dano1200r
Member
Merkel makes a nice stalking rifle in .308, the KR1(and others).
.308 Advice Needed
- Thread starter slowburninsteve
- Start date
GatorFarmer
Member
FAL, probably DSA unless you want to spring for a "real" FN from 20 odd years back. Century Gun or Bob the Builder special if you can't swing - or find a DSA. Mags are cheap, and FALs aren't picky about what they'll eat to the same extent as an M1A. Springfield ran out of some GI parts a while back, so M1As may have declined in quality a bit over recent years.
AR styled .308s tend to be a bit too proprietary and unproven for my tastes, FALs have been in every pesthole war of the past half century or so with few complaints.
M1A mags aren't what they used to be either. CMI has the GI contract and they're the same people that sold the Army all those defective Beretta mags.
AR styled .308s tend to be a bit too proprietary and unproven for my tastes, FALs have been in every pesthole war of the past half century or so with few complaints.
M1A mags aren't what they used to be either. CMI has the GI contract and they're the same people that sold the Army all those defective Beretta mags.
84CJ
US Veteran
Very pleased with my Armalite AR-10 Carbine.
gunsmith11
Member
think I will just keep the winchester model 88
J. Galt
US Veteran
All good choices, but instead of an M1 "Tanker" stick with a full sized M1 in .308. The shorties can be very finicky and if you damage your op rod it will be difficult to replace.
My personal favorite on your list is the M1A, closely followed by the FAL.
My personal favorite on your list is the M1A, closely followed by the FAL.
+1.
Of the rifles on the list, the only ones I have personal experience with are M14 types and M1s (full size) rebarreled in .308. Of the two, I tend to prefer M1s--GI receivers are available, parts are cheaper, and there's no big expensive box magazine getting in my way.
JMHO, FWIW.
Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.
Ron H.
snowman.45
Member
I agree with MickeyD. The SOCOM is one Hell of a gun; reasonably accyrate, availability of parts and magazines, etc. I owned an FAL. It was a really sweet rifle, as well, but magazines (at least in Kalifornia) were not really easy to come by. I've used the M1A1 platform a lot, and find it meets my needs quite well.
babarracing
Member
bmcgilvray
Member
I've had a Springfield Armory M1A for about 20 years now and have no complaints. I have shot it in in High-Power competition to a limited extent, played with it from the bench rest, and enjoyed plinking with it. I probably haven't fired more than 2500 rounds through it.
With prepared hand loads it's good for 1 1/2-inch 5-shot groups from the bench at 100 yards. Have obtained a few better but have not cracked the 1-inch 5-shot group yet. It feeds and functions well and the magazines used with it are durable. It has the ability to cycle very mild .308 hand loads. Just what value this has I'm not certain but am just passing along the information.
I actually still prefer the M1 rifle over any other semi-automatic military rifle design.
With prepared hand loads it's good for 1 1/2-inch 5-shot groups from the bench at 100 yards. Have obtained a few better but have not cracked the 1-inch 5-shot group yet. It feeds and functions well and the magazines used with it are durable. It has the ability to cycle very mild .308 hand loads. Just what value this has I'm not certain but am just passing along the information.
I actually still prefer the M1 rifle over any other semi-automatic military rifle design.
OP
slowburninsteve
Member
I appreciate all the imput. Apparently no one likes the CETME, and the M1A Springfield votes are about 50/50 for and against. The FN/FAL gets 100% for. The Garand as well. In checking prices it appears I should have made my purchase a couple of years ago. Maybe my good karma will hold out for the next gun show.
Thanks!
Thanks!
I have a couple of .308 rifles knocking around the house.
I have an early SOCOM that I really like. Good shooter and fairly light.
I have two SMLEs in .308; the fullsize and a jungle carbine. Both are good shooters.
My fourth is not as easy to find anymore. It is an FR8, a M98 Mauser from Spain. Another lightweight, short rifle that handles well and shoots good.
I have an early SOCOM that I really like. Good shooter and fairly light.
I have two SMLEs in .308; the fullsize and a jungle carbine. Both are good shooters.
