Want a large semi auto

[MetalHead]

Most cost effective, Egyptian FN-49 aka SAFN in 8mm Mauser,with a defaced crest and ugly wood they can be a real bargin for someone from the WECSOG, when my barrel is wore out it will get a new one in 358 Winchester.

 

[kyjoe]

Another vote for Saiga .308.

Took my first deer with mine this year. 90 yards, iron sights.

 

[rocinante]

I like my 8mm fn49 too. paid 500 for it last fall. still some decent surplus ammo available too.

 

[KevinR]

This FN-49 is a robust looking rifle, whats the recoil on one of these?
Are they all 8mm

 

[Match14]

I've seen some used FALs in the 700-800 range, but the majority of them had Century receivers.

 

[AmEngRifles]

I like the MAS 49/56 in .308. They do (the .308 conversions) sometimes have a reliability issue, but if you are willing to work with it a little bit, they are a great rifle for down around $450. 10 round mags, and not too pricey if you are patient and shop around. Not much demand now for some reason. Guess they have been "closeted"?

I had a .308 with all the accessories (early Century import), had some extraction issues, but changed the extractor out with the new one in the spare parts kit included with the rifle and had no trouble with it after that. Sorry I ever sold it.

 

[rangerruck]

Lemme throw in one more; maybe the most underrated of all, and can be had for 400 bucks or so. A winchester model 100; the smallest lightest semi auto's ever built. Now the semi's did have a factory prob, so check with the seller if it had it's recall done on it. they had a bolt seperation problem if I
rmember right. They look like a cross between a ruger 10.22 and the old
Savage 99's.

 

[Hatterasguy]

If you hunt you should be able to score an FN49 in 8mm for that.

FN49's are good rifles, mine is every bit as good and I think shoots better than my friends Springfield M1A loaded. FN got the stock angle right, the recoil goes back straighter almost like an AR.

 

[BigNYMini]

+1 Saiga 308

 

[shagmcnasty]

Hakim?

 

[LiquidTension]

If you already own an AR you could easily get an upper for it for less than $700. 458 SOCOM, 50 Beowulf, etc.

Since this thread started 3 months ago I'm curious as to what OP decided on, if anything.

 

[Ignition Override]

M-1 Garand, but from the CMP.

They now have a huge amount of the correct ammo,GI M2 ball, which could last (them) for years. It is easily reloadable.