Decent “Battle” Rifle

[DraxTheDad]

I have several generic AR15 rifles, but I’m thinking of buying something better, something lighter, and more accurate.

I’m looking at things like the 

• Springfield Saint Victor
• POF-USA Minuteman
• BCM Recce 

Just started looking and thinking about it, what do people recommend?   I’ve done a lot of reading but seems like everyone has a different opinion.

Secondary question, should I buy 5.56, 308 or 6.5CM?   I have several in 5.56, and I have a bolt action 6.5CM, both are good and have different uses.  Should I buy in one of the bigger boy rounds?

Edited November 6 by DraxTheDad

[Grayfox54]

JMHO: I don't consider ARs to be battle rifles. ARs are the so-called Assault Rifles. 

Battle rifles are full size rifles chambered in heavier calibers. Garrands, M1As , FALs and so forth.  Of these, I prefer the M1A. 

Now if you want a better AR, there's plenty of 'em out there. 

[krunchnik]

I recently within the last 6 months took on a Ruger SFAR in .308-

I didn't know at that time how much I would enjoy shooting a larger caliber AR-

But I like it plenty-

 

[Johnny Rotten]

Colt 901 Battle Rifle in 308

 

 

[DraxTheDad]

Thank you gentlemen, I appreciate this feedback.

[Scotty]

16 hours ago, Johnny Rotten said:

Colt 901 Battle Rifle in 308

 

 

Saw this yesterday but was two busy to comment. My first thought was to comment “I want to be you when I grow up”. Then remembered how it hurts to get out of bed and had a brief existential crisis about where time went.  That’s a beauty. 

[Whisper]

I see much good stuff about that SFAR, and I've been impressed with ones I've handled at the gun store.  But I already have too many guns that I hardly ever shoot, and I probably don't need more.  Probably.  Maybe.  Gee, what do these cost nowadays....

Whisper

[krunchnik]

30 minutes ago, Whisper said:

I see much good stuff about that SFAR, and I've been impressed with ones I've handled at the gun store.  But I already have too many guns that I hardly ever shoot, and I probably don't need more.  Probably.  Maybe.  Gee, what do these cost nowadays....

Whisper

I paid roughly $900.00 on sale from Range USA-

Same overall size and weight of a standard AR15-but chambered in .308-

[Thearmededucator]

Like Grayfox said, a "Battle Rifle" to me should be in .308 or equivalent.

As for the caliber, what is the intended use?

Have because its cool- Doesnt matter. 

Longer range precision rifle - 6.5

SHTF in an Urban environment- 5.56

SHTF in rural/dual use as a hunting rifle- .308

 

Outside that, at a certain point, a quality AR is a quality AR...

 

P.S. FYI AR10 platforms dont have quite the same amount of parts commonality as the AR15 variants.

Edited November 7 by Thearmededucator

[BHunted]

1st: LWRC REPR 7.62/.308 - my baby.
2nd Group Shot don't giva fook where you are:
top to bottom-
LWRC REPR 7.62/.308,
Ruger Precision 6.5cm,
LWRC M6 5.56/.223

 

[InertOrd13]

For battle rifle I would do a .308 caliber rifle. Whether you go ar10, SCAR, FAL, etc that is up to you. I would do a 14.5-16in barrel with a MPVO on it.

I have an 18in LMT AR10 and it is awesome but is on the heavy side so I would look at a shorter and lighter barrel if it's purpose was a battle rifle 

[ken_mays]

.308 is the 'usual' battle rifle caliber.   SCAR, FAL, M1A, HK 91/G3/PTR 91, Tavor 7, and of course the various flavors of AR-10.  You should be aware the AR-10 rifles use a variety of designs and will generally not interchange parts outside the brand, like we are used to with the AR-15.  I would suggest getting one that uses the SR-25 magazine pattern.

The SCAR is probably the lightest of all of them, a bit on the expensive side.   It has a reputation for beating older and cheaper optics up. 

The M1A is a bit obsolescent compared to modern battle rifles.  Scope mounting is a bit awkward and the accuracy will generally not be up to the modern competitors, but it's a fun historical rifle to own.

