.308 or 7.62x39?

[Canucky]

Phew... better turn my carbine into a tomato stake.

[6mmintl]

Get the HOWA mini 1500 in 7.62x39 or the 6.5 grendel(shoot out to 700).

[bohoki]

308 in my opinion is easier to reload for

[Nebbiolo]

I have a CZ 527 youth carbine in X39. Sweet little rig, amazing trigger, regular is about 1lb, +set trigger around 4oz. 20cts/round for steel case gets you 1.5" groups until barrel warms up, then 2-3". Very handy, nice action, some quirks like high rings and "backward" safety, but I got quick detach and have a peep sight for irons. Love it, but not for precision - great for steel.

I also have a milspec 700 5R in 308 which shoots 2/3" with match ammo from 155 through 175gr, from 80cts-$1 per round. Also love it, but only for precision - would be a waste on steel.

I would split the difference and get a cheaper 308 bolt with a 1" reputation or, even better, 1" guarantee. You can shoot cheap 308 for under 50cts at steel, or spend $1/rd and go for groups.