Before I had my first rifle, I placed an order on a Rem 700sps in .308. Only reason why I cancelled the order was because after that, I still needed a scope, base, rings, and ammo is almost a dollar a round.
Dont have the time to look right now, but if Im not mistaken the .308 is a 7.62x51 right? I know it will be more accurate than a .223/5.56 over longer distances because its a heavier round, so at longer distances the wind doesnt effect it as much. And since its a bigger round, more force. Im sure you know all this, just letting you know I have researched rounds.
The purpose wouldnt be for much more than target practice, and then a SHTF scenario. The AR10 wouldnt be a bad rifle, but those are also pretty expensive, as is ammo. Also, if Im shooting at anything much past 100 yards, I would probably opt out of using a semi-automatic and go for the bolt action.
the Remington 700 is VERY good SLOW bolt action rifle.. precision shooting for LONG distances.. VERY useful in that capacity.. the 308 (or 7.62x51) is ideal for that.... but yeah.. ALL 308 setups that are worth anything are expensive.. my AR10 probably has about $2000 into it....
My DPMS AR10
DPMS 308 16in
Bennie Cooley Compensator (Permanently Attached)
Larue Tactical Scope Mount
Leupold 3-9x40 Refinished In Flat Black
Magpul PRS Stock
Arms & Ammo Magpul Pmags (15 Round Capacity)
Harris Bipod
the main purpose this gun has is LONG range shooting.. AR series rifles are SUPER finicky so i would hesitate to lug this rifle around in a "shtf" scenario, but i DID go with the 16in barrel length so that if i WANT to use it in close range i have that option.... as it sits now.. this would be solely a reach out and touch the threat from a safe distance... I imagine it is good out to roughly 500 yards without any real hesitation.. but i plan on building a second upper (20in +) SOLELY for long distance shooting... then making this 16in upper solely a close range shooter.. so i can swap uppers based on application.. a bolt gun will get you a little further.. but i didnt want to trade off rate of fire, for reaching out past 500m.. 500 is really the max range i would ever shoot..
I had a Saiga in 223 AND 7.62x39... i opted to keep the 7.62x39, after reading a lot about the lack of penetrating power that 223 has.. granted it WILL shoot slightly more accurately than a 7.62x39 round.. the 7.62x39 rounds are not made to be marksman rounds.. they are main battle rifle rounds... my criteria for a MBR is CONSISTENT man size target hits (center mass) from 100m with irons, AND reliability.. the AK series rifle is the poster child for reliability.. they also have more mass and will crack through light cover unlike the 223.. 223 is a varmint round (coyote, fox, etc..) man is much larger than those critters.. 7.62x39 is a MILITARY MAN STOPPING round..
If you grab an AK series gun.. throw it in some mud.. drive over it.. you can then pick it up.. and it will LIKELY fire.. this is the gun i want covering my ass..
So AK series rifle.. 7.62x39 is win for a multi-purpose mid range protect your ass gun.. in the event of "shtf" I would likely shoot through all my 7.62x39 before resorting to the AR10..
If you want something fun.. that you can blast through cheap ammo with.. (Wolf 7.62x39 is about .20 a round).. use for personal defense.. and still have fun at the range.. an AK series rifle (Saiga preferably) in 7.62x39 is a great inexpensive choice.. also has TONS of aftermarket support!
sorry.. long answer..
