223 or 308

[jaysantosauxiliarypolice]

Hello everyone.
I would like to purchase a hunting rifle. I have my eyes on a Remington 783. I don't want to spend more than $400. I will mainly use it for target practice and of course should SHTF.

Is it true that 308 ammo cost nearly double that of the 223?
Then there's stopping power. I understand 308 is enough to stop a moose so it should be enough for an intruder.

How's the recoil? I have a 12 gauge and shot 00 and slugs and my shoulder survived.

[Drew Eckhardt]

Hello everyone.
I would like to purchase a hunting rifle. I have my eyes on a Remington 783. I don't want to spend more than $400. I will mainly use it for target practice and of course should SHTF.

You want .223 because you'll be mainly using it for target practice, your low budget for the gun suggests you want to spend less on ammunition, and .223 is sufficient for two-legged predators within 150-200 yards.

Arguably the best purchase sequence is .22 LR ($0.06/round, you'll spend more on range fees), .223 (center fire), .308 (center fire with recoil), then more esoteric calibers for long range, specific hunting situations, etc. I'm also fond of my 9mm carbine which is more fun than .22lr and usable at an indoor range minutes from home until 9pm on work nights.

FWIW, .223 is not legal for deer in many states, and guides may not allow it on their hunts because a clean kill is not likely enough. OTOH, you don't need more for varmints like prairie dogs.

Over time you'll spend more on ammunition than guns, and (perhaps quickly) come out ahead financially with more guns some of which cost less to feed.

Is it true that 308 ammo cost nearly double that of the 223?

That's about right for new production brass cased commercial ammunition accurate enough you're the limiting factor, not the ammo.

Moving up to match ammunition pricing overlaps and otherwise the spread isn't that bad although you're spending $0.70 - $1.00 a round.

You can look at ammoseek.com. Federal American Eagle is the least expensive I'd want to shoot from an other than standing position at $0.30 for 55 gr FMJ .223 AE223 and $0.60 for 149gr FMJ XM80 .308. Your standards may vary.

Then there's stopping power. I understand 308 is enough to stop a moose so it should be enough for an intruder.

Some .223 makes bigger wounds than some .308.

The spin rate required for stabilization increases with density, and rifles don't have enough to keep bullets stable in flesh. Entering soft tissue bullets' center of mass rotates forwards. With less cross-sectional area and therefore strength .223 bullets are more likely to fragment yawing through 90 degrees which makes a big mess. M193 and M855 FMJ 5.56x45mm do this. Bimetal jacketed M80 FMJ 7.62x51mm from Germany and Austria do too. Copper jacketed American M80 FMJ 7.62x51 does not.

How's the recoil? I have a 12 gauge and shot 00 and slugs and my shoulder survived.

.308 is fine.

[North86]

Welcome new guy.

Check your local laws on hunting. Some states (since you don't say where you are or where you will be hunting) have caliber restrictions on what you can use for what type of game. 223 may be too small in some states for deer or larger. 308 is going to handle just about anything in the lower 48.

Check your local laws.

As for the 783, I have read mixed reviews about them. I do not own one, nor have ever shot one, so do your research. Savage Axis is similarly priced, and I am happy with mine. Again, do your research.

Good luck.

[Bull Elk]

First, avoid buying the 783. You'll regret having done so almost immediately. If $400 is around your budget, consider a Mossberg Patriot, Marlin XL7 or spend around $100 more and buy a Weatherby S2 Vanguard.
The .308 will give you many more hunting options compared to a .223. Cost of ammo is relative. Generally, .308 ammo is some of the cheapest around. If you are shooting a 12 gauge, your shoulder will hold up fine shooting a .308. Lastly, your 12 gauge is what you should be using as personal home protection, not a .308 or .223. May I suggest that you spend some time researching the questions you are asking. You might find out that neither the .223 or .308 is optimum for what you want to accomplish. Good luck!

