308 Vs. 223: Know The Difference

Regarding rifle cartridges, the more popular options are .223 and .308. They both pack a punch, but the 308 hits harder than the .223. On the other hand, the .223 provides a more accurate shot without as much recoil.

It's tough to recommend which cartridge is better, so we've dug deeper into our analysis of 308 Vs. 223 so you can choose the right caliber per your needs.

Remember to check our previous post about : 6mm ARC Vs.. 6.5 Grendel.

Let's get back to the topic.

308 Vs. 223: Overview

308 Vs. 223: Bullet Size

The .223 Remington fires a .224 caliber bullet, while the .308 Winchester fires a .308 caliber bullet. This means the .308 Winchester fires a larger and heavier slug than the .223 Remington.

The larger bullet size of the .308 Winchester gives it more energy and penetrating Power. This makes it a better choice for hunting medium and large game animals like deer, elk, and bear. The .223 Remington is better for hunting small game animals, such as varmints and predators.

308 Vs. 223: Stopping Power

Stopping Power is probably the most popular term for hunting or self-defense weapons, and it's no different with the 223 Vs.. 308 debate. Everyone wants a rifle to put their target down with one shot, whether an assailant, predator, or prey in the woods.

Still, you must be careful with stopping Power in home defense situations. If the penetration and energy are high, you risk shooting right through your target and causing injury behind them. More Power is only sometimes ideal, so take the proper considerations before choosing a specific round. 

308 Vs. 223: Penetration

Penetration is one of the first elements of a round that comes to mind when people think about stopping Power. A general rule of thumb is that if a bullet is heavier and skinnier, it will penetrate deeper into the target and have a higher chance of killing.

Since the .308 is almost the same diameter as the .223, and most of the rounds are considerably heavier, the .308 is going to penetrate deeper nearly every time. If you're looking at a cartridge for penetration alone, the .308 handily wins, setting it up for more success while hunting a bigger game.

308 Vs. 223: Energy Velocity

The energy and velocity are two other considerations when discussing the stopping Power of a particular round. The more points a bullet uses, the faster it will travel and the more effective it will be in the stopping power department.

Since the .308 is considerably heavier than the .223, it requires more energy to shoot a single bullet. The .308 holds its velocity far longer than the .223, providing a more powerful shot at all distances, making it more appropriate for hunting larger targets.

Of course, increased energy usually means you're sacrificing some accuracy and stability. We'll take a look at these elements in our next section.

308 Vs. 223: Hitting Your Target

Stopping Power, while important, is one of many considerations when deciding between two cartridges. You also have to look at how quickly and easily you can hit your target.

This section will look at the accuracy, trajectory, and recoil of the 223 Vs.. 308.

Having a more powerful cartridge doesn't mean much if you're going to miss every shot. This is the section to which less experienced shooters should pay attention. A long-time marksman will have an easier time accounting for some of these elements than someone buying their first weapon. 

308 Vs. 223: Trajectory

You'll see some bullet drop with both the .223 and .308; at short ranges, they perform about the same. Harsh winds may affect your shot, but neither shell is light enough to fall victim to light winds at short degrees.

Once you get past 300 yards, you'll notice a significant difference in how the .223 and .308 fly. Since the .308 uses heavier rounds, the bullet drop becomes more noticeable the further you are away from your target. You'll need to adjust your aim more when you reach 300 yards.

Since most hunting shots take place under 300 yards, the flatter trajectory of the .223 beyond this point shouldn't be too much of a concern. If you're looking for sharpshooting practice, the .223 is your choice. Remember, though, that the increased weight of the .308 means it's not as susceptible to wind and other environmental elements.

308 Vs. 223: Recoil

Recoil is far from the only element of a cartridge you need to consider, but it's one that many people will look at first. Those new to shooting and who don't have experience handling powerful rifles often need something that will give them a bit of leeway in the recoil department.

Shooting hunting and self-defense rifles are second nature to a seasoned shooter, but even those who have been shooting guns for years consider recoil a deciding factor in some cases. When you have multiple cartridges in front of you, the one with the lower recoil will often win the vote.

