.308 Recommendations

[dstorm1911]

The HK and FAL have the most reliable and cheapest mags, the FAL is the simplest to clean and maintain of the 3 simply push release lever and upper and lower separate on hinge just like an AR (to fully separate em just push out the hinge pin no tools needed), bolt slides out and the top cover unlike the AR can be slid out as well for really good access to clean from breach rather than muzzle..... add a $68 DSA scope mount (flat top dustcover many times better than optics mounting options for the HK ) and ya loose the extra bonus of removing it but its no big deal and makes for super stable mounting platform....

Aside from the $5 mags, adjustable gas system, super accuracy, all milled steel construction, super easy cleaning and maintanence, real bolt hold open on last shot (HK has none), excellent standard iron sights (peep rear sight standard), the ability to use ANY .308 ammo without the problems associated with the HKs violent extraction ripping commercial cases heads off etc, the ability to readjust headspace simply by replacing locking block with thicker block ($12) this can be done in the field if need be by anyone who can fit a square peg in a square hole.. ya also got tons of aftermarket goodies at real decent prices.... and the rifles just sexy as hell!!

High end DSA FALs start at $1650 for Tactical USA made with 16.5 barrel and up

http://www.dsarms.com/products.asp?dept=36

or more traditional starting at $1600 all new Belgium parts with 16-18" barrel or $1650 with 21" barrel bipod cut barrels

http://www.dsarms.com/products.asp?dept=35

Down to $1100 for Austrian FALs with bipod cut barrels etc..

http://www.dsarms.com/products.asp?dept=9

or Enterprise Arms STG 58s starting at $999

http://www.entreprise.com/standardstg.htm

and there is always the used market where ya can get em as low as $500

"FAL the Right ARM of the free world "

The FAL was the only other battle rifle approaching the same numbers as the AK when it comes to the number of countries that issued it or made their own copy of it....... ther is a reason for its popularity, no other countries copied the M1A1 for issuance to their troops, nobody else copied the G3 or CETME (some did buy them) for issuance to their armies....... that distinction belongs to the FAL alone matched and exceeded only by the AK on the communist side of the fence

 

[H2O MAN]

.308 is best served from the M14 platform

 

[JWarren]

I am surprised that the AR platform hasn't been added to this thread.

I have a DPMS LR-308 that I couldn't be happier with.


-- John

 

[TexasRifleman]

I am surprised that the AR platform hasn't been added to this thread.

Well the OP included gun and magazine price/availability.

Magazine prices kill the .308 AR from that perspective in my opinion. $45 a pop is pretty expensive. And what's with "19 rounds" instead of 20?

 

[FSJeeper]

dstorm1911, the M14 was copied by the Italians in the BM59, the Chinese, and others just to set the record straight. It was used worldwide by a number of other countries including Israel who normally only accept the best. Just wanted to set the record straight.

I admire the FN FAL and agree it is easier to clean, but it is not as accurate as the M1A and I do not like the way it handles like I do the M1A's.

It comes down to personal preference and I think the OP needs to shoot all of them and decide for himself which he likes best. Any of the choices would be good ones though.

As for your 3 point criteria for your purchase, I agree with the other poster about the Saiga in 308. I like the sporter stock they come with a lot and would not convert it. They are well made, reasonably accurate, and they currently run around $350-$375 at our local gun shows. So, they are the cheapest .308 semi rifle, definitely the easiest to clean and maintain, clips are expensive but the savings from the purchase would leave you a lot of money left over for clips. Best money for .308 for the buck.