7.62 vs 5.56 Which is cheaper to shoot?

[jimbosyn]

Guys,
I'm looking for some recommendations about what is the cheaper caliber to shoot? It seems like 7.62 is harder to come by and is more expensive in South Atlanta. Is it the same everywhere, or is it just the post election rush? Also, has 7.62 always been more expensive than 5.56/.223 or is it a recent phenomenon.

The reason I as is that I'm considering selling an SKS that my father gave me and replacing with an AR-15. Which would be cheaper in the long run?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[matiki]

For about six months, up until last month (for me) it was 7.62. But now 5.56 is available locally for near (but not quite at) pre election prices. Prior to election, 5.56 was cheap (comparatively speaking)

[Shadowsbane]

If it is 7.62x39, then if you can find a decent supply of surplus then yes it is cheaper. Commerially right now however it is pretty close to the same price.

[buckeye .45]

Reloading is cheaper. But, FWIW, I just got 100 rounds of Silver Bear 7.62 for 39.99, and 100 Brown bear .223 for 34.99 last weekend. Back when I got my AK a few years ago 7.62 was a lot cheaper than it is now though.

I'd use other criteria as the basis for weapon selection other than cheap ammo, like what the rifle is going to be used for, both are fine weapons systems though.

[farmerbyron]

Look for an AK that shoots 5.45x39. You will pay more for the gun but after a case or two of ammo you have made up the difference.

[aus71383]

7.62x39 is cheaper to shoot than 5.56x45 - 5.45x39 is almost as cheap as dirt.

Austin

[jimbosyn]

Forgive my ignorance, but can you get an AR-15 chambered in 5.45x39?

[totallysick]

Forgive my ignorance, but can you get an AR-15 chambered in 5.45x39?

Yes you can S&W M&P. Just put one on layaway. Cost $1,100 out the door.

[jimbosyn]

Yes you can S&W M&P. Just put one on layaway. Cost $1,100 out the door.

Yeah, I figured it would be in the low 1k range. Can you swap the barrels or actions to accommodate the .223 as well? Just curious since my sig 229 can accommodate .40 S&W and .357 SIG with a barrel replacement.

[Ram Rod]

7.62 vs 5.56 Which is cheaper to shoot?

That depends on how much ammo you have for each. I have more 7.62x39 than 5.56 or .223, so technically the 7.62 is cheaper for me. However.....all of my 5.56/.223 is brass cased, and I can sell the once fired cases for reloading, so maybe it comes out even for me. I haven't been shooting anything lately that I cannot restock.

[Daddy Warcrimes]

Yeah, I figured it would be in the low 1k range. Can you swap the barrels or actions to accommodate the .223 as well? Just curious since my sig 229 can accommodate .40 S&W and .357 SIG with a barrel replacement.

A beautiful thing about the AR platform is that you can swap an upper (with bolt) and magazine and have an entirely different weapon.

You'll want to swap the entire upper and not just the barrel. This includes the bolt as it wears with the chamber and can cause problems even if you swap bolts between 2 identically chambered uppers.

My AR is chambered to 5.56, I'm considering getting an upper in 6.8mm for hunting (if I ever pick up hunting). You can also get them in 7.62x39, 6.5mm Grendel, .50 Beowulf, and a variety of other rifle and pistol calibers.

[kazzaerexys]

Is this a trick question? They both the cost the same to shoot: $0. That's because my 5.56 upper has been back-ordered for months and because nobody has either ammo in stock. That really keeps costs down!

[CR2008]

A beautiful thing about the AR platform is that you can swap an upper (with bolt) and magazine and have an entirely different weapon.

You'll want to swap the entire upper and not just the barrel. This includes the bolt as it wears with the chamber and can cause problems even if you swap bolts between 2 identically chambered uppers.

My AR is chambered to 5.56, I'm considering getting an upper in 6.8mm for hunting (if I ever pick up hunting). You can also get them in 7.62x39, 6.5mm Grendel, .50 Beowulf, and a variety of other rifle and pistol calibers.

7.62x39mm is still significantly cheaper if you get Milsurp ammo (most of which is corrosive so you have to clean differently and the same day it was used)... and the AK47 type guns are signifcantly less expensive still, I picked up a Saiga 7.62x39mm (same group that makes AKs for the Russian Military and other military weapons) for $500 new.

I got myself a RRA lower and plane to build an AR15 but the uppers are HARD to find... have seen a few seperate parts around gun shows though.

[Bravestardmc]

5.56 all the way,