***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

KPK

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Minuteman
Mar 2, 2009
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Oklahoma
What do you guys think? Everyone need at least one .308 in the safe?

This is on caliber I don't have and I'm feeling like it's one of the most important to have......Think?
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

In my case? no, i cant afford .308 ammo and my shooting skills arent good enough to really get the most out of the .308 cartridge. .223 is just fine for me for now.

Will I some day end up with a .308? probably
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

I've planned on a .260 for two years, but man to be able to afford match ammo............and stock up on some as well...........priceless!!!
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

Everyone needs at least one .308. The .338 and .416's are really cool but if SHTF, they will be hard to find. .308 is so common, you will be able to pick them off of the dead carcasses you will come across. Sad, but true!
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

I'll go against the grain here and say no. If it doesn't fit your needs and you can afford to play with higher performing cartridges, then why waste your money? Would it be handy in a "SHTF" scenario? I'd say that's a safe bet to make, sure. But chances are, you're only going to have ready access to what you have in your personal stocks, so caliber won't matter all that much. What WILL matter, IMO, is that you're very familiar with what you do shoot. If that's .223/5.56, then know it backwards and forwards. I'd rather use a lesser caliber that I KNOW I can make solid hits with out to 650-700 yards than a larger, "higher-performance" round that I'm unfamiliar with, or vice versa (or however you spell it, LOL).

That being said, if someone is making their first precision rifle purchase, they're short on time, and have the "average" budget for such a hobby, then I have no aversion to recommending one to them. They'll get more trigger time on it, and can buy match ammo off the shelf, as compared to other more specialized rounds. I have one, and won't be getting rid of it any time soon.

But if you're outgrown it and need the money/safe space, and it's not a sentimental thing to you, why hang on to it? Spend your time and money acquiring brass, projectiles, powder, primers, dies, and other gear for what you use.

Think of it as having your hands full of little marbles. They're all cool marbles, but they're little. When something bigger and better comes along, you can't pick it up (or if you can, your grasp on it is weak at best) because you're still dedicating a lot of effort holding on to the lesser value marbles. You have to let them go in order to be able to grasp the more worthwhile marble. If I had the funds to go to something like .300WM, .338LM, or a 6.5Creedmor or .260REM (for us poorer folks), I'd be all over it. But I don't, so a .308 will do me just fine.

Flame away...
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

Why would you get flamed for that? It made a lot of sense right until you mentioned getting rid of a gun....blasphemer...
smile.gif
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

If I could only have one bolt gun it would be my .308. If I could only have one rifle it would still be a .308 but in a battle rifle variant. Socom, SCAR 17 something of that nature.
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

Someone whom I have a great respect for, recently and strongly suggested I acquire one...So I did. No regrets yet. As a matter of fact I really enjoy shooting it.
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

Yes.....You should always have at least one firearm in the following calibers: .308, .223, .45, 9mm, 12ga. That way no matter what there is always ammo available because the Military will always have some.
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

I figured these are the answers I would get. I'm not really a SHTF kind of guy, but the government isn't making me feel very warm and fuzzy so you never know. I know the .260 will perform better and shoot great because I've had one, and I also reload, but it would be nice to be able to stock up on some cheap match ammo for a bad day.
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

My cheap .260 match ammo for a bad day (and potential hunting ammo) is made from my old brass. 129 SST or 120 Ballistic Tips work for both applications. The brass is bought new each year for competititive purposes, and the old brass is relegated for non-competitive use.
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: usmcsniperone</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes.....You should always have at least one firearm in the following calibers: .308, .223, .45, 9mm, 12ga. That way no matter what there is always ammo available because the Military will always have some. </div></div>

Exactly!! I think that's where to start even if the SHTF doesn't happen.

And those are the cheapest to shoot and to reload.
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

On this side of the pond I get odd looks from my local firearms Officer when I apply for anything else!

Ammo and components are in plentiful supply so....that's a yes.

Having said that I also have rifles in .223, .303, 8mm, .22LR and hopefully soon a 30-06.
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

Originally Posted By: usmcsniperoneYes.....You should always have at least one firearm in the following calibers: .308, .223, .45, 9mm, 12ga. That way no matter what there is always ammo available because the Military will always have some.

Exactly!! I think that's where to start even if the SHTF doesn't happen.

And those are the cheapest to shoot and to reload.

I agree
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

Some think that guns alone will be enough to deal with consequences after SHTF! I wish...


