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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Recommend me a good .308 battle rifle

Posted: 6/17/2018 6:49:55 PM EDT

In the market for a good battle rifle that should last me 20+ years (I don't shoot that often but would like to have something I can pass down to my son). Don't have a strict budget but I would prefer to stay under $4k. Just have a few constraints -

1.) .308/7.62x51 caliber
2.) 18+ inch barrel (would prefer 20 inch)
3.) Semi automatic not bolt action

So with that in mind what would you guys recommend? I've been looking at the DSA FAL, PTR-91, Armalite AR-10 and S&W M&P10 rifles but I'm sure you guys know of some other quality options that I may not be aware of.

Thanks,

Posted: 6/17/2018 6:52:56 PM EDT

[#1]

Scar

Posted: 6/17/2018 6:54:13 PM EDT

[#2]

Belgian FAL

Posted: 6/17/2018 7:01:06 PM EDT

[#3]

M1A
FAL
HK91

Posted: 6/17/2018 7:25:34 PM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
Scar

View Quote

Having owned every one of them (and still do), the answer is the SCAR Heavy.

Posted: 6/17/2018 7:30:57 PM EDT

[#5]

SCARs are nice but I'm wanting a longer barrel. Unfortunately they only come in 16.5''

Posted: 6/17/2018 7:33:38 PM EDT

[#6]

KAC SR25 if money is no object and you're looking into quality to pass down to your kiddo.

Posted: 6/17/2018 7:40:34 PM EDT

[#7]

AR-10 is probably what you want.

Posted: 6/17/2018 7:45:00 PM EDT

[#8]

LMT MWS

Posted: 6/17/2018 7:58:00 PM EDT

[#9]

M1 GEEERAND in 308

Posted: 6/17/2018 8:38:07 PM EDT

[#10]

I would recommend an AR-10 pattern rifle but I would stay away from ArmaLite. Their supply chain has issues right now and a big "if" is will they recover. I have three ArmaLite, AR-10 B rifles and have become so disappointed in the lack of customer support over the last nine months I doubt I would ever be inclined to do business with them again.

I also have an M1A and right now my go to rifle would still be the ArmaLite AR-10. I can re-barrel the ARs, change the trigger to a myriad of different manufacturer's, get a new separate upper to change the whole lay out/purpose of the rifle.... hard to do that with an M1A. More after market toys suitable for the AR-10/.308 AR type rifle....

Posted: 6/17/2018 8:42:34 PM EDT

[#11]

Scar 17 or Noveske N6 switchblock

Posted: 6/17/2018 8:49:23 PM EDT

[#12]

Modern AR design is the way to go

Posted: 6/17/2018 8:53:11 PM EDT

[#13]

Usually I’d have to say the SCAR. However since you’re wanting a longer barreled option, I’d have to say M1A or PTR-91. The new James River Armory M14s are amazing. I have one.

Their 19.25” version (they call it their “paratrooper”) would make an excellent general purpose rifle.

Posted: 6/17/2018 9:02:43 PM EDT

[#14]

Havent you heard, battle rifles are worthless. All you need is a scout rifle with a forward optic for those quick snap-shots scouts aren't aren't supposed to be shooting anyways.

Posted: 6/17/2018 9:10:29 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
LMT MWS

View Quote

I've had three M1A Scout rifles, a Sig 716 Patrol and a DT MDR that I recently traded for a LMT MWS and out of all of them it's the only keeper.

Posted: 6/17/2018 9:10:32 PM EDT

[#16]

Mws....no question about it

Posted: 6/17/2018 9:12:05 PM EDT

[#17]

AR10 for similarity of operation.

FN.FAL for proven reliability.

Posted: 6/17/2018 10:10:32 PM EDT

[#18]

LMT MWS for sure. I would like to own an sr25 just because but it's really hard to justify the price when the LMT is so solid

Posted: 6/17/2018 11:01:15 PM EDT

[#19]

HK91

SCAR17

Posted: 6/17/2018 11:07:45 PM EDT

[#20]

Correct answer would be SR-25, ECC if you can find one.

Posted: 6/17/2018 11:11:51 PM EDT

[#21]

Sold both of my M14s and went with the AR10 platform, mainly due to the ease of swapping barrels when you burn them out and weight. If you shoot a lot it is a good thing to keep in mind.

