Big Caliber Semi Automatic Rifles

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FrankieJames7

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Well, since non-Alaskans control Alaskan laws time is now running out to get a semi-auto :banghead:

Not looking for a small girly shooter as we already have a Mini-14 in .223

So who makes the best AR-10? not interested in carbine guns so I would prefer a barrel 18" on up

M1A's any good?

Also looking for a gun that could be somewhat "tactical", and by that I mean running stuff like ACOG's and VFG's, detachable mags, and "tactical" stocks

also I'm heavy into mechanics so I'm not scared of maintenance or mods

Thanks for responding guys
 
M1A is what I would invest in, with a synthetic stock or go whole hog with a modern EBR stock. Wood is nice but you get issues with wood in extreme temps and humidity.
If you must stay with the AR platform then those big thumpers like the .450 and 50 Beowulf are great at 100 yard encounters such as blackies or moose.

But in all honestly respects I might carry the .308 with Barnes bullets against a brown bear, usually I would a .375H&H bolt, but if I had to run or take a defensive stand I could get more shots off with the semi auto, I wanted a BAR in .338 years ago for bear but never picked up one, that would be a great gun other than the AR or M1A.
 
For an AR 10 I like the Armalite rifles and for the M1A I like the Springfield flavor. However, while the pictured rifles are .308 I don't quite consider .308 a big caliber. When I think Alaska I think images of the larger H&H 375 family. :)

AR10%20M1A.png

Ron
 
So who makes the best AR-10?

People could debate "best" for weeks. In fact, a google search will turn up such debates. If I were after a very very good .308 AR I would probably get an OBR. They make an 18" and 20" version. This is not a cheap gun. There are 308 ARs that are both more and less expensive.

Depending on my exact purposes and budget I might get another type of weapon. For a general use gun a the SCAR 17s appeals to me. It weighs a lot less than many of the other semi 308s and offers good accuracy (but not great accuracy like the OBR). However, all the one's I've seen are 16".

I don't know what the market is like up in AK. Right now it may be a matter of getting what you can get at relatively reasonable price. The good news is that some of the high end guns like the OBR may not have had as big a run on them. The bad news is that many of them may have already had waiting lists. LaRue's website will take an order on the OBR. I don't know and in a brief check didn't see what they wait time, if any, was.
 
Oh, I don't know; the M-1 Garand could still serve most needs well and IS likely not priced beyond means. Check out the CMP: odcmp.com Let your Gov provide the weapon and ammo (albeit through an intermediary of unmatched quality). You get fast with 8 round enblocs: remember, unlike an M-1a mag, a two-handed ordeal, the clip pops out with the last round on the old M-1, and you just smack a fresh one home and close the bolt in one fast motion. Proven in the cold and .06 has a pretty solid punch ~ at least on par with .308. The M-1 was my 'poor man' M1a after I bought a mini-14 in 90. I now have 2 M-1's and still have that little mini---and I've never again wanted the M-1a I once coveted. Worth thinking about.
 
M1 garand from CMP?
it's a pain in the rear to set up an account with them as they require proof of marksman ship skills, proof of US citizenship and half a dozen other forms to fill out but you can get them in both 30-06 and 308 now, they are cheaper than most people see on the shelves of pawn shops and they ship right to your door.
 
So who makes the best AR-10?

LaRue Tactical OBR.
Knights Armament SR-25 ECR
Both have 20" barrels but both are over $3k, but very accurate and dependable.
 
Thanks guys, I am open to all semi auto's, and when I mean "big caliber" I was meaning something bigger then a small shooter like .223, already got an M1G, I will look into AR-10's and an M1A, don't know anything about FAL's so that could be a gun I could get later, there is already too much brand names out on the market for just AR's

SO...right now I just want brand names for AR-10's

And brand names for M1A's(didn't hear anything too good for springfield)
 
Google M1 Garand 458 win.

Not my cup of tea but interesting.

I'd go with one of the 450, 458 socom, etc ( in an ar-15) personally if I were inclined to something like that
 
I had a Remington 7400 in .35 Whelen. Plenty accurate. Bought it for an elk hunt that never worked out.

Right now I've got an AR in .358 WSSM (wildcat). Just took a deer at 279 yards two days ago. Shoots three shot groups in the .4's with 180 grain Hornady SP's over 48.7 of AA 2015. Cranks them out at about 2,850.
 
If you want "big" place an order for a .458 SOCOM. Several manufacturers make them. "Best" is a personal opinion. I have a Baer .308 and it's the "best" I could find for accuracy. It also weighs 14lbs with a scope + ammo and is NOT a gun I'd want to carry in the field for hunting. For an overall field grade .308, you'd be hard pressed to find something functionally better than an FN SCAR 17. If you want it in an AR style platform for field use - then the OBR would be the way to go.
 
Spent two years in the Alaskan interior. If I had my choice of weapons to carry up there it'd be the FN FAL. It'll handle the crappy weather better than any of the others, always runs, uses any ammo available, reasonably good accuracy, a little heavy but not bad, and tough as nails. You can get a top cover that has a rail on it to mount a scope or other optics and now handguards with rails as well. This is the best site i've found for parts and knowledge on FAL's.

http://www.dsarms.com
 
Not tactical but you can get a BAR in 30-06 or Magnum calibers as well as Remington 750. Not high volume shooters, limited round count. Not as rugged.
In tactical you can get the FNAR or Winchester versions in .308 or .300 Win mag. Otherwise
In .308 hard to beat a decent AR 10. Plus you can change calibers easy or reconfigure easy mount optics, big mags and most are top notch in accuracy. Saigas, FAL etc are reliable and rugged, but substandard accuracy, not great for optics.
 
Thanks guys, I am open to all semi auto's, and when I mean "big caliber" I was meaning something bigger then a small shooter like .223, already got an M1G, I will look into AR-10's and an M1A, don't know anything about FAL's so that could be a gun I could get later, there is already too much brand names out on the market for just AR's

SO...right now I just want brand names for AR-10's

And brand names for M1A's(didn't hear anything too good for springfield)
That being the case as to AR10 I have an Armalite .308 and have never had an issue with the rifle. My M1A is a Springfield .308 which I have had about 20 years, again never a problem or issue with the rifle. So while I have little to no experience with other manufacturers, I have been real pleased with what I have.

Ron
 
I would look at what ammo is easy to get in Alaska. You will be able to narrow your choices down in a hurry. I have a 30/06 because I can get ammo anywhere for it. I don't have to deal with large animals that want to turn me into a grease spot. I would look for a 300 mag or larger. Sadly, a BAR is going to be your most reliable choice. Where you going to get parts for the latest tacti cool rifle in Alaska?
 
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