5.56 or .308

[Steelharp]

Looking for advice from the long gun experts among us. I know which way I'm personally leaning, but I would like the input from greater minds.

I have a Saiga .308, wonderfully converted by our own Smith. It's the only serious caliber rifle I own. Would I be better served to keep it, or sell it and get an AR in 5.56? I am not a hunter, if that helps in the decision. I think I ultimately want the best option for home/property defense.

Thoughts?

[Smith]

You know what I think! But if you decide to part wit the Saiga, let me know!

[Peace]

If you have a salt-shaker, put it with whatever I say, and you'll probably be ok.  

 

Even though the general premise has been discussed ad-naseum, it is always a great question to ask - applying your specific details to it.  If you let us know what kind of property you might be defending yourself in/on, we can probably help you think through it.    It boils down to what you want and what your defensive scenario looks like.   Both calibers carry a lot of energy for small spaces, but it is that energy that can stop a violent attacker and save your life.

 

With that said, .308 carries an immense amount of energy.    A 5.56 with a 50gr TSX bullet... or similar recommendations by Doc GKR on the "other site" will do well in a close defensive situation.   A 5.56, AR variant will (generally) be a lighter weight rifle to bring into action and will allow for faster follow-up shots. ... generally.

 

If it were purely an indoors defensive situation and you were starting from scratch:

 I would say, use a Tavor 16" with a suppressor and a RDS (Aimpoint Pro or something lighter).  If you shoot a 5.56 in a hallway without anything on your ears, you WILL have massive hearing damage.  -- probably still will with a suppressor, but it should help some. 

I would pair this rifle with the Black Hills 50gr TSX round - or 55gr (not barrier blind).  

 

Oh yeah... I'm know that you know this, but it bears repeating in the discussion... light, light, light.  ... use a light.  Know your target... and what is behind it.

Edited December 5, 2016 by Peace

[Steelharp]

To clarify, my "property" is my home. Modest 3 acres, 1 1/2 useable, outside city limits, I do have neighbors, deer, and can hear coyote calls nightly in the distance.

[Steelharp]

27 minutes ago, Peace said:

you WILL have massive hearing damage.

Been a musician all my life, too late for that already, lol

[Wingshooter]

I'd keep the 308 if you can't have both. Especially since you say "it's the only serious caliber rifle I own." 5.56 can be a serious caliber too for some criters, but what happens when grizz starts to migrate to TN  The 308 has a much wider range of definsive/offensive capabilities against everything in TN. With 3 acres outside the city limits, I think a 308 is required equipment lol.

Personally, I'd keep that Saiga and consider selling something else if you're itching for an AR.

 

 

Edited December 5, 2016 by Wingshooter

[Steelharp]

Wingshooter, you make a great point. Thanks, I believe you gave me just the input I needed. Guess I'll keep the Saiga!

[peejman]

I shot a guy's .308 Saiga once. BOOM!!!  It was awesome.

[musicman]

Yea, I don't see those as "one or the other", but "both."

Mine are all AR platform, but I love my 308.  It just does stuff a 5.56 can't.  My ar15s do stuff my ar10 can't... mainly shoot quite a bit for a reasonable cost and carry a lotta ammo without needing a pack mule!

We all know (and you should, especially) that you can get a decent bare bones AR under 5 bills these days.  Working at a gun shop, you oughtta be able to shave some more off of that pretty easily.  Or do what anyone else working at an LGS does... beat up the next guy trading one in pretty good and then buy it yourself once he leaves!  ;-)

Edited December 5, 2016 by musicman

[btq96r]

Both would be optimal if you don't need to sell one to get the other, but if I had to have just one in your situation...it would be a 16" AR with the gizmos to suit your needs (light, red dot).  I've never been a worshiper of the .308 for more than situations hat require it.   I've always seen it as a longer range round that still packs a punch.  But since you don't hunt, your need for that round isn't immediate.

Now 7.62x39 is a bigger caliber I can get behind for multi-purpose needs.

[DWARREN123]

My opinion and worth what you pay for it. Keep the .308 and get a inexpensive shotgun for home defense.

[Wingshooter]

4 hours ago, Steelharp said:

Wingshooter, you make a great point. Thanks, I believe you gave me just the input I needed. Guess I'll keep the Saiga!

Glad to help  

 

I hope it's the right advice for you, but that's what I would do.

[dcloudy777]

An AR-pattern gun in 5.56 is a much better fighting tool (if you're fighting humans anyway) than an AK-pattern gun in 7.62x51, IMO.

Edited December 6, 2016 by dcloudy777

[Hershmeister]

Ar's are cheap now. Buy one and keep the saiga too!

[Ronald_55]

How about I buy an AR and trade it to you for the Saiga? lol

[RED333]

We own 3 .308s, a Saiga, FNAR and a PTR that eats steel ammo, not one .556. I as well have been thinking about a .556 only because they are coming down in price. Gona wait for a sale I can not pass up, grab 2 or 3 and some ammo and put them up for safe keeping. If you have the money have both.

Edited December 6, 2016 by RED333
Because I can

[Danger Rane]

I don't think those calibers are this or that comparable. I'd go as far as to say you "need" both, at least that's what I told the wife.  I'd keep the .308 and save up for a 5.56 AR....and a .300Blackout upper to go with it. 

[gregintenn]

When I encounter a "which one" gun scenario, my usual answer is BOTH!

[RED333]

10 hours ago, gregintenn said:

When I encounter a "which one" gun scenario, my usual answer is BOTH!

I knew there was a reason to have so many firearms.

Edited December 6, 2016 by RED333
fat fingers

[Ronald_55]

9 minutes ago, RED333 said:

I knew there was a reason to have so many firearms.

Actually there is no reason NOT to. 

 

16 hours ago, Danger Rane said:

I don't think those calibers are this or that comparable. I'd go as far as to say you "need" both, at least that's what I told the wife.  I'd keep the .308 and save up for a 5.56 AR....and a .300Blackout upper to go with it. 

As long as you hide them from the wife.... lol

Edited December 6, 2016 by Ronald_55

[Appalachian]

An AR with 1:7 twist shooting 75-77gr 5.56 ammo along with a decent 1-4x scope has all the versatility you need.   

And keep the .308.

[Mark A]

308... 5.56 is so yesterday...

308 outside, 300 blk 220 gr subsonic with a suppressor inside. That right there is a winning combination...

[shotgunshooter]

Both?

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[DaveTN]

I’m not a hunter either. I own semi-autos and bolts in both calibers. I can’t imagine having to reduce my selection to one rifle, but if I had to it would be my .308 AR.

Everything is application driven and the .308 semi-auto does well in almost any application from close in point instinct shooting to 1000 yard shots. (Provided the rifle has the accuracy ability to do that) I have never owned or shot a Saiga, I don’t know if it has the long range accuracy capability or not.