.308 Battle Rifle Under $800??

Status
Not open for further replies.
1, 2, 3 - done

.308 Battle Rifle Under $800??

I would like to get a battle-style rifle for under $800 that is

1,accurate(under 2moa at 100yds)
2,reliable
3, it has to be able to be shot left-handed.
So It can be a lefty bolt or a semi-auto .308.

Does anyone have any suggestions??
Click to expand...

A semi-auto .308 that is lefty friendly, reliable and is able to shoot better than 2 MOA under $800.00 ...

Shop for a slightly used side stamped IDE Poly Tech M14/S, unitize the gas system, tune the trigger,
purchase some quality ammo and CMI mags, put it in a USGI synthetic stock and go shooting.

You can have additional upgrades performed as needed as you go...

TDonM14.jpg
 
Is there a thread that doesn't have you posting your M14's?

Didn't you say you were banned from the m14 forums for doing that too much? lol :)
 
Finding an M1A clone for $800 is damned tough, but if you search long enough it can be done.
 
got my M1 in .308 win for $825 with new wilson match bbl and laminated stock built on CMP SA 146xxxx reciever refinished - GOOD AS NEW!

M1SIDE.gif
 
Don't know that you can rightly call that a "battle rifle" though, considering the magazine design and capacity...and pump action.
 
Go up $100 and you can buy a new PTR-91 from CDNN.

World of difference from some of the stuff in the less than $800 range.

Like someone said, ammo is the killer anyway.
 
$800 is tough. However, I'd much rather throw a little more money at the problem and get something really nice as opposed to "making do."

As mentioned, PTR-91's are not much over $800 in some places.

A converted Saiga 308 can be found for below $800 in some places.

I picked up my LR-308 for $925 at RGuns.net. If I didn't get a fluted barrel, I could have gotten it for $875.

-- John
 
I have a MAS 49/56 that's been converted to 308. I've put about 150 rounds through it without a firing, feeding, or extracting problem. I realize that's not that many rounds but I just haven't had it out that much. Too many other toys.

As for accuracy, the "range" we were shooting at was the back 40 in a friend's junkyard. We didn't have any legit paper targets that day so I can only say that we could do minute of soda can all day long. Throw a can out there and walk it around until the magazine was empty. Maybe I just got one of those "rare" good ones.
 
Maybe I just got one of those "rare" good ones.
Click to expand...


If your MAS 49/56 was one of the Century conversions to 308, I'd say that you did get a rare good one.

There's been a lot of problems with those Century conversions. With your luck, I would run out and buy a fist-full of lottery tickets today.


-- John
 
Don't know that you can rightly call that a "battle rifle" though, considering the magazine design and capacity...and pump action.
Click to expand...

He states that a lefty bolt action is OK. So why not a pump. Other than a Siaga a good 308 semiauto for less than $800 is a pipe dream
 
Last edited:
Well if you look around you might just be surprised what you come up with. I'd say I lucked out fairly well with mine:

FA91- $500 (yeah I know it's got the ugly reciever but I can deal with it)
3x9 Brunton Scope - $100
Wide Foregrip from egunparts.com- $50
1 Can of Krylon Fusion black - $3
Hours on the dremel- Priceless
Total Cost: $653

Went from this:
FA91Green.jpg

To this:
FA91-right.jpg

Took it to the range last week and after sighting in at 50yds with a sub 1" group my buddy and I were regularly hitting 2" clay targets at 100yds in 15-20 mph cross winds. I was very pleased to say the least. This was all with cheap Silver Bear .308 ammo by the way. :D

PS. I also have a 16" Barrel, folding stock .308 Saiga that I'll be selling now due to a crappy trigger pull and the fact it cost me $90 for 2 twenty round mags.
 
Chinese M14s are still out there in the $700 price range, but you have to buy without hesitation because they go fast.


Evil Monkey Is there a thread that doesn't have you posting your M14s?

