What would you say is the most reliable semi-auto 308 rifle currently available?

[Show Me]

@FL-NC well described above the reality for the shortcomings inherent to all other designs behind the AR. Keeping an AR running smoothly isn’t so challenging, but getting any of the others to adapt in the same ways as can the AR, or getting them to shoot as small, are largely just pipe dreams.

Shortcomings or difference. Small groups isn't what reliable is. Besides the difference unsupported isn't going to be large enough to care.
Bench shooting isn't a real world test.
I prefer the easiest to clean. AR's are a real pain compared to a Garand type action.
Reliable is a loaded question.
And which one is easiest to get spare parts for. Ar's are mostly different and M14 parts kits aren't on the back page of every magazine now days. I haven't the answer but it needs discussed.
I have spare parts for Garands ,AR 15 and Glocks but nothing else.
I'd rather have a .308 Garand next to the front door than anything else. They are cheep enough from the CMP to purchase a pair.
I don't consider my SFAR or the LAR8 forever guns. But I'd trade off my 06 Garands for .308
Expert grade obviously. For a forever gun that is.

 

[hoardingthemanual]

My LMT Defender is my choice for one and done semi auto 308 rifle.

 

[bfoosh006]

My '96 M1A has been extremely reliable. I don't remember ever having an reliability issue with it.
After tuning, my PSA PA10's ( and PA65's ) have been very GTG. Certainly good enough to be a goto setup.
An Adj. GB is a God sent addition on all my LFAR's.

 

[tdbmd]

Just curious what others think? What would be the most reliable new manufacturer 308 semi auto? M1A? AR 10? FAL? Other?
Is the Ruger SFAR reliable enough to be a consideration? Seems like reports I have read online are kind of hit and miss.

Browning BAR

 

[Kp321]

Over the years I have owned a FAL, a M1-A, a HK 91 clone, and an AR-10. Still have the M1-A, the rest of them went down the road. Enough said?

 

[BreechFace]

Reliability above all else…no question in my mind, FAL.
…but FAL’s are not super accurate, 2-3 MOA is pretty normal. They are all sorts of cool though

My personal comfort with the Stoner design would lead me to choose an AR10 platform. I appreciate the modular nature of them but also they have good means of tuning and working out inconsistencies in reliability. And they can be superbly accurate, easy to shoot and lightweight comparably.

In regards to the Ruger SFAR I love the size and weight but mine required some work to get it working properly without beating up the brass due to over pressure. But that’s the beauty of the Stoner design lots of areas one can tune and work out issues. It’s too early in my ownership of my SFAR to speak on its long term reliability, it does look promising with what I’ve done with it though.

 

[7mmRLC]

I'd go with this one.

 

[Enfieldier]

All three 7.62, all three 100% reliable. However, none of the three as shown are in production. The M1 is a SA Inc from the 80s, the FAL is a DSA from 2007, and the M1A is a Polytech from the 90s.

 

[InTheSwamp]

AR-10 for me. LMT or KAC.

 

[Charlie98]

There are so many AR10's on the market now, and they are not all equal- in fact, the parts aren't even compatible half the time.

I would echo that... along with the rest of it. Having said that, I would pick the AR-10... with the caveat that at a mass scale, it would have to be standardized, not unlike the AR-15. Looking at the entire package... ergos, adaptability, accuracy potential, ease of maintenance, etc, the AR-10 seems like an easy pick. That is not to say there aren't some others hot on it's heels.

I have an M1a... I love it, and it has been 100% reliable for me. I would take it into combat. The M14/M1a is, largely, standardized, but it has serious issues with adaptability, and in some cases, accuracy. You may have to dink with it to get it to shoot well enough, just like you might have to dink to get an AR-10 to be reliable and/or accurate. As someone said... 'pick your poison.'

 

[d2wing]

I think a quality AR-10 would be my first choice although all of them have merit providing that they are of high quality. Just about everything currently available is a repro and not an actual combat weapon. I really liked real M-14's.

 

[Hookeye]

AR10 type.wins as a do all.

But if ya wanna run irons only Id go with an FAL.

Never liked the M1A.

 

[vanfunk]

I’ve never had a malfunction with any of my semi-auto 7.62/.308 rifles:
SCAR 17
M1A Loaded
Daniel Defense DD5 V3
LWRC R.E.P.R. 20”
PTR-91
I foolishly sold a DSA FAL years ago, but it never let me down either

 

[valnar]

PWS MK-216

 

[theotherwaldo]

My Israeli FAL is pretty good
My Polytech M1a is fair, but improving as it gets broken in.

 

[jeff-10]

I have a PTR 91. Not even sure it's possible for that thing to jam unless I load it with a dud.

 

[funnelcake]

At this point - a SCAR 17S.

 

[buttrap]

FAL and I have a M-1a with a leopold scope the FAL hands down is the champ!