[lewdogg21]

Hunter here... go with the 308 since you stated its "for hunting". Bull Elk has some good advice.

[jaysantosauxiliarypolice]

Thanks guys.
Actually when I said hunting rifle, I don't mean that I will be hunting animals. As long as meat is available in stores lol.

The only hunting I will be doing is paper targets at the Angeles Shooting Range. I live in the San Fernando Valley area.

I wanted something that I can have fun shooting and honing distance shooting skills. I understand pistols and shotgun should be enough for defensive uses in my home. I wanted something for defense should the need be there outside the home. I have a huuuuge yard. Front, sides and back.

[ChuckDizzle]

With your further clarification I say .223. Cheaper guns, cheaper ammo.

My vote would be to wait an extra month and save up for the amazingly good CZ 527 in .223. Accurate, heirloom quality, detachable magazines, iron sights.

As far as taking game goes .223 is a very capable within the distance limits of the cartridge.

[waveslayer]

Hello everyone.
I would like to purchase a hunting rifle. I have my eyes on a Remington 783. I don't want to spend more than $400. I will mainly use it for target practice and of course should SHTF.

Is it true that 308 ammo cost nearly double that of the 223?
Then there's stopping power. I understand 308 is enough to stop a moose so it should be enough for an intruder.

How's the recoil? I have a 12 gauge and shot 00 and slugs and my shoulder survived.

What are you hunting? Go Tikka T3 light for that budget. And I would go .308 for hunting. In Europe or private ranches you can use .223. You're trying to use a Toyota Tacoma in a street race. Especially on a really low budget.

If you you want both to use in both worlds , then go .308 or even 6.5 Grendel

My wife thinks I only have 3 guns

[kendog4570]

Whatever you get, just keep it available for when our officers come in to "take a look around" at your place.
Just trying to save lives here.

[TMB 1]

Thanks guys.
Actually when I said hunting rifle, I don't mean that I will be hunting animals. As long as meat is available in stores lol.

The only hunting I will be doing is paper targets at the Angeles Shooting Range. I live in the San Fernando Valley area.

I wanted something that I can have fun shooting and honing distance shooting skills. I understand pistols and shotgun should be enough for defensive uses in my home. I wanted something for defense should the need be there outside the home. I have a huuuuge yard. Front, sides and back.

783 is a very good rifle, but for what you want it sounds like a Mossberg MVP or AR-15 would be better.

[milotrain]

^ This.

If you actually want to improve you need an avenue to monitor your improvement. That means shooting in some sort of discipline that allows you to keep a record of how you are doing. Both the MVP and the AR-15 allow you to shoot in most rifle disciplines in your area although the AR more so.

I'm biased towards the AR for improving rifle marksmanship, you can get a lot of rifle for a decent budget.

[Xanthippus]

My vote would be to wait an extra month and save up for the amazingly good CZ 527 in .223. Accurate, heirloom quality, detachable magazines, iron sights.

This. +1

[Divernhunter]

For what you describe and price get a 223 in a Ruger American
The mosberg/savage/vanguard are all better than that Rem

[jaysantosauxiliarypolice]

I like the idea about the AR15 but ffs I don't want a rifle I can't get my thumbs around to properly grip. I feel like I'd drop the rifle if I sneeze.

I would love a semi auto but they're expensive as hell. Rugers are about $850 and the Springfield M1 is about $1,500. Well beyond my range.

[someoneeasy]

Thanks guys.
Actually when I said hunting rifle, I don't mean that I will be hunting animals. As long as meat is available in stores lol.

The only hunting I will be doing is paper targets at the Angeles Shooting Range. I live in the San Fernando Valley area.

I wanted something that I can have fun shooting and honing distance shooting skills. I understand pistols and shotgun should be enough for defensive uses in my home. I wanted something for defense should the need be there outside the home. I have a huuuuge yard. Front, sides and back.

If hunting card stock or anything thicker, go with the 308, everything else, the 223 will do just fine.