I’m new to the AR-15 platform as well and being in the sand pit means I can’t play with my baby but I can dream of the new dress and shoes I’m going to buy her!

Looking at the different calibers I decided to go with a .308 for my next AR. You can use it for hunting and SHTF. The .308 is popular so you’ve got plenty of sources to get ammo from. I like the 6.8 but its new enough that the rounds are expensive compared to the .308. .308 has the cheaper ammo for plinking and the quality ammo for hunting. A .308 AR for hunting is a bit heavy but you can get a bolt action for hunting and add a rifle to the collection but not another caliber.
Both the .308 and 6.8 can be used for hunting in CO.
From what I understand the troops had some complaints about the .223/5.56 putting down tango’s in CQB and that’s part of the reason the 6.8 came out. The tangos are hopped up on amphetamines before battle so even when hit hard they are still kicking until they completely bleed out or a round in the head. The troops needed a heavy hitting “take them out of the fight NOW” round which was going to be either the .308 or the 6.8

Here’s a link to an article on the 6.8:
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammunition/remington_0303/

.308
- Plenty of options
- Cheaper plinking ammo
- Have to buy a new gun
6.8mm
- Buy an upper and mags so cheaper than a new AR – use the same lower
- Ammo’s more expensive.