Thread: .223 Rem vs. .308 Win

Alright, one for the target guys (warning, the following videos may cause an emotional response among former AR owners ).

MK12 Mod 0



M110



Both rifles running good quality factory ammo, and the rifles themselves are very good replicas/clones of the original service rifles (the M110 might be original).

Quite amazing to see how the 223 more than holds it's own with the 308 all the way out to 500 in terms of fast follow up shots, accuracy and first round hits, after that you can't really hear or spot hits on steel for the 223.

Ryan Cleckner (former US Army Ranger) wrote that during his time in (from 2000-2002 I think), the MK12 Mod 0 was considered to be the most accurate issued rifle, even next to the M24 (bolt action .308).

Amazing performance from the 77 grain pill, will be interesting to see what happens when these guys get their hands on a 6 ARC, suspect it will be better as it is flatter on paper.

I've shot both calibers in FTR.
An off the shelf Savage Model 12 .223 with a 28" 1:7 twist barrel shooting 80 gr A-Max and a Barnard 'P' Action .308 with 32" 1:10 barrel shooting 155 gr Scenars.

In light winds the two combinations have very similar ballistics.
In moderate winds upto 600 yards the .223 can still be competitive, higher winds at longer distances the .308 dominates.
With a heavier 185 gr projectile the .308 has a bigger advantage in heavier wind.

The .223 is a great beginners caliber.

was shooting steel yesterday with the 223 75eldm 2690fps could hear the steel ring fine at 700m on heavy plates. was testing to see how well we could hear and see targets to run a 223 class at prs matches

Greetings All,
To me the two cartridges are complementary rather than competitors. There is a considerable overlap between them but each has an edge for some things. The .223 is a great target and light game cartridge, up to deer with the right projectiles and the .308 excels for longer range target and general hunting. Perhaps the last word should be left to Bell. Bell was a proponent of lighter cartridges and reputedly killed a Cape Buffalo with a .22 Savage Hi-power. A cartridge with ballistics easily matched in the .223. When asked late in life what modern cartridge he would prefer for elephants he was reputed to have answered "The .308 with 200 grain round nose solids". Not surprising as he used the .318 Westley Richards late in his ivory hunting days with about those ballistics.
Regards Grandpamac.

@Phil_H cleaning rod with a tight patch. Rotating jobby. Mark it for turns and on the rod. push it in until it completes one turn and measure how far it went in.

Hmm. Following with interest. I recently sold my Howa 1:9 that shot 55 grain beautifully, esp Aussie Outback and Belmont s.p. Trouble was at 300m the wind affected the 55’s significantly.
Have just put together a Howa heavy barrelled 1:8 action with composite stock, dpt over barrel suppressor and vortex 4-12x40 tactical scope. I’m hoping both 62 and Belmonts 77 grain ammo (when available) will be the bees knees.