New Guy Here, couple questions.

[cwkelle]

Hello everyone!!!

In a couple weeks I plan on making my first AR purchase. I started wanted a rra ar-15 tac entry, I really love the look of the rifle. Then I started leaning towards the dpms lr-308 ap4....and now I just don't know which to get....I called jensens and they said the rra 308 are really hard to get, so that is why I went to dpms, they have the 308 online and it isnt much more than the rra....I understand the stock trigger is pretty bad, but my understanding the rra 2 stage can be installed pretty easy.....

I really like the idea of 30rounds for the 223, the dpms 308 only has a 20round magazine.

I really not sure which to pick, I want something for target practice but also as a everything went to heck gun.....talking to a couple military guys they say the weight of the ammo is a big deal, and the 223 has the 308 beat there, however when I asked them if they could only carry one gun a 223 or 308 they all said a 308......so I'm not sure which to get.....Of course I asked my buddy and he said just get them both and maybe someday I will, but money tight and I just have the funds for one.

So fellas, a 308 or 223, and which make?

[Batteriesnare]

Welcome to the forum, I suspect you'll get differing answers, but here's mine:

I'd go with the RRA in .223. Ammo will be cheaper (you'll be able to shoot and train more, especially since this is your first AR platform). The Entry Tactical rifle is an awesome setup, and great right out of the box. While the .30 cal may be more desirable, think the ability to carry more 5.56 ammo for the same weight helps balance out the differences. Surplus ammo is more plentiful than in .308 from what I've seen.

Start with the .223, then expand into the .308 would be my thoughts. Good luck and please post pics when you decide and purchase!

[SNAFU]

Welcome aboard
FYI Get the AR15,but please remember you should get a 5.56 NATO chamber not the .223.
Nothing at all wrong with the Rock River.

[Ed_S]

As already said the Entry Tactical is a great rifle and I'd stick with .223.

However for about $200 more than the RRA you can get a Colt LE6920!

Jensens has a great selection of AR-15's, they're also pretty helpful.

[rhineoshott]

Welcome aboard
FYI Get the AR15,but please remember you should get a 5.56 NATO chamber not the .223.
Nothing at all wrong with the Rock River.

+ yes. You want to make sure you get a 5.56 chamber not just .223. Both cartridges have the same dimensions, but the 5.56 is a higher pressure. A 5.56 can shoot .223, but a .223 can't shoot 5.56.

I'd go with the 5.56/.223 instead of the .308 (7.62 NATO)

[sniper7]

get the 5.56 chambered AR15. you don't have to worry about the RRA because they are wylde chambered so you are good to go.

5.56/.223 ammo is a bit cheaper to shoot that the .308, the gun is cheaper, the parts are cheaper, the accessories are cheaper and more readily available.

start with that, then find the .308 you want.

don't worry you will want one of everything once you have one. i promise[Beer]

[SA Friday]

get the 5.56 chambered AR15. you don't have to worry about the RRA because they are wylde chambered so you are good to go.

5.56/.223 ammo is a bit cheaper to shoot that the .308, the gun is cheaper, the parts are cheaper, the accessories are cheaper and more readily available.

start with that, then find the .308 you want.

don't worry you will want one of everything once you have one. i promise[Beer]
The above is spot on IMO.

The only thing I would add is to not get too wrapped up over triggers. They are fairly easy to change out to something worth a crap after the fact.

[Graves]

I too say grab a 5.56/.223 first. As far as the .308 goes, I'll take an FAL or M1A.

[cwkelle]

Thanks guys, so no .308 takers huh? lol

[Graves]

We're all .308 takers lol. Start out by having some fun with the cheaper 5.56 then go bigger if you like. If you're just getting into the world of ebr's look at ammo prices and you'll see why we suggest going after the 5.56. It's like somebody new to hand guns asking if they should go 9mm or .44mag first.

[sniper7]

forgot to add about your trigger. factory RRA rifles should come with the 2 stage. built rifles sometimes come with the standard trigger. if you order one, the local guys are great, but Legal Transfers (ar15sales.com) out in NH is great to work with and knows RRA better than anyone IMO.

[Mtn.man]

+1 on that G....

[Troublco]

If you're absolutely planning on having both eventually, get the AR-15 platform first. If you think you may only get one, THEN I'd get the .308 first. The advantage to the AR is the ability to swap out uppers, easy parts changing/availability, and cheaper ammo. The .308 is better for a one-rifle-fits-all usage, IMO. Make sure whatever you get doesn't need expensive proprietary magazines.

[Dr_Fwd]

If you're absolutely planning on having both eventually, get the AR-15 platform first. If you think you may only get one, THEN I'd get the .308 first. The advantage to the AR is the ability to swap out uppers, easy parts changing/availability, and cheaper ammo. The .308 is better for a one-rifle-fits-all usage, IMO. Make sure whatever you get doesn't need expensive proprietary magazines.

Impossible. How many of you guys have JUST ONE AR? :) I would get the 5.56 first, but it doesn't really matter which one you'll get first because you're most likely gonna end up with both of them, and it's not the end....

[pickenup]

Welcome to the forum.

Depends on what you are going to do with your rifle.

You can NOT hunt big game in this state with a 5.56.
You CAN with a .308.
Are you a hunter? Will you be?

If it is just for fun, or a S.H.T.F. scenario, get a 5.56, you can always take mags and ammo off dead guys.....a .308....not so much.

If $$$ is a big consideration on how much you will shoot, go with the AR.

Now if you REALLY want to get serious about reaching out and touching something, go with the .308. While there ARE other calibers that work extremely well, there is a reason that the .308 has been the standard sniper round for both military and police for years.

[cwkelle]

thanks, you guys are right. I'm gonna get both so I'll start with the one I can shoot the most.......unlike my g21 that I can't find ammo for.

hunting, maybe later down the road, I'd really like to get into shooting competitions, I love tactical stuff.

[Troublco]

Impossible. How many of you guys have JUST ONE AR? :) I would get the 5.56 first, but it doesn't really matter which one you'll get first because you're most likely gonna end up with both of them, and it's not the end....

I do have more than one AR. But I only had one for a long time. It was a while before I got my M1A; so for that time I had a 5.56 and NOT a .308. What I meant is that if you are only going to have one for a meaningful period of time, I'd get the .308 first, having done the opposite and realizing the difference afterward. On the positive side, it did mean that I got a pre-ban AR, not that it really matters now.

And you never really know. I really like my AR's, but I wouldn't give up my M1A. Some folks are diehard metal and wood types. Personally, I have a synthetic stock for my M1A (OK, more than one) AND a couple of wood stocks. I do not, however, have a wood stock for an AR, event though they make them.