Posted on 11/09/2004 7:59:30 PM PST by Mulder
I'm looking to purchase a battle rifle next year in .308, and can't decide what I want to get.
I love the AR-15 rifles in 5.56mm, but have heard some bad things about reliability of the AR-10s. Also, the recoil is apparently more from this rifle than the other 308 semi-autos. But the AR-10 does have the advantage of having the same manual of arms as an AR-15.
Another consideration is the Springfield M1A Scout. The M1A was ranked #1 by Boston T. Party in his "Gun Bible", and has a lot going for it.
Finally, there is the FN-FAL. I don't know too much about this rifle, but a lot of folks seem to like it.
I want to mount either an Aimpoint or 4X ACOG to it, and setup it up as something I can use out to 300 yards or so. Of course, since it's .308 and can really reach out there, I want something accurate enough so that if I decide I want a semi-auto precision rifle, I can just put a Leupold scope on her, and be set.
Also, I really like the pistol grip and collapsible stocks on the AR-15s, and would prefer that furniture on my battle rifle as well. I *think* someone makes them for M1A, but aren't certain. So that is another consideration.
Thanks in advance!
www.falfiles.com
Ping... input desired....
HK Model 91
Get the Springfield Armory M-14 clone. Best battle rifle to date.
While there are the known downsides to the AR15/10 platforms, the amount of things available to dress up, change, alter, and be creative with those rifles is so far above and beyond anything else available with other platforms that it makes it crazy not to consider them first.
You can have a single rifle, with many spare pieces of furniture and different barrel, sight, optics, lighting systems that you would really be able to have any rifle you want with one lower.
It is hard to beat the AR-15 derivatives in .308. The M1A is a fantastic rifle and I own two - one standard and another a custom built match rifle. The Match rifle is very accurate and can shoot in the upper 190's at six hundred. However it is heavy and bulky. The AR derivatives are much more inherently accurate and any of them with a free floated barrel will shoot great. They are also more ergonomic than the M1A and since you own an AR they will be easy to adapt to.
I'll tell you, that Springfield M1A Scout is an absolute cherry. I about had a heart attack when I saw in on the cover of American Rifleman. I've always had a very soft spot for the M1 and the M1A. If I didn't live in freaking Illinois where we're always 3 hours away from having semi-autos banned, this would ABSOLUTELY be my EBR of choice.
Fulton Armory M14 clone is supposed to be the finest
semiauto long arm in 7.62x51.
the fal is easy to maintain, magazines are readily avaliable and cheap. properly setup it's accurate and extremely reliable. it has been used by over 100 countries. www.dsa.com makes the best...
Springfield Armory M1A with composite stock. Bought one a couple of months ago. LOVE IT. Reliable, accurate, ammo cheap. Xlent rifle.
H&K 91 ,I've owned mine since 1980 and it has never malfuncioned.It will shoot about 1&1/2 inch MOA.
a lot depends on comfort. I personally like the AR platform, and I found the FAL feels very similar. it seems very natural to me, where the M1A felt awkward.
sold my M1A shortly after and never looked back.
Personally, I love and own a Springfield Armory M1A1 National Match rifle. I've topped it with a 2nd Generation Springfield Rangefinding scope. It's rugged, reliable, and waaaay more accurate than I'll ever be with it at my age.
I can personally hit what I'm aiming at out to 600 yards nearly every time but the rifle is capable of 1,000 yard performance I'm sure.
It's a great battle rifle, but it does have some drawbacks. It's very heavy. It's also very expensive these days. I figure it would set you back nearly 3 grand to set one up the way I have mine. Heck, a 'basic' National Match M1A is nearly 2 grand these days. That's a lot of money.
More than a few folks around here would recommend one of the FN-FAL clones and I certainly couldn't disagree. They are also rugged, reliable, and accurate in the 300 yard envelope you mentioned.
They are also a good deal less expensive than an M1A. Also spare parts are really easy to come by, and mags for them are selling somewhere in the single digit range last time I checked.
Now my advice is biased right from the start so take it for what it's worth. If you have the resources, by all means plunk down the cash and order an M1A from Springfield or Fulton Armory. Believe me, you'll never regret making that purchase.
If you aren't made of money and just want a really good battle rifle chambered in 7.62, then buy yourself one of those FN clones that are available. More than a few folks here own one and they can give you better advice than I can regarding make, model and price.
Suffice it to say that you can most likely buy yourself two decent FN clones for the price of a single M1A Match model.
This is just my two cents, and your mileage may vary.
L
Never fired.
Only dropped once.
What about a Cetme?
You know what -I'd- like to see on this thread? A Freeper discussion of the viability of 223/556 vs. 308/762 from the perspective of:
- long term viability, specifically gun ban scenarios
- SHTF scenarios
Absolutely NOT interested in 223/308 effectiveness arguments. Just kind of interested in freeper opinions on the 'broad' practicalities of the two calibers.
BUMPmark
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