Looking for .308 rifle

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XxWINxX94

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Hello everybody,

I've decided I want a rifle in 308, but I'm not familiar with what everybody has and whats good and whats not. Here's my guidelines

Something in the $1000 vicinity
Preferably a clip-fed semi-automatic
Not an AR-style or AK-style
Something that is good for range shooting
Something I won't have to go on a manhunt for
After-market part interchangebility would be cool too
Weight does not matter
Used firearms are fine
Doesn't matter what country it's made in
Something that would take kindly to surplus ammo

Please post anyhting you think would fit my picky guidelines, and I'll research it.

Thanks all!
 
The only rifle that meets your criteria that I know of is a M-1 Garand converted to .308.

If you wanted a "magazine fed" semi-auto Id recommend a FAL. ;)
 
Bah to the semiauto, if it's not an assault rifle, the only semi automatic rifle I want is an M1A or M1 Garand, but the M1A is too expensive and the M1 Garand usually isn't in .308 (though a conversion is always a feasible option). :uhoh:

I have a Remington 700 SPS Varmint in .308 and not a single complaint, the 700's come in plenty different variants, so if you're looking for something fancier than the SPS you could definitely find one. If you didn't mind dropping your semi-auto requirement, it sounds like a bolt action is more to the speed of what you want overall anyway. Most durable, most reliable, and will take any ammo.

If you're dead set on a semi-auto, though, I'd go with an M1 Garand conversion, however there would be a bit of a manhunt involved, either to find one already converted to .308 or to grab the parts to do it yourself/have it done.

Last option I'd recommend is one of the many G3 variants, they fit into the assault rifle class, but are chambered in .308 and are plenty practical and reliable. No idea about pricing on the G3 though.
 
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You could get a PTR-91 for about $1000. CDNN has them. I had one, and I sold it. The ergonomics are best for people over 6'6", recoil is stronger than its .308 competition, and it's absolute hell on brass. I hated the sights, hated the ergos (I am 6', FWIW), came close to developing a flinch and was lucky to group 4" at 25 yards (in comparison, I grouped 1" at 25 yards my first try shooting an M1A, using the exact same US made American Eagle ammo). I almost forgot to mention that it throws empty cases up to 30 yards, so you'll be lucky to find them, and it's not worth looking since most are destroyed by ejection violence anyway. Apart from that, it's reliable and reasonably rugged, magazines are cheaper than for any other option (cheaper than any other rifle on the planet, for now - as cheap as $2 each in modest quantities and maybe $1.50 each in large quantities) and it's quite tolerant of surplus ammo, and also steel cased Russian ammo. If you get one, try Brown Bear ammo, since you won't find or be able to reuse brass casings anyway.

Incidentally, check out post #17 in this thread:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=698606#post698606
 
I'd say to save up a bit and get an M1A from Springfield.

The other good approach would be to join a shooting club and participate in an event. Then you would qualify to purchase an M1 Garand from the Civilian Marksmanship Program.

Lot's of parts for a Garand and rich history behind it. Also, it's possible to convert it to a .308.

Both of these would last you a lifetime.
 
M14 type, or maybe a PTR 91, as has been said. The PTR91 will cost $200-$500 or more LESS than the M14 type, most likely. And mags for the PTR91 cost much less, if you're into buying a bunch of mags.

FALs are nice, too, but the build quality can be hit or miss if you don't shell out $1,500 + ish.

CETMEs can be found really cheap sometimes, even less than $500 occasionally, but they also can be hit or miss in quality.

But there's a reason why a lot of people like M14 types - stylish, accurate, good iron sights, American-history-related.

Springfield makes a nice rifle:

http://www.springfield-armory.com/armory.php?clicktype=rifles
 
ChiCom M14

Something in the $1000 vicinity
Preferably a clip-fed semi-automatic
Not an AR-style or AK-style
Something that is good for range shooting
Something I won't have to go on a manhunt for
After-market part interchangebility would be cool too
Weight does not matter
Used firearms are fine
Doesn't matter what country it's made in
Something that would take kindly to surplus ammo
Click to expand...

Shop around for a Poly Tech or Norinco M14
They accept 5,10,20 and 25 round magazines
They accept USGI and SEI parts
They are chambered and head spaced for 7.62 x 51 NATO
 
Thanks for all the recomendations but I must add a few things to my criteria:

-I already own a M1 Garand and M1 Carbine, the M14 style kinda looks like both so...ehh
-I like the assault/black/tactical-rifle look

Keep the recomendations comin!
Thanks
 
PTR-91 is probably your best option, it is very accurate, reliable, and you two shots with every trigger pull (one out the muzzle and another out the ejection port); though I will concede that the FAL is another good choice. The M1A is well out of the price range, and despite what you hear above other good semi. auto, magazine fed, target guns do exist. The M1A is a rifle well suited to the job...just not the only tool to get the job done. :)
 
-I like the assault/black/tactical-rifle look
Click to expand...

MK14-SEI-MOD-0_gen1.jpg


Well beyond the stated price range.
 
I think you certainly need a DSA FAL. These are excellent rifles and if you get the STG, it will run about $1000. Spare parts are available, and magazines are ultra cheap.

The M1A is an excellent rifle also, but will cost you more, and the mags are much more expensive.
 
Get a Weatherby Vanguard SUB-MOA or a Benelli M1 or a Browning BAR. and I would suggest getting it in another caliber. I don't know why, but I just have this thought that the .308 win is garbage.:what::eek:
 
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The M1A is an excellent rifle also, but will cost you more, and the mags are much more expensive.
Click to expand...

I agree otherwise, but right now you can get Checkmate Industries, US-made, USGI issue M1A (M14) mags for about $21, and you can also get quality Korean made M1A mags for $15. FAL mags have gone from dirt cheap to scarce in the last year or two in comparison.
 
Remington 700 SPS Tactical

I have to second the Remmy 700 recommendation, I have an SPS Tactical, 20" barrel and it is sweet, very accurate, strong, and with the weight, around 9 lbs with scope and bipod, recoil is very mild. I got mine off the used rack, with a mounted Nikon Pro-Staff 3-9x scope on it, for $500 out the door.:D:D
 
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