Do I need a 308 Winchester rifle?

Kevin_L · August 13

I sold one a while back. It wasn't my favorite.

But now I keep thinking "maybe I want a 308 again" and "maybe a 308 would be good for the zombie apocalypse".

And then I wonder: AR-10 or hunting rifle?

I assume one or two of you have an opinion on the matter? Well….let's hear it then…..

dcon12 · August 13

I don't. Don

Kevin_L · August 13

https://forums.gunbroker.com/discussion/comment/11447942#Comment_11447942

Then I'll get you something else for your birthday.

bambihunter · August 13

Depends what you have already and what you do (hunt, target, defense, etc). Recoil sensitivity also plays into it. Though I have a Remington 700 Titanium in the caliber, I personally am not a big fan of the round. There are simply better cartridges for its intended role nowadays.

Ditch-Runner · August 13

Sure why not if you want one go for it

I have a m1a that weighs a ton i bought years ago off GB because i wanted one since i was a kid then about eight years ago I put together an ar10 because it would be lighter, gun nuts can justifie about any gun I talked my self into it at the time it semed like a Good idea

But I have not shot either one for years .

But they filled that imaginary need

BobJudy · August 13

I've had a Winchester Featherweight 308 sitting in it's box ever since Winchester (FN) made the announcement they were closing up shop in New Haven. I always wanted a featherweight, so I figured I better grab one before they disappeared. For some reason I have never been enamoured by the .308, so there it still sets. I've owned, or still own several .30 calibers like the venerable 30/30, 300 savage, 300 mag and so on, so I guess I already had that caliber covered and can't work up a desire to start loading for another .30 cal. To each his own though and if you want one, buy one. It is a good cartridge and should be potent Zombie medicine. Bob

jimdeere · August 13

Be different. Get a 308 Norma magnum.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1053753749

Rocky Raab · August 13

For the two-gun person, a .308 is the "big" one to choose. (The other one is a .223)

I have never owned anything larger than a .308 and never felt undergunned. Critics can argue "better" all they want; if you hit something in the right place with a .308, it is DRT.

scooterdriver · August 13

Yes. Ammo is widely available and generally affordable. Get the AR and (if allowed) use it for hunting game as well as zombies. Just be prepared for it to spend a lot of time in the safe*.

*I know this because I ~~have~~ had (boating accident) an AR-10 and a Winchester Model 88. The AR rarely sees daylight…but I still like having it around.

wolfpack · August 13

Great all purpose round in a short action. Everyone needs one. Get it.

dunbarboyz · August 13

308 wouldn't be my choice to shoot 100 rounds in an afternoon. Some have masochistic tendency's.

Butchdog3 · August 13

And you have to ask this crowd. By all means you need .308 Winchester.

AR-10 is a tad heavy. I am sure the colander would offset the extra weight.

William81 · August 13

I purchased a .308 rifle just before I moved to MO from Illinois. I had a good deal of experience shooting the .308 in various platforms and was comfortable with the recoil and liked the accuracy out to 400 yards. Hunting with it in MO has certainly been a great change from slug hunting in Illinois.

I have yet to experience any real issues with the .308 not doing the job on Whitetail here in MO. The only failure was a bad hit and that was all me….

Life is short Kevin… If you want one, get one !

NeoBlackdog · August 13

Seriously? You're asking us if you need another gun/caliber? Time to rinse the pasta out of your collander and get busy on the auction side! Here, let's get you started…

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1061350887

You're gonna need a new scope too…

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1060948203

Kevin_L · August 13

https://forums.gunbroker.com/discussion/comment/11447969#Comment_11447969

That would indeed be a nice setup!

Let the bidding war begin!!!!

drobs · August 13

I picked up a Ruger SFAR 16 inch 308 AR10. It's pretty light at 6.8lbs.

It seems to prefer modern soft point 308 vs surplus ammo. I did find it likes South African though.

I need to get some sort of scope or LPVO on it.

montanajoe · August 13

Go Kevin go.

308, good.

He Dog · August 13

Sold mine too. I don't need another. Maybe just pizza for my birthday. Thanks. I went to 6.5 × 55 and 6.5 Grendel for hunting.

Locust Fork · August 14

Why don't you have three already is my question??? 🙂

jimdeere · August 14

My one and only AR 10 is DPMS with a Vortex 4x12 scope. Fun to bang steel targets. I bought a 5 round magazine because the 15 rounder makes it difficult to hold on the sand bags.

Gunnut358 · August 14

https://forums.gunbroker.com/discussion/comment/11447992#Comment_11447992

See, now this is the proper attitude towards such issues. Remember, two is one, and one is none.

Kevin_L · August 14

https://forums.gunbroker.com/discussion/comment/11447974#Comment_11447974

That's a nice one. Would you recommend it?

pulsarnc · August 14

Savage model 99 in 308 ,nuff said

montanajoe · August 14

308,308,hoooooh

NeoBlackdog · August 14

https://forums.gunbroker.com/discussion/comment/11447971#Comment_11447971

Go get 'em, Tiger!

montanajoe · August 14

Get a 308 in 10mm,,

bigcitybill · August 14

Not only do you need a .308, you need THIS .308:

https://www.gunwerks.com/shop/skunkwerks-the-accountant-rifle-system-24596#attr=5954

elubsme · August 14

Bought a used 77 Ruger from Houser Brothers in Montoursville, Pa. back in '71. Best decision I ever made - well, one of 'em ennyway, my wife may read this!

drobs · August 14

https://forums.gunbroker.com/discussion/comment/11447998#Comment_11447998

I would conditionally recommend it. This is my 1st AR10 and I like the weight. There is a 41 page thread on AR15.com on this rifle. Most complain that the forearm is too tight on the barrel / gas regulator. Being so tight it doesn't account for barrel whip - meaning accuracy is affected. You might jump to the last 10 pages to read more.

https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/New-Ruger-SFAR-Small-Frame-Autoloading-rifle-/121-775813/

While I like accurate guns, I'm so far happy with the battle rifle accuracy of this gun.

Reliability wise - it's great with anything soft point and modern. It doesn't like / wont feed some of my Surplus 7.62x51 - German Dag, that my M1A feeds just fine.

I have the 16 inch and it's LOUD. The 20 inch might be a little less loud but is heavier.

These are just sight in targets using 3 shot groups at 25yds from a sandbag. Once the 2 or 3 shot group was in the bullseye I stopped making adjustments.

Magpul flip up irons:

Aimpoint ACO Red Dot - note the low shots are where it started. Cranking the windage and elevation on the red dot brought the shots up and into the bullseye.

I need to spend some time at 100yds and greater to see how it does on paper.

Side note $899 is the going rate. You should shoot for that price or less if looking for one on the auction side.
https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/ruger%20sfar

Mobuck · August 14

That's a nice one. Would you recommend it? (Ruger SFAR)

I like Rugers but the SFAR is generally problematic. I suppose I'd take one if it was free but certainly wouldn't buy one. Just my opinion BTW.

The 'big frame' AR's are heavy and a bit clumsy for general use. IMHO

Should you own a .308? Yes, owning a rifle in such a popular caliber is a no brainer.

Kevin_L · August 14

Should you own a .308? Yes, owning a rifle in such a popular caliber is a no brainer.

And that's one of the motivating factors: ammo availability. I like the idea of a 243 or 270 or even a 6.5 Creedmoor but those rounds are much less popular and the components much more expensive than the 308.