Semi .308 non-AR style recommendations?

[Col. Plink]

Hey y'all,

Not a big fan of AR platforms but am hoping to get into another type of semi 308. What's good and reliable?

Am familiar with Saigas but would like to hear which configurations of them have been great shooters (re: MOA) for folks out there.

Let's call the range $1000-1300, if there are accessories that just can't be lived-without, please explain cost/benefit. For weight I'm looking for less than maybe most M1-A's have.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Quiet]

Snake Hound Machine VEPR-308 Carbine = 1 MOA using match ammo, 2 MOA using surplus ammo = $2200.

 

[blarby]

VEPR all the way.

Wife loves hers. Thumbhole stock, field strips like an AK, and eats all ammo very well.

Only domnside: it EATS brass. You need a buffer on the receiver cover if you want to reuse any of the brass.

 

[Robert]

FAL.

 

[MichaelK]

I second the FAL. I like mine. I suppose you could also add the PTR-91 to that list, though I don't have one.

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

got AR15s, AR10s (Armalites)....love em all, had a FAL, wished I still did, but my favorite no AR configuration .308 is a Springfield Armory M1A. accurate and still shoot it as good as when Uncle Sam trained me on it 43 years ago.

 

[goon]

FAL.

DSA STG-58, South African R1M1 surplus ball, iron sights at 100 yards from a rest.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=196162&d=1394918853

 

[Icky The Great]

I agree that the FAL is a fine firearm. I also have 2 Cetmes and an HK91. Both types do well for what I need. I would say they are all MOA guns though I never fired them a whole bunch then checked the grouping. I would like to get an M1A/M14 but do not have much money to spend on that now. That and the price of ammo anymore is really cutting into my fun guns. Another one I just thought of is a Garand conv. to 308. I had one and it did well with irons out to 400 meters on steel plates. Never shot it for groups but its another option.

 

[JeffDG]

Another option is the Zastava M77PS. It's an AK chambered in 308 like the Vepr. Classic had them for right around $550 with two ten round magazines.

 

[Dmitri Popov]

Saiga

 

[barnbwt]

FNAR is a fantastic choice for the accuracy-minded gentleman. Mine is 1MOA or better (I'm a 1MOA undisciplined shooter), and has run flawless for all 300-or-so rounds I've shot before I became distracted by the FN49. Readily mounts optics, decent adjustability of the stock, fluted bull barrel (mine's the longer variant), 5 to 20 round steel box magazines, short stroke piston that requires very infrequent cleaning, comfy pistol grip, and it's stylish while not pretty enough to care about dinging too much. Perfect hog-slayer (I would think)

For the 1K used to 1200$ new they seem to run, they're a very good deal for an accurized semi-auto that's not an AR (and a similarly-equipped AR would probably run more than that by a good margin)


If you like older rifles, the FN49 308 box mag conversions done by the Argentinians are reportedly quite solid, and if anything like my 30-06, very nice and elegant shooters. Basically a FAL with better workmanship and straight wristed wooden battle rifle stock.

TCB

 

[MistWolf]

To save weight on an M14, get a Springfield M1A Standard and a GI fiberglass stock
View attachment 695015

I'm not sure the FAL is any lighter than an M14, but I really like mine. Just be aware that accuracy from the FAL will be about 4 moa, maybe less with quality ammo. But it's tough rifle
View attachment 695016

The PTR91 is a good rifle, but it's a bit awkward

 

[js8588]

My Super Vepr is 2 MOA with irons. Maybe could do better with a scope or a better shooter but for me, 'at'll do. Getting a PTR 91F this summer for the cheap mags but keeping the Vepr as a DMR.

 

[Lostaviator]

I'll second the FNAR. Good shooter

 

[HJ857]

I'll make a third for the FNAR. This is mine with modifications.

 

[Nom de Forum]

Hey y'all,

Not a big fan of AR platforms but am hoping to get into another type of semi 308. What's good and reliable?

Am familiar with Saigas but would like to hear which configurations of them have been great shooters (re: MOA) for folks out there.

Let's call the range $1000-1300, if there are accessories that just can't be lived-without, please explain cost/benefit. For weight I'm looking for less than maybe most M1-A's have.

Thanks in advance!

