appreciate the help thus far I am set on fn-fal platform for all-purpose 308 and for a general purpose rifle,ie: defense,plinking,hunting and still reasonable priced which is the best maker ?what am i looking to spend for complete package, rifle scope and mounts etc?thanks hooahhug.gif

In general, a nice fixed stock rifle ($800) with good mount and scope ($300) is going to run you around $1100. I'd either get a DSA StG58 or do the research on falfiles.com and buy the parts and have a smith build it to your specs; or find an outstanding deal on an already built kit rifle and maybe save $100.

Another option, and IMO the "entry level" into FAL ownership (it was for me) is buying a used Century L1A1 rifle built on an Imbel metric receiver for around $400-$500. You can always upgrade the furniture, have a proper muzzle device installed, add scope, refinish, etc..; Century FrankenFALs are usually ugly but functional.