Ruger American .223 or .308?
Posted by Redhawk918@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 24 comments
I’m looking at getting a Ruger American sometime in the future and can’t really decide what I should get. I would love to hear your opinion.
I have been wanting to get a bolt action rifle for some time and have been drawn toward the Ruger American Gen ii models. I’ve been leaning towards the .308 predator, .223 rem predator, or even the .223/5.56 ranch.
I’m mostly going to be using it for target shooting with the occasional hunting of coyotes and maybe hogs (I know this isn’t the best caliber for old hogs). So this is where the .223 predator and .223/5.56 ranch have their pros. I already have good amount of ammo to use, it’s cheaper than .308. Cons it doesn’t have the stopping power that the .308 does. If I decide that I want to just go target shooting I wouldn’t feel bad about “wasting” ammo. (Yes, I have a .22lr to go plinking with and will most definitely be getting more) I already have a can that is for .223/5.56.
Now, the .308 has the pro that it has good stopping power at a further distance and it can reach out further than the .223/5.56. But the con is the price per round. I have to space for long distance shooting so that would be cool as well.
If you were in my shoes what would you get? I will use these rifles for coyotes and hogs occasionally but mostly target shooting. In the end, I will eventually he both rifles. Just which should I start out with?
DunkinDsnuts@reddit
223 is great for coyotes. And deer even if you can place your shots right. 223 cheaper. Doesn’t sound like you’ll be doing any serious distances when hunting. 223 is fine for hogs too. Just aim for the head lol.
dangerfielder@reddit
With the .308 you can step up to deer hunting. It’s illegal to deer hunt with .223 in most places.
Ornery_Secretary_850@reddit
That was true 20 years ago.
Many states that allow bottleneck cartridges now allow the .223 as a legal deer rifle.
ilikerelish@reddit
If you are into reloading there are people still making .308 sabots so that you can use whatever .22 bullet tickles your fancy if you wanted, and it does save on ammo cost to roll your own. The caveat is that the sabots will not make your rifle any more accurate than it is with normal bullets, accuracy remains the same, and the American is the budget line for the company.
HK_Mercenary@reddit
If it's mostly target shooting, go with a .223 / 5.56 gun. The cheaper ammo will allow you to practice more and have fun when you want without breaking the bank or having to watch how much you shoot.
Once you have saved up more money and / or decide you need to bump up to the next caliber, grab a .308 (or whatever caliber you decide on next) and start stocking up on ammo for it.
Stock_Block2130@reddit
.223 as it’s less costly ammo, takes AR mags. I was thinking about getting one as well and then thank God Trump was elected so I think I’ll get a new upper. Or maybe both if I want to spend the $.
indefilade@reddit
308 offerings for accurate ammo at a good price seem to beat 223, and a 308 on hogs is the heat, though I’ve killed a lot with 223 AR’s.
FriendlyRain5075@reddit
The only negative for the 223 AR mag fed version is rough feeding. At least with the gen 1.
DarthMonkey212313@reddit
Ruger American ranch in 300 blackout. Use your used .223/5.56 brass to reload. Get a suppressor.
Woodpusherpro@reddit
Love my Ruger American Predator in 308
rickryder@reddit
I have a Ruger American Hunter and a Ruger M77, both in .308.
For 5.56/.223 I have a heavy barrel, mid-length AR-15.
And other rifles in other calibers as well. There is no 1 perfect gun for everything, which is why it's justifiable to own as many firearms as it takes to check all your boxes.
For plinking, I hate .308. I'll shoot 20 rounds and get a headache. But for taking an animal ethically at even a little bit of distance, it would make sense.
I can shoot .223 all day and enjoy it, but I wouldn't shoot anything bigger than a varmint with it because I'd feel really bad if I injured an animal and it were to suffer.
Brilliant_Wealth_433@reddit
I have a Ruger American in 6.5 Creedmoor and absolutely love it. It's sub MOA at 150 yards plus all day long even running cheap Norma whitetail ammo.
alabamacoastie@reddit
Get the .223 first. Shoot the piss out of it and get really good up to 300 yards. Then, get the .308 when you are ready to start shooting longer distances than that...
Monkeynumbernoine@reddit
223 is going to be significantly better for target shooting. Shooting a lighter weight .308 bolt gun isn’t fun for very long whereas you can shoot a 223 all day without getting beat up. 223 will do coyotes very well but the 308 would obviously be better for hogs.
Uptight_Internet_Man@reddit
I would go with 223, you can still drop a decent size hog with it with good bullet choice.
Clyde-MacTavish@reddit
I feel like I'm the one to recommend 308 for a bolt. 223 for semi auto.
stevenrodgersBCB@reddit
223 for you
SteveHamlin1@reddit
You want to mostly target shoot, .223 ammo is a lot cheaper, you already have a .223 suppressor, and .223 can be effective against hogs except for big ones.
The only advantages of .308 here are (1) target shooting beyond ~600 yards, and (2) sniping big hogs at distance.
Get the .223
TipItOnBack@reddit
Ruger American in 223/556 would be perfect for this application. I wouldn’t hunt any bigger game with it, but it’ll be great for what you say you’re wanting it for.
Travy-D@reddit
I have one in 308. I like it a lot. Yes, it's more expensive ammo, but I'm rarely dumping ammo on a range session when using a bolt action. I'm taking my time, so it ends up costing less than when I take our a semi-auto in .223
SeminoleSwampman@reddit
If your mainly just target shooting 223 for ammo price alone
HolyShitidkwtf@reddit
Go with the .223 I have a Gen 1 Ranch, and the ability to use AR15 mags is excellent. You can plink with 30 round mags, or go hunting coyotes or hit a Prarie dog town. Easy to reload and pretty accurate.
atmosphericfractals@reddit
I'd start out with the .223 then get the .308 next.
Personally, I couldn't decide between the two if I had to pick one. They each have their ups and downs, so it's essential to have something that shoots both.
If I had to pick just one, I'd go .308 and just deal with "wasting" ammo. Smiles per mag are more important than cost per mag.
MentalTelephone5080@reddit
You can be successful hog hunting with a 223 it'll you step up in bullet weight and reduce your range. If you aren't happy with those limitations, get the 308.