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Best Semi-Auto Rifle Ammunition Caliber
Crazy Leo Oshkosh ^ | 11/11/2008 | Leo Oshkosh

Posted on 11/11/2008 11:15:21 AM PST by LeoOshkosh

I'm going to buy an assault semi-automatic rifle with considerable magazine capacity.

Rather than ask which gun to buy (like many others have), I'd like to let the ammunition influence my gun purchase.

Okay experts......these are the parameters I'd like you to discuss for ammo calibers ranging from .223 to 7.62x39 to larger.

What is the best caliber ammo based on?

1) availability 2) cost 3) versatility (defense, hunting, etc.) 4) popular caliber with numerous gun brands 5) etc.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: ammunition; banglist; guns
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To: LeoOshkosh
1) availability 2) cost 3) versatility (defense, hunting, etc.) 4) popular caliber with numerous gun brands 5) etc.

Given those, 7.62X39

.223 ties 1 and 4, but 7.62 still beats it in price and versatility. .223 wins in accuracy only over the 7.62 imo.

Now if an ammo import ban was created then the .223 would win in all categories. You can buy domestic 7.62 but it's more expensive than .223. I can buy 30-06 ammo cheaper then I can buy domestic 7.62.

61 posted on 11/11/2008 12:21:54 PM PST by Domandred (Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment.)
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To: gundog
Dead is dead.

Oh, I agree there. It's just, if I have to fall, here in the autumn of my life, defending the Constitution on the streets where I actually live, rather than some distant shore, I'd prefer to do it with an American made, American designed rifle. I'm just funny that way...

the infowarrior

62 posted on 11/11/2008 12:25:27 PM PST by infowarrior
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To: Osage Orange
the 30.06 sends a 180gr bullet down range at 2850fps.

That's flat enuff and about 15% more velocity and energy than a .308.

63 posted on 11/11/2008 12:27:27 PM PST by Mariner
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To: LeoOshkosh

For me, I prefer shooting from where they have a hard time reaching me. So I’d pick 308 in my M1A. I can use my Bedell Spitfire 40 on the stuff close up.


64 posted on 11/11/2008 12:35:10 PM PST by SirFishalot
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To: Hang'emAll
AR-15 Upper in 7.62x39 here

AR magazines for 7.62x39 here

I don't have any experience with 7.62x39 out of an AR-15 or with Model 1 Sales. I think there are a few other sources for 7.62x39 upper halves. For those not familiar with the AR-15, swapping out upper halves is a quick and easy - pull two pins, switch uppers, reinsert pins.

Back before I sold all my guns and redistributed the wealth, I placed a few orders with 44Mag and was pleased with the service.
65 posted on 11/11/2008 12:35:14 PM PST by javachip
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To: Blood of Tyrants

Thank you.

Any thoughts on good all around and dependable round?


66 posted on 11/11/2008 12:35:48 PM PST by Gator113 ("Noli nothis permittere te terere.")
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To: LeoOshkosh
If I was in a war and ammunition was in short supply on my side I would find what the opposition was using that worked for them, which seems to point to the 7.2x39. Anything that can fire it reliably would work for me. However if all I had was a semi-auto sporting rifle then I would go the Browning BAR .338.
67 posted on 11/11/2008 12:37:48 PM PST by Eye of Unk (Aleutica, the new name of Free Alaska)
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To: javachip

Thanks, I have bookmarked this because with the price of ammo I can sorta justify this.


68 posted on 11/11/2008 12:44:43 PM PST by Hang'emAll
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To: Mariner
Fair enough...and a good friend of mine shoots one. And we hunt a lot of wide open prairie. He loves his 30-06...I happen to shoot a .270....

That being said....at 500 yds..that 180gr. bullet drops something like 73 inches. IOW, it's running out of gas.....

A .223 on the other hand drops 45 or so inches...at 500 yds. at also 500 ft./sec. faster....Smaller bullet, natch!

Of course....different ammo will certainly improve these results.

IMO....it all depends on HOW you shoot...not WHAT you shoot.

I just generally don't lump 30-06 in with what I think are "flat shooting" calibers.

Speaking of shooting....friend just called..and I'm going bow-hunting.

Cheers!!

