Which of these three in 308 for a post disaster rifle?

I'd go with a Saiga .308 or FNAR, but that's just me.

Would lean more towards the FNAR if long range was a concern.

The FN FAL would be a good choice. They have heavy barrel versions that should be accurate enough.

56hawk said:

The FN FAL would be a good choice. They have heavy barrel versions that should be accurate enough.

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I own a few FALs, two of them Israeli Heavy Barrels, and I have to respectfully disagree that they meet the accuracy requirement.

Inside of 600M the FAL is probably the best rifle you can reach for but trying to hit a target with certainty out to 900M with it is asking a bit too much of the rifle.
I will allow that there are exceptions but 2MOA is a good shooting FAL, many are not able to achieve that much accuracy...

Having said all that; I wouldn't trade my FALs for any other rifle available.

If it weren't for the 800-900M requirement, I think a FAL would suite the OP just fine.

900 meters is a very long distance. Your handicap even with a great rifle is finding suitable ammunition. I guess the question is more of, what is your target at 900 meters? A coyote? A prairie dog? A house?

Perhaps stalk a little bit closer to be more assured of a positive end result.

Just to throw this little nugget out there; would you be OK with 600M as point target and 800-900M area target accuracy?

That's how I look at my "Poor Man's M240B".

Left out a really excellent HK rifle.

Here is an article on "20 Versatile Semi-Automatice Rifles"

http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/g...les-big-game-hunting?photo=19#node-1001350874

Two of the rifles you have listed are listed in the article. The M1A & variants was left out.

The Safari is a big rifle designed for bigger bullets than the 308, but IMO it is a super accurate rifle and I do think it can take game or hit targets out to 900 meters.

Of the three you have listed here, only two are capable of decent accuracy out to 900 meters - the Safari and the M21 - which as I'm sure you know, is a sniper rifle.

I would opt for the fnar. It's sleek, refined, accurate and easily accepts optics with a close optic:bore ratio.

The listed choices are not representative of common 308 semi autos.

Since you don't have the FAL as a selection I would go with the Springfield Armory. You said "post disaster" which to me means a military type 7.62/308 that is easy to field strip and maintain. The FNAR does not meet that standard by any means.

800-1000 meters is a long way out. No bolt action? I know that is how you are qualifying this topic, but why? I would certainly WANT a bolt action over 600M. Its hard enough (for most) to hit a 24 inch gong at 600M from a solid rest with a 7.62 (or .308) at 600m.

Robert said:

If we want to talk about long range 308 rifles that is fine but let's leave the fantasy SHTF stuff out of it.

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I thought we had done a pretty good job of doing that.

What's got your dander up?

I'd go with a Saiga .308 or FNAR, but that's just me.

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For shooting to 900 meters? I own a S308 and I think it is a very good gun (after being modified). However, it would not be my go to for 900 meters.

The FN FAL would be a good choice. They have heavy barrel versions that should be accurate enough.

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Same as above FAL's tend to be 2 MOA or worse guns. That doesn't really cut it for 900 meter shooting

I'm not sure how 900 meter shooting applies to post disaster situations. However if I wanted a semi auto for that distance, an AR-10 rifles were off the table, I would probably lean towards the FN AR with a 20" barrel. They tend to be legit sub MOA guns. The FNAR is just a modified BAR so the Safari might not be a bad choice either and the 22" barrel would tend to offer more a bit more velocity, velocity being a real advantage at 900 meters.

A SCAR has the accuracy and is a very versatile gun and a more rugged one than the BAR/ FNAR, more of a battle rifle. With a longer barrel it would be a good choice. A skilled shooter could make hits out to 1000 meters, however for a gun just for that purpose I would want a longer barrel. If there is ever product support for the Scar that includes barrels to take advantage of the quick change barrels I would like to own one with a short barrel and a 24" or so match barrel (preferably in 260 Rem).

I'd pick something you like and will want to shoot a lot. Shooting even COM sized targets at 800-900 meters is usually much more difficult for the shooter than the gun.

C0untZer0 said:

Yes - long range is a concern.

...it would be a challenge to pick off targets at 900 meters with a Saiga.

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Whoa. It's a challenge to pick off targets at that range with anything!

Robert said:

If we want to talk about long range 308 rifles that is fine but let's leave the fantasy SHTF stuff out of it.

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Right. Because no country was ever invaded, had a civil war, a war for independence, had been attacked by foreign religious zealots, or put its nose in the affairs of other nations. So, why would we ever need to be concerned?

Wait a minute...

Experience and results

The US Military is using AR based 7.62 rifles because they work and hold up better then other options.
I know you don't like that option, but sometimes its better to get what works best instead of what you like.

earplug said:

The US Military is using AR based 7.62 rifles because they work and hold up better then other options.
I know you don't like that option, but sometimes its better to get what works best instead of what you like.

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They are also using M14s/M21s.

Sent from my HTC One X

meanmrmustard said:

Right. Because no country was ever invaded, had a civil war, a war for independence, had been attacked by foreign religious zealots, or put its nose in the affairs of other nations. So, why would we ever need to be concerned?

Wait a minute...

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To be fair here; The High Road does not engage in those topics of discussion.

This thread is pretty close to some of the topics you mentioned, but we have not, nor will we go there.

Let's keep this thread focused on the topic.

7.62/308 auto loader that is good for 800-900M.

Group hug?
Common guys....

Derek Zeanah said:

My long range experience is limited, but I tend to think of 900m as bolt-action territory.

If we're talking about a .308 Semi that might be used at long range in a pinch, I still like the SCAR even though I only own the 5.56mm version. It just seems right to me, especially if mounting an optic.

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Ok then, on topic. I agree with this statement.

If it HAS to be a semi, then I wouldn't feel undergunned with an LR308.

Not many semis, other than an AR (not a fan either) that hit at 900. And the ones that can, aren't spectacularly rugged. An R5 maybe?

Derek Zeanah said:

My long range experience is limited, but I tend to think of 900m as bolt-action territory.

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This was my first thought too.

If I need to be on target at 900M I need a bolt action.

The FN AR is the best rifle, in my opinion, mentioned soo far.

Does anyone know how many round you can put through that thing before it needs a cleaning?

Doesn't matter, you can have any 800-900 meter gun you want. How many people have the ability to pull those shots off? You may or may not, but I'm just saying. In a post disaster situation I would think it wise not to possibly waste ammo on such far out shots or even give away your position if a threat or food source is that far out. You might need that ammo.
But really, come on, lets get down off that ledge.