308 battle rifle for near and far?m1a?DPMS?POF?

[1stmarine]

This is what to expect from the Saiga. I know a few folks that carry that one in Alaska in the truck and have taken all sort of game, including bear with it. Great carry/bush carbine and very accurate for an AK, in part thanks to the .308 win.
Here is a full review I posted on what to expect....

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=567005

If you need more info on the DPMS based systems I can post a full review but I would say prepare 1,500 to start with some good options or go for one of the $1K out of the box ones.

 

[Oxide]

I agree with 1stmarine on the FNAR. Mine is probably my most accurate rifle, sub MOA with factory non premium ammo. I like the stock, though the pistol grip should have been solid, not hollow. Finding mags was more of a pain in the rear than a church pew on baptism day...expensive too.

Field stripped, it breaks down into 26 parts, with lots of pins, screws, and wire springs. Only the top and bottom rails are square with the bore, the sides are canted inwards, and are useless for the laser I hung on there.

But, it is very accurate, rather reliable, and cleans up nicely after you get it all apart. The gas system is adjustable, which is good, because mine has bent the op rod retention pin slightly, so I think it is overgassed. By adjustable, I mean, in very controlled conditions, not field adjustable per se. I need to upgrade my 2x7 on there to some serious "reach out and touch someone" optics.

 

[RAINS]

Ok I think I found one! It combines the mid-lenght gas system of the RAA with the parts/mag compatibility of the dpms system. Plus it looks a little like a para/fal with that cool hand guard. Will haft to wait for a few reviews but it looks good....

http://www.bushmaster.com/catalog_xm15_BCWA30816MLMOE.asp

 

[Zane]

Bushmaster and DPMS are under the same umbrella company, although I have no idea how much is shared.

I can say that I just came back from my local 3-Gun match. I'm using a DPMS LR-308AP4. This is the 3rd match since I cleaned it last. I shot with it twice in between, the only maintenance I've done is I oiled the BCG after the first match. I've probably fired between 5 and 600 rounds since the last cleaning without any stoppages.

I trust this rifle.

 

[RAINS]

Oh man I'm in trouble here. I've been looking at the Scar 17s. I think I've got to have one. It has everything I want right out of the box. Crap! Anyone here need to buy a Kidney?

 

[451 Detonics]

In a .308 the AR platform would be last choice but I do know some folks like them. We have several people using the Fulton Armory rifles at our club and they seem to think highly of them. One thing I do like is the fact you can have the factory do a lot of the customizing when you buy it which means later on you won't have to pay more for the stocks, sights, trigger, rails, etc that you want on it.

http://www.fulton-armory.com/FAR-308-Rifles.aspx

 

[sansone]

I've been playin' with an Armalite 20" AR10 and like everything about it other than the weight. Mostly the accuracy surprised me. Cheap federal blue-box, or my handloads easily getting moa. First shot, dirty shot, clean bore, last shot, all shooting the same POI.
Fit between parts is as good as any I've seen. Magazines (gen II) are robust with steel followers that slide as if on ball bearings (under $30 for 20rd mag) M14 mags easily converted if you have a bunch already.
The canadians are using them for semi-auto/sniper

 

[Robert101]

I don't have but a fraction of the experience most have here on this site, but, my new DPMS 308 TAC20 has been flawless. Only 200 rounds as of yet and all reloads - not one malfunction. Yes, it is heavy for all day carry but I wanted the 308 capability with long range and barrier penetration.

 

[d2wing]

A local gun shop has ther Winchester versio of the FN-Bar, for $900. It is heavy though.

 

[1stmarine]

Yes Sir!
Fulton armory, Knigths Armament, SI defense, POF all top choices.
DPMS is not so up there but it makes a very decent product for a good price.
With the Army adoption of the SR-25 as the sniper system the magazine choice seems to be a good trend. It is trued and tested based on the Knights stoner system.