Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

C

Crapshot

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 29, 2010
133
2
Texas
#1
I dont reload so price of ammo is a concern.

My use for this rifle will be basically my first "target" rifle aside from my 10/22 if that even counts so:
100 yard hole punching, and
see how far I can shoot "accurately". And
hogs when I see them which is not too often.

I have a ton of cheap bulk 223 I think 55gr so just as an everyday truck gun I could shoot a 223 all day and not care but with the twist it wouldnt stabilize the real heavy bullets(but still 60 something gns if i remember correctly) so distance would be less than 308, plus the energy the 308 ~160gn has behind it would be better for those damn pigs.

So if anyone has any advice it woulld be appreciated

Thanks

Cory
 
#2
Re: Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

I went with the .223 because it is strictly a target rifle. I do not shoot past 500 yards and it is cheeper to reload. If you can pay the extra money for ammo, and shoot out to 1000 go with the .308.
 
#3
Re: Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

If you don't reload, accurate ammo is almost a wash and sometimes favors the .308.

If you reload (and if you are into long range shooting you SHOULD) then the .223 is cheaper.

Since you mention shooting as far as you can and occasionally killing pigs, I would suggest the .308.
 
#4
Re: Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

I have planned on getting the reloading equip but dang this sport gets expensive just getting into it, so it will have to wait untill can no longer justify not having it..

And for range I dont see going over ~6-700 yrds often if ever. So maybe 223 for me. But again I dont want to just wound hogs so maybe the 308.

If only I had enough $ for both...
 
#5
Re: Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

You can get the equipment to load .223 for $150-200. Equipment for loading rifle rounds is not that expensive, it's when you get into a progressive. A lee single stage kit is like $90 and get a nice digital scale and calipers and you should be gtg.
 
#6
Re: Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you don't reload, accurate ammo is almost a wash and sometimes favors the .308.

If you reload (and if you are into long range shooting you SHOULD) then the .223 is cheaper.

Since you mention shooting as far as you can and occasionally killing pigs, I would suggest the .308.</div></div>

+1

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KenTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have planned on getting the reloading equip but dang this sport gets expensive just getting into it, so it will have to wait untill can no longer justify not having it..

And for range I dont see going over ~6-700 yrds often if ever. So maybe 223 for me. But again I dont want to just wound hogs so maybe the 308.

If only I had enough $ for both... </div></div>

I bought the 223 tac when it first came out 4-5 years ago. Liked it enough to buy the 308 tac when I found a deal on a lightly used one. With that said, I can say with confidence, if your plan is to shoot 600 and beyond you will want the 308.

The 223 is great from 600 on in. For those long shoots(200-600) use factory 69 and 75-77 BTHP's and for hogs there are many factory loads that will work fine. Just stay away from light varmint bullets for those. LoneWolfUSMC is right in the money. When you buy match ammo you end up paying the same or nearly so for either of the calibers. Now when you do start reloading the 223 will load for 1/2 to 2/5ths cheaper than the 308 depending on what bullet you use. Thats on top of the 30-40% you will save from factory ammo prices... It pays to reload.

I am not saying the 223 cant go beyond 600, but the 308 will do it with so much more ease. Remington should have put a 8 or 7.5 twist in the 223 and it would have opened more long range doors.
 
#7
Re: Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

I'd go with the 308. If you're going to be serious about target shooting, then bulk 223 isn't going to do it for you and you'll be paying similar ammo prices to the 308. Theres cheap FMJ ammo for the 308 if that's what you're looking for as well.
 
#8
Re: Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Niles Coyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you don't reload, accurate ammo is almost a wash and sometimes favors the .308.

If you reload (and if you are into long range shooting you SHOULD) then the .223 is cheaper.

Since you mention shooting as far as you can and occasionally killing pigs, I would suggest the .308.</div></div>

+1

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KenTex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have planned on getting the reloading equip but dang this sport gets expensive just getting into it, so it will have to wait untill can no longer justify not having it..

And for range I dont see going over ~6-700 yrds often if ever. So maybe 223 for me. But again I dont want to just wound hogs so maybe the 308.

If only I had enough $ for both... </div></div>

I bought the 223 tac when it first came out 4-5 years ago. Liked it enough to buy the 308 tac when I found a deal on a lightly used one. With that said, I can say with confidence, if your plan is to shoot 600 and beyond you will want the 308.

