.308 gun thread

[red-beard]

Yep, it's me again.

I'm still looking for a rifle in .308

The new criteria is easy access to spare parts, magazines, etc.

The short list is:

M1A from Springfield (This what I really want!)
AR10
FN-FAL or close knock-off
HK-91

Any info on the Saiga in .308 (7.62x51) ? Its cheap....

[tabs]

Get what you want. Anything less, then you will always have a tinge of regret and thus dissatisfaction.

[id10t]

Saiga mags are *expensive* ... Only decent G3 is either a real HK or a JLD. AR10 isn't "proven", and again mags are expensive (although there is one company that uses FAL mags for theirs). M1A/M14 is again, expensive, as are quality mags. If cost isn't an issue, then consider also the Galil - but again, expensive and so are mags when you can find 'em.

So... FN-FAL. Real ones are less than either the M1A or HK. A good clone - DSA, Entreprise, DCI receiver - is "only" 900-1k. Metric mags new in wrapper can be had for $8 each. And they are well proven. The right arm of the free world - over 90 countries fielded it or still do.

My FAL is a cheap Century, but I got lucky and got a good one. No issues with it, other than the mags are a tad tight. Not sure if it is due to receiver being a tad out of spec or the "angry beavers" put the ejector block in wrong. Also, the barrel is a Green Mountain - they made their name by building match grade 22 barrels. But it eats anything I put in it, from nice new quality stuff to old dirty Indian surplus or Venezuelan surplus (the dreaded "Cavim"). Do a google for "Legend of Ol' Dirty" - a FAL that has had 15k rounds thru it with the only cleaning being a dunk in a mud puddle at about 7k rounds.

FWIW I asked the FNUSA reps on fnforum.net what the best FAL currently available was, they had no problem recommending DSA as the best.

[HardDrive]

I agree with tabs. Get what you want.

[red-beard]

The mind say M1A

The budget says Saiga

FN-FAL....hmmmmm

[jriera]

If you like Short Barrel Rifles I will recommend to go with a Vector Arms V51-A3, I know I want one

[charleskieffner]

well as an owner /operator of M1A's and HK's fer simplicity sake and parts avail............... ******* HK all the way.

FER waving the flag ..........SOCOM's or super super mega match MIA's w/mcmillian stock/hathcocks preferred.

******* HK's from factory grunt issue shot 1/2 MOA's

get yer wooody going by rooking at RDTS here in cave creek c/o ralph smith. my 91 is going in fer tuneup next monday(backup snot slinging elk rifle/whoop ass stick)

spend the money upfront, use federal 168 match and be done with it.

DSA FN/FAL..........ONLY no bastids.

HK no tool disassembly

MIA's some tools

FN?FAL's lots of tools

shot all of them/own too many of them/accessorizzzed them too death.

DSA SA-58 very nice rifle/so is CONGO version. check out HKPARTS.com

screw ******* .223's they is a joke/stroke/wimpy thangs.

[id10t]

Charles - on my FAL I can take it all the way apart w/o tools... well, except a bullet to get the gas plug turned with the detent in. Need a small tool to adjust front sight for elevation, other than that if a tool is needed you are replacing parts, not cleaning/maintaining.

[Red Baron]

I have an AR10(T) NM that's pretty much on the upper end of AR10's. I also have a Steyr Elite in .308 that's a tack driving piece of art. Not sure what you want the .308 for however for the extra coin the Steyr is the way to go for accuracy at long range.

[JTO]

I just bought a DPMS LR308 AP4. What a rifle! I put an Eotech HWS on it and am pleased. It has been 100% reliable so far with both factory and handloads. It shoots both Remington 150 gr Corelocks and my handloads (150gr Nosler Ballistic Tip in front of 47 gr 748) into one inch at 100 yds. Its a dynamite and powerful setup.
Troy

[vash]

SOCOM 16. dude.

for zombies.

[RPKESQ]

Purchase a M1 garand from CMP. Convert to .308 (easily done). Reliable, parts are cheap, will eat any ammunition, can be very accurate (isn't difficult to accuracise). Use mony saved to practice so you won't need 20 rounds to do the work of one.

[gtc]

Here's a related question for you gun guys...
I've also been thinking about picking up a rifile - probably an AR becuase of the ability to customize them and whatnot.
I've seen a few new ones in 7.62 x 39, which appeals to me because it's so cheap. I'm worried though, is 7.62x39 something I could expect to hunt with, if I ever got into that? Or is .308 Win the only way to go if you get an AR?

[JTO]

The 7.62X39 is a lot like a 30-30 in terms of ballistics. The .308 is a lot like a 30-06. Kinda depends on what power level you want.

Troy

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Either get a FAL or a SCAR-H.

If you do get a H&K G3-ish stay away from the telecoping stock. It sucks.

PS H&K recently changed their name to reflect their corporate motto: "Hates Kustomers".

[911boost]

A friend had an H&K G3, man did that thing fling the brass all over the damn place.

I vote for the Springfield.

[JTO]

The nice thing about my DPMS is that it has the ergos and appearance of the AR but shoots a serious cartridge. It breaks down like an AR too. So if you are familiar with the AR operation, maintenance, etc. it makes sense to go with an AR-style .308.
It is a lot lighter than the FAL and HK 91 clones. It also is a lot easier on brass than the HK (the flutted chamber really stresses the brass in an HK 91). I spent a lot of time making this decision and looked at all the candidates out there.

My $0.02.
Troy

[t951]

A buddy has a Tango-51. It is incredible, right out of the box.
Remember, you get what you pay for. This is expensive, but not in relation to the accuracy.
http://www.snipercentral.com/tango51.htm

[BlueSkyJaunte]

That Tango-51 looks sweet (guaranteed 1/4 MOA! ) but I think RB is looking for a semi-auto based on his original post.

[kimlangley7]

I got a G3 knockoff > a C-91 for my son last year..it's not a H&K .. but it still shoots pretty good.. and at the price .. it's a "good-enough" solution