What is Your Primary Defensive Rifle Cartridge?

I'm curious about what other monkeys are choosing for their defensive rifle round and why. Pistol rounds listed are assumed to be used in a carbine.

Much as I like my AR308, my go to defensive rifle is an AR-15. For my AO it's the best balance of power, speed, and effectiveness.

 

7.62x54r

 

.45LC, 8mm Mauser, .30-30.

 

5.56x45....but it is anything but a perfect balance. Lightweight and accurate, but extremely prone to wind drift and is not good for turning cover into concealment. That's why 7.62x39, x51 and x54R live alongside the ol' AR.

 

I have no primary...I use the tool that is appropriate for the job at hand...or what I have with me. My choices in a long gun could be one of the 7.62 rounds, 5.56, .22, or 12ga.

 

As you get within range it goes from 338 Lapua, then switching to 5.56 at 300-200 yards and then the close range game begins around 50 yards with the semiauto 12 gauge (Hexolit 32's) accompanied by a 10mm pistol. I'd like to add a 50 bmg rifle to keep things interesting.

 

Hard question for me. My AR is light,nimble, accurate, and dependable. But my philosophy is to E&E if possible. If that isn't going to work then take them out as far away from me and mine as I can. My '06 is light,accurate,and dependable and even at 70 I'm still damned good with it. But being a scoped bolt action it's slower and ammo weighs twice or more than the 5.56. Not the first time I've had to consider this question but I still prefer my '06 as my primary rifle.

 

556 plus 762(308) with both in semiauto and bolt guns.

The Rem 700 762/308 with 26 inch barrel and a Vortex Viper PST 6X24X50 FFP MILDOT
The Semi 762/308 is a DPMS SASS i built from scratch to factory specs. Heaveier than a very large boat anchor, but hollycrap can that pig lay down a curtin of lead. Would not what to hump that for a distance with ammo, but in a fixed position you can own that piece of land.

 

7.62 x 39, it works.

 

I vote the right tool for the job. Normal ranges 556,real close 12 ga auto,extended range scoped 308.

 

8mm mauser.
Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab.
Reload with stripper clip for next wave.

 

.308 because I like the way it turns cover into concealment.
Then too, it's nice to win a battle while the other guy's still thinking he hasn't reached it yet.

 

.40mm grenade launcher

 

Hoping to upgrade to some trench mags at some point. At least the bayonet works right. Haha.

 

I'm a somewhat recent convert to the AK platform and I'm growing kinda' fond of the 7.62 x 39 round. This is the woods; there aren't many shots over fifty yards here unless you're on the road and anyway, I'll be in the trees, not on the road.
I believe the round works just fine in this area and the only way I won't be here is earthquake or wildfire, otherwise I ain't leaving except feet first.

 

I go with 7.62x39 Practical, has a nice balance of retained energy, and velocity.
I realize that a 223 round will go farther out but unless in my opinion you need 75+ yards a 7.62x39 is a good round.
Now I am used to this in SKS and AK-47 and AK- Hunters. I just got a CZ-527 bolt actions that reviews by many put this round accurate at 300 yards with this rifle which might change how good this round can be. Reviews by Hickok45 and other leads one to look at the 7.62x39 round in a bolt action different then used to. I have yet to test it out yet and a distance may be awhile but looking forward to it.
But I think being the 7.62x39 is only compared in accuracy and ballistics in semi-autos I am curious my own experiences it will be.

 

@Salted Weapon I was looking at some 7.62 x 39 earlier made by Hornady. It might be a good round to try in your 527 carbine. This is the stuff: 7.62 x 39 SST Hornady steel case ammo #8078.