Looking to purchase a rifle on the AR platform, advice needed...

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Thoughts?

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Buy a good .308 hunting rifle and scope, then buy a 5.56 AR15. JMO

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what should I consider before buying?

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At this time in our country I would consider your budget and current stock. ARs are tough to find right now, and the used market is saturated with highly overpriced guns. Even if you do find a gun 223/556 ammo is even harder to find.

If I was just getting into ARs I would go to a local shop like Bowies or Interstate guns and see what they had in stock. Then assess your budget and make a purchase from there. Keep in mind you will still need ammo, mags, and an optic.

AR10s are nice, but if I were deer hunting I would still use a bolt gun.

The weight of that AR10 will negate at lot of the advantages of the platform.

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The weight of that AR10 will negate at lot of the advantages of the platform.

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I don't disagree with this but the weight isn't a huge difference.

I have 6.5 grendel 18" barrel and a .308 18"
The .308 has a 34mm 1-8x26 scope FFP that's pretty heavy. The grendel has a meopta 4-14x50. I'd think the 1-8 with the once piece mount is likely heavier but not going to take it off to weight.

The difference is 1.5# (8.4 on the grendel and 9.8 on the .308) decent difference.
The biggest difference between the 2 is recoil.

An AR shooting 5.56 has no recoil. The .308 has significant recoil. Not so much that it hurts but you are not getting 2 reasonably accurate shots off.

for going out and messing around but not shooting 100-200 rounds I'd definitely consider the .308

If you want a home defense gun or want to go out and shoot a lot, then get the AR-15

I just got a Daniel Defense in 6.5CM. Great gun. They sell it in .308 and .260.

As others have said, nothing wrong with wanting an AR10 in 308 but it’s definitely heavier than a bolt gun. I hunt with an Aero Precision because I’m used to the AR platform and I don’t mind the weight. It’s also relatively soft-shooting compared to super light 308 bolt guns for 3 reasons: 1. Semi auto 2. Muzzle compensator 3. Weight. It does the job just fine and has killed a few deer. (Friend’s PSA o the left, mine on the right)



I’ve found the best bang for buck to be palmetto state armory rifles. They have both 5.56 and 308 versions. I’ve taken 2 basic PSA AR10s out to the range and have been amazed by the accuracy. One was shooting 3/4” groups with 150gr federal fusion. The other was shooting the same size group with 150gr Remington core lokt. They are excellent for the money and will do fine on deer. Just be aware of the weight.

It’s a bad time to be buying an AR . Ammo and ARs are so hard to find I am thinking about getting an AK instead of another AR. A lot easier to find ammo and it’s a lot cheaper.

Don’t waste anytime better get shopping NOW

“A .308 is for hunting, but not for play/fun. A 5.56 is for play/fun (and self defense), but not great for hunting (unless you're dialed in and take head shots).”

My 6.5 DD5 is pretty fun at the range as well as hunting.

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One was shooting 3/4” groups with 150gr federal fusion.

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Fusion, or at least the boxes I've shot in .243 and 5.56, is amazingly consistent ammo for a hunting round. I've got a Tikka that loves it; I doubt I could do any better with handloads.