*Update* M1A or AR based .308?

[Scott Notaeh]

Want a semi-auto .308 but I am not sure what direction to go. Suggestions?

[Heffay]

M1A.

This thread can be locked.

[White Horseradish]

I took the non-conformist route. I have a FAL.

[Hammer99...]

I only have an LR-308. It is as fun to shoot as it was to build.

[Scott Notaeh]

I took the non-conformist route. I have a FAL.

I am trying to get in before the lock I guess.

I was doing some research today on the FAL and checked them out at the store. "Internet wisdom" said they need some work to be accurate and they are heavy. I could only confirm the weight part.

[Scott Notaeh]

I only have an LR-308. It is as fun to shoot as it was to build.

They won't even put them together for you? I want a rifle and not a lego project.

What do you have for sights? How does it shoot?

[White Horseradish]

I was doing some research today on the FAL and checked them out at the store. "Internet wisdom" said they need some work to be accurate and they are heavy. I could only confirm the weight part.

Is there really such a thing as a light semi-auto .308 rifle in this kind of a configuration?

Personally, I just like how the FAL shoots. If I have to run around with it for any length of time the S has HTF and I likely have a host of concerns much more pressing than the weight of my rifle.

[FJ540]

My deer rifle for several years was a CETME (I still sight it in, and bring it as a back-up). Granted, it too is a heavy SOB, but it's also a joy to shoot and very easy on the shoulder.

M1A's aren't exactly light. If you're considering this as a hunting weapon instead of something to polish with a diaper after a day at the range, I'd encourage the AR platform. Wood takes a lot more care and maintenance for use in situations where you're likely to get rained on. It also changes dimension with temp and humidity, so the gun you zero'd on a 65 degree day in October is going to be off when you're in the woods the second week in November.

Conversely, the aluminum AR is going to feel very cold on bare hands. This is why I have MOE plastics on my AR15, instead of a pretty free floating aluminum tube.

[Hammer99...]

I only have an LR-308. It is as fun to shoot as it was to build.

They won't even put them together for you? I want a rifle and not a lego project.

What do you have for sights? How does it shoot?

No iron sights. I have a Millett DMS. It has an 18" bull barrel fluted and threaded with a JP tac comp. It's pretty gentle for a .308 but I'm not a great distance shooter so judging my groups isn't fair to the rifle. I will say at 100 yards I'm not any tighter with my 700 in .308.

[Scott Notaeh]

My deer rifle for several years was a CETME (I still sight it in, and bring it as a back-up). Granted, it too is a heavy SOB, but it's also a joy to shoot and very easy on the shoulder.

M1A's aren't exactly light. If you're considering this as a hunting weapon instead of something to polish with a diaper after a day at the range, I'd encourage the AR platform. Wood takes a lot more care and maintenance for use in situations where you're likely to get rained on. It also changes dimension with temp and humidity, so the gun you zero'd on a 65 degree day in October is going to be off when you're in the woods the second week in November.

Conversely, the aluminum AR is going to feel very cold on bare hands. This is why I have MOE plastics on my AR15, instead of a pretty free floating aluminum tube.

I guess I keep reading that newer M1As are not very good and the parts are not what they used to be and the accuracy is not where the AR platform is. Looked at a newer national match m1a today and the sights are very nice so it has me tempted. Sounds like I might be better off with an AR10 and I can put some nice sights on it.

[Snowgun]

I love my AR 308. My brother has one he made through DPMS with heavy barrels and all that, and we were keeping sub MOA at 300 yards out at Faribault the other day with it.

[Scott Notaeh]

I love my AR 308. My brother has one he made through DPMS with heavy barrels and all that, and we were keeping sub MOA at 300 yards out at Faribault the other day with it.

I am not sure what you have....

I was thinking something like the AR10T
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/pro ... s_id/58350

I could put some nice iron sights on it. Has a free float.

[farmerj]

Want a semi-auto .308 but I am not sure what direction to go. Suggestions?

Find someone who's got on and go shoot em....

Then make a decision

[Snowgun]

I love my AR 308. My brother has one he made through DPMS with heavy barrels and all that, and we were keeping sub MOA at 300 yards out at Faribault the other day with it.

I am not sure what you have....

I was thinking something like the AR10T
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/pro ... s_id/58350

I could put some nice iron sights on it. Has a free float.

My brother has a 308 heavy barrel but he's got it outfitted like a 308-SASS.

I have a 308 classic that I've tricked out with troy iron sights.

What are you looking at doing with this thing? Do you want a sniper rifle or a battle rifle? Are you hunting? Doing competitions? killing paper?

[Scott Notaeh]

What are you looking at doing with this thing? Do you want a sniper rifle or a battle rifle? Are you hunting? Doing competitions? killing paper?

I want to turn cover into concealment.
I want a marksman rifle.
I want a battle rifle.
I want something to go to when the AR15 is just a bit too small of a hammer.

I might kill some paper and do some competition things in my quest to reduce the amount of suck in my shooting. A super tactical ultra precision gadget filled swiss army knife is not needed. I am not sure my shooting ability will ever be better than an average quality rifle but accuracy counts. I like things light and simple but they need to do the job. Light enough to be portable but not so light that it kicks like a mule. Some nice iron sights but it might be nice to have the option to add some scope thing in the future just in case. No hunting is expected.