5.56 or 7.62x39 for 3-Gun Comp. a/o Suppressor Use?

[Dave I]

So I've read all about the 5.56/.223 Vs. 7.62x39mm debates. I know more than I care to about it at this point. I think either would suit me fine however...

I am wondering if one shines better for use in something like 3-Gun while maintaining ability for general purpose use. I'd also be interested in maybe getting a suppressor down the road. Just for extra hearing protection. Mainly target practice, fun-factor, possibly hunting (which I don't do now, but am not at all opposed to), etc., etc. I'm still waffling between an AR platform and a Sig556 (or Sig-556-R, hence the 7.62x39mm consideration), both of which should be a bit more accurate than an AK, I am wondering at the range or something like 3-gun or the like if the distance is enough to even make a difference, and honestly there is a good chance I'll eventually end up with one of each (maybe more on the AR uppers) hence this is not an AK vs. AR debate for a change. While I do have a few AR 5.56 magazines around, it is not so much that I'm deeply invested in any caliber at this point.

Anyway, with those parameters in mind, does one necessarily make more sense?

-Cheers

[SonOfOdin]

Originally Posted by Dave I

So I've read all about the 5.56/.223 Vs. 7.62x39mm debates. I know more than I care to about it at this point. I think either would suit me fine however...

I am wondering if one shines better for use in something like 3-Gun while maintaining ability for general purpose use. I'd also be interested in maybe getting a suppressor down the road. Just for extra hearing protection. Mainly target practice, fun-factor, possibly hunting (which I don't do now, but am not at all opposed to), etc., etc. I'm still waffling between an AR platform and a Sig556 (or Sig-556-R, hence the 7.62x39mm consideration), both of which should be a bit more accurate than an AK, I am wondering at the range or something like 3-gun or the like if the distance is enough to even make a difference, and honestly there is a good chance I'll eventually end up with one of each (maybe more on the AR uppers) hence this is not an AK vs. AR debate for a change. While I do have a few AR 5.56 magazines around, it is not so much that I'm deeply invested in any caliber at this point.

Anyway, with those parameters in mind, does one necessarily make more sense?

-Cheers

Whichever one you want, really.

[Shaniac]

Have you considered the .300 Blackout (7.62x35)? It is a .30 caliber bullet seated in a trimmed down and necked up .223 casing. What that translates to is that you could purchase an AR upper with a .300 BLK barrel and the .300 Blk utilizes the same bolt and the same magazines as a 5.56x45 (.223)....kind of a cheaper option since you already own an AR chambered for the 5.56x45.
Also, the .300 BLK makes both sub sonic and super sonic rounds so if you are looking to shoot with a suppressor, the .300 Blk was designed around this use.

[JBubbs]

I would say AR for your purposes. Less recoil and debatable better accuracy along with way faster mag changes. And you can always swap upper for different calibers, even x39 if you want.

[Dave I]

Originally Posted by Shaniac

Have you considered the .300 Blackout (7.62x35)? It is a .30 caliber bullet seated in a trimmed down and necked up .223 casing. What that translates to is that you could purchase an AR upper with a .300 BLK barrel and the .300 Blk utilizes the same bolt and the same magazines as a 5.56x45 (.223)....kind of a cheaper option since you already own an AR chambered for the 5.56x45.
Also, the .300 BLK makes both sub sonic and super sonic rounds so if you are looking to shoot with a suppressor, the .300 Blk was designed around this use.

Funny you should mention that...

Yeah, I'm trading my 5.56 upper in. I'm thinking of getting a Sig556 (or 556R) then getting some sort of .300 upper (BLK or Whisper, I've been told there the same although I'd verify that first for obvious reasons) for the AR. Actually, I'd want a piston .300 AR upper, just because they would run dirtier suppressed and I'm a nut about clean guns, then a .22lr for plinking.

However, this also brings up the option of just keeping my relatively cheap 5.56 upper and adding a nice .300 BLK upper to the mix and using that for a suppressed/competition gun. I just think .300 bullets would be expensive to shoot a lot of relative to a 5.56 or 7.62x39 option.

-Cheers

[Dave I]

Originally Posted by JBubbs

I would say AR for your purposes. Less recoil and debatable better accuracy along with way faster mag changes. And you can always swap upper for different calibers, even x39 if you want.

By "AR" I'm presuming you mean in 5.56?

-Cheers

[JBubbs]

Originally Posted by Dave I

By "AR" I'm presuming you mean in 5.56?

-Cheers

oops, had a noob moment and brain defaulted to AK vs AR

[CCH]

5.56 will give you better return to target, less recoil, lower weight and less ammo cost. Depending on who is sanctioning it, .308 may put you into another class altogether (IE He-Man)

I love my .308s, and I love my .45s, but I find that I can shoot 9mm and 5.56 faster and more accurately overall. (in a dynamic moving environment, not bench)

EDIT- Sorry, I have a .308/7.62x51mm brain disposition and little love for 7.62x39. I saw 7.62 and my brain was thinking NATO 7.62. Either way, i'm a 5.56 guy for such applications.

[JBubbs]

Originally Posted by CCH

5.56 will give you better return to target, less recoil, lower weight and less ammo cost. Depending on who is sanctioning it, .308 may put you into another class altogether (IE He-Man)

I love my .308s, and I love my .45s, but I find that I can shoot 9mm and 5.56 faster and more accurately overall. (in a dynamic moving environment, not bench)

Is you thinkin 7.62x51?

[CCH]

Originally Posted by JBubbs

Is you thinkin 7.62x51?

Yeah (facepalm). You busted me before my edit