Looking to make an informed purchase, but I have very little first hand knowledge of these.
I know there are some experts in here that can help me with real life experience.
Mainly looking for advice on brand and caliber right now.
I have never owned an AR platform. I love, love LOVE my Maadi AK, but I am now looking for something modern with optics.
6.5 Creedmoor has superior ballistics to .308, that is not up for debate.
I am most curious about current (and long term) availability and price comparison of the 2 rounds.
I am not, nor do I plan to become a competitive marksman.
This is for fun with my friends from 250 to 6 or 700 yards.
Budget: $2000 + $1000 for optics and rail goodies.
That is probably entry level pricing, which is where I am right now.
Not interested at all in 5.56 or .223
Also not interested in a build. As I said, I have almost zero knowledge and while I may build someday, I'm not looking for a project.
What I want is something I can buy on-line or at my LGS, put a scope on, and take to the range.
I know there are many boutique brands that offer very high quality products, but I don't know the good from the mediocre.
Armalite invented the thing, so they are near the top of the list. Hopefully that is a correct assumption.
Ideally, I'd like to end up with a brand I trust and own (Springfield, Ruger, and Colt are my go to's), but this is a new foray for me, so here I am asking for advice.
Reliability is #1 priority. Accuracy is #2. I care exactly 0% about "looks," and I won't know about feel until I shoulder it anyway.
I am 6' tall, 210# with fairly long arms if that matters. These stocks adjust anyway, right?
There is one other option I'd like to explore, and that is 30-06.
I know about the M1 Garand, but people don't part with these.
I'm not sure if there is anybody making an equivalent today in that caliber and in my price range,
but if there is, I'd like to explore that too.
That should be enough info to get a conversation started. Thanks in advance!