12GA or M4/AR15

[Spiff]

Wha?

Are you serious or delirious?

The 12 gauge is the epitome of limitless. You can bag everything from the simple quail to an elephant or even a wooly mammoth with a 12 gauge and the right ammo.

Well, you're not gonna whack a deer at 300 yards with one.

I think Kurt's right...a Bush length M1A or an AR10 is probably about as good as it's gonna get.

 

[Glock 'em down]

Well, you're not gonna whack a deer at 300 yards with one.

I think Kurt's right...a Bush length M1A or an AR10 is probably about as good as it's gonna get.

300 yards? Hell, I can't even see that far!

Could you hit a deer at 300 yards with IRON sights?

 

[SMS]

Well, you're not gonna whack a deer at 300 yards with one.

I think Kurt's right...a Bush length M1A or an AR10 is probably about as good as it's gonna get.

And you can't reliably whack a deer at 1000 yards with a .223...We are talking all around use not specific application (long range hunting?) right?

You can drop a deer inside 100 yards and put quail, rabbit, squirrel in the pot as well with that 12ga. Going to drop a quail or put a rabbit in the pot with that .308?

I'd venture a guess that shotguns have dropped far more game in this century (in North America) than .223s and .308s, and, not withstanding wartime use, they've probably put down more varmints of the 2 legged variety as well.

 

[jcbarlow]

Such as...? Keeping in mind we are talking all-around use.

I think range would be number one. Don't get me wrong I wouldnt pick an AR by a landslide or anything, but for mostly 2 legged creatures I would rather have some range if needed. A well placed .223 shot will kill most four legged/winged things around here.

 

[Glocktogo]

For all around I'd have to go with a .308 as well.

 

[Istandalone]

12 GA - will kill anything from mice to men - up to elk and bear. Best overall survival weapon. More assorted ammo. short barrel, long barrel, rifled barrel. choke tubes, extended mags. etc.

 

[Neanderthal]

There are situations where one would definitely prevail over the other. However (as much as this pains me to say), I think the 12 ga. would be far superior in more instances.

 

[Spiff]

300 yards? Hell, I can't even see that far!

Could you hit a deer at 300 yards with IRON sights?

If the deer wasn't buried in the brush - yup.

 

[azmrb]

12ga AR15 is the correct answer.

 

[repete34]

A shotgun is really a shooting system. It can be a rifle or a shotgun. Close range, long range (150yds), birds in flight and animals on the ground. While a .308 is nice, and a .223 can also be a .22. I would have to say a shotgun is "all around" better.