Bolt action 308 vs 223

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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!

 

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

 

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.

 

This is my dilemma. I want a 223 bolt gun. But after a few trips to the lgs, I think I'm going 308. I'd prefer a 223, but nobody has what I want in my price range.

 

200 yards won’t even begin to stretch the legs of a .308. If you’re not trying to bring down a deer, you’re just throwing money away. If you do want to use it to hunt someday, then maybe the range time with the .308 recoil would be beneficial. If you’re just shooting at the range, you’ll enjoy not spending so much for .223 ammo.

 

Are you dead set on 223&308?

 

yes and there is a simple $3 fix for the trigger , I got mine down to 3.18#s and its a great shooter . There are also a few othere in that relative price range of the Savage Axis with a better trigger like the Stevens or Marlin .

One of them is not the Reminton 770 , the action is rough and the trigger is even worse .

 

People like to understate the recoil of 5.56/223, while not substantial it does have a good punch that is great fun.

If you get the 223 make sure that it has a 5.56 chamber, I would also suggest the Mossberg MVP. What other bolt action can accept 30, 60 and 90 round magazines?.

 

Savage Axis $269 and you still have $80 to spend on a decent scope .