Anyone would immediately notice the difference when recoil in the 223 Vs.. 308. The .308 will give you a kick that will affect the shot of even the most experienced marksman. For a new shooter, the recoil will be nearly unbearable. The .223, on the other hand, is much milder and will be hardly noticeable for a long-time marksman. If you're new to shooting, you should be able to handle this recoil without much of an issue. 

308 Vs. 223: Accuracy

Determining a particular cartridge's accuracy is difficult since so many variables are tough to test. A variety of guns take each of these rounds, and all have variable accuracies you need to consider. All of that is before the user's accuracy, which is more of a determining factor than anything else.

When calculating the general accuracy of each cartridge, the above factors of recoil and trajectory also play a substantial role. Since the .308 presents more recoil than the .223, it's harder to hit successive shots on the target with the .308. Those picking up a gun for the first time might have a harder time handling the .308, which plays a major role in how accurate the cartridge will be.

Since the trajectory is about the same in long-range situations, the .308 and .223 are virtually tied when the conditions are calm. If it starts to get windy, though, the .308 will be the more accurate of the two. A heavier bullet means it will travel further without being affected by the conditions. If you're hunting on a windy or rainy day, you'll find that the .308 is considerably more accurate than the .223.

308 Vs. 223: Best Use

It always takes a lot of work to recommend which cartridge is better. An all-around round doesn't exist for the most part, and every cartridge you compare will have its strengths and weaknesses.

Both cartridges will perform about the same in the self-defense or home-defense category. They will stop an intruder in their tracks, but if you're looking at one of these rifles, you likely have a handgun that will suffice for these altercations. Therefore, we'll focus on hunting and sharpshooting with the 223 Vs.. 308.

If you're hunting large game, the .308 is the cartridge you'll want to use. The stopping power is hardly comparable between the .308 and .223, as the .308 penetrated deeper with more energy. The increased accuracy and decreased recoil of the .223 don't matter much when you're hunting large game, so go with the .308 if this is the primary use of your rifle.

If you're hunting small game, you need a cartridge that provides tighter, flatter shots. Shooting a small game with a larger bullet means a better chance of missing, so the .223 has an advantage in these scenarios.

If you're trying to show off your distant accuracy and sharpshooting ability at the range, the .223 will give you a better shot. The recoil is less prominent with the .223 than the .308, and the bullet drop won't be as pronounced either.

Overall, the .223 is far easier to handle than the .308. If you're experienced with shooting, you shouldn't have much of a problem running the .308, but young shooters and those picking up a gun for the first time shouldn't start with the .308.

The recoil of the .223 is extremely manageable, on the other hand, and easy to learn for new people. The best way to tell if a cartridge is right for you is to take it to the range and start firing. 

308 Vs. 223: Price & Availability

litary and police firearms.

As a result, a greater supply of .223 ammunition is available, which helps keep prices down.

However, the price of ammunition can vary depending on several factors, including the brand, the type of bullet, and the current market conditions.

For example, high-quality match-grade ammunition is typically more expensive than standard plinking ammunition.

Availability

Both .223 Remington and .308 Winchester ammunition are widely available at most gun and sporting goods stores. However, .223 Remington ammunition is typically more widely available and easier to find than .308 Winchester ammunition.

This is due to the popularity of the .223 caliber and the fact that it is used in many military and police firearms.

Here is a table comparing the price and availability of .223 Remington and .308 Winchester ammunition:

Final Thoughts

So after this detailed comparison between 308 vs 223, we can say that each has their strengths and weaknesses and are better for specific situations.

If you're new to hunting and shooting, you'll want a cartridge that is a little more forgiving. The .223 will provide enough power for you to get started without overwhelming you from the start.

The .223 is also the better choice if you're purely a recreational shooter. You can start to challenge yourself with the .038, but the .223 will stay straighter and fly further than the .308.

If you're hunting medium to large game, though, you need the stopping power of the .308 over the .223. Recoil doesn't matter very much in these situations and killing your target with one shot is always the goal. As always, we recommend taking both cartridges to the range before making your final decision.