I agree with the suggestion made by barnbwt, Lostaviator, and HJ857. That being said, you should consider this helpful primer on selecting a 7.62x51 class rifle provided by the erudite and beneficent barnbwt:

Box-fed semi-auto 308 rundown;
If you want a rifle that's the coolest in Greatest Generation-era form with iron sights; M14 for its history and tenuous Garand connections
If you want what the M14 was supposed to be; Beretta BM59
If you want a highly impressive tack driver; AR15 in 308 from some high-end maker that sells accurized platforms
If you want a highly impressive-looking tack driver to woo the ladies; The same AR with a bunch of junk hung on a quad rail and a complex stock
If you want something unstoppable but with no other redeeming qualities; PTR/G3/CETME
If you are a hipster who's into cool swag that the mainstream is too dumb to appreciate; MAS 49/56
If you are a Fudd, friendly or otherwise; Remington R25
If you are an 8ft tall Ubermensch with a (local) Swiss bank account; SIG AMT or STGW57/PE57
If you want something boringly functional and adequate; FAL
If you want something an elegant weapon from a more civilized age; FN49
If you are a cheap SOB at heart and want to spend a little --but not too much; Saiga 308
If you area rich SOB; Galil, Daewoo, WA2000, G36, or other unobtainables not listed
If you want an accurate platform built on a concept suited for anything but that role; VEPR
If you want a 1MOA repeater that takes 5,10,20 round mags, is set up for optics-only bench/blind shooting, and costs an arm and no leg; FNAR/SXAR

 

[HJ857]

That's good stuff. I think I may have finally found something to steal a sig line from...

 

[powder]

M1a, ptr...

 

[Sock Puppet]

Put me down for 4th on the FNAR. I've been nothing but happy with mine for going on 4 years.

 

[Girodin]

It would really depend a lot on what one wanted it for. An FNAR and an FA FAL are made for very different things and excel at very different things. Some one looking for what one offers likely would be disappointed with the other.

If you are a cheap SOB at heart and want to spend a little --but not too much; Saiga 308

That probably needs updating. These days by the time you buy a S308, convert it and buy even just 5 quality mags you are very likely going to be spending as much or more than if you bought a PTR 91.

 

[barnbwt]

I stand by the Saiga part; a cheap SOB wouldn't bother converting it and would only use one mag . That said, a 308 semi is not for the cheap SOB, period.

"An FNAR and an FA FAL are made for very different things and excel at very different things. Some one looking for what one offers likely would be disappointed with the other."
Too true. At the end of the day, what they are used for by individuals is arguably pretty much the same all over (aside from perhaps carry weight aspects) in terms of hunting/target shooting/ogling. It'll also generally be pretty tame, regardless, since people who pay for their own guns would be loathe to abuse even a Saiga . I would not recommend the FNAR as an issued infantry arm, but more because I think they would react negatively to being thrown around in crates and dropped than because they are less reliable than other options. Large numbers of them would also drive armorers to drinking (more)

"If you are an 8ft tall Ubermensch with a (local) Swiss bank account; SIG AMT or STGW57/PE57"
I stand by this statement doubly, now (while I now have an STGW57, I do not feel even nearly qualified ). See attached for the latest

Ooh, and I have a new one to add to the list (not building one yet, though):
"If you want to confound and infuriate those around you; Madsen 1950 LMG"

It's got a crank instead of a charging handle (for starters)

TCB

 

[Nom de Forum]

barnbwt,

That Madsen is too cool for school. It definitely would qualify the owner as "a hipster who's into cool swag that the mainstream is too dumb to appreciate". The STGW57 picture is beautiful!

 

[js8588]

You guys are starting to talk me into putting an FNAR back on "the list"...possibly even two of them. An FNAR Heavy and...this: http://www.fnhusa.com/l/products/competition/competition-rifles/fnar-competition/

 

[dprice3844444]

hk91

 

[FuzzyBunny]

HK-91 or the PTR-91

I have the HKs and they are great and mags are cheap.

I have not owned a PTR but know many who do and they are great also with no complaints except they need a port buffer to save the brass if you reload.

One PTR owner is shooting under 1 MOA on a regular basis with reloaded ammo. I do not reload and shoot surplus myself. Never a failure to feed except once with some ammo from Indonesia and that was just one round in a very filthy rifle. The other 999 rounds worked fine, kinda, I say kinda as it seemed to me some were hot loads and some were below normal. I think thats why they were so cheap.

If I had to grab a 7.62x51 rifle to go after some critter that was dangerous and the rifle HAD to fire no matter what it would be the HK-91. I am not saying other rifles are bad in anyway but the HK and the PTR just seem to work in the worst conditions I have come across.

My next purchase (if I make one) will be a FAL I think.