My fourth is not as easy to find anymore. It is an FR8, a M98 Mauser from Spain. Another lightweight, short rifle that handles well and shoots good.
I went with an Armalite AR10 and have been very happy ever since. I've got about 400 - 450 rounds through her so far without any issues.
This is how she came stock from Armalite
I changed the handguard to a free float carbon fiber half quad rail, the grip to a nice beafy rubber Ergo grip, then topped her off with a Bushnell Trophy optic.
and this is how she looks today.
I changed the quad rail to one from SWS, added MI back up iron sights, a Harris swivel bi-pod, and an ACOG TA11.
This is how she came stock from Armalite
I changed the handguard to a free float carbon fiber half quad rail, the grip to a nice beafy rubber Ergo grip, then topped her off with a Bushnell Trophy optic.
and this is how she looks today.
I changed the quad rail to one from SWS, added MI back up iron sights, a Harris swivel bi-pod, and an ACOG TA11.
84CJ
US Veteran
1blindref
That is awsome!
That is awsome!
Thanks
She's a great shooter. The ACOG is simply amazing. I'm happy I decided to shell out the $$$ for it.
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
I have two .308s. They are a browning safari bolt action and a winchester 88 lever. I also own several 30-06s. A remington pump and a old browning auto. I probley could get some extra extended magazines for them but havent. Could you guys explain to me just why I am "handicapped" with my old first year belgum browning I am showing, rather then owning a heavey EBR? Just what am I giveing up?
My uncle bought this one back in about the late 50s I belive the 1st year they came out and I inherited it. Do I need a military rifle over this one? Why?
My uncle bought this one back in about the late 50s I belive the 1st year they came out and I inherited it. Do I need a military rifle over this one? Why?
The original poster was asking about black rifles. Either of your guns are fine. Railed guns will allow a bipod and light to be attached. But hunters have gotten by without them attached to the gun for years. I prefer wood stocks. The powers that be will be coming after hunting rifles last.
Armalite AR-10T, a bit of a beast of a gun but more accurate with decent ammo than any FAL, 91, or M1A that I've ever encountered. I love the M1A but they don't maintain accuracy over the long haul without a fair bit of maintenance. The ARs, OTOH, just need a good floated barrel and they shoot great all day long.
Recent acquisition was a Remington 700 VTR in 308. Limited experience with it thusfar, but all I can say at this point is WOW! Light weight, compact, and superbly accurate, costs about half of what a basic AR does, and is much easier to carry in the field. The AR-10T is a hefty thing and there are more compact versions, but they probably won't shoot as well. If I were just starting off in the 308 shooting game right now, I think I'd personally forget the SUR concept and go with the modern bolt-gun......much as I love semi-autos. Unless you plan to use the gun for 3-gun or "heavy-metal" competition, a bolt will not only serve you well but will probably out-shoot 99% of semis out there from a pure accuracy standpoint. Plus they are one hell of a lot easier to clean and maintain.
Recent acquisition was a Remington 700 VTR in 308. Limited experience with it thusfar, but all I can say at this point is WOW! Light weight, compact, and superbly accurate, costs about half of what a basic AR does, and is much easier to carry in the field. The AR-10T is a hefty thing and there are more compact versions, but they probably won't shoot as well. If I were just starting off in the 308 shooting game right now, I think I'd personally forget the SUR concept and go with the modern bolt-gun......much as I love semi-autos. Unless you plan to use the gun for 3-gun or "heavy-metal" competition, a bolt will not only serve you well but will probably out-shoot 99% of semis out there from a pure accuracy standpoint. Plus they are one hell of a lot easier to clean and maintain.
I could be wrong, but I think that if you ever pick up an FAL/LAR, you'll be sold on the spot. That is the lightest-feeling and most comfortable and maneuverable high-power rifle I ever laid my hands on, and that's with a long flash hider and weighing about 10.5 pounds. Just for the heck of it, I looked up that new-age word "ergonomic" in my dictionary, and there was a picture of an LAR 50.00. Makes sense to me.
