Which .308 semi-auto platform in .7.62X51 (308) for hunting?

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I've been hunting with an AR-10 for many years now. I started with one of the first Bushmaster BAR-10's with a 20" barrel then bought a DPMS AR-10 with a 16" barrel and for the last few years I have been hunting with a very nice AR-10 made by F&D Defense. All have been excellent rifles, the AR platform is very optics friendly, easy to clean, easy to accessorize and very accurate.

I've dropped a lot of pigs and deer over the years with an AR-10. I went through several .308 semi rifles before settling on the AR. I tried the M1A, the FAL, HK G3 and the Romainian PSL but went back to the AR-10. I also have AR's in several other calibers that make great pig poppers as well.

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DPMS G2 - super light. You can get a hunting rifle with a 20" barrel at 7.75 lbs

I read some posts of issues with M&P ARs where they didnt sell parts. Someone screwed up their barrel and basically had to get a whole new gun.

DPMS has the most aftermarket and parts available.

Although the G2 is new and is not compatible with the G1, all parts to the rear of the magazine are compatible with the AR15 except the buffer spring and buffer.
 
Yes...more than once; especially, since she's an M-1 Garand nut almost as bad as I am. * * *
* * *
The only thing I didn't care about the M1A is the scope mount system and I've heard mixed reviews on quality.

Well, if you're inclined toward the M1/M1A-platform, they can be properly scoped for hog & deer plinking.

You just have to get creative ... Think forward-mounted scope.

Mini-G in .308, with 2.75x scout scope.
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Easily digests 8-rd or 5-rd clips.

Handy and quick to shoulder.

Legal in 50-states. :cool:
 
* * * and for the last few years I have been hunting with a very nice AR-10 made by F&D Defense. All have been excellent rifles, the AR platform is very optics friendly, easy to clean, easy to accessorize and very accurate.

TIMC: I like your AR-10 set up. Two questions:

1) What scope are you running in that picture?

2) How much does that set-up, as pictured, weigh?

I have an LMT LM8 and was just curious about the weight issue.

Thanks. :cool:
 
TIMC: I like your AR-10 set up. Two questions:

1) What scope are you running in that picture?

2) How much does that set-up, as pictured, weigh?

I have an LMT LM8 and was just curious about the weight issue.

Thanks.


Thank you,
The scope is a Leupold Mark 4 6.5-20x50mm. The rifle as pictured, fully loaded weighs in at about 14 pounds, definitely not a walking around rifle but anything I can see will drop if I decide to pull the trigger, distance doesn't matter!

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The scope is a Leupold Mark 4 6.5-20x50mm. The rifle as pictured, fully loaded weighs in at about 14 pounds, definitely not a walking around rifle but anything I can see will drop if I decide to pull the trigger, distance doesn't matter!

TIMC, thanks for the reply. Wasn't trying to jack the OP's thread.

You do have a nice set-up. I'm just surprised by the size of your scope and the total weight of your rig for Texas hog-hunting.

At what distance(s) are you taking hogs?

I was trying to keep my LMT MRP LM8 to a minimalist level - pic below.

Scope is a 34mm illum. Leupy 1x-6x.
As set up with the 18" SS MRP barrel and a bipod (not pictured), the weigh-out, if I recall correctly, was about 13lbs.

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I was trying to keep my LMT MRP LM8 to a minimalist level - pic below.

Scope is a 34mm illum. Leupy 1x-6x.
As set up with the 18" SS MRP barrel and a bipod (not pictured), the weigh-out, if I recall correctly, was about 13lbs.

Very nice setup! You're not going to get too much lighter in an AR-10.

You do have a nice set-up. I'm just surprised by the size of your scope and the total weight of your rig for Texas hog-hunting.

At what distance(s) are you taking hogs?

I have corn feeders at 175, 200 and 242 yards from my blind. My shots range from 100 yards to about 400 yards.
 
BAR or for the tragically unhip, the Remington Woodsmaster (can be had cheap and later ones aren't JambMasters). 22 and 18" barrels.
 
I have corn feeders at 175, 200 and 242 yards from my blind. My shots range from 100 yards to about 400 yards.

Okay, so you're basically sniping them from pre-determined distances. Wasn't sure if you were humping that rifle around or not.

I know a couple of guys that like to stalk them, working from improvised rests in the field as they go.

'Course, their rifles are also lighter in 5.56mm and suppressed.

Thanks.
 
My light weight suppressed pig rifle is in .300 Blackout. This one is good out to about 200 yards, the two pictured were taken at 160 and 180 yards with head shots.

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I just bought 2-10 round and a 5 round mag for my FNAR and I paid 54.00 each,picked up the 5 for hunting and the 10 rounders for the range,like them more then the 20 rounders.
The 10's and 5's are the same size.
 
AR. Easier for the common man to fix and modify. Bigger cottage industry supporting it. Plenty of Mag-pul magazines. Easy to put sights onto (thanks to the rail systems).
 
My light weight suppressed pig rifle is in .300 Blackout. This one is good out to about 200 yards, the two pictured were taken at 160 and 180 yards with head shots.

Awesome pic, TIMC. Is that a 16" tube? And what can are you running?

Actually, I've got a 16" .300BLK tube that I can swap in on my 5.56 MRP. Just don't have a can for it, ... yet.
 
They have bolt receiver peening problems. I have one in 30-06 that is already showing signs or I'd just go with that. I'm keeping it because my Dad bought it for me for college graduation. It is amazingly accurate. Thanks Bexar
 
The 742 and 7400 series...see my post above about receiver rails being peened into breaking. Thanks.
 
The FNAR was designed to be a police sniper rifle. Expected to be a accurate to .5 MOA at 100 yards.
 
There somewhat of a velocity drop with the short 16.5" bbl, but for hunting as you describe it won't be an issue. Would only really be an issue if shooting over 4-500 yards or so.
 
Awesome pic, TIMC. Is that a 16" tube? And what can are you running?

Actually, I've got a 16" .300BLK tube that I can swap in on my 5.56 MRP. Just don't have a can for it, ... yet.


Thanks, the can is a Thunderbeast 30P1 and yes it is a 16" barrel. i currently have a form 1 in for a 10" SBR version, hopefully a couple more weeks and I will have the stamp for it.
 
Another vote for the FNAR.
Didn't know it existed but I like it. My question still remains...of a 16 inch or twenty inch barrel for her which would be best? I really don't like a cartridge with the potential muzzle blast of a .308 for her and a four inch reduction effect on velocity either. But I'm here to learn. Thanks...Bexar
 
My question still remains...of a 16 inch or twenty inch barrel for her which would be best? I really don't like a cartridge with the potential muzzle blast of a .308 for her and a four inch reduction effect on velocity either. But I'm here to learn. Thanks...Bexar

If you don't hand load I would stay with an 18 or 20" barrel. When I was running a 16" barrel on an AR-10 the muzzle velocity with factory ammo would dip below 2600 fps which affected accuracy, in my experience .308 tends to like being in the 2600 fps range for best accuracy. I solved this issue by bumping up my loads and made the riffle a sub moa shooter.
 
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