Semiautomatic .308

[Phillip]

What would you recommend as a good all around semi-auto .308?

I'm looking for a rifle that will take high cap mags, be accurate, and last a lifetime.

[snake]

What would you recommend as a good all around semi-auto .308?

I'm looking for a rifle that will take high cap mags, be accurate, and last a lifetime.

An M1A, or an HK-91 come to mind. Just two of a long list.

[MissouriFree]

What would you recommend as a good all around semi-auto .308?

I'm looking for a rifle that will take high cap mags, be accurate, and last a lifetime.

Easy answer springfield M1A.

[rAcErRicK]

While we are here, My time was before this weapon, so my knowledge of it is limited. I'd be interested, and perhaps others as well, to hear comments on the below incident, as I've considered owning one :
http://www.thegunzone.com/m1akb.html

[Kilroy]

The FN .308 semi-auto is the winner for me.
20 round mag. picatinny top rail, bipod, and a good scope and you have a top of the line .308 semi.

FNAR Heavy Rifle
Caliber: 308 ; 7.26x51mm
20" Heavy Contour Fluted Barrel
Semi-Automatic Action
Rate of Twist 1 turn in 12 "
Overall Length 41 1/2"
Length of Pull 14 1/8"
Weight 10 lbs.
Gas-operated autoloader
20 Round Detachable Box Magazine
Ergonomic adjustable synthetic stock
Multiple MIL-STD 1913 rails


Looking about 1300 retail.

I got to go to the FN factory in South Carolina and fire this rifle. It's got the typical .308 accuracy and it comes in a "light" (8 pounds) or "heavy" (10 pounds) config.

It's worth looking into.

[Teg]

The M1A and the FN are fine guns, you might also take a look at the DPMS's LR-308 line of rifles, fired a couple and they are pretty nice, tight groups and well built.

http://www.dpmsinc.com/

[wbo3]

I would go with the Armalite AR-10 http://www.armalite.com/Categories.aspx?Category=f4bd4a13-55d1-41aa-aea0-49488ec48776

[ZOOBEAR]

I think the M-14 is pretty hard to beat. I have a Springfield National Match that will hold 1 MOA all day. Its a pig to carry though.

[Rick]

The M-14/M1A is a fine rifle. I used them in the Navy, way back when.

But this is the weapon I was eyeballing a few months ago; it's on the list. It is VERY LOUD though.

http://www.impactguns.com/store/DSA-SAS58CP16.html

[snake]

While we are here, My time was before this weapon, so my knowledge of it is limited. I'd be interested, and perhaps others as well, to hear comments on the below incident, as I've considered owning one :
http://www.thegunzone.com/m1akb.html

Saw that article awhile back. Bad ammo my guess. I've had NO problems with my M14 (in the USMC) and with the M1A I have now. Squeeze the trigger and it will go boom. That article is about the only time I've heard or seen an M14/M1A have a problem. Had one in the bush, really got abused, but kept on shootin'!

[Pitdog]

Well, that is interesting. I did have an AR not too long ago that someone had loaded their 'facory ammo' with pistol powder. Wasn't as dynamic as that.
He stated that the rifle could have had as much as 3 to 5 thousand rounds through it. Which is it? The investigator said it was 'used and abused' and if it were as it appears to have been, on the high side of 3 to 5 OR MORE, then it was at the end of it's 'service' life and the barrel should probably have already been replaced. The 7.62x51 is not a particularily hot round, and that bore looked like it had been HOT, as in too many rounds consecutively, too for to long, too many times. It appears it may have just been it's time to go with ALL factors considered, including the possibility of sub standard materials to begin with.
I have never seen an M1A fail like that before and I have seen and shot a LOT of them and owned several. There again, with ANY manufactured production item, there are no 'guarantees'.
My vote is on the M1A or an FN variant of reputible name.

[Teg]

If you read the linked analysis at the bottom of that site it seems they did find the metal used in the barrel was not altogether sound, that and as Pitdog stated lots of rounds over the years probably caused the failure. The M1A is a sound rifle I wouldn't let something like this incident scare me off, but if you still aren't sure about the barrels though, you can always buy an aftermarket replacement for the stock barrel.