69 posted on 11/11/2008 12:47:03 PM PST by Osage Orange (Victims that fight back live longer.....................)
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To: LeoOshkosh; Hang'emAll

Rifle Trajectory Table

By Chuck Hawks


For the record, this table was calculated for an air temperature of 60 degrees F and an altitude of 1000 feet. The following data was taken from various sources including reloading manuals and the online Ballistics Calculator provided by BigGameInfo.

To save space, the following abbreviations are used in the table below: Wb = Weight of bullet (in grains); MV = Muzzle Velocity (in feet per second); BC = Ballistic Coefficient; MRT = Mid-Range Trajectory; yards = yds.; inches = "; MPBR = Maximum Point Blank Range; BT = Ballistic Tip; FP = Flat Point, HP = Hollow Point; RN = Round Nose; Sp = Spitzer; SP = Spire Point; SSp = Semi-Spitzer.


Cartridge (Wb@MV) Bullet BC 100 yds. 200 yds. MRT@yds. MPBR (yds.)
.17 HMR (17 SP at 2550) .123 +1.5" -5.5" 1.5"@100 165
.204 Ruger (33 BT at 4225) .185 +1.1" +1.0" 1.5"@150 275
.22 LR (40 HP at 1255) .100 -3.0" -40.9" 1.5"@45 90
.22 WMR (40 HP at 1910) .100 +0.5" -19.0" 1.5"@65 123
.222 Rem. (50 Sp at 3140) .220 +1.4" -0.4" 1.5"@118 222
.223 Rem. (45 Sp at 3550) .167 +1.4" +0.2" 1.5"@130 235
.223 Rem. (55 SP at 3240) .235 +1.4" +/- 0" 1.5"@120 230
.22-250 Rem. (55 SP at 3600) .235 +1.3" +0.6" 1.5"@135 254
.220 Swift (55 SP at 3800) .235 +1.2" +0.9" 1.5"@140 264
.223 WSSM (55 SP at 3800) .235 +1.2" +0.9" 1.5"@140 264
.243 Win. (80 Sp at 3350) .255 +1.3" +0.2" 1.5"@125 237
.243 Win. (100 Sp at 2960) .351 +2.6" +1.9" 3"@140 283
6mm Rem. (100 Sp at 3100) .351 +2.5" +2.2" 3"@150 296
.243 WSSM (100 Sp at 3100) .351 +2.5" +2.2" 3"@150 296
6x62mm Freres (100 Sp at 3300) .351 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 312
.240 Wby. Mag. (100 Sp at 3400) .351 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@160 322
.257 Roberts (120 Sp at 2780) .391 +2.7" +1.6" 3"@125 271
.25 WSSM (120 Sp at 2990) .391 +2.5" +2.0" 3"@145 291
.25-06 Rem. (120 Sp at 2990) .391 +2.5" +2.0" 3"@145 291
.257 Wby. Mag. (120 Sp at 3305) .391 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@155 317
6.5x55 (140 Sp at 2645) .435 +2.7" +1.2" 3"@125 260
.260 Rem. (140 Sp at 2750) .435 +2.7" +1.6" 3"@125 271
6.5mm Rem. Mag. (120 Sp at 3210) .433 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 312
6.5x68 S (140 Sp at 2990) .435 +2.6" +2.1" 3"@150 294
.264 Win. Mag. (140 Sp at 3100) .435 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 303
6.8mm Rem. SPC (115 Sp at 2800) .325 +2.6" +1.3" 3"@130 267
.270 Win. (130 Sp at 3140) .416 +2.5" +2.4" 3"@150 305
.270 Win. (150 Sp at 2900) .481 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@138 287
.270 WSM (150 Sp at 3150) .481 +2.5" +2.4" 3"@150 311
.270 Wby. Mag. (150 Sp at 3245) .481 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@160 320
7x57 (140 BT at 2660) .485 +2.7" +1.3" 3"@125 264
7mm-08 Rem. (140 BT at 2860) .485 +2.6" +1.9" 3"@140 285
.280 Rem. (140 BT at 3000) .485 +2.6" +2.2" 3"@150 298
7mm SAUM (150 Sp at 3110) .456 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 305
7mm WSM (150 Sp at 3200) .456 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 314
