One rifle to rule them all...

[Pancho Villa]

Mental exercise I've been running in my head for the better part of a year, now it's becoming relevant.

Long story short, I liquidated my gun collection to make sure we had the cash on hand to pay the (substantial) bills related to bringing a new human onto the scene. Now baby is here and I'm taking stock of what is important and what isn't. I've decided that 1 rifle + lots of ammo is better than a lot of rifles and a little bit of ammo, and less trigger time.

Maybe I'm just growing up. Who knows.

Anyway, my needs are very specific, and I'd like to get feedback from people here. I want a HD/Playing Around/Hunting rifle. Needs to be good to go for game up to elk, killing intruders up close and playing around at the range up to 400-500 yards.

After some research I have settled on a final two: 6.8SPCII and 6.5 Grendel. While many old timers will look askance at the two as elk cartridges, given some research, a solid hit with a modern bullet will put even the big'uns down.

What I would like from you guys are your learned opinions: which is better for the assigned purposes, and why?

[cofi]

Why not just go. 308 if your planning on stockpiling its gonna be way cheaper

[Delfuego]

Why not just go. 308 if your planning on stockpiling its gonna be way cheaper

Ditto...

Have you tried to locate any 6.5/6.8? Slim pickings and expensive.

[fitz19d]

Another +1 for not 6.8 and 6.5. For a while I had the 6.8 craze, and I'm happy I never pulled the trigger. I'm not knocking those rounds, but they are certainly better suited to the hobbyist that has the $ to have numerous toys and the very pricy ammunition/reloading costs of those exotic flavors.

Problem is somewhat the original post. I want a close in home defense, hunting, 500 yard rifle.... it sounds like that animated ascii voice video a while back making fun of random new posters on ar15. (Who also want plate carriers but no plates.)

If you are doing this because of funds and want simplicity, I'd encourage sticking with affordable off the shelf calibres, again like the .308. Yes the fancy ar10's are up there, but there are plenty of reasonably priced ones that will do the job.

One thought is instead of trying to make a rifle do several different generalities. Just get yourself a $300 870 or something for your HD needs and that allows you to focus on a true hunting calibre rifle that will deal with elk/distance/and some fun range needs. (If you suddenly strike it rich, bump fire stock on that .308 with a drum...)

Opposite side, get a $100 mosin or a basic real hunting caliber bolt gun for a few hundred and then focus your HD/Range fun/400 yards need with a 18-22 inch AR15.

[osok-308]

Opposite side, get a $100 mosin or a basic real hunting caliber bolt gun for a few hundred and then focus your HD/Range fun/400 yards need with a 18-22 inch AR15.

+1 If you can't afford a semi auto .308, get an ar in 5.56 (for ammo availability) and a mosin nagant. The 7.62x54r is more powerful anyways, and the money you save on a rifle, will afford hundreds of rounds of 7.62 ammunition. Ammunition is incredibly cheap to shoot. It was my first rifle (even before a .22 as I got my mosin for $75 from a buddy) and as I shoot it, I feel compelled to quote Ivan Drago from Rocky IV "I must break you" and "I can not be defeated. I beat all man. Someday, I will beat a real champion."

[Dalendenver]

I did a lot of research before spending money and bought a 6.8 then reamed it to spcII. I love the way it shoots. I have a Mini14 and am working on the upper for my AR15. Go to 68forums.com, there is a world of information there and many of the top manufacturers involved in 6.8 are on there.

I saw a Stag 7 in 6.8 at the last gun show for under $1000.

[SideShow Bob]

I am not one of the learned old timers, but ammo availability would be in the equation as to what caliber. And platform type such as an AR 15 or AR 10, depending on caliber choice would come second. The AR platform would give you the all around usage you are looking for.

[Pancho Villa]

I would prefer an AR15, Sideshow.

As for why not .308...I don't like my options. The less expensive rifles don't impress me regarding reliability, and the more reliable ones are pushing $3k for the basic rifle.

[netsecsys]

I would prefer an AR15, Sideshow.

As for why not .308...I don't like my options. The less expensive rifles don't impress me regarding reliability, and the more reliable ones are pushing $3k for the basic rifle.

You could get a LMT MWS for around $2400 new (going around $2100 for used in good condition) . They are no OBR but well made, accurate, and are fun to shoot (especially after putting a PWS brake on it). You can take them out some distance as well. YMMV.

[Fentonite]

I've got a DPMS LR308B, that's been nothing but reliable. Sub MOA. Youre welcome to try it out. Shoot me a PM, and maybe we can figure a time to meet at cherry creek.