[somedayrider]

So am months away from picking up a bolt action gun and stuck on which calibers . My dilemma here is I like the price off 223 but want the big bang of 308. Another upset is there isn't much more than 150 yards there's one or two 200 yard shooting ranges but very few . So my problem is really a toss up it would be nothing more then target shooting so looking for all inputs?

[mountainman13]

Welcome to the forum. I would say If it's just for punching holes in paper go for the cheaper caliber.

[TLuker]

Go with the .223 for paper. You'll like the price of .223 ammo a lot more as well!!!

[hardluk1]

If you don't have a quality rimfire maybe a 17HMR would be a good place to start?? Accurate as heck to 150 yards.

After than get a 223 rifle or the mossberg MVP thats a 5.56 chamber . Or a savage or stevens that can be upgrade as time goes buy. The .223/5.56 is good to 500 yards. More dollars to spend up front a savage 12 target series rifles.

[somedayrider]

Thank you for the welcoming and I've got a 22 but I want some center fire besides my handguns and I was down between these two in a cheap bolt action soon in a savage axis but still in the air ..although i am liking the idea of the 223 but 308 sounds so fun

[HOSSFLY]

A LOT of difference between a 223 & 308- If you just want to punch paper & not hunt go with the 223-

[ZeusEcho]

Originally Posted by HOSSFLY

A LOT of difference between a 223 & 308- If you just want to punch paper & not hunt go with the 223-

^^^which is one reason it's really fun to shoot a 308!

[HockaLouis]

For mostly anything but medium/big-game hunting I'd have to go with the .223.

[somedayrider]

Now do you all think the 223 can give me the enjoyment factor similar to a 308?

[elfmdl]

The savings in ammo will give you plenty of enjoyment. I have a savage .223 and I can hit milk jugs at 300 yards with no problem. If you are only going to be shooting a max of 200 yards it would really be a waste to have a .308. Look at the savage axis it is extremely accurate for an affordable price, but you will need a replacement trigger as mine breaks at 7.5 pounds.