So, I want a .308 MBR on the cheap...

[Abominable No-Man]

My dad picked up a Century L1A1 before last Christmas and it functioned 100%, so I have been kicking around the idea of getting a FAL or G-3 clone for a while, too. I used to have a very good M14 that I had built up- I reluctantly had to part with it some time ago.

I've finally decided to build another M14. Maybe you could go that route. On my last one, I saved a little money, too, by building it. Not a whole lot, but enough for a couple more mags and some ammo. The big thing was you can go a piece at a time if you have to and hunt for some deals- you'll still end up paying more for it than a FAL or a G-3, but you will have (arguably) the best MBR there is and you won't have to shell out $1000+ bucks at once.

ANM

 

[clint1911a1]

DSA's STG-58
$795-$805
The only way to go for the money.

 

[entropy]

Pro/Con:

CETME: Cheap gun ,cheap mags/ Usually need to work on them,fussy on ammo.

Frankenfals: Same as above,but not as cheap.(not fussy on ammo, though)


Saiga .308: Cheap, reliable/10 rd. mags

Quality FAL'sDSA, Stg58's) Good gun, reliable/heavy, bad ergonomics.

M1A: Great gun, reliable/$$$, heavy, $$$ mags,NM's are fussy.

VEPR .308: Same as Saiga/$$$

Garand in .308: Solid, reliable/ $$$, 8 shots and PING

AR-10/Panther .308: Solid, good ergonomics, AR parts (some) commonality/$$$, $$$ mags, heavy.

Remington 740/742/7400/4 in .308: Cheap, reliable, no EBR stigma/ 10 rd. mag maximum, and those are not always reliable.

My choice: Saiga, and lots of 10 rd mags!

 

[Al Thompson]

I noticed that Bushmaster has an AR-10 using FAL magazines.

 

[MAURICE]

Dont want to hijack the thread, but...

Is there anyway (other than building it myself- which I am not completely opposed to) to obtain an M1A without shelling out a grand? I know they are worth the money, but jeez Louise, to me (broke) thats quite a chunk of change. Sure, I would pay it for a good M1A if I have to but there just has to be another way...

 

[tiberius]

Is there anyway (other than building it myself- which I am not completely opposed to) to obtain an M1A without shelling out a grand?

Other than stealing one...No.

You may be able to find an old Polytech M-14 and save a few $100, but you are probably better off saving up for the M-1A. Though the idea of building one up is an intersting one if you want something not readliy availible from a factory.

Some of the cheaper ones (CETME, Saiga's etc.) maybe OK, but I think the best deal going in REAL .308 battle rifles is the Danish rack grade M1 for $350 and a rebarrel for ~$200.

The choice between the M-1A and FAL should be based on preference, not cost.

 

[MAURICE]

the best deal going in REAL .308 battle rifles is the Danish rack grade M1 for $350 and a rebarrel for ~$200.

Through CMP, or is there somewhere else? No prob with CMP asI just found out my rimfire club is CMP affiliated and I can order through them.

 

[RepublicanMan]

FWIW I bought a Cetme from a fellow over on Glock Talk, wood furniture, MB, 2 20 round mags, 5 round mag, mag pouch....$300 shipped.
It's been 100% for the 800 or so rounds I've put through it, it's more than accurate enough out to 300 yards and although you should only use milsurp ammo in it, why wouldn't you anyway given the cost difference?

Century did indeed have major issues with QC in the past but I know two people that have recently purchased "Black Widows" (Cetmes with synthetic furniture and no MB) from them that have ran 100% after very thorough cleanings.

 

[tiberius]

Through CMP, or is there somewhere else? No prob with CMP asI just found out my rimfire club is CMP affiliated and I can order through them.

Buy the rifle through CMP, but I can't reccomend where to get the barrel done.

 

[clint1911a1]

Quality FAL'sDSA, Stg58's) Good gun, reliable/heavy, bad ergonomics.

A FAL with bad ergonomics???
In what way?

 

[Tomac]

I agree w/the previous posts about not going cheap. Find out what quality rifle you want then buy it or save for it. I put off buying my "Holy Grail" of rifles (the NDM-86 Dragunov in .308) for many years because of the price ($1,700). I previously bought numerous less expensive rifles that I always ended up selling because they weren't what I really wanted. Well, I broke down this year and finally bought my Drag and my only regret is that I didn't buy it sooner! It shoots far better than I do (.5moa on a good day w/match ammo) and I'm so impressed that I bought 2 more to put back as heirlooms/investments! *There's no substitute for what you really want*!
Tomac

 

[entropy]

Safety position is awkawrd to operate, unless you get that aftermarket one that sticks way out. Mag release is also awkward to operate. In it's defense, so are the mag releases of all the other rifles I listed, except the AR-10, and Panther .308's, and of course, the Garand. Installing aftermarket releases where available usually improves the FAL, CETME/G-3 types.

 

[artherd]

While I agree that for anything inside 500 meters, .308 and .223 are essentially equals.

That said, I do have a .30-06 self-loader. Mainly to shoot M2 AP black-tips. Not that I'm paranoid or anything...

They're fun too. I like AR-10s. (saldy, not cheap.)