New to sporting rifles...need some help with caliber selection

Bop67

Bop67

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Like the title says I am completely new to hunting and sporting arms, I'm a rimfire and black/green shotgun nut. I'm planning to buy a Savage Edge XP, it fits my budget. I had the opportunity to handle one and it fit me quite well.

However my dilemma is what caliber to pick. I'm stuck between a .223 and .308. I'm not gonna be hunting anything but paper targets, but here's the catch. Call me weird but I want a big bang. I've never got the chance to shoot .223 or .308 out of such a rifle, I've only fired .223 from an AR.

Cost is somewhat of an issue so PMC or MFS ammo is what I'll be buying...but I was just wondering how loud the two calibers are, compared to each other? I know for sure the .308 will recoil much more, but don't know by how much. I have an SKS in a Tapco stock is the recoil and "loudness" of the 7.62x39 somewhat similar to either the .223 and .308? Sorry if I sound weird :p

Thanks for any help in advance
 
If you're only going to be punching paper, I'd suggest the .223 is the way to go.

I doubt if the difference in "bang" would make up for the extra cost of ammo, and the cumulative recoil of going 50 or 100 rounds at the range. Not saying a .308 kicks real bad, but over a long session it certainly adds up.

And because of reduced recoil, consistently punching small ragged holes...which the Savage is very capable of with the right ammo...will definitely be a lot easier.

If and when you decide to get in a little plinking at long range varmints, the .223 is ideal out to 300 yds.

If you go with the .223 (this isn't an issue with the .308), find out what the twist rate is for the Savage, and be sure to use ammo that works best within that spec. If the gun shop isn't helpful in this regard with ammo suggestions, no doubt the good ol' boys on the forum will let you know what ammo to use.
 
Thanks both of you, I would go for a .243 but the range I go to allows frangible .223 and .308 so I've narrowed it down to them.

As for cost, that's the only thing that is pulling me to a .223, the cost of ammo. I can handle recoil quite well I've shot box after box of 3 inch magnum slugs with ease, so recoil doesn't worry me too much, I just don't want to be "unsatisfied" with the .223, like I said call me weird but I take a lot of newbies out with me and they love it as well. And before somebody says it....

no I can't get both, I wish I could :(
 
Bop67 said:
I can handle recoil quite well I've shot box after box of 3 inch magnum slugs with ease, so recoil doesn't worry me too much,
Click to expand...

Just a note here: If you shot the 3" slugs from a benchrest, then you can handle recoil for sure. However, if offhand standing, worth mentioning that recoil is usually more of an issue from a benchrest.
 
If you're just punching paper the 223 is a better choice. The ammo is cheaper to load and buy and there is a infinite amount of selection of bullets and guns in what ever type of action you desire. If you really want to fire something cheap get something chambered in 7.62x39.
 
I would advise you to get the .223 not the .308. .223 is great for punching paper & is still quite loud. You will want to get more guns in the future, & can decide on a bigger caliber then.

George
 
If you don't wear ear protection it won't be long until neither one works for you -- you will not hear the bang.
 
I owned a .223 edge, a friend of mine owns a .308 edge ( Now called the axis). Its a light gun with a cheap pad on it, and after a while the .308 will make you feel tender. The .223 you could shoot for ages, and the ammo is 9.99 for a 20 box... It's loud enough. But my 25-06 is louder :)

* Just read where you said recoil is not an issue.
the .308 is obviously loud, but I wouldn't say its a boomer. Do you see yourself hunting in the future? Do you reload or plan to? As far as the Savage Edge goes, I had one and loved it, great little gun. Light, cheap, cheap to shoot. The scope is no Leupold but it does the trick. I thought the trigger was pretty reasonable, I never had any issues with mine, I only sold it to fund a Tikka in 25-06. I do intend to buy another Edge ( AXIS ) in .223 at some point.
 
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