Best 308 semi-auto platform?

[Guest oldsmobile98]

Parts in the US comes down to M1a and FAL (thank you DSA). Combat proven has to go to the G3 and FAL (don't be haters, they have been fielded more then the M14). All of the options for mounting optic sucks. The list we made goes on and on. with no clear cut winner.

Actually, there are now some good and reliable G3 parts dealers out there on the 'net. HKparts.net, robertrtg.com, rimcountrymfg.com, and hkspecialiststore.com should have whatever you need. Prices vary widely. Mags are cheap ($1 aluminum, $3 steel) if you know where to look.

And the mounting options are better than they used to be. The PTR clone can be ordered with a rail welded on by the factory. Or there are one or two quality mounts out there (B&T, etc).

A stock G3 clone (PTR) with a 18" barrel might not be the best choice for super long shots, but there are guys out there that can build you one with a longer barrel if you desire (poke around at the HKPRO forum).

[Desert Rat]

Magiccarpet:

I still believe the problem with the RFB was the compensator but have not taken it back over to the range yet with more ammo. Maybe in the morning!

[Guest Billetproof]

If you want a bullpup, there is a company making a bullpup chassis for the M1A, although it costs as much as a new Springfield M1A though...

I'm a lefty, don't like hot brass in my face.

[Desert Rat]

Billitproof:

The RFB is for you then because the spent brass does come out the front with no problem. It just sort of slides out during shooting.

[LawVol]

I don't own one in .308 yet, but I like the AR platform for ease of mounting optics as well as available accessories. Make mine a Larue OBR please!

+1. OBR FTW

[DMark]

..... Mags are cheap ($1 aluminum, $3 steel) if you know where to look.....

Those Cheap G3 Mags are right here!

MAG-304 - Mag H&K .308 G3 Aluminum 20 Rounds Made in Germany Used Good Cond

Agree with oldsmobile98 that there are some good G3 builders & parts suppliers out there right now. Heck, they can even take a Century Arms CETME and make it run.

[SmokyBaer]

Not on your list but I tried a FNAR .308heavy barrel this last time around and have been thoroughly impressed with it's accuracy. Good ammo on a good eye day and I'm easily 3/4" or better at 100 yards. Mags ain't cheap. Winchester brought out a sister in camo.

Still have one M1A left and love it for it's reliability and coolness. Accuracy is not built into M1A/M14s... it's worked into them. GI parts with no tweaking can turn out 2" groups regularly. Bedding, shiming and a GOOD scope mount can dial in 1moa sometimes better. For rugged use on a horse or 4 wheeler scabbard, it's hard to beat a tuned Scout.

FALs i had were heavy and not so accurate. Cool pieces of reliability tho.

DPMS might be my next experiment. Never had one but been told they are accurate out of the box like the FNAR. Prices appear to be coming down too.

[Guest GunTroll]

FAL from DSA..... -D S Arms they are changing the game with FAL's

[Guest BigMitch]

Or i hopefully will soon own H&K's new MR762 it is bad ass

[Guest drv2fst]

FAL from DSA..... -D S Arms they are changing the game with FAL's

Wow, those are expensive. Everyone complains about LWRC and SCAR and such being around $3,000 for a 308 while they want almost $5,000 for a few of theirs.

[Guest drv2fst]

What makes any of these platforms an improvement over the venerable old M1A? It seems like the M1A offers everything these other platforms offer at a better price point. Am I missing something? I know it does not have the "tacticool" feature of LWRC or SCAR or HK. Is that all that it's missing?

[Guest drv2fst]

Accuracy is not built into M1A/M14s... it's worked into them.

You don't think that a National Match or Super Match is accurate right out of the box? I'd hope so for the price bump over their other M1A's but I have not shot one to prove it.

[tnhawk]

delete -double post

Edited July 29, 2010 by tnhawk
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[tnhawk]

As an old soldier I'm probably more than a little biased, but I like my M1A.

In fact, it's standing across the room in the safe, waiting to got to the range!

[SmokyBaer]

You don't think that a National Match or Super Match is accurate right out of the box? I'd hope so for the price bump over their other M1A's but I have not shot one to prove it.

Wel, let me say it like this... The Super Match I had years ago was a consistant 1" grouper as long as the scope mount stayed tight. No kiddin... that was THE worst pain I had with that rifle and it eventually led me to sell it off. If i knew then what I know now, I would have kept it it forever and got a different scope mount as they were later created. This all took place in the 80s.

All my other M1As were a LOT lighter than the Super and some shot almost as well. If they had JAE stocks available years ago, I would probly not have experimented with other platforms like the FNAR that somehow just slaps into a plastic stock and shoots dimes at the same 100 yards. It ain't as cool tho.

