suggestions please, what to do? 308 or 300blk

[landon410]

Have someone wanting to purchase my 338mx lever gun

now we all know if i sell that rifle and don't replace it right away that money will disappear and i'll just be down a gun.

have been looking hard at 44mags, but upon further reflection, i mean really how often am I going to shoot a 44 mag? the ammo is as much or more than the 338mx ammo.

so, down a deer rifle, I should get a deer rifle.
I like the Mossberg MVP Patrol in 308, its a short rifle with only a 16.25 barrel.

or i could get something like a 300 blackout upper minus the BCG and charging handle, which I could just swap out of my 556 upper, plus a couple hundred rounds of ammo for the same cost as the rifle above; this is an appealing idea to me, I wouldn't be shooting subsonic rounds because i have no suppressor, so I'd be looking for a decent deer round, 99% of shots under 150 yards.

Its my understanding a 300 blackout fits that bill, but ammo can be hard to find at times.
a bolt 308 fits most all hunting situations I'd ever be in and ammo is easy to find


thoughts?

[MHicks]

The initial investment can be discouraging but how about reloading ammo for your firearms?  Once you have the basic equipment and some components the cost per round drops drastically in most cases.  It isn't for everybody, just a suggestion.

Both calibers you are looking at are very versatile.  You can find offerings for the 308 from as low as 110 grain bullets up to 190 grains and sometimes more in specialty ammo.  The 300 Blackout is similar but with a shorter range then the 308.  Hunting out to 150 yards would be a non-issue, in my mind, with either one.

You are on point with the ammo for the 300 being difficult to find.  It isn't cheap either compared to some of the 308 stuff that can be found.  You are probably less likely to blast off, or have the urge to, a lot of rounds with the 308 compared to the 300.

Personally, I would go with the 308.  The MVP seems like a nice little package.  The ballistics are great.  It will also cover most future hunting scenarios you may find yourself in.  Maybe one day you will get the offer/opportunity to go on a hunt that will allow you to stretch its legs.  If I had just an upper sitting in the safe I would be tempted to put a lower on it.  Those things seem to multiply that way.

[Mntnman]

The beauty of 300 blk is ammo is easy for you to manufacture if you are into it. There is a video on youtube where some guys shoot a .556 and in less than a minute they grab the brass and reload it as a 300 blk and fire it. That's just a demo and not real world smart. I have a 300 blk but i haven't had much of a chance to play with it. It is what my daughters will use for deer.

I think once it becomes more mainstream ammo will get cheaper. If not, I have plenty of .556 to convert. I feel this is the best "other" caliber to have for an AR since everything is the same except the barrel and you can use the most common components to reload it as well as many bullet grain options. I might buy a single shot as well.

[landon410]

ive wanted to get into reloading but bigger priorities keep coming up, getting married, buying house, having kid, etc... that crap is expensive!

I actually saved all the brass from my 338mx because i was hoping to get into reloading

the 300 blk upper I could get for $370, that includes shipping
thats cheap, I could get the 300 black out upper AND a handgun with the money I'd get for my 338mx

[tstuart34]

OR you should get the blackout upper and a intro reloading press!

RCBS has a Kit for under the cost of "sum" handguns

http://www.midwayusa.com/general/rebate/rcbs-rebate-save-up-to-50

the lee press kit is even cheaper

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/121744/lee-challenger-breech-lock-single-stage-press-kit?cm_vc=ProductFinding
depending on the budget of the handgun both leave you options for buying supplies.

[bkoenig]

If you don't plan on getting a suppressor there are better deer hunting calibers than the .300 Blackout.  You might look into 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel.  Ammo is not cheap for either, but realistically you'll probably shoot them a lot less than 5.56.

[RobertH]

Landon, sounds like you want to reload, but afraid to try.  why not get that first and save up for a 308 for later, maybe Christmas... hint, hint.

also, if you're going to get a 308, forget the 300BLK..... unless you want to reload for both, then that might change things.

[gsd]

Do not get the MVP.

You can get a 700 for nearly the same price, and have a better quality firearm to start. I had an MVP in 223, and another member had one in 308. Key word in both instances? HAD.

And the 700 is chambered in both blackout and 308.

[shooter]

 tea. go with the 308. I have 2 remingtons in that, you can add things as you go along, but reloading is something I would also consider, you can really save money. well no you cant, cause youll shoot more

[Gary]

.308 is battle proven, ammo is available, everywhere, and usually not impossible to get.   Being a little shorter than 30-06, it works well in semi-auto riffles.   AR10's make a good big brother to AR15's. 

When it comes to choosing guns, calibers, ammo, cars or GF's, every guy asks what his buddies think, and then goes ahead and does what he wants anyway. 

[gsd]

ive wanted to get into reloading but bigger priorities keep coming up, getting married, buying house, having kid, etc... that crap is expensive!

My reloading setup when I started for a 308 I had cost me roughly $345. Pick it up a piece at a time here and there over a couple months.  You'll be glad you did. I can reload 55gr V-Max for my rifle for $0.33/round.

I think my 308 loads ran me about $0.62/round, where most factory ammo is $0.80/round.

[Chris C]

I would say go with the .308 since it's more versatile and ammo is easier to come by consistently.  I'm still playing hell getting .300blk brass from a place in MO (don't have time to convert 5.56). 

To be even more economical if you have a AR-15 and are a real good shot with that use it for Deer.  I've taken a doe at 162 yards using mine with the Hornady 75gr BTHP rounds which even at 200 yards IIRC are at 942ft lbs which is still over the NE requirements for rifle deer hunting.  The doe at 162 yards was a head shot and it fell right over dead.  Can't comment on body shots...  Then you could buy reloading equipment.     

[Mntnman]

You can get reasonably priced converted lake city brass from Brads warehouse, fyi.