Yes, .308 will put lots of food on the table...
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

I guess I will go against the grain as well. If this rifle truly is a SHTF rifle, then you can find several other short range cartridges to stock up on, that will be cheaper/ lighter. The .223/5.56 would be a very good short range performer on game, and you can carry more at the same weight (77gr. projectiles vs. 150-180gr.)

In a SHTF situation, what is the maximum range shot you plan to take? I would probably choose a caliber that will fit that range. If you plan to only go to 800-1000yds max, then why not something smaller than .308? Ive never gotten to shoot that far, but i hear the .223/5.56 can make that distance.

However, if this is not a SHTF rifle, and you only ask about someone having a single rifle, then I think the question is moot because you could invest your extra money into extra barrels, a lifetime supply of ammunition, reloading equipment, etc. for whatever caliber you choose to buy.

Do I think everyone should have a .308? no. I have 2 m-14s in my safe because I love the design, but I do not plan to buy another .308.

If you feel uncomfortable about not having a .308, what do you feel about buying a savage rifle and getting a .308 switch kit for it? Seems to me that a rifle where you could easily swap barrels for another caliber would be useful in a SHTF situation.
I should also add that I own 2 savages and 2 remingtons, so my opinions may be biased.
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

The overriding popularity of the .308/7.62 cartridge in civilian, law enforcement, and military applications means that it will continue to be a prime choice for all-round centerfire needs well into the future. As long as it's in use, it will remain useful to own one.
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

My opinion, I think everyone should own a .308 and a trainer .22LR if you want to get into long range shooting. Pro's of the .308 are long barrel life, exceptionally accurate and if you can become proficcent with it at longer range then shooting higer BC faster shooting cartridges only my it easier for you while shooting at long ranges. Theres plenty of reloading data with recipes floating around here that will turn most .308's into very accurate rifles. Its a great cartridge to have, learn from without getting blasted on every shot.
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

Depends I guess. I wanted to get into precision shooting and I also wanted a cartridge I could hunt dear with (can't hunt with .223 around here). So, I went with a cartridge that would allow me to easily buy ammo at the store in case I was in a pinch, has plenty of factory support, tons of data to help me when I start reloading it and wouldn't burn through barrels. I ended up with a .308. If it was just a range toy, I didn't have the desire to hunt with it, and I didn't have the desire to go longer distances I would have stuck with .223.
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Don-n-Texas</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: usmcsniperone</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yes.....You should always have at least one firearm in the following calibers: .308, .223, .45, 9mm, 12ga. That way no matter what there is always ammo available because the Military will always have some. </div></div>

Exactly!! I think that's where to start even if the SHTF doesn't happen.

And those are the cheapest to shoot and to reload. </div></div>

i would also add if you worried about shtf situation (which i am definetly not) u should also have an ak 47 or something that fires 7.62x39 and something that shoots 7.62x54 because there are millions of rounds of those 2 in the states and the rifles are cheap as shit but ridiculously reliable.
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

The only question here is "how many do I need?"
smile.gif
Seriously, a good medium-bore rifle is important. If someone already has a "better" alternative, great; if not, then a 308 Win is a bit of a no-brainer.
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

Personally I will not say how many 308’s I have but the answer is no. It does not take a 308 to punch paper at 100yds. Heck even for that a 223 is a little much. If the 308 suits what you want to do then heck yes. If not why have one? My friend shoots a 243 for deer and deer only. He never shoots past 200yds and most of the time less than 100yds. For him it would just be an extra cost he does not need. My brother shoots our 338LM. He likes shooting over 1,000yds. sure the 308 can shoot more than 1,000 but the power of the round has dropped to such a level it is getting into being a “slob hunter”.

If the SHTF ever happens I think all of us will be surprised how fast ammo dries up. That is everything including what the gov shoots. Reloading will help you but those supplies will go away a shot at a time and it may cost you more than a dime.

I love that song.

You might say I went right up to the factory
And picked it up, it's cheaper that way

I'd get it one piece at a time
And it wouldn't cost me a dime
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

Well technically you asked if everyone should have one, so no.Liberals,most thieves, most politicians,and other zombie types should not have one.Me ,I have one that will kill flies at 100 yards quite regularly.
 
Re: ***Your Opinion***Does everyone need a .308???????

A barrel, a vice and an action wrench are a far more economical solution than keeping around an entire extra rifle...