Spend My Money - .308 Carbine

remington R-25
browning bar
remington 7400 or 750
benelli r1

The ruger Mini-30 is NOT a .308, in case you don't know, it fires a 7.62x39 round, the same as an AK-47/AKM/AK103 type rifle. The round is OK for short range and such but I would not suggest it for hunting deer or things of that nature. I compare it to .223 in that respect, both are CAPABLE of taking deer, but there are much better and more humane choices.

The M1A Scout and M1A SOCOM are amazing rifles, I highly suggest one. I love shooting the M1A platform.

Another option would be a DSA SA-58 FAL rifle with a 16/18 inch barrel, you could even get a folding stock if you wished. The only problem with this is that it will probably be just as expensive if not a bit more so than your M1A and a little less accurate (still plenty accurate for hunting). Neither of them would be tackdrivers-they were designed as battle rifles. They are both about the same when it comes to ease of putting a scope on.

I know it's not semi, but the ruger GSR is something to look at.

Saiga

M

Forgot about the Saiga, thats a good choice too. Probably less in the accuracy department, but its much less expensive than the competition, leaving you money for ammo and optics.

Ask Vern about Saiga accuracy...16 inch barrel, 5 shots, factory sp




Here's one with Australian F4 military ball




M

Dude, you asked this question yesterday. Go to the library and check out "Small Arms of the World". It is dated but applicable. Almost all your answers are in there.

Yes, .308 works in 7.62.

Saiga will work, but a $500 rifle is a $500 rifle. I'd rather have a used FAL. Like I said yesterday, the FAL is the most reliable .308, the AR the most accurate, and the M14 the best all around. Generally, for like priced weapons, although the more accurate AR's can be pricey. The G3 is reliable, but has too much recoil and isn't accurate at all. Not to mention it is made by Gucci and the price reflects that.

I think that might work. It's chambered for 7.62 NATO though. Would firing .308 Win be a problem?

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If the headspace is good to go, no problem. They are the same (virtually) pressure.

7.62x51 = 50,000 CUP (note: not PSI) or 60,200 PSI
.308 = 62,000 PSI

The ruger Mini-30 is NOT a .308, in case you don't know, it fires a 7.62x39 round, the same as an AK-47/AKM/AK103 type rifle. The round is OK for short range and such but I would not suggest it for hunting deer or things of that nature. I compare it to .223 in that respect, both are CAPABLE of taking deer, but there are much better and more humane choices.

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Ummm, 7.62 x 39 actually closely resembles .30-30 ballistics for a good portion of the trajectory, and that round has far more than proven itself as a deer killer within 100 yds or so, which I would imagine is further than the distance at which most white tails are taken. The .223 comparison is a bit off IMHO.

Dude, you asked this question yesterday. Go to the library and check out "Small Arms of the World". It is dated but applicable. Almost all your answers are in there.

Yes, .308 works in 7.62.

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That is not always the case. Headspace is going to be the determining factor, as W L Johnson noted above. There is a headspacing window that suits both cartridges. If the chamber is within that window, it should handle either round.

I'm thinking I'd like a carbine in .308 Winchester, for hunting and at the range. I looked into the Ruger Mini-30, but heard they have major accuracy issues. I've also been very drawn to the Springfield M1A SOCOM. It's a bit more expensive than I'd like, but I suppose I could save a while longer.

Looking for something at least moderately accurate (at least 2 MOA), reliable, and something I can hunt with to at least 250 yards. Also prefer semi-auto. Plan to use it to hunt deer and elk.

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If you go with an M1A, I would get the Scout over the SOCOM. It's better balanced, has better iron sights, and no heavy cheese grater on the forearm. Those rails are not milspec from what I've heard, so unless they changed them to a true M1913 I don't know whether they'd be that useful anyway.

Jason

I suggest a DSA FAL

Good rifle

This:



Walnut Scout Squad.

Trust me, you will never regret it.

Dan

M1key said:

Ask Vern about Saiga accuracy...16 inch barrel, 5 shots, factory sp

Here's one with Australian F4 military ball

M

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That's money right there... aint Nothing wrong with that...!

Jason_G said:

Ummm, 7.62 x 39 actually closely resembles .30-30 ballistics for a good portion of the trajectory, and that round has far more than proven itself as a deer killer within 100 yds or so, which I would imagine is further than the distance at which most white tails are taken. The .223 comparison is a bit off IMHO.



