LR-308 vs. Remington R-25?

[Outpost37]

I'm considering buying a tactical rifle that can also be used for big game hunting in a SHTF scenario. The AR-10 platform in .308 Win seems to be most suitable for what I have in mind, but I don't have any direct experience with the AR style rifle, so I thought I'd ask the "old salts" here for opinions/ experiences. The Remington R-25 has the advantage of looking more like a hunting gun and less like an EBR, which would make it easier to slide past my wife's (slightly distorted) sensiblities, but it's gotten mixed reviews. It's reputed to be essentially the same rifle as the DPMS LR-308, but "essentially the same" and "identical" aren't the same thing.

Do any of you here have any advice?

[ronaldrwl]

I'm not an old salt but hunting rifles are much lighter and easier to carrier than the 308 AR's I've held. Which means a lot if you really want to go hunting.

[SU405]

I'm not an old salt but hunting rifles are much lighter and easier to carrier than the 308 AR's I've held. Which means a lot if you really want to go hunting.

Really? I thought my DPMS LR 308 didn't feel any heavier than my Rem 700 in 30-06.

[ronaldrwl]

Really? I thought my DPMS LR 308 didn't feel any heavier than my Rem 700 in 30-06.

Hunting rifle is about 6 lbs?

[SU405]

Hunting rifle is about 6 lbs?

With Redfield 3x9 8 lbs.

[Outpost37]

Remington claims the R-25 with 20" barrel is 7.75 lbs (I presume that's w/o mag, they don't specify); DPMS calls the LR-308L 7.9 lbs w/ 18" barrel, the LR-308B 9.65 w/ 18" bull barrel. Lots of variations are available on the LR-308, the R-25 not so much.

Which brings up another question for you AR guys- how important is the forward assist and the dust cover, which the Remington has and some of the DPMS models have and some don't? And, BTW- I think I understand the forward assist - it helps push the bolt home if the round doesn't fully chamber, right? - but what's a dust cover?