7mm Rem. Mag. (150 Sp at 3110) .456 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 305
7mm Wby. Mag. (154 SP at 3260) .433 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 317
7mm Ultra Mag (160 Sp at 3200) .475 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 314
.30 Carbine (110 RN at 1990) .144 +2.8" -8.2" 3"@85 171
.30-30 Win. (150 FP at 2390) .268 +2.9" -0.6" 3"@110 225
.30-30 Win. (170 FP at 2200) .304 +2.9" -1.8" 3"@105 211
.300 Sav. (150 BT at 2630) .435 +2.8" +1.2" 3"@125 259
.308 Win. (150 BT at 2800) .435 +2.7" +1.7" 3"@135 275
.308 Win. (180 Sp at 2610) .483 +2.8" +1.2" 3"@125 259
.30-06 (150 BT at 2910) .435 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@145 287
.30-06 (180 Sp at 2700) .483 +2.7" +1.5" 3"@125 269
.300 SAUM (165 Sp at 3075) .410 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@145 300
.300 WSM (180 Sp at 2970) .483 +2.6" +2.2" 3"@150 294
.300 Win. Mag. (180 Sp at 3070) .483 +2.5" +2.3" 3"@150 303
.300 Wby. Mag. (180 Sp at 3250) .483 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@155 320
.300 Ultra Mag (180 Sp at 3250) .483 +2.4" +2.6" 3"@155 320
7.62x39 (123 Sp at 2365) .292 +2.9" -0.5" 3"@110 225
.303 Br. (150 Sp at 2723) .411 +2.8" +1.5" 3"@130 267
.32 Spec. (170 FP at 2250) .297 +3.0" -1.3" 3"@105 215
8x57JS (200 Sp at 2650) .426 +2.8" +1.2" 3"@125 260
.325 WSM (180 Sp at 2975) .394 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@140 289
8x68 S (150 Sp at 3300) .369 +2.4" +2.5" 3"@150 316
.338-57 O'Connor (200 FP at 2400) .200 +2.9" -0.3" 3"@110 214
.338 Win. Mag. (200 BT at 2960) .414 +2.6" +2.1" 3"@150 289
.340 Wby. Mag. (250 Sp at 2941) .473 +2.6" +2.1" 3"@150 291
.338 Ultra Mag (250 Sp at 2860) .473 +2.7" +1.9" 3"@140 285
.357 Mag. (158 FP at 1830) .158 +2.7" -10.5" 3"@85 163
.35 Rem. (200 RN at 2080) .180 +2.9" -5.1" 3"@93 186
.35 Whelen (200 Sp at 2700) .295 +2.8" +1.0" 3"@125 254
.350 Rem. Mag. (200 Sp at 2775) .295 +2.7" +1.3" 3"@125 260
9.3x62 (270 SSp at 2550) .361 +2.8" +0.7" 3"@125 247
.375 H&H Mag. (270 SP at 2690) .380 +2.7" +1.3" 3"@130 260
.375 Ultra Mag (300 SP at 2800) .398 +2.7" +1.7" 3"@125 273
.378 Wby. Mag. (300 Sp at 2935) .398 +2.6" +2.0" 3"@140 285
.416 Rigby (400 RN at 2400) .316 +2.9" -0.1" 3"@115 231
.416 Rem. Mag. (400 RN at 2400) .316 +2.9" -0.1" 3"@115 231
.44 Rem. Mag. (240 FP at 1760) .165 +2.6" -11.6" 3"@75 159
.444 Marlin (240 FP at 2350) .165 +3.0" -2.6" 3"@100 203
.450 Marlin (350 RN at 2100) .189 +3.0" -4.5" 3"@100 189
.45-70 (300 HP at 1800) .197 +2.7" -9.2" 3"@85 166
.45-70 (405 FP at 1330) .214 +1.3" -22.9" 3"@65 131
.458 Win. Mag. (500 RN at 2100) .295 +3.0" -2.9" 3"@100 200
.460 Wby. Mag. (500 RN at 2600) .295 +2.8" +0.6" 3"@116 246



Back to the Rifle Information Page

Copyright 2002, 2007 by Chuck Hawks. All rights reserved.


http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_trajectory_table.htm
70 posted on 11/11/2008 12:59:47 PM PST by B4Ranch (("In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way." FDR)
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To: PLMerite
.223, .308, 9mm, etc., are used by the US military. There will always be *some* of it available.

