I Think I "Need" a New 308 Rifle

[wood714]

I knew once I got the Cetme, I'd want a more modern rifle in 308.

I've always lusted over the Springfield M1A Tanker, but I'm thinking an AR style 308 would be a lot more practical.

Plus I could get the AR style, and a nice scope for the price of the M1A.

I have 4 AR's one is a DPMS I bought 12 years ago, that's never gave me a single problem. Was thinking about their LR-308.

Any of y'all have one?

 

[Rodan]

In my last year before retirement, I was part of a group of instructors tasked with selecting a .308 rifle for patrol use, in sort of a "DMR" role. Years ago, I carried a 1033 program M14 as a backup rifle; and I've personally owned an M1A Scout, and currently have two ARs in .308.

If you're willing to spend the $$$$, the Daniel Defense DD5 is what we picked for the agency. Sub 1 MOA accuracy, and a reliable vendor. Didn't skip a beat in testing.

I have a Sig 716i Tread and a Ruger SFAR. Both, IMHO are excellent rifles in the $1k-1.5k range. Both are 1.5 MOA guns for me, both have been very reliable. SFAR comes with an adjustable gas block from the factory, and takes standard AR charging handles. SIG was more proprietary. Between the two, I'd choose the SFAR.

Don't have a lot of personal experience with the lower end AR10 market, but I can say that AR10s are much more finicky than 5.56 guns in general, so buying quality is a little more important.

WRT M1As/M14s... HEAVY. The ergonomics are not as good as the AR platform. My 1033 M14 was very accurate, the M1A was a 4 MOA gun. Yes, you read that right. I know a lot of M1As are very accurate, but that was my experience.

SIG 716i

Ruger SFAR

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

The M14/M1-A is an awesome rifle platform…but it’s been superseded today by the AR-10 now.

 

[alwslate]

I wanted a .308 rifle for many years but never found one that was affordable or really desirable until recently. I read the great review of the Ruger SFAR in a recent issue of the American Rifleman. I found a great deal on GB for the 16" barrel version for well under $1,000. I haven't fired it yet because I haven't bought a scope mount. But it looks great, with Ruger quality and a great design.

 

[Fishinfool]

I have a CETME, a M1a, and several AR-10's. The CETME is a different animal from the other two, as is the M1a from the AR-10 platform.

My DPMS optic ready carbine (older model) is 1.5 inch accurate with decent loads, and has been reliable, if nothing fancy.

My Armalite AR-10t is also reliable, very well made, and is a half inch MOA gun with good ammo. Sometimes less. It was also about twice the price of the DPMS.

Dont know how DPMS is now since the went under, then reappeared. I have heard good things about the newest PSA version, but never shot one. I know their recent AR-15's are good to go - Built two recently.

I think if I were in the market for another .308 battle rifle, I would look hard at the Ruger SFAR. About a grand, they are not badly priced, and I like they are built on a receiver closer in size to and AR-15.

Larry

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I own a Windham AR-10. It has 19" barrel, M-4 butt stock M-Lock fore end, and about a 24" picatinny rail. I added Mag-Pul pop-up sights and use a Leupold 4.5-14x40mm AO Veri-X III scope. I have yet to find an ammo that it shoots really well! It is heavy, bulky, and the rails poke you any way you use it! It came with a "Premium" trigger @ about 9 pounds, that I replaced with a $99 trigger @ 3.75 pounds, dropped groups to 1.5-1.75 MOA. Around 6 years ago it was about $1500 OTD.

Shortly after that, a friend bought a bottom of the line (old stock) DPMS AR-10 in 308. He has no rails, fixed carry handle, 18" barrel with muzzel break and traditional furniture. Shoots about 1.5 MOA with just about any ammo! Cost: Less than $750 OTD!

Ivan

 

[Echo40]

An AR-10 is definitely the way to go.

If it were me, then I'd just go with an M&P10, but then again, the M&P Series just gives me that special feeling.

 

[jdlii]

The DPMS Oracle, LR-308, has never let me down. It wears a 4.5 x 14, 30mm Leupold and shoots my handholds, with Sierra 165 gr. Game Kings, delivering 3/4" groups at 100 yds. It routinely rings a 10" gong at 200 yds.

10 round Mag pul magazines are perfect for hunting. I did add a Timney trigger and a Claymore flash suppressor.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

The M14/M1-A is an awesome rifle platform…but it’s been superseded today by the AR-10 now.

Which one is actually older? Didn't they both appear around the same time?

They're very different. An M1A is a superb battle rifle but it's best with a fiberglass stock; the milspec wood is awfully heavy. I suspect an AR-10 is considerably lighter but I've never handled an AR-10.