[gunsmoke]

This is not the first or only destructive detonation in an M14 type rifle. I think the brass tells the tale, it was not fully chambered. Brass that is fully chambered and supported even with an extreme overcharge will melt and flow. The rifle fired out of battery and this is not that uncommon with non-U S Mil Spec amm in the M14 family.

I'm not going to nock the Springfield but you should know that the spingfield receiver is NOT mil-spec.

If you want an M14 type with a milspec FORGED receiver you only have three choices, and original military M14 which is in the NFA registry, a polytech (CHINA) "LEGEND" m14, or the current production LRB Arms of Long Island NY.

Personally I shun the M14 family because of the extreme cost of spare parts and milspec magazines.

My 1st choice is the FN FAL next to the AK47 and the M98 Mauser it is the most prolific Main Battle Rifle in history. Parts and magazines are plentiful and very very cheap. The only ones that you have to be careful of are anything from CENTURY ARMS or a HESSE Receiver.

Belgian manufacture by FN is preferrable. Argentine production by IMBEL is licensed by FN and to FN specs. U S made DSA or Enterprise are just as good.

The only other 7.62 X 51 Nato rifle I own is a Galil ARM which is strictly special purpose and far too expensive for general use. Spare magazines are about $100 ea. Spare parts are hard to find and super expensive. It is basically an enlarged AK 47 with a milled receiver and an FN FAL paratrooper folding stock.


If you're going to shoot service rifle match the M1A accurized will be your best investment, for a working rifle take the FAL.

[DavidOH]

An HK-91, or an M1A would be my pick.

BWH Mag author Massad Ayoob has his own choice:
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob116.html

[Pitdog]

There blown up examples somewhere of every type of rifle in the world, Remington 700s, anything produced in quantity has some flaw somewhere and is damned to fail somewhere in one way or another, for one flaw or another.
Going by the brass, I would say the gun did NOT fire out of battery, because the brass split front to back, it failed only after the barrel began to fail. Had it fired out of battery, the brass would have exploded backwards and the primary damage would have been around the receiver/bolt, and not necessarily separating the barrel in the way it was separated. Material failure and abuse of failing material brought this down, and should in no way steer anyone away from the purchase or use of these fine weapons.
All of the rifles out there have their pros and cons, and everyone out there has their opinions on what is best. Try getting the chance to get some experience with several different rifles before you make a final decision.

[ArmySGT.]

There blown up examples somewhere of every type of rifle in the world, Remington 700s, anything produced in quantity has some flaw somewhere and is damned to fail somewhere in one way or another, for one flaw or another.

Concur, there is not a production gun out there that does not have an example that has failed catastrophically.

Going by the brass, I would say the gun did NOT fire out of battery, because the brass split front to back, it failed only after the barrel began to fail. Had it fired out of battery, the brass would have exploded backwards and the primary damage would have been around the receiver/bolt, and not necessarily separating the barrel in the way it was separated. Material failure and abuse of failing material brought this down, and should in no way steer anyone away from the purchase or use of these fine weapons. A commercial custom barrel of unknown origin, shot in matches, unknown cleaning standards, and the barrel being commercial may have been at the endo if its life.


All of the rifles out there have their pros and cons, and everyone out there has their opinions on what is best. Try getting the chance to get some experience with several different rifles before you make a final decision. Heh, hail to the guy from the other school! :) Can you afford groceries yet? Gunsmith. *runs*

[Pitdog]

Are you still an unemployed bum? LOL! I am fairly compensated for what I do and have a LOT of freedom of movement and scheduling, so I am semisatisfied for the moment with the company I am with. The OTHER company was not going to work out, too bad too, pay AND benefits were GRRREEEEEEEAT! And I didn't even have to have frosted cereal to say that.
Plus my 'side work' keeps me doing things I like to do. Swore off all the broke junky POS's and if I don't want to do it, I tell the people to take it to someone who wants to rip them off.

[sid325]

FAL, easy to maintain, accurate as battle rifles go, reliable, mags are cheap. Second choice would be a M1A.

Jacob