Much the same can be said about the FAL.  Those tend to be battlefield accurate and nobody is shooting matches with them.  Scope mounting is an afterthought as well but it can be done.   One thing about the FAL is that its 10 position gas adjustment means that you can get it shooting very soft.   That and its storied reputation as the right arm of the free world means it's one of my favorite battle rifles to shoot.

The HK91/G3 pattern is similar.  Recoil on these is notoriously harsh compared to some of the others, and unless you get a modern clone like the PTRs with the built in optic rail, optic mounting is a kludge.  Accuracy is OK but not outstanding, about on a par with the M1A and FAL.

The Tavor 7 is a bullpup and has a lot of modern features.   Great triggers are possible, optic mounting easy, uses SR-25 magazines, 4 position gas adjustment, and accuracy is fairly good.   But bullpups aren't for everyone.

[TSG]

Like others have said, knowing your purpose would make it easier to give a recommendation.

You have several "generic" AR-15s. Are you looking for just a factory rifle that'll handle whatever you throw at it that you could trust for long term SHTF? BCM, although there's an argument that you could just get a BCM upper and a quality spare LPK. Are you looking for better accuracy? A drop in trigger or better quality barrel in an upper could be all you need. Want to shed weight? Change stock/handguard, or swap to a lighter profile barrel (which has its own pros and cons). Want a standard expensive AR-15 that'll blow you away in comparison to a PSA/S&W/Anderson/IWI/similar? I think you'd be disappointed. You'd likely need to go less standard to have that wow factor, such as going for a specific build like the WWSD project gun or a different platform altogether like the Hellion, but I'd still temper expectations in terms of performance.

As far as battle rifles go, most have trade-offs. I think the Ruger SFAR is what I would get due to the weight, price, and good reviews. 308 is still an excellent caliber, widely available with a variety of bullets.

[JustEd]

300 blackout

450bushmaster

 

If you want a 308 or 6.5 cred. I personally would not go with the AR platform

 

jmo

[Frog4aday]

@DraxTheDad

Since you already have several AR-15s and a bolt action in 6.5 Creedmoor, I'd point you toward an AR-10/SR-25 in the 6.5 Creedmoor, so you have ammo commonality with something you already own.

The Ruger SFAR in 6.5 CM would be the "easy" button.

https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/ruger-sfar-65creedmoor-news/492569

 

[Fredumseed]

I have owned a lot, and I don't know anyone who is disappointed with a BCM 14.5 or 16. 

[Garlic_Powder]

On 11/14/2024 at 8:34 PM, Fredumseed said:

I have owned a lot, and I don't know anyone who is disappointed with a BCM 14.5 or 16. 

I second this. I’ve had a BCM Recce 16, and absolutely loved it. Rocksolid platform with minimal reliability issues. My guess is that 5.56 will continue to be cheaper than Creedmoor and 308. I also have an 6.5 creedmore bolt gun. Love using it for my longer distance platform and wouldn’t want to have a semi auto due to ammo prices alone. Also allows for more ammo when rucking by staying 5.56. Just my two cents. 

[tngunclub]

6.5 is def the way. especially since you already have so many 556s.

[Danyill]

My scar 17 has done me very well. A little on the pricey side but runs like a dream no matter what you put in it. If your financially able to get one you most definitely should. 

[jbaker1231]

I own several FAL's, several M1A's and PTR GI model G3. Out of all of them, including a 18in FAL, is my 18in M1A. It just balances and feels right, but the Bush SAR48 is close second

[pop pop]

I purchased the Springfield Armory Saint 223/556 AR last fall. I wanted an all-metal AR. Did it just because I could and wanted it to show new shooters who I introduce to shooting. Wanted them to see what the news media has demonized. I will even let them fire the Saint. Don't want them to be afraid of an AR. 

Edited to add; I want them to understand the AR is not a demon, but it is the one who pulls the trigger who is responsible for carnage. Have a church friend who has 3 boys, and he is going to allow me to introduce them to shooting soon. 

Edited 11 hours ago by pop pop