Ar or AK in .308 Win

[CexMashean]

What would the pros/cons be of getting one with a 16-18 inch barrel, and in .308 in either the AR or AK type build, as opposed to getting the more common 5.56 and 7.62x39?

[motoman]

You're talking 2 completely different rifles here. What's the purpose of the rifle or what will you be using it for?

I can tell you a con of the AR10 platform, they're expensive as fuck.

[CexMashean]

To be honest, the purpose is just to have. I won't be doing any hunting, and I'd grab a shotgun or pistol for home defense. Basically, just for range shooting every now and then. and to keep in the closet.

[motoman]

It's going to come down to how much you want to spend. You can build/buy both a basic AR15 (.223/5.56) or an AK47 (7.x62x39) for less than $700.

An AR10 (.308) will cost double the price of an AR15 if not more. If you really want an AK in .308, you're going to be looking for a Saiga or VEPR rifle, some have been converted to pistol grips, others will be a sporter style rifle stock or thumbhole stock.

.223/5.56 and 7.62x39 is much cheaper than .308/7.62x51.

You won't see much of a difference in a 16" barrel and 18" shooting at ranges around here.

[Probie]

.308 sucks, you have no reason to have it. Why buy something that will just explode.


/Magnus

[YALE]

I like my PTR-91 quite a bit. It costs more up front, but they run FOREVER, and mags are dirt ass cheap.

[Probie]

Because .308

[phaux]

Get a ptr-91, centerfire has them on sale for $899 which is a great deal. As others have said, basicly it comes down to what you want to spend:
Deep pockets- Ar10
Not wanting to spend as much- Cetme, ak, or ptr

[Nash B.]

Have you considered an FAL?

[CexMashean]

I have not.

I'd love to look up some of the names and brands listed, but 'ol work has so much blocked. Stupid hospital.

[Venix]

AK should be left in the regular sizes so that you can shoot cheap rounds. AR is expensive. Go with a PTR or FAL. Then you have a cool toy that looks like a G3 or FAL which is awesome.

[CJ]

The .308 AK's are going to be a VEPR or a Saiga. Mags are somewhat pricey, and there are not that many manufacturers, some of the mags work, some of them don't, it's pretty spotty. Don't expect to be able to suppress one, the barrel is too thin. As for accuracy the VEPR's are more expensive, but they are a little more accurate. The major problem you'll run into is they have to be converted if you want them to not look like a browning semi auto hunting rifle. That is expensive and takes a little bit of ambition.

In terms of accuracy in .308 battle rifle:

1. SCAR 17 - probably one of the most accurate battle rifles. They have a surprisingly light recoil, and they are lightweight. However they are expensive as shit.
2. AR-10 - Price is getting reasonable - expect to start around $1,000 for a bare bones. Look into an LR308 for AR15 parts interchangeability - cheap parts.
3. M1A - Second most expensive - they are very accurate guns, but they are heavy and parts are expensive.
4. CETME/HK91 - CETME's are cheap but the problem is most are built by Century and they are shit, they ruin brass so don't plan on reloading, and don't suppress well. PTR's are great guns. The avantages to HK91 platform are cheap mags, magpul makes a nice stock for them, and there are surplus parts to find, extremely reliable, and overall a cheap to service. Attaching optics to a CETME is going to be extremely difficult. CETME barrels are usually 40% or worse in terms of life. PTR uses milspec receivers with sharp rails so the STANAG claw mounts do work. Overall optics and the HK91 platform don't mix well.
5. Saiga/VEPR AK - Good reliable rifles out of the box. Saiga's require conversion, overall the price point makes them questionable when compared to other rifles. They are somewhat accurate, within acceptable limits.
6. FAL - Used by 40% of NATO countries, good reliability, nice features. They are heavy and not very accurate. Parts are cheap and easy to find. Quality FAL's price point makes it questionable when compared to other options.

When it comes down to money/value/features I would immediately omit the FAL and Saiga - they are too close to the price of an AR-10. The FAL is a great rifle if you can find a DSA, but those are considerably more expensive. If you can't build one then the price point again gets too close to an AR-10. For money, a *properly* built CETME would be a fun rifle if you can find one around $600, but that isn't easy to do, most of them are built wrong. PTR makes great HK91 clones, if you can get one around $750-800 I would go for it, but if it's getting close to the 1k mark I would buy an AR-10. So when it comes down to it, I would just go with an LR308/AR10. If any gun gets within $200 or so of one, it makes no sense given it's advantage in weight, accuracy, and parts interchangeability. Now if you're trying to be original as well, then a PTR is probably the second best choice. If you're not afraid of some work involved, then finding a cheap used .308 Saiga and converting it would be a very unique gun to have.

[CexMashean]

THanks for all the info.

So I've decided to scratch the .308 idea for now, and move on with a 5.56. The S&W M&P 15 has my eyes.

Reviews I read and youtube videos I watch seem to enjoy the gun. Is there anything I should look out for, or reasons I shouldn't go with it?

Keep in mind this is just an entry level gun, not something that I'm planning on trying to topple a 3rd world government with.

[YALE]

They build pretty dependable little AR's. Take your time, and hunt a good deal.

[brandon01rt]

I would not trade my LR-308 for anything. It weighs 13.8 lbs unloaded with a 24 in bull barrel. Just killed a pig at 220 yards with it as a matter of fact. Its got to be my top 3 favorite guns in my small collection.