.308 or 7.62x39?

[jmpgnr24k]

You should have at least 3-4 rifles in each of those calibers.

^^^you are bingo.

To answer your question, 7.62X39

[Rorge Retson]

7.62 x 39 does not make sense for a bolt action rifle.

You (obviously) have not shot the CZ 527.

[Rorge Retson]

Do you want a big group or a little group?

7.62 ball ammo is not going to get you good groups. Decent ammo might get you 3-4 MOA; that's 3-4" group at 100 yards, 6-8" group at 200 yards...

308 ball ammo will make much smaller groups, but is still not accurate ammo. Match ammo can get a good shoot well below MOA. A 1" group with good 308 ammo is doable at 200 yards...

Remember, part of it is the rifle. But part of it is the ammo. You can feed a good rifle junky ammo, and never get a good group...

A 308 is gonna thrash your shoulder and cost more than shooting x39 ($.25/rd for x39, $.40-$.50 for x51). Some of the accuracy issues have to do with the rifle you are shooting it out of, and are not inherent to the ammo itself.

Even with a Limb-Saver I don't want to shoot my M1A very much... no way I would want a 308 bolt gun. However, I can shoot my AK all day with no issues whatsoever. And the CZ in x39 is just downright fun.

[C.G.]

You (obviously) have not shot the CZ 527.

No, I haven't but shot plenty of semi-autos in 7.61 x 39. But then again, .308 does not hurt my shoulder so I don't need to go to 7.61 x 39.

[MASTERLAB]

for 200 yards max I would say 7.62x39. Much softer shooting, very fun, much less expensive. Shooting my buddies Saiga was a blast, very pleasant. I am sure that a bolt action will be similarly pleasant.

I standardized on 308 for all my rifles, they all shoot the same ammo. While I wouldn't change my decision for my purposes, I will say that occasionally my 308 rifles can feel a bit harsh, especially my Vepr, and I shoot out to 700 yards when I take out my rifles.

Alternatively for something different and fun in a bigger caliber you could get a Mosin Nagant in 7.62x54R. There will be more recoil but its bigger than both and inexpensive.

[Rorge Retson]

You (obviously) have not shot the CZ 527.

No.

There, FTFY.

[C.G.]

There, FTFY.

Everybody likes things a little different.

[Maulerrr]

I vote 7.62x39

Diversity your gun collection and put a communist bastard AK or SKS in your safe

[jarhead714]

7.62 x 39 does not make sense for a bolt action rifle.

[Squidward]

Those who shoot from a bench are typically looking for accuracy. Depending upon your skillset, .308 will get you better accuracy more easily at distance.

[audiophil2]

For 200 yard paper punching I can think of a few more entertaining choices.

.22lr subsonic out of a bolt gun. A nice CZ or Savage will get you out to 200 easily and it will feel like you are shooting out to 600-800 depending on wind. At 5c a round you cannot get much cheaper.

9mm carbine. I shoot my 9mm carbines out to 150 yards with a red dot off hand. Not easy but will ring 10" plates. From a bench I have no problem lobbing them out too 200-300 yards. As little as 18cpr factory.

Stick with 5.56/223. SO much nicer to shoot and will be good to 600 yards. 200 is easy.

I like 7.62x39 as a defensive urban round. It will work out to 200 yards but not really intended for tight groups. My first long range gun was an SLR-95 that I used to shoot out to 200 yards and it was fun with iron sights.

.308 is just not something I want to bother with in a long range gun. It is expensive for a 200 yard paper shooter and recoil pushed into the annoying but tolerable level of shooting. It is why I have no rifles in 308 even though I have considered an AR10 a few times. I just cannot see the need for one even on my 10 acre range. If I want to lay down lead I run 308 beltfeds.

Just my opinion. Some would argue I am recoil sensitive but I just want to enjoy shooting as much as possible without getting bumped around.

My main point is if you buy something that is way too easy to shoot you will get bored. 308 at 200 yards is not only expensive but way too much. I don;t shoot my 6.5cm below 500 yards and it is mostly shot at 900+. At 200 I am only using a magnified scope on my 22lr and everything else is just red dots or irons. Now if you go x39 or 308 with irons only that could be fun. I shoot my 556 AR out to 150 with irons and it gets difficult.

[TMB 1]

[WHH]

It's a notoriously ineffective round that hasn't killed very many people in combat.

[Maulerrr]

It's a notoriously ineffective round that hasn't killed very many people in combat.

Yeah and you can't even hit the broad side of a barn with it anyway. Plus the bullet is so heavy which makes it lose so much velocity, you have to aim higher than the target so that the bullet falls into it.

Damn commies

[WHH]

Yeah and you can't even hit the broad side of a barn with it anyway. Plus the bullet is so heavy which makes it lose so much velocity, you have to aim higher than the target so that the bullet falls into it.

Damn commies

It also has a terrible case that would never be used as the basis of several highly accurate rifle chamberings.