I adore the M14/M1A platform but I actually don't see the need for it as a self defense weapon but that came about after considerable introspection. My switch to the AR-15 platform in .223 resulted in my becoming truly enamored of what we once called a Mattel toy after being trained on the M14. In 21st century America .308 remains a great sporting caliber but that's where it ends for me. For hearth and home, never mind in the street should it come to that, I much prefer the very functional and adaptable AR-15 in .223. YMMV as always.

Long range is a different matter but I don't live in the countryside; in an urban environment my .223 ARs will suffice and then some.

 

[S-W4EVER]

S&W M&P10. I haven’t fired mine very much but I do like the ambidextrous controls.

 

[wood714]

This one has me most confused. I thought all DPMS LR rifles were 308, this one's box is marked 7.62x51. The lower in just marked multi caliber.

I know you can shoot 308 in a 7.62 like you can shoot 223 in a 5.56, but I've always thought it's not a good idea, and have never done it.

 

[alwslate]

In my opinion .308 and 7.62X51 military ammo can be considered the same thing. I have chronographed various brands of US and foreign 7.62X51 Nato ammo and none have been overly hot. Some will not reach 2800 fps out of a 22" barrel rifle. .308 commercial ammo has a slightly higher maximum pressure standard but that doesn't mean that it is actually loaded to that level. As with the mil spec ammo .308 will not usually chrono at claimed velocity out of a 22" rifle.

 

[Gamecock]

I have an Armalite AR-10. I'm very pleased with it. It is shockingly accurate.

At the time of purchase, I was in the OP's state. I settled on the (genuine) AR-10 because I went to gun stores and handled different semi-auto .308s. I liked the way the AR-10 felt the best, so I bought it. I did not like the feel of Springfield's offerings AT ALL.

 

[Rubone]

My M&P AR10 is a fine rifle and does all I ask of it. And it fits right in with my S&W family.

 

[WCCPHD]

I had a DPMS AR10 and sold it because it was so heavy. I weighed the DMPS and my Springfield Armory Socom 16. They weighed the same, but the Springfield "carried" better. I think its because its better balanced.

I moved on to a Patriot Ordinance Factory (POF) Rogue. It is a 308 built on a modified AR15 frame. The 16 inch weighs in at 5.9 pounds. I also submitted an NFA Form 1 and "short barreled" the lower. Then I bought a 12.5 inch upper which weighs 5.7 pounds.

I have a night scope on the long barrel and an ACOG on the short barrel. Its been my go to deer gun for the past two years.

 

[Sistema1927]

Earlier this year I felt the "need" for another .308 rifle. I picked up a Springfield Armory loaded M1A (22" barrel). I have not been disappointed.

 

[CRT2]

Sold my LMT MWS and missed the 308 AR so I bought the 20” SFAR. MOA accuracy and has been reliable with 168 gr AMAX. The rifle length gas tube seems to help it be more reliable than the 16”.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I have a number of .308 rifles, including an M1A. However, in my experience, the FN FAL gives me the most joy - reliable, accurate, ergonomic, and quite esthetic also.

John

 

[hkcavalier]

I had a PTR-91 and really believed it was the ultimate .308. Cheap mags, ate everything you fed it, easy to clean.

Then I shot a friend's piston AR-10 with a brake and it barely kicked. The G3/HK91 series kick hard and it's difficult to mitigate (very heavy bolt carrier). I knew I needed a similar rifle. So I got an Adams Arms and it's one of the best machined guns I own. I had it professionally Cerakoted in Bazooka Green.

 

[NewLiberty]

One thing to bear in mind: AR-15s have one standard specification that they are built to, so parts swapping is easy.

For .308 caliber ARs there are a couple of different patterns. There is what is called the AR-10 pattern, and the DPMS/LR-308 pattern (although AR-10 also gets used as a generic term for all .308 ARs, and DPMS pattern is made by many others besides DPMS). DPMS also made a Gen 2 pattern, that isn't seen much anymore.

Major parts (receivers, BCG's, handguards, etc...) tend not to be interchangeable between the two, so just make sure you know which one you are getting. More brands are generally on the DPMS/LR-308 pattern than the AR-10.

Palmetto State's parent company bought the DPMS brand in the Remington bankruptcy.

I have done 308 builds with parts from both PSA and Aero, and both work well. I've taken the PSA out to 800 yards with a Primary Arms 4.5-14 ACSS scope, and it was able to handle that without having an issue.

If you do go the AR route, for the Magpul mags at least, stick with the 20 rounders and below. I have seen the 25 rounders fail in a number of rifles.