That is not always the case. Headspace is going to be the determining factor, as W L Johnson noted above. There is a headspacing window that suits both cartridges. If the chamber is within that window, it should handle either round.



If you go with an M1A, I would get the Scout over the SOCOM. It's better balanced, has better iron sights, and no heavy cheese grater on the forearm. Those rails are not milspec from what I've heard, so unless they changed them to a true M1913 I don't know whether they'd be that useful anyway.

Jason

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Huh, didn't know that about the 30 30. I suppose the x39 could be useful then.

For deer and elk though I would still go with a 308 or something similar. Thats great accuracy from that one Saiga 308!

More range time, less hunting = M1A Scout

More hunting, less range time = Browning BAR

The other rifles mentioned are good too if they suite you. For 250 yard shots on game I'd prefer a scope myself which would be a major plus for the Browning imo as the package would be handier than some of the heavier "battle-type" rifles. I've always thought a Browning BAR in 308 or 30-06 with a 3-9x40 would be a great do-it-all rifle.

A .308/7.62 NATO can run from less than a grand to well over 100k... So it really does come down to how much money you have to spend.

For 250 yard shots on game I'd prefer a scope myself which would be a major plus for the Browning imo as the package would be handier than some of the heavier "battle-type" rifles. I've always thought a Browning BAR in 308 or 30-06 with a 3-9x40 would be a great do-it-all rifle.

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You have a valid point, but as for the BAR, it's almost got to have glass. The only one that comes with irons is the Stalker model, and its traditional sights would be pretty poor out to 250 yds.

On the other hand, the M1A is easily capable of that distance without glass. Better irons make a world of difference.

That being said, the one downside to the irons on the M14 family of weapons is that the aperture makes the sight picture appear darker, and that can impede some folks' vision in dusky lighting.


Jason

You have a valid point, but as for the BAR, it's almost got to have glass. The only one that comes with irons is the Stalker model, and its traditional sights would be pretty poor out to 250 yds.

On the other hand, the M1A is easily capable of that distance without glass. Better irons make a world of difference.

That being said, the one downside to the irons on the M14 family of weapons is that the aperture makes the sight picture appear darker, and that can impede some folks' vision in dusky lighting.

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Agreed. The iron sights on an M1A are far superior to that of the BAR's. If a scope was not in the equation and 250 yard shots were needed give me the M1A all day.

But at 250 yards I personally would be better off with a scope and since I'm not a fan of hunting with heavy scoped M1A's I think the BAR is a better hunting tool.

If you don't absolutely have to have a semi auto I would look into finding a Winchester Model 88 or Savage Model 99 (i think) Lever Rifle in 308 Winchester. It would be more comfortable on a hunt, and they're great rifles.

ar10 would be my choise.

I vote the FN FNAR, everyone forgot about those. Winchester sx-ar same rifle only cheaper. It's a Browning BAR with large magazines and pistol grip. Stupid accurate also. Guarenteed to shoot 1 moa out of the box. I love mine. Magazines are very expensive though. It is also semi auto.

For the price of an M1A, FN or upgraded FAL, I'd rather get a MAS56, an FR-8, and a Saiga, and some ammo. Three for one, cost wise....but i'd probably squander some of that loot on a nice single malt Scotch too. YMMV.

Remember, reliable M1A mags are around $50 a piece too. Also, my Loaded is just too heavy and bulky to hunt with; I take my Saiga 16" 308 first.

Remember, reliable M1A mags are around $50 a piece too. Also, my Loaded is just too heavy and bulky to hunt with

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M14 mags are about $28 a pop, not $50. If you're buying them for $50, you're overpaying. The rifles are on the heavier side I suppose, but I hunt with mine, no issues. Shot a doe on the run, full sprint, 50 yds a while back. I'd have had a very tough time doing that with any of my other hunting rifles. I enjoy shooting irons, and the M1A/M14 and M1 Garand have about the most versatile iron sights out there. To me, a scope takes part of the challenge away, unless you are talking about very long range shots, which I have some ethical issues with anyway in most situations. I don't mind humping the extra two or three pounds to have the irons I like.

YMMV.


Jason

Lloyd Smale said:

ar10 would be my choise.

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me too..