What Do You Want in a Combat Rifle

[WardenWolf]

Sadly it's not truly a combat rifle, but I'd like a converted 16" Saiga .308. They can hit 1 MOA in many cases, are lightweight, handle well, etc. And they have the optics hardpoint that can accept quick-detach optics setups, allowing you to quickly swap between iron sights, red dots, and scopes while maintaining zero on each. Some of the mounts even allow you to co-witness the iron sights. What you get is a hard-hitting, accurate, and versatile rifle.

 

[Rifleman 173]

A scoped Barrett REC-7 in 6.8 SPC would be my choice for a combat rifle. I'd want a decent scope like a 3 by 9 variable on it for day use and precision shooting. Then at night I could switch over to a Starlight scope or something like that for night time shooting. The 6.8 SPC round is bigger, heavier and more effective than the .223/5.56 rounds. Not as heavy or bulky as the 7.62 NATO rounds and it has a lot more distance of use over the the 7.62 X 39 rounds. Basically, I would control 500 meters in any direction around me with a good, effective round without a doubt.

 

[kalashnikov74]

I would take an m1a scout, troy upper hanguard, leatherwood cmr, surefire offset light.

 

[Derek Zeanah]

I'm no longer enlisted, so "combat rifle" is hard to define.

What I'd like as a do-anything rifle is as follows:

• Have the controls in the right place. This pretty much means AR-15 style safety and magazine release, at a minimum.
• Have enough oomph to stop most targets. Deer, people, pick-up trucks, whatever. Penetration of cover is also important -- if I need to pick up a combat rifle at 40 then I'm facing something much more serious than a typical home invasion scenario.
• Good trigger. These can be put on most rifles, so no huge deal.
• Optics. Something that works for close range and distance.

So, I'm looking for an updated .308 platform. One of the MK 14 competitors would probably work, as would a SCAR 17. I haven't played with the options enough to know what I like.

Optics-wise I really like the ELCAN SpectreDR. Like, a whole lot.

 

[6x6pinz]

Since the only combat I will see is me against a large elk, I want a good scope on a good bolt action rifle. Luxury item would be a bipod.

 

[C-grunt]

Military experience. Yes

Rifle:
M4 SOPMOD II kit with a DD RIS II rail, a Sureifre Scout light, a Vickers or Vtac sling, Troy stubby grip, Geisselle trigger and an ACOG. P-Mags loaded with Mk318. Small bottle of synthetic 5w motor oil and a cleaning kit.

Id have everything within 500 meters covered very well and have a light and easily manueverable rifle.