Another M1A vs LR-308 Thread - With a twist

[GrimmLV]

Here goes. I have purchased an LR-308 with the a3 upgrades, 24" hbar with the intention of putting at least some of the SASS stuff on it. It came with a falcon grip, the rest of the package is "stock". In my hand cost was $1450.00. My intention for the rifle is a <1 moa at 100 yard fun/bench gun. I do not have any other rifles in .308.

The twist: Last night my buddy says, "I would love to have an LR-308, to work on as my next project. I will trade you this..." He then pulls out his M1A. Now this is a pretty much stock rifle, and I am not sure if it has a match trigger but it is scoped with nice rings. It is synthetic stock, which I am not thrilled about, but it is a great looking rifle. I have put the M1A on the list of gotta gets someday, but I was mainly looking for a bench rest gun. Will the M1A fit that bill? Is the $1450.00 a concern?

I didn't get a look at all the particulars of the rifle, as I was kind of in shock... I will try to find some more information out today, but I just want a bit of opinion here. So, gently used M1A or brand new LR-308 project?

Grimm

 

[a-sheepdog]

I am an M1A fan all the way. Check to see if it has GI parts such as the trigger group, bolt and op-rod. Is it the loaded package?

 

[General Geoff]

Find out what kind of glass the M1A has on it; as a straight-up trade, as much as I hate to say it, I think the LR-308 is more valuable in this market.

 

[MTMilitiaman]

I tend to lean towards the M1A as general preference.

Have you ever shot an AR before? If so and you are comfortable with the shooting characteristics of the platform, then either rifle will probably serve your purposes well. Personally, I find the buffer assembly makes the rifle sound like a pogo stick, the rifle has always felt like a cartoon to me, and I hate cleaning the things.

The AR is typically reliable. I don't mean to make it sound like a POS. I never had a problem keeping my M16A4 running. My problem with the design is admittedly purely personal. I just don't like the shooting characteristics and tend to favor the ergonomics of the M1A over the AR as well.

The AR may be a little more accurate OTB. The M1A will probably be a little more reliable. As a battle rifle, I think the M1A wins. As a target rifle, the AR probably has the advantage. The AR is easily to field strip for cleaning, but is a lot more difficult to keep clean. The M1A requires tools for field stripping so it is a little more difficult, but fouling is contained in the gas system, so cleaning is much easier, in my experience. The M1A also has less small pieces to become lost or damaged--no firing pin retaining pins or anything like that.

My M1A Loaded is bone stock and will do about 1 MOA with Hornady Match 168 grainers and will keep most of the cheap 147 gr ball I shoot in 1.5 to 2 MOA, all with iron sights. Scoping the M1A is a little more difficult, but not a huge deal, esp since in your case the M1A is already scoped. If the rifle appears to be in good condition and comes with the optics, it might be worth the trade. I would handle each rifle and decide for myself which one felt the best to me. I much prefer the shooting characteristics and ergonomics of the M1A. It feels more solid and robust to me. There is no annoying "SPOING" sound each time the hammer is dropped. So it is a clear choice for me, but as it is based on personal preference, only you can decide which feels best to you.

If the M1A is a "Loaded" series, it will have National Match trigger components as well as a medium contour NM barrel, non-hooded NM rear sight (IIRC), and a NM flash suppressor (which basically means it is simply drilled out to avoid the problem earlier non-NM issued military rifles had with bullets hitting the inside of the suppressor, causing erratic accuracy). These modifications will make the rifle a little more accurate than the standard M1A.

My M1A Loaded has the stainless barrel. The Loaded rifle are offered with both chrome moly and stainless barrels and with both GI synthetic and walnut stocks.

 

[Retro]

It is easier to shoot M1A with a 10 rd mag in a prone position than LR-308. I think AR format will allow better accuracy but I still think that aluminum and .308 are not a good mix together. It is easier to shoot M1A with iron sights than with a scope, and I think the accuracy problem is not just the proper cheek weld issue but something more specific to each individual M1A rifle. I think it depends the head-space and how tightly the bolt mates with the chamber ramp, etc. I have a bedded Supermatch M1A with Krieger barrel but I am still struggling to get the group under 1.5 MOA with factory match ammo, whereas my bedded stock M1A Scout shoots subMOA with std weight barrel. To accurarize a M1A is more art than science... and luck.

 

[Polar Express]

since you asked, i'd suggest going with the M1A. With a good book, and some simple tools, and basic mechanical skills, you can do anything to it. I chose the SAGE stock route, take a gander at some of the pics that H2OMAN has posted.

I was asking a very similar question you have posed: AR platform or M1A (I was also considering the FAL) I chose the M1A, for many reasons, not the least of which was the cost of mags. From what I found, many of the AR platforms used proprietary mags, and they were big $$, my M1A mags are 22$.

just my 2 cents.

 

[FlyinBryan]

Personally, I find the buffer assembly makes the rifle sound like a pogo stick, the rifle has always felt like a cartoon to me, and I hate cleaning the things.

lol, that was good, the cartoon part,, lol,,,i take that back,,,it was great!!!!

 

[JWarren]

I went through the same thought process when deciding on my 308 project. I ended up trying to decide between an M1A and LR-308.

It seems that I am a minority on this thread, but I chose the LR-308.

Both are excellent rifles, but I decided that it was much easier to configure the LR-308 for what I'd be doing with the rifle, and it would be easier to change things out for other purposes. In addition, I like the fact that I have a high amount of parts that are common with my AR-15.

While I have no hands-on experience with the M1A, all of my reading indicates that it takes a good bit of maintance to KEEP an M1A accurate. I didn't want to deal with that.

While I'll not disparage anyone who makes the decision to go with an M1A (my father-in-law is a HUGE fan-- and probably isn't all that impressed with my LR-308), I'm am very pleased with the choice that I made.

but I still think that aluminum and .308 are not a good mix together.

While I can see the reasoning in this, there is nothing to back that up. There is, however, dozens and dozens of people on AR15.com that have put tens of thousands of rounds through LR-308s, AR-10s, etc. with no issue. Likely, those guys shot more rounds through 308 AR's last year than most of us will shoot in our lifetimes. I've not read a SINGLE report of the aluminum receivers being an issue with anything.

From what I found, many of the AR platforms used proprietary mags, and they were big $$, my M1A mags are 22$.

The LR-30 uses "proprietary" magazines to the tune that they use the same magazine that is used on the SR-25.

Magazines can be expensive-- and do go for a lot on gunbroker. You can, however, do what I did. I exercised a bit of patience and placed my order for magazines with CProducts. Each magazine is $22.00, but you'll have a wait. My order roughly took 5 weeks to get filled last time. The magazines have performed without issue. I'm getting ready to place another order.


-- John

 

[H2O MAN]

The M14/M1A and it's piston driven design is the better choice.
They offer low maintenance and can be very durable, reliable and accurate.

Check for USGI parts on the one you are looking at.

 

[jpwilly]

The DPMS LR-308 will be more accurate than a NM M1A with the right loads in stock form. The LR-308 will be easier to keep accurate and make any modifications to. The AR design is more accurate IMO. Now H20 will no doubt show some examples of M1A rifles that are uber accurate but they are not the average nor are they inexpensive. Don't get me wrong I like the M1A rifle it too is on my want to have list.

My LR-308 has shot groups of 1" with the 16" AP4 contour barrel using 150gr Federal Power Shok (the cheap stuff from wally world). I've yet to make any handloads for it becasue I just got is a couple months ago.