.223 vs 5.45 vs .308

[Amac91]

Well after the feedback from my 5.45 post earlier I figured I might as well ask a broader question. If you were going to buy a rifle in one of these three calibers and you were a poor college student living off of ramen noodles, which caliber and gun would you choose and why? Functionality and reliability matter more to me than pure beauty. I don't want to start an AK vs AR argument or anything, just trying to gauge peoples opinions taking the current market and availability into consideration. Some ideas I've toyed wit are the Keltec SU16C in .223/5.56 and now the Saiga in 5.45. I really like the price of bulk 5.45 and such but everything has its benefits. Opinions?

 

[jd4320t]

Well, 308 is out of the discussion. It is expensive and so are it's hosts.

You can get a cheaper AR for $600 or so and run steel ammo or go the Saiga route as mentioned in your other thread.

 

[Creeper26]

Ak74, cheap, reliable, cheap ammo.

 

[gunowner930]

What will the rifle primarily be used for? plinking? self-defense? target shooting? Furthermore, if you're on a rahmen noodle diet what is your actual budget? That said, I wouldn't touch a .308 rifle if your budget is as low as it appears to be, the 5.56x45 and 5.45x39 are similar in performance. Surplus 5.45x39 is cheaper but corrosive.

 

[vitamink]

5.45 gets my vote. The ammo's cheaper, and the weapons to fire it are cheaper and more reliable. Try to avoid century arms lest you end up with a key holing 5.45. If i were a broke college student that'd be what i'd go for. Now if i was a bad mamajamma with a futon and a kick ass fiero classic luxury sports car i'd own all three, but we can't all be awesome.

5.45 tuned and smacking 500's

 

[EvilElmo]

5.45 because of the cheaper ammo/rifles. Unless you reload, in which case in the long run 5.56 will be cheaper.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

AK74

 

[pitbull1]

I have to say the AK 74 route also. 1080 RDS surplus for $150 shipped online. Its great!

 

[boomboom]

A Saiga a crate of 5.45 and a bottle of windex and your ready to shoot till your hearts content.

 

[tmccorkel]

I went with a Saiga in .223/5.56 and love it. The ammo is a little more expensive than the 5.45 ($110/ 500rds), but I like knowing that it is easy to find and will always be available if and when I need it.

 

[40calPUNISHER]

You've already answered your own question.. Ramen noodle diet = 5.45x39

 

[ArmedRPh]

I'd say go the AK-74 route also. If you are on a tight budget, there are a few less "accessories" available for the AK platform right now...not a lot less, but you'll be less likely to drop another 500+ on a new upper if you don't have one to replace in the first place. The new CTD catalog turned up in the mail today with at least 3 pages dedicated to AR uppers.

Depending on what part of the state you are in, it may be cheaper to forgo shipping costs and cut over to AIM surplus and pick up the ammo yourself...don't forget to factor in state tax if you do it that way.

 

[ckcollins2003]

Well, 308 is out of the discussion. It is expensive and so are it's hosts.

You can get a cheaper AR for $600 or so and run steel ammo or go the Saiga route as mentioned in your other thread.

You can buy a .308 bolt action for $300. A Savage at that. It shoots really well too. And if reloading is a possibility then ammo isn't all that expensive. Cheap stuff is about $0.50 a round at the store, but reloading, if you can get brass for free, you can reload A-Max's for about $0.27 a round.

 

[Amac91]

I was going more for a semi-auto because I'm trying to pick up a bolt action Mosin from a friend next week. Looks like the 5.45 is the most popular. That Saiga is chewing at my heart.

Ramen noodle diet = 400$ and below for the rifle and plenty of cheap ammo.
Sounds like a dream made in heaven.

 

[Dorky_D]

I went with a Saiga in .223/5.56 and love it. The ammo is a little more expensive than the 5.45 ($110/ 500rds), but I like knowing that it is easy to find and will always be available if and when I need it.

This! Mags are a little more expensive and harder to find at local stores. You can get away with Tapco Galil Mags with a bullet guide installed (not hard). You can also get Bulgarian Circle 10 Mags. File the front a bit to fit in and you are done!

 

[figley]

blah, blah, blah... I really like the price of bulk 5.45 and such but everything has its benefits. Opinions?

looks like you answered your own question

 

[sgreen3]

Seems like 308 is out of the question, AK74 would fit the bill nicely. Cheap ammo an alot of fun to shoot.

 

[Amac91]

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

 

[Cerberus]

I'd like to know where the cheap AK74s are at. Not to mention mags.

 

[figley]

I'd like to know where the cheap AK74s are at. Not to mention mags.

maybe the shop in wannamaker?