.308 Battle Rifle

I'll start by saying that sometime in the near future I would like to buy a .308 battle rifle of sorts. The rifles I have looked at are the Saiga .308, the Springfield Armory M1A, and the PTR-91 (G3). I already own a romanian Wasr so I would already be familiar with the Saiga if I did buy it and I would convert it to AK configuration, but would really like to diversify. Do any of the members here have any experience with the M1A or G3?

What about getting a R700 for some long shot ability. You've already got a semi, why not get some more ammo for it. I've shot the M1A quite a bit, it's a great weapon, but it's somewhat pricey. My personal choice would be to have a long shot weapon and an assault rifle. But your WASR should be fine for med-close targets.

reply to post by Tephra


Yes i have looked into the Remington 700 series and haven't ruled them out, but would kind of prefer a semi-auto. In your experience with the m1a, how picky are they with ammo?

I have experience with the M1A and the G3. Both are fine weapons. Between the two, I would lean toward the M1A simply because I love Garands and they are very similar. As was already mentioned. they are expensive. I think that they are overpriced, especially when compared to the saiga.

What do you plan to do with it?

I have several PTR-91's and a crAppy old CETME. I use the PTR's in long range events and even 3gun a few times. Super accurate and a real pleasure to shoot from bench or bipod but heavy as hell and get old fast offhand.

While shopping around don't forget to look at FAL's.


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reply to post by TraptInTheSystem


Never really had any issues with ammo, I don't think it really cares for Wolf if I remember correctly....but other than that it really doesn't jam or slam nearly ever.

If I were you, I'd just stick with one Semi. If you're worried about a scenario where you would run out of ammo and be unable to acquire more because 7.62 isn't really made in the US....

In my opinion this situation is a non issue. By the time you would run out of an ammo store, you'd be more than set from weapons you could scavenge.

I'll just reiterate my philosophy, have a weapon for each main purpose, close/close-med/long.

So a pistol or shotgun, an assualt rifle, and a bolt.

reply to post by thisguyrighthere


I have looked at the Fal's from DS Arms. They don't look that great to me, but I have never held one either. That is pretty cool that you use a Ptr-91 in 3 gun matchs. Can you easily mount optics on one?

reply to post by Tephra


I'm not looking to buy one for a specific role or situation. I would just like to have a .308 blaster to have fun with and generally just be able to make an occasional 300 yard shot.

Originally posted by TraptInTheSystem
reply to post by thisguyrighthere

 

Can you easily mount optics on one?

If you dont mind paying a little extra there's a version that comes with a rail welded straight to the receiver. Obviously that makes it easier.

On a standard receiver the real STANAG claw mounts (avoid the UTG and other knockoffs) are super solid and will take rings, rails, whatever but that may put your line of sight off without a cheek riser on the stock.

Depends on how you plan on using it.

Something else to consider is the overall scope length. The charging handle can come back and slam your scope if you have one that's too long and too low. I think the max overall length is like 12.5 inches or something like that. A pretty big ass scope.

reply to post by Doc Gator


Yeah neither the M1a or the G3 or cheap. Either way I would be spending a grand on each of them. I would like to have a .308 that I could just shoot around with for abit.

I would also like to be able to put a forearm grip on the gun if possible, I like using the thumb break method to solidly keep the gun into my shoulder. I know the M1A SOCOM II has a quad rail and ultimak makes a good tri-rail for the AK family of weapons. Does the G3 have any such tri-rail available?

reply to post by thisguyrighthere


Thanks i'll have to look into that. I would probably just be mounting a small red dot like the Bushnell trs-25. I already have one on my Wasr and it works extremely well. I've already had my fair share of run in with UTG so I will definetly stay away from that crap.

reply to post by TraptInTheSystem


The "tacti-cool" one Ive used for 3gun has a aluminum forearm with three rails, right, left and bottom and I usually run a VFG on it.

reply to post by thisguyrighthere


Thanks again i'll look into it.

3rd

The Springfield Armory M1A is a great gun.

With a good ART scope you should be able to reach out and hit a 10 inch group at 800 to 1000 yards.

I love my DPMS Panther LR308. Eats anything put in the magazine. Comes in a hard case with two mags, cleaning kit, and assorted doo-dads. When I got the ACOG sighted in good it got to be my wife's favorite 500 yard can buster. In my state you can hunt with it if you use a small 3 or 5 round magazine. Not just loading 3-5 rounds in a 19 round mag. The Panther's heavy and the recoil is stiffer than the two rifles below to me, but it came with pic rails and I put a bipod on it so the little wife can play with it easier.

Having said that the FN Herstal heavy barrel 308 is wanting to come home with me soon. Talked to a rep from the company and he said they're made in South Carolina now. Me likes it. Why? Why does a woman have more than one pocketbook?

Springfield Armory (personal opinion) makes about the best out there, but they're hard to get. An M1A1 national match (civilian version of M14) is the best I've ever played with and I might just be buried with it. If you can get your hands on one it's worth every penny. That's my go-to rifle if something goes thump in the night here at the farm.

reply to post by HappyHermit


Thanks for the reply. I would like to stay away from Direct Impingement if possible so i'll probably stay away from an AR platform. Were you referring to the FN SCAR 17 or the .308 FN FNAR?

reply to post by TraptInTheSystem


I have a Socom2 with a Leupold mark4 cq/t it is a great rifle. I also have a Remington 5r mil spec in .308 for the longer shots at the range.


They are both expensive but worth every penny in my eyes. You get what you pay for. I owned a Siaga .308 and it was a piece of garbage in comparison.

reply to post by Subjective Truth


I've looked at the Socon II and if i were to choose to buy an m1a I would probly go with the Socom II. I like that it has a quad rail. Not that I would put a bunch of ridicluous crap on it but one of my personal requirements would be the ability to mount a forearm grip. I like using the thumb break method to get a good solid grip on a rifle and keep it to my shoulder.

Originally posted by TraptInTheSystem
reply to post by Subjective Truth

 

I've looked at the Socon II and if i were to choose to buy an m1a I would probly go with the Socom II. I like that it has a quad rail. Not that I would put a bunch of ridicluous crap on it but one of my personal requirements would be the ability to mount a forearm grip. I like using the thumb break method to get a good solid grip on a rifle and keep it to my shoulder.

I use it for a tango down vertical grip with the quick release and a surefire flashlight. It is front heavy but it is supposed to be that way to keep you on sight faster. It has very little muzzle rise even firing very fast.