Post by Bo/CCPU Founder on Jul 22, 2015 10:21:52 GMT -6
Walmart ARs
Know that many folks here (including me!) much like the 7.62/.308 (yes, I know those aren't 'identical' cartridges) over the 5.56/.223 (ditto comment) particularly in an AR. I had some time to kill before going to an appointment at a place that doesn't open until 9 and had to be in town early, anyway, so where else could I go at dawn except Walmart? Well, they had a 7.62 version of the AR that DPMS (very reputable firearms maker) produces called the 'Sportical' in their case marked at $907. For one thing, up until then wasn't aware that Wally's carried a .308 AR. For another, that got me to thinking 'hmmm, since they make the rifle in both calibers, what's the REAL difference in the two, other than the round'? Looking over on the DPMS site, it comes down to a couple of them. One is price. In the case of the DPMS the spread is very minor, coming in right at $200 when looking at both Sportical models. The other difference is weight, but again it was (relatively) minor. The smaller weapon scaling in at 6.3 pounds vs. 8.3 for its bigger brother. Back a few years ago you'd have a full-scale AR-10 (the genetic cousin to these newer versions) coming in between 10 and 12 pounds, depending on how it was equipped.
www.dpmsinc.com/SPORTICAL_ep_136-1.html vs. www.dpmsinc.com/308-SPORTICAL_ep_97-1.html
Leaving off how the two shoot for a moment, let's look at ammo cost, another large difference. Using (current) Midway USA's prices for Federal American Eagle 'generic' ammo, the bulk cost is 44 cents per round. They apparently aren't producing that in 7.62 at present, but the last price on Winchester 'white' (generic) box (similar to the Federal) was about $1/round, so we have two figures representing a bit more than double the cost. Very significant if you hit the range much at all, not so much if you carry a lot, shoot relatively little, (as most folks do) particularly in this 2015 day of wacko ammo prices. I'm not a re-loader, so I'll leave a comparison from that perspective to you folks who do, if you're so inclined.
Back to the shooting part. At present I don't own any version of AR (nor do I have ready access), but I've shot the M-16 more than I ever cared to in the army. The recoil on that one is negligible, as most gun folks know. I have fired the AR-10 7.62 AR, but not in the newer (much lighter weight) version(s), so, again I'll leave that up to someone who has one or has fired one, recently, to weigh in on. Trying to compare the terminal effects (power) of the two is nearly like attempting to compare a minor league pitcher to a major. They just aren't in the same class. For one thing, the American Eagle I touched on is 55gr. at a listed muzzle velocity of 3240 fps and a muzzle energy of 1282 ft. lbs. vs. 147gr (more usual is 168, in 7.62) at 2700 fps giving a muzzle energy of about 2400 ft. lbs. In other words, for the extra recoil and added muzzle blast of the 7.62 you get roughly twice the 'power', measured this way. Yes, the 5.56 gives you a 30-round magazine option and the 7.62 is more commonly found in a 20-round version, but technology to the rescue: you can now get a 25-rounder for those.
I think I'll end with a hunting scenario for you to consider. Suppose you are out Texas hog hunting and a huge boar is headed your way, intent on removing your leg from the rest of your body with it's tusks. Would you rather have a 5.56 AR in your hands at that moment, or a 7.62? I think we all know the answer any honest man or woman would give!
Know that many folks here (including me!) much like the 7.62/.308 (yes, I know those aren't 'identical' cartridges) over the 5.56/.223 (ditto comment) particularly in an AR. I had some time to kill before going to an appointment at a place that doesn't open until 9 and had to be in town early, anyway, so where else could I go at dawn except Walmart? Well, they had a 7.62 version of the AR that DPMS (very reputable firearms maker) produces called the 'Sportical' in their case marked at $907. For one thing, up until then wasn't aware that Wally's carried a .308 AR. For another, that got me to thinking 'hmmm, since they make the rifle in both calibers, what's the REAL difference in the two, other than the round'? Looking over on the DPMS site, it comes down to a couple of them. One is price. In the case of the DPMS the spread is very minor, coming in right at $200 when looking at both Sportical models. The other difference is weight, but again it was (relatively) minor. The smaller weapon scaling in at 6.3 pounds vs. 8.3 for its bigger brother. Back a few years ago you'd have a full-scale AR-10 (the genetic cousin to these newer versions) coming in between 10 and 12 pounds, depending on how it was equipped.
www.dpmsinc.com/SPORTICAL_ep_136-1.html vs. www.dpmsinc.com/308-SPORTICAL_ep_97-1.html
Leaving off how the two shoot for a moment, let's look at ammo cost, another large difference. Using (current) Midway USA's prices for Federal American Eagle 'generic' ammo, the bulk cost is 44 cents per round. They apparently aren't producing that in 7.62 at present, but the last price on Winchester 'white' (generic) box (similar to the Federal) was about $1/round, so we have two figures representing a bit more than double the cost. Very significant if you hit the range much at all, not so much if you carry a lot, shoot relatively little, (as most folks do) particularly in this 2015 day of wacko ammo prices. I'm not a re-loader, so I'll leave a comparison from that perspective to you folks who do, if you're so inclined.
Back to the shooting part. At present I don't own any version of AR (nor do I have ready access), but I've shot the M-16 more than I ever cared to in the army. The recoil on that one is negligible, as most gun folks know. I have fired the AR-10 7.62 AR, but not in the newer (much lighter weight) version(s), so, again I'll leave that up to someone who has one or has fired one, recently, to weigh in on. Trying to compare the terminal effects (power) of the two is nearly like attempting to compare a minor league pitcher to a major. They just aren't in the same class. For one thing, the American Eagle I touched on is 55gr. at a listed muzzle velocity of 3240 fps and a muzzle energy of 1282 ft. lbs. vs. 147gr (more usual is 168, in 7.62) at 2700 fps giving a muzzle energy of about 2400 ft. lbs. In other words, for the extra recoil and added muzzle blast of the 7.62 you get roughly twice the 'power', measured this way. Yes, the 5.56 gives you a 30-round magazine option and the 7.62 is more commonly found in a 20-round version, but technology to the rescue: you can now get a 25-rounder for those.
I think I'll end with a hunting scenario for you to consider. Suppose you are out Texas hog hunting and a huge boar is headed your way, intent on removing your leg from the rest of your body with it's tusks. Would you rather have a 5.56 AR in your hands at that moment, or a 7.62? I think we all know the answer any honest man or woman would give!