Didn't you say you were banned from the m14 forums for doing that too much? lol :)
Click to expand...

Yep, I was banned from M14 forums for posting about my M14s and the Smith who built them.
IMHO, that forum has way too many chiefs and not enough Indians...



I don't think I've posted my 14s in a 1911 thread yet, but there's still time :evil:
 
If your MAS 49/56 was one of the Century conversions to 308, I'd say that you did get a rare good one.

There's been a lot of problems with those Century conversions. With your luck, I would run out and buy a fist-full of lottery tickets today.
Click to expand...

Ummm... I don't think it's a Century conversion. It would have to say Century Arms on it somewhere, right? Mine doesn't. The gun store I bought it from told me that a gunsmith in Pennsylvania does their conversions for them. They had about a half dozen of them when I bought it in '98. Out the door for $275 seemed like a good deal to me.
 
Odnar,

Nope... doesn't sound like you have one of the Century conversions. Hold off on those lottery tickets.

I mentioned the Century conversions because their MAS 49/56 conversion deal is legendary in terms of screw-ups.

That may actually be where Century gunsmiths got the nicknames of "Angry Beavers" and Drunken Monkeys."


Grats on having an interesting rifle in a more modern caliber that likely won't blow up and take the right side of your face off!


-- John
 
Good FAL's can be had in the $600 range (without Hesse receiver). I have bought many in that range. My current Imbel actually set me back only $400, but that was a bargain and it certainly is better than the Chinese M14 clone. There are some real problems with the Chicoms that may have to be ironed out.

The Saiga is probably the best deal out there (unless you stumble on an FAL deal).

Ash
 
You could find yourself a Century FAL in the $650 range pretty easily.
But wait, Century?

Sure, why not. As long as it is in full running condition, there is very little the CAI angry beavers can totally screw up that won't prevent it from running.

As a matter of fact, the CAI rifles with the knockoff Bell and Carlson toilet-seat stock used to be very very nice British rifles before the .gov mandated they be neutered to be imported, and careful shopping may net you one for $500 or so- inch cut but metric mags (best of both worlds! Brit looks, cheap mags!)
Add your 922(r) parts to get back to a buttstock, and you have a very nice rifle.
FALs are great for leftys because the charging handle is already on the left and you can adjust the gas setting to get the brass right where you want it.
 
FWIW,

My Vepr (original version, thumbhole stock, 20 " bbl.) shoots under 1.5" all day long with Radway Green or good handloads and a 4x VOMZ russian scope.

My Saiga thumbhole stock, 22 " bbl. shoots just at @ 2 moa with South African 147 grains and a Nikon 4x9 prohunter. It'll do better once I work up the handloads.

Yes I prefer thumbhole stocks, helps with my tendency to cant offhand. Have one on my Encore 7mm-308
also.

BTW, the original acceptance spec for the M-14's (iron sights) was 6 moa. Pretty standard for most countries military long arms with GI ammo. Least that's what thy told me when we were evaluating the T-14.

Regards,
:)
 
Oh, I should have mentioned.
An EAI FAL with all 922R parts, testfired, with a lifetime warranty is $899. Use my reference and we'll ship it free to your FFL as well.
 
What type of optics or sights are you planning on using? Do you have an allotment of funds for that as well?

Save a bit more, blow it all a little later, cry once, and smile forever. I only say that because I have to save up over long periods for this hobby as well, and I've been happier doing such.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

N
  • Locked
Battle rifle in '06 or .308?
Replies
14
Views
634
Kimber1911_06238
K
H
  • Locked
223 Bolt rifle
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
unlearned69
U
P
  • Locked
Most Accurate Bolt Gun for LEO Use
2
Replies
40
Views
2K
itsa pain
I
S
  • Locked
Buy one? Or get two...
Replies
17
Views
1K
Peetmoss
P
9
  • Locked
JP Enterprises .308 rifle I am thinking of buying
Replies
7
Views
448
Robert
Robert
Back
Top