I would get the .308 for hunting for sure.I want a M1A ,but alas , they are not allowed here as they are not on the approved list...
But the .223 is a clever little round too.Especially when teaching someone to shoot after they have been initiated with a .22 - the .223 is a good beginners round.It can be hunted with ,as long as the game is of a medium to smallish size .for deer it would be illegal here ( what we call deer gets to around 150-200 KG tops here,most in the 75 KG range ).
Some here use it for hare,beaver,fox ,and the smallest bovine game we have here.
I just find the .308 more versatile.It can do anything up to and including moose which is pretty much the biggest game here .( Around 500 KG ).
Best of luck in finding a new rifle to all !
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Originally Posted by weswood
HQ, my intended purpose is mostly plinking.
I'm leaning towards the AR15 for that reason. Cheaper ammo, parts availability, surplus parts & ammo. Plus I want to teach my daughter rifle shooting, she's 9 years old and petite for her age, so a collapsible stock is a must.
But on the other hand, I got rid of my deer rifles. After my father died, I pretty much lost interest in hunting. I don't know if it's stress or upbringing, but I'm getting the urge to go hunting. I'm not fond of the idea of hunting deer with a .223. I know if it will kill a man, it will kill a deer, but I've read cases of the bullet going through people and not even slowing down, the target stood there and kept shooting back. I'm a firm believer in one shot, one kill. Specially with animals. As I said above, my 1st hunting rifle was a muzzle loader, and my 1st shotgun was a break action single 20. No quick follow up shots with either.
So I'm also leaning towards the M1 .308.
Plus there's the wife factor. "You spent HOW much on that!" Even though weapons are a little cheaper here in Texas than in Cali. (Jester, for some reason I thought you lived near Houston.) I haven't priced any since last year, but I think I remember the Springfield going for around $1300, and I can get an AR15 for $1000. Maybe less if I can find a used one.
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