Posted: 6/17/2018 11:26:04 PM EDT

[#22]

Quote History

Quoted:
Belgian FAL

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Good answer for your requirements, especially the hand me down part.

Posted: 6/17/2018 11:34:15 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
Belgian FAL

View Quote

Or SAR48 or debanned 4800. I've seen a debanned 4800 for 1300 recently...

Next would be an all Imbel build on an Imbel receiver done by a reputable 'smith

Posted: 6/18/2018 10:33:06 AM EDT

[#24]

To add to my previous suggestion...if you're looking for something that has the best chance of still being legal in X years, look at the Garand. Even that aside though, it's an awesome rifle.

Also, be aware if you get an FAL that DSA has many issues. With all FALs, you want to be able to shoot one a lot before committing to it. Often this means buying a couple and then finding the one that behaves the best.

If you want to go AR-10, seriously consider the 18" S&W M&P-10. Nutnfancy has a good review on it.

Posted: 6/19/2018 6:27:41 AM EDT

[#25]

LMT MWS, Larue Tobr.

Posted: 6/19/2018 6:41:41 AM EDT

[#26]

I would go with something that not every swinging dick on Arfcom already has.....maybe a HAC-7.

Tony

Posted: 6/19/2018 11:30:59 AM EDT

[#27]

LaRue tOBR is awesome. Can easily change barrels if needed.

Attached File

If you want the original flavor... OBR are very nice plus you get a full 20moa rail.

Attached File

Or try the kit Ultimate Upper for under $1500. You can get an 18” tAR medium weight barrel if you want to keep it light weight. If you don’t care get a stealth barrel in 18” or 20” (same as tOBR or OBR profile barrel). You can add an SLR adjustable gas block if you’re using a suppressor.

Attached File

Attached File

Eta: I’m bias towards LaRue accuracy

Posted: 6/19/2018 3:59:29 PM EDT

[#28]

If looking for a battle rifle, I would go with the SCAR 17. I had a home built AP .308 AR. Sold that off and upgraded to a LMT 308MWS which was much nicer. A really nice gun but not really a true battle rifle. I sold that and went with a SCAR 17. I won't sell the SCAR 17. It is the most enjoyable .308 battle rifle to shoot. Hands down. Better than a FAL. Better than a HK G3/PTR 91. Better than a M14. Get a SCAR.

The other one that would tempt me is a KAC SR25, but more if I was going for a DMR type setup (LMT 308MWS is a nice cheaper alternative). But for battle rifle in 2018, the answer is the SCAR.

Posted: 6/20/2018 10:30:07 AM EDT

[#29]

SCAR

Posted: 6/20/2018 10:31:26 AM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:
SCARs are nice but I'm wanting a longer barrel. Unfortunately they only come in 16.5''

View Quote

Buy the SCAR then buy he 20" barrel FNH offers. Sell your 16" barrel. After it's all said and done you ought to be well under the $4000 price point.

Posted: 6/20/2018 8:50:22 PM EDT

[#31]

Lots of recommendations for SCAR. I don't understand why companies like FN or HK don't offer different barrel lengths on their rifles. Seems like it would be an easy change for them to make

Posted: 6/21/2018 2:00:05 AM EDT

[#32]

Larue OBR or Knights SR-25 based on personal experience. SCAR-17 is okay.

M1A was fun but not anywhere as easy to shoot.

I owned a PTR-91 for a very short time and it wasn't anything great.

Posted: 6/21/2018 8:54:42 AM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
Lots of recommendations for SCAR. I don't understand why companies like FN or HK don't offer different barrel lengths on their rifles. Seems like it would be an easy change for them to make

View Quote

FNH offers 3 barrel lengths for the SCAR 17S, a 13.5, 16 and 20 inch. Rifles come with the 16" and you must buy the other barrels separately.

Posted: 6/21/2018 9:21:27 AM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
AR10 for similarity of operation.

FN.FAL for proven reliability.

View Quote

Correct..

For me the choice was simple Armalite AR 10. I draged that rifle though some dirty , sandy, hot and wet stages. Shooting heavy metal 3 Gun.
It never let me down.

The most popular was the FAL. A side from see in one that was getting dbls. Seemed to function 100%.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Recommend me a good .308 battle rifle

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