 6.5 creedmoor ammo sells more now and you can get S&B ammo for about the same price as mil surp 7.62 nato and it's a lot better ammo. 762 is pretty obsolete now, would much rather run one of the ARCs in a small frame AR or 6.5 cm in a large frame. None of that is practical if you aren't shooting over 500 yards though, I'm fairly certain OP is simply trying to justify a rifle that he thinks is cool. But it's definitely not practical to get a 5k rifle that you won't ever shoot past 25 yards indoors and honestly 556 is bad enough indoors, 308 will absolutely rock you from concussion and piss off everyone next to you. There is zero practical reason to get this rifle or anything besides 556 if you aren't shooting outdoors long range.

 

[r8rs4lf]

FWIW: this isn't a .50 BMG, not even close. Most ranges should allow it, unless they have a strict .22 caliber limit.

Honestly, what's your use case? Is this a range toy, an EOTWAWKI wastelander waster, or just to feel something again when you go shooting?

Any way you slice it, I'm always in favor of adding to the repertoire. It will reach out and touch where 5.56 can't. It's a NATO round, so it's plentiful. There's a myriad of bolt or SA options. Maybe start with an inexpensive platform, like a Savage Axis, to see if you even like the round. If you do, upgrade; if you don't, sell and you're not out a ton of money.

Use case? SHTF situations mainly. Keeping would be perps at bay to protect me and mine. Hearing a .308 round ricochet close to your ear would definitely make you re-think. I also don't have anything in this platform and I don't foresee myself ever purchasing anything bigger than this so to fill a gap as well.

 

[bonesurf]

308 indoors? Naw. No reason. I love my 308 blasters. BUT I shoot em at outdoor ranges and various distances and I reload my 308. Indoor? 25 yds? Naw.

 

[r8rs4lf]

Short answer for your apparent uses: no.

If you're shooting at indoor distances, there's no reason to have a 308. 308 is better for longer ranges than 556 (or if you need more power than 556 at shorter ranges, but since you're not hunting, that's out). 6.5 creedmoor is even better, but at significant cost increase to 308.

I'm not saying that I won't train/practice at longer distances, I'm just going off of daily reality of not being able to make it out to outdoor long distance ranges more than I would like because of life. I'm just using indoor ranges because that is what I have readily available local to me.

For instance, when I purchase a scope or something to use at long range, I would have to zero it in so I would make the trip to an outdoor range. I'm just saying that I would more than likely make an indoor range trip (20 minutes away) than an outdoor range that may be over an hour+ away.

I would also say that once I got the rifle dialed in, the outdoor range trips would lessen.

 

[ButteFlyFisher]

Bolt 308 better for long range. Red dot AR15 better for SHTF. Buy whatever you like but don’t try to say it’s for practical purposes.

 

[Plenty_Pack_556]

piss off everyone next to you.

I shoot rifles with muzzle brakes indoors specifically to piss everyone off (I have severe tinnitus and some hearing loss already, it don't affect me none). They better be voting correctly in CA if they want to hear quiet at an indoor range.

 

[r8rs4lf]

interestingly 6.5 creedmoor ammo sells more now and you can get S&B ammo for about the same price as mil surp 7.62 nato and it's a lot better ammo. 762 is pretty obsolete now, would much rather run one of the ARCs in a small frame AR or 6.5 cm in a large frame. None of that is practical if you aren't shooting over 500 yards though, I'm fairly certain OP is simply trying to justify a rifle that he thinks is cool. But it's definitely not practical to get a 5k rifle that you won't ever shoot past 25 yards indoors and honestly 556 is bad enough indoors, 308 will absolutely rock you from concussion and piss off everyone next to you. There is zero practical reason to get this rifle or anything besides 556 if you aren't shooting outdoors long range.

I appreciate your take! I do think both rifles are cool.

What you say makes a lot of sense.

Let's forget the range for a second, would you say that owning the rifle in question is not practical for someone that lives in a city? 556 should suffice?

 

[RustVendor]

I appreciate your take! I do think both rifles are cool.

What you say makes a lot of sense.

Let's forget the range for a second, would you say that owning the rifle in question is not practical for someone that lives in a city? 556 should suffice?

Yes 556 is good to at least 500 yards, is lighter, rifle has more capacity, is more available, is cheaper, has less over penetration, less concussion and is available in a lot of different weights. I would get some 77 grain ammo and go to an outdoor range and see what you can do.

 

[skb720]

Don't do it. If you shoot mostly indoors and looking for your next fancy toy, ask a gunsmith to put together a really nice .22lr rimfire competition rifle for you.

 

[gunsgunsguns]

Use case? SHTF situations mainly. Keeping would be perps at bay to protect me and mine. Hearing a .308 round ricochet close to your ear would definitely make you re-think. I also don't have anything in this platform and I don't foresee myself ever purchasing anything bigger than this so to fill a gap as well.

So you think you need a battle rifle for SHTF, but you live in the city? Dude. LARP of all LARPs.