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Help a Newbie Decide - AR10s and variants of them

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14 years 5 months ago #7813 by techfan
Help a Newbie Decide - AR10s and variants of them was created by techfan
I have returned to shooting after a long absence and am considering a 7.63/308 for 150+ yd target shooting and possibly feral hog hunting (research on the latter commends the 308). With crummy eyesight, target acquisition/re-acquisition is an issue, so semi-auto over bolt action is my direction. I had been looking at Remington 750 and Benelli in 308, but saw a review of the FAR-308 Titan and began thinking of the AR10 and its variants as a possibility. Nothing radically 'tactical', but capable of mounting a scope and as smooth as possible on felt recoil (old skinny geezers bruise easy). I realize this is largely Armalite country, I truly welcome experienced advice. Living in the mid-south, many of the restrictive legal issues that apply in 'peoples republic states' don't apply.

Your thoughts, please.

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14 years 5 months ago #7815 by Willmore
Replied by Willmore on topic Re: Help a Newbie Decide - AR10s and variants of them
I just purchased an AR-10 in .260 Remington. I had a hard time deciding on .308 or other. I did alot of research and came to the conclusion that the .260 would be the best fit for me. You can hunt,target shoot,etc with it and with less recoil then .308. The downside is that (unless you reload) ammo is more expensive. This doesn't really bother me but its something to think about. Just my 2 cents worth. Even if you want to shoot longer distances you can with .260
Its basically a .308 case necked down to .264 for the bullet. Its supposed to be flatter shooting then .308, more energy and velocity down range as well. Not sure of that as I have never measured myself, but everything I have read points in that direction. Hope this helps and welcome to the sight!!

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14 years 5 months ago - 14 years 5 months ago #7816 by LebbenB
Replied by LebbenB on topic Re: Help a Newbie Decide - AR10s and variants of them
You'll find the recoil on a .308 AR to be substantially less than that of a bolt gun. However it'll still give you a thump in the shoulder. A work around is to use lighter 110-130 gr loads, which will reduce the perceived recoil even further.

.260 is a good choice for an all-round gun, it's sort of the poor man's 6.8 SPC. Though as Wilmore said, the ammo will be a bit more pricey than .308.

Given that you're looking to shoot out to 150-200 yds, DPMS makes an AR chambered in .243 which would still give good terminal performance within your stated range. Ammo for it is pretty common, too.

Another option is .223, which has negligible recoil. Ammo for it is abundant to say the least. And there are loads offered for every objective - 40-55 gr for small varmints, 55-62 gr for plinking and target shooting, 64-77 gr for precision shooting and larger varmints (.223 is good for hogs here in Texhoma, but I realize they get a little bigger back east.) And the amount of accessories, optics and mounts for a .223/5.56 AR are mind-boggling.

Hope that helps, and welcome to the site.

Leb

Edited to add: Just read your bio. If the Tech you are a fan of is Virginia Tech, please disregard all of my comments. Never give a Hokie an even break, I say. ;)
Last edit: 14 years 5 months ago by LebbenB.

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14 years 5 months ago #7817 by edritchey
Replied by edritchey on topic Re: Help a Newbie Decide - AR10s and variants of them

LebbenB wrote: Leb

Edited to add: Just read your bio. If the Tech you are a fan of is Virginia Tech, please disregard all of my comments. Never give a Hokie an even break, I say. ;)



:laugh:

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14 years 5 months ago #7818 by techfan
Replied by techfan on topic Re: Help a Newbie Decide - AR10s and variants of them
:laugh: We Yellow Jackets need all we can get. Many thanks

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14 years 5 months ago #7823 by LebbenB
Replied by LebbenB on topic Re: Help a Newbie Decide - AR10s and variants of them
My guess was based on your stated location, E TN. Georgia Tech is a fine, fine institution of higher learning. One the state of Georgia can rightfully be proud of. Many apologies for associating you with the "college" of Virginia Tech. Though come football and basketball seasons we'll have somethings to discuss. As you can probably tell by my anti-Va Tech bias, I'm a graduate of the University of Virginia.

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14 years 5 months ago #7826 by Edge
Replied by Edge on topic Re: Help a Newbie Decide - AR10s and variants of them
techfan,

Have you ever shot an AR style rifle before?

Also, approximately how old are you?

The reason I ask these questions is that I have found that people who have grown up shooting bolt guns all their life, sometimes hate the "sproing" sound that an AR type rifle makes. There's also a difference in "driving" an AR type rifle, compared to a bolt gun.

If this doesn't bother you, then there's tons of great options out there from the big companies down to the small custom outfits. Heck, you could even build up your own, which is very fun and easy to do.

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14 years 5 months ago #7827 by techfan
Replied by techfan on topic Re: Help a Newbie Decide - AR10s and variants of them
Have not fired an AR style as such; with the exception of a bolt action 22mag rifle, everything I have it semi-auto. Two M1 carbines, one Beretta CX4 and a 10/22 are what I'm used to - good punch but light felt recoil.

Age is four score and eight; looking at 308 (vice 260, stc) primarily for knock down power should feral hog hunting become viable. That appears to be the recommended caliber.

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14 years 5 months ago #7829 by 39-Ret
Replied by 39-Ret on topic Re: Help a Newbie Decide - AR10s and variants of them
Hello, I'm a bit older than you, years ago I was injured at work and when I would fire 1 round from a 38spl pistol I would get severe headaches. I lived with until after I retired. Then I found out that I had a bulging disc, Had surgery and now I am back into shooting again. I still can't handle the recoil of a 308 bolt action without developing headaches. However I can fire the AR10T all day long with a headache or any pain or bruising to to my shoulder. If want the 308 I don't think you would have any trouble shooting it.. I love mine.

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14 years 5 months ago #7831 by techfan
Replied by techfan on topic Re: Help a Newbie Decide - AR10s and variants of them
:huh: I just realized I was thinking of the Gettysburg address: make that three score and eight. Feels younger already

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