[SmokyBaer]

You don't think that a National Match or Super Match is accurate right out of the box? I'd hope so for the price bump over their other M1A's but I have not shot one to prove it.

Also, another way to get my point across is have a look at those M1A NMs and SMs. Bedded actions and rear lugs that all require touch ups to maintain if you take it apart for cleaning ever so often. There's things moving around in a M14 platform just by design. Don't get me wrong... I love the M1A/M14 platform! Been playing with them a LONG time.

In fact, the whole reason for selling off a lot of my inventory the past couple months is to build me something. I'm really considering playing with an AR .308 of such BUT my heart keeps tugging to order a 22" LRB with the extended rail and put it in a basic JAE with a barrel tensioner. Just my thoughts, for now.

[Guest oldcorps]

LMT 308 MWS... best weapon for the price

[Guest m14man]

2nd the mws waiting on one now

[SmokyBaer]

LMT 308 MWS... best weapon for the price

2nd the mws waiting on one now

Have you guys held or shot a MWS?

Interested in why you like it more than a tuned M14/M1A or DPMS.

More accurate, less trouble, marketing, better feel... ???

[Guest m14man]

mws is easier to change barrels and uses sr 25 mags and doesnt cost that much more than a sass plan on ordering another barrel with it. nothing wrong with an m1a i own 3 of them but mounting optics is a pain and try lugging a national match around at 11 pound its not a lot of fun. never had a dpms so dont have one to compare but the fit and finish is much better on the mws. also it is the new british battle rifle.

[Guest breakaleg82]

I've never seen anyone shoot a FAL accurately at 300-800 yards. Can it be done? The M1A has many matches to prove it can hit well at 1000 yards. I like the FAL as well but have never actually seen an accurate one.

I purchased a FAL about the end of July and decked it out. Took it out for the first time and could not get a 2 shot group within an inch of each other at 100yds. Now I know some might say its the shooter so I had a buddy of mine who I believe is a better shooter than myself take a stab at it and the results were the same.

I haven't lost faith in my FAL because I know the potential is there. I just have to do some more research on what it's gonna take to get mine on point.

Edited August 26, 2010 by breakaleg82

[Chumney]

I went through the same thought process about the semi-auto .308. I decided on the loaded model of the M-1A and then bought a standard model M-1A. The standard shoots about 1.5 inch groups and the Loaded shoots a 1.25 inch group. at 100 yards. The reason that the military got away from the M-14 is because the troops though the M-14 was too heavy and the M-16 was lighter. You do not want to get me started on the discussion of the change, but let it be said the original idea for the M-16 was for support personel more than for front line grunts.

[Guest rabidrhino]

I purchased a FAL about the end of July and decked it out. Took it out for the first time and could not get a 2 shot group within an inch of each other at 100yds. Now I know some might say its the shooter so I had a buddy of mine who I believe is a better shooter than myself take a stab at it and the results were the same.

I haven't lost faith in my FAL because I know the potential is there. I just have to do some more research on what it's gonna take to get mine on point.

Good luck. Most find that the FAL is a 3-4 MOA rifle.

[tnhawk]

I went through the same thought process about the semi-auto .308. I decided on the loaded model of the M-1A and then bought a standard model M-1A. The standard shoots about 1.5 inch groups and the Loaded shoots a 1.25 inch group. at 100 yards. The reason that the military got away from the M-14 is because the troops though the M-14 was too heavy and the M-16 was lighter. You do not want to get me started on the discussion of the change, but let it be said the original idea for the M-16 was for support personel more than for front line grunts.

My experience with the M14 and M16 was a large factor in my choice of the M1A Loaded model.

[DaveTN]

I would like to do that. But the SR-25 is $5,000. I'd more likely buy 2 M1A's or 2 FAL's and have one for up close and personal and another for long distance relationships. That's my real goal; two rifles, different purposes, same platform.

FAL fills the bill well if if is accurate at range. I can hit golf balls regularly at 330 yards with my 5.56 (varmit setup) AR and my Savage 308. I'd like to do that with a 308 autoloader. I just have not seen one capable yet. I had two FAL's before, neither would perform at that level. However, I did not do anything to them to try to bring them up to that level either. If it's possible, I may give it a try.

To me, M1’s an AR’s are different animals and don’t compete. I have both. (Although my M1 is a Garand)

If you are looking for a modern .308 Winchester (7.62 NATO) in a semi-auto I would look at the DPMS.

Shooting golf balls at 330 yards is quite a feat. But I’m in Murfreesboro and have a DPMS LR-308AP4. It’s not set-up right now with a scope capable of doing that, but I guess I could mount my Leupold VX-III 6.5X20X40 LR on it. If you want to try it let me know and we can go down to Walden’s place; its 300 meters.