The 223 is great from 600 on in. For those long shoots(200-600) use factory 69 and 75-77 BTHP's and for hogs there are many factory loads that will work fine. Just stay away from light varmint bullets for those. LoneWolfUSMC is right in the money. When you buy match ammo you end up paying the same or nearly so for either of the calibers. Now when you do start reloading the 223 will load for 1/2 to 2/5ths cheaper than the 308 depending on what bullet you use. Thats on top of the 30-40% you will save from factory ammo prices... It pays to reload.

I am not saying the 223 cant go beyond 600, but the 308 will do it with so much
more ease. Remington should have put a 8 or 7.5 twist in the 223 and it would have opened more long range doors. </div></div>


Thanks alot everyone I think ill start out with the 223 and take it to its limits (on steel or paper) which im sure is beyond my current skill/ ability or lack there of. Thanks again for the help I was literaly stuck but now Ive got a bit more knowledge and confidence to move ahead.
 
#9
Re: Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

308!!! I just bought the sps. Its a tac driver. sub 1/2 inch at 100 out of the box. Kinda surprised me as I was breaking in the tube. federal sierra matchking 168 bthp
 
#10
Re: Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

Distance shooting... Dialing elevation is easy after you crunch some numbers and have a reliable scope for either caliber.

The WIND, however, is extremely difficult with the lighter weight bullets that you will need to shoot in the 223 with the slower twist. 400 yards can be very challenging with the lighter 223 bullets in gusty, variable conditions. I shoot over a valley and with the 223 it is TOUGH. The light weight 223 bullets are also very difficult to hear ring the steel when it is windy and greater than 400 yards. The 223 also does not make a big enough hit in the grass to locate your misses, which can prove frustrating and makes knowing what to correct difficult. Not to mention the energy deficit compared to 308 for hunting. I have thought about getting a new 1:7 barrel for my 700 but by the time you get a stock and maybe a DBM you have spent $$$.

I would go 308 for sure! If you do not like it I will give you my 700 223 for your 308!
 
#14
Re: Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you don't reload, accurate ammo is almost a wash and sometimes favors the .308.

If you reload (and if you are into long range shooting you SHOULD) then the .223 is cheaper.

Since you mention shooting as far as you can and occasionally killing pigs, I would suggest the .308.</div></div>

This...

But I'll throw in that if you are just plinking, you can get bulk .223 cheaper than .308.. it won't be super accurate stuff, but good enough for you to work on your skills.

There is no reason you can't upgrade to a .308 down the road, IF you need it. Everyone needs a good .223 bolt.
 
#16
Re: Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

The .223 SPS with 1-9 will stabilize the 77-75 bullets fine with the exception maybe being the 75 a-max.

If there is to be hog killing, I would no doubt go with the .308
 
#18
Re: Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Michael Aos</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hawk45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Everyone needs a good .223 bolt. </div></div>

I think so too. </div></div>

I brought my first one home today.
I got the 700 Tactical specifically for the 9 twist.
 
#19
Re: Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

I cast my vote for the 308. 223 is a good target gun and varmint hunter but if your looking at having the ability to shoot 500 yards at any time of day on any given day and droping a pig the 308 will be much more forgiving in terms of wind and shot placement. Also if you want to go out plinking with people who arnt into long range shooting military surplus ammo is not that bad price wise.
 
#22
Re: Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

I love having a 223 (building a custom right now) and shoot a lot of chucks with one but the 308 is the way to go in my opinion, reasons like others have said. If you're just going to shoot the bulk cheap 223 there's a good chance you won't be happy as accuracy will suffer. When comparing match 223 ammo to match 308 there isn't much of a price difference any more.

Get set up to hand-load and buy either. You can't make a wrong choice.

Todd

This <span style="font-weight: bold">was</span> my wifes SPS-T 308win, she's getting a new custom 223 next though.
DSCN0724-Copy-1.jpg
 
#23
Re: Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

Well I went with the majority vote and ordered a 308 but i stumbled on a good deal for a 700p so I went with that instead (kinda what I wanted to begin with)

Now scope, rings, base, reloading equip, chronograph, brass, bullets, powder, primers, range finder, bla, bla $, $

Thanks for the help everyone I appreciate the time and thought and advice y'all extend to a perfect stranger.
 
#24
Re: Yeah i cant decide between 223 or 308 sps tactical

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Michael Aos</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hawk45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Everyone needs a good .223 bolt. </div></div>

I think so too. </div></div>

I don't.
If I want to shoot 223 I'll use my Daniel Defense AR with a 1/7 barrel. So i can shoot whatever grain I want(I may have to feed them one at a time because of oal). I just bought a 700P in 308 for shooting long distance.
 
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