Gun Nut Vanity: need advice on auto loader rifle in .308 Win.

self

[AnAmericanMother]

Fast succumbing to FN-FAL envy . . . but the Belgian FNs have priced themselves out of reach since hubby bought his 30 years ago.

I'm looking for a sturdy, accurate, reliable auto loader in .308 Win. (We have never owned a rifle in .223, hubby hated the M16 not just because they took away his M14 but also because the early ones had lots of problems. I have never been bothered by recoil, my deer gun is a Ruger M77 in .308. Besides, .223 would mean another set of dies . . )

I've looked at an FNAR, also an Armalite, but I'm throwing the floor open for wide ranging discussion. If you've got something, and you love it (or hate it), speak up!

Thanks!

[Chode]

Springfield, HK or FN and you cant go wrong...

[Chode]

Springfield, HK or FN and you cant go wrong...

[DuncanWaring]

Garand chambered in .308.

International Harvester used to make them; I think the modern-day “Springfield Arsenal” also makes them.

[Chode]

i've got a full size M1A and a SOCOM-16" and an HK-91A3, if i had to go out the door though, i'd take the SOCOM

[optiguy]

I bought my son an M-1A1 for Christmas. Great gun. If looking to spend less, CETME is a good choice for .308 for the money.

[DuncanWaring]

If he liked his M14, how about an “M1A”?

[jimbobfoster]

I have a Springfield M1-A. It’s not real pretty & it’s a little heavy. But it is amazingly accurate and very dependable.

For the best ergonomics,I would go with the AR-10. Very accurate but not as dependable as the M1-A.

[Nailbiter]

bfl

[One Name]

2nd what Chode repied, watch out for HK copies.

Some would add the .308 upper on the AR lower as a legitimate option. The shortcomings can pretty much all be eliminated. A .308 battle rifle is not cheap, but is money well spent.

[MHGinTN]

FNAR .308, flatop rail, forearm rails, adjustable synthetic syock, aircraft grade aluminum receiver, interchangeable cheek rests and butt stocks. $1000 semi-auto, 1moa accuracy. 5 or 20 round mags $40

[Lurker]

Look at the DS Arms FN rifle. It's around 1,200 or so, list. You'd probably do better at a dealer. They're made right here in America, Illinois if you can believe it. If you've got money to burn then by all means do look at the Springfield Armory M1A. I've got a National Match model and I love it. But they're very pricey now, at least 1,600 without a lot of bells and whistles on it.

If your husband already has an FN I'd recommend you go with that even if it isn't Belgian, for reasons I'm sure I don't have to articulate to you. The DS Arms ones are of excellent quality from the examples I've seen. And you'd be supporting an American manufacturer who likes to stick his fingers in the eyes of the anti-2nd Amendment Illinois political types.

Best.

[Delta 21]

“bout time we had a decent Gun vanity thread.

[Joe 6-pack]

I have an Armalite AR-10A4...I've been exceptionally satisfied with it. Mags are a little on the expensive side, but the factory frequently runs package deals and accessory sales, The factory mags are well made and durable, so once you've got yourself set up with what you think you'll need, the need to replace any is going to be very, very rare.

[Bulwyf]

I will second what Joe said, AR-10 is a great rifle. Although, there have been many suggestions and I suddenly feel the urge to hit the store again soon heh. I mean, I do need more, I lost all my other firearms in a tragic hangliding accident over an active volcano.

[smokingfrog]

That’s what I was going to recommend.

Here’s the link.

http://www.dsarms.com/SA58-FAL-Standard-Rifle-308-Cal——SA58STD/productinfo/SA58STD/

[wjcsux]

Check out Fulton Armory and see what they have to offer in M14 pattern rifles. Their stuff is a little pricey but you can’t go wrong with them. I built my M1A from parts I procured from them, and other places over time. I started with a Springfield Armory Match receiver and a Krieger barrel. I bought the rest of the parts at gun shows, Fulton Armory and Brownell’s. After I got all of the parts, I had a Master Gunsmith who is familiar with these rifles put it all together. As Johnny Cash says, I could afford it one piece at a time.

[Travis McGee]

DPMS makes tons of .308 ARs in every imaginable configuration.

[jmax]

>>> ".... but the Belgian FNs have priced themselves out of reach...." <<<<

Suggest you 'bite the bullet' (yeppers, it's a pun) and spring for a sure winner, the FN.

By the way, went to your profile .... very impressive..... I think you can handle anything to come along. Bet that coach gun on the table doesn't have a recoil pad. : )

Good luck with the new rifle, whichever you choose.

[Mariner]

There's no substitute for Garand, M-14.

The round is too powerful for fully automatic so you lose nothing as a civilian.

Best rifle in the world, bar none.