THIS.

5.56 (aka .223*) is the quintessential round for the US military, and thus the militia at large (that means you).

7.62x51 (aka .308*) is the next-most-important US military round, preferred for - ahem - long range applications. It is also the most universally applicable round, suitable for general purpose use a la Jeff Cooper's "scout rifle" concept.

Follow our military's lead, both for long-term availability and proven usefulness.

* - The .223 and .308 versions are very slightly different from their gutsier military 5.56 and 7.62 incarnations. Get the military version wherever possible, especially when picking a barrel (the "civilian" version may not withstand the "military" ammo).

71 posted on 11/11/2008 1:01:27 PM PST by ctdonath2 (I AM JOE THE PLUMBER!)
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To: 82ndABNOfficer; All

Kalishnikov AK stamped versions can really suck and jam. I have experience with an Egyptian Maadi AKM and it really bites an inopportune times. For peace of mind in last line, home/self defense, find a forged AK model. The price will be about 5-10 times higher than a stamped version. That is if you can even find a forged AK, they are rare.

For resale, availability and reliability, get an HK91, Springfield (HK)SAR8 or Mil-Spec M1A (Match if avail). Mags are readily available (& cheap) for the HK. M1A mags still aint as cheap or available as the HK’s/SAR8’s. Look seriously at parts prices/availability, too.

Baretta 9mm, Govt. Model 45(would be my pref) or a Ithaca Model37 for ‘inside the house’ defense. Discharging any LR round inside can be extremely hazardous for the family and/or the next door neighbors. Remember your liability.

Certain Makarov autos make an excellent close-quarter, b/u side-arm for smaller hands; but pay attention to quality. The design is based on (horked-from) the PPK. German made ones are the best. It is reasonably priced if dropped or stolen. Plus, it is reliable and holds a tight group.

Doll&Jindal12

peace
the Deets


72 posted on 11/11/2008 1:09:38 PM PST by ebiskit (South Park Republican ( I see Red People ))
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To: LeoOshkosh
http://www.brassfetcher.com/index_files/Page362.htm

Above URL has very good information on ballistic tests.
URL is rifle but handgun info is on another page.

73 posted on 11/11/2008 1:16:31 PM PST by HuntsvilleTxVeteran (Obama, Change America will die for.)
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To: infowarrior

I think it would be fitting to take on the commies with a commie weapon. :>)


74 posted on 11/11/2008 1:18:05 PM PST by antisocial (Texas SCV - Deo Vindice)
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To: ImJustAnotherOkie

Yeah, the .223 is small but fast. I’m actually a shotgun guy myself, TBH, I shoot rifles only about once a month or so, mostly I like clays.


75 posted on 11/11/2008 1:23:50 PM PST by Catholic Canadian ( I love Stephen Harper!)
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To: 82ndABNOfficer; All

btw,

Get a port buffer on the HK/SAR8, otherwise you’ll be left with useless brass.


76 posted on 11/11/2008 1:27:34 PM PST by ebiskit (South Park Republican ( I see Red People ))
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To: LeoOshkosh

Winchester .308 (NATO 7.62) and .223 are popular, and would perhaps be easy to find in times of unrest.


77 posted on 11/11/2008 1:32:44 PM PST by meyer (We are all John Galt)
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To: Gator113

Like I said, 308 Winchester/7.62 NATO.


78 posted on 11/11/2008 1:37:58 PM PST by Blood of Tyrants (Obama is the Antichrist.)
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To: gundog

I’m 100% sure he never made it back across the Kuwaiti border.


79 posted on 11/11/2008 2:09:43 PM PST by P8riot (I carry a gun because I can't carry a cop.)
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To: LeoOshkosh
"I have a tactical Remington 870 12gauge for home defense..."

Once you have settled on which caliber you want, check this list of Internet Dealers.

For your remington 870 you might want to look at the company called Ammo to go. They have some Federal LE full power 12 Ga Buckshot at a cost of about $0.63 per Round.

A small amount of research reveals that these are extra special shells. One site that claims to have tested them brags about a pattern of about 8" Diameter at 40 yards. Perhaps this is the result of the plastic wad pushing the shot down the bore and then slowing down while the shot continues at full speed on it's way.

80 posted on 11/11/2008 2:41:39 PM PST by An Old Man
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