Seeking opinions for a 7.62 X 51 rifle

[Moabrubi]

Personally if I was in the market I'd pick up a PSA JAKL. SCAR vibes at PSA prices. For my purposes of just having fun at the range, more then good enough.

I'm currently satisfied enough with my Socom 16 though that I don't feel the need the spend any more.

 

[ReaperCustom45]

Honestly I had a few different 308s including an M1A, Galil Ace gen2, and AR10. As soon as I got a SCAR 17, all the others got sold. Yes it's expensive, but man it is the sweetest rifle I've owned. I bought mine when they announced they were being discontinued last year (before we knew the Gen 2 was a thing), so getting a lot of upgrades costed me a good bit extra while the Gen 2 comes with most of those from the factory. Really the only necessary upgrade I'd say is the Geissele trigger, it's a world of difference. If you want a SCAR, get one, nothing else can replace that. And considering the Gen 2s come with most of the upgrades I had to drop another $1k on for the same price, that's pretty good. I plan to get a 2nd one someday when money is better.

 

[bonesurf]

JMO re: semi auto .308 guns
in general i try to avoid guns that use proprietary mags (SCAR, HK)
i am leery of the SCAR (fun to shoot) bc of it's poor history with optics (it likes to kill them) and the proprietary mags. but yeah. sweet shooter
it is why i own a B&T APC308 and a JAKL cause yeah Scar vibes, but they both use regular AR10 pattern mags and they both aren not known to kill optics. yes duh, the B&T shoots better/softer than the JAKL even after adjusting the JAKL gas but it was also i think more than 2x as much. it is however usually cheaper than the SCAR and HK. B&T "feels" a lot like a SCAR. of note hunt around for the B&T.

i have a sig spear which is pretty damn fun. the issue there is (gen 1) they used a crazy heavy barrel profile. i got mine chopped down, pin welded and it is a much better balanced gun. ive heard the newer ones use a thinner barrel profile
i try to stay with pistons cause DI clean up sucks. downside. pistons are invariably heavier and mostly more expensive.

the JAKL is a pretty economical way to go. runs clean like all pistons. i had to change out the trigger group cause it was light striking. not a big deal, but was annoying. granted maybe that's my fault for reloading with "military" primers. but my other .308s dont have any issues with those. oddly i think i dont have any pics of this

on the DI side of things, JMO stick with something at least the Saint Victor/Tread level and dont frankenstein build. if you decide to change it out the market is generally there. the Ruger SFAR was cool and fun in that it's crazy light weight. not so fun was it definitely had teething issues (I had FTF issues and had to send it to ruger) and it isnt "standard" pattern so you cant mix/match aftermarket parts necessarily. some work some dont. but it's a thought as it's also quite a good "bang for the buck" gun. for me i hated the clean up so much i sold my SFAR after getting it to work well.

 

[Swift]

There's a guy on GAFSHub selling a nearly new 16" AR10 Aero upper with a Criterion M118 barrel, VSeven handguard, and with a BCG/CH for like $730.. find an Aero M5 lower and assemble that into whatever you want and go to town on that 7.62x51/308

Finding a matching lower may be hard but Aero has these uncoated options https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/m5-308-stripped-lower-receiver-uncoated

Just don't know how fast it'll ship..

 

[elcajun]

Do not overlook the PTR91 , sig716 , FAL….and scar17s as mentioned. ….. or just a Cetme..

 

[Plenty_Pack_556]

AR-10 is very user-friendly. Maintenance-friendly. And smith-friendly.

If you know how to work an AR-15, you can on the AR-10.

Even parts breaking, you can fix or replace at home without taking to a gunsmith.

Easy to upgrade or downgrade (if that's your play), and shares many parts with the AR-15.

Also, it's not hard to turn a AR-10 into a Bolt-Action. (Remove Gastube, or Gas Key.) But you can't turn a Bolt Action into a Semi.

Bolt Action Rifles, you are stuck with one barrel. AR-10, you can get many uppers.

 

[token]

Whats the purpose of the rifle? Stacking holes on paper? Matches? Or just a fun blaster?

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

Scar 17 FDE
PTR 91
M1A Tanker or SOCOM

 

[Gawernator]

SR-25

 

[token]

SR-25

If he want to spend 5k+

 

[SDDAVE56]

My vote,,,,

 

[QQQQQ]

The factory saiga 308 or socom 16 for off the shelf in CA without mods.

Ar10 best 308 but needs mods.

The garand 308 tanker is pretty cool also but it’s a challenge to buy a good one.

 

[bonesurf]

The factory saiga 308 or socom 16 for off the shelf in CA without mods.

Ar10 best 308 but needs mods.

The garand 308 tanker is pretty cool also but it’s a challenge to buy a good one.

this one is money

 

[ButteFlyFisher]

I have an AR-10 but have just never found a purpose for it other than it being “fun”. If I am doing a carbine course or “running and gunning” in any kind of shooting on the move range class I much prefer an AR-15. If I am shooting longer range I prefer a bolt gun. If the world was ending I’d be grabbing an AR-15 for ammo capacity and weight.

I’ve always wanted to love the AR-10, just competes for reps against my AR-15.

 

[H. Bowman]

Garand tankers suck to shoot. That should be way down anyone's list for one they're actually planning on putting rounds through.

 

[mrbieler]

Can't speak for tankers but a proper M1 with a 308 barrel is a great shooter. CMP Special with a Criterion barrel is an accurate reliable rifle and a cat to shoot.

 

[bonesurf]

Garand tankers suck to shoot. That should be way down anyone's list for one they're actually planning on putting rounds through.

Naw. Mine is great!
Pew pew pew pew pew pew pew pew BING!
Edit whoops one too many pew

 

[Deleted member 16735]

Naw. Mine is great!
Pew pew pew pew pew pew pew pew pew BING!

Man you barrreeely made it with your ten round magazine

 

[bonesurf]

Man you barrreeely made it with your ten round magazine

Hahahaha it was 9 not 10 lol

 

[QQQQQ]

Personally I think 8 rounds is a good balance in weight for these.
Here’s a line up of traditional stocks.

Garand tanker 308 (fedord gi non welded receiver with new barrel) ramline stock with ultimak rail. I put a bushnell trs and pistol flash light on the rail usually but took it off for the pic.
At one time wanted a snuff mini g but this one will do.

Saiga 308 is factory stock. Might add a utg? side rail for red dot.

Socom 16 delta 14 chassis mossberg flex system.


Garand 308 tanker inspired by Oleg volks. I put an Italian brake on it similar to the socom 16 instead of the prong. With the fedord m1a trimmed upper hg it is so light weight the ultimak is really heavy. For a red dot it’s alright a trade off. I got an awesome rig for garand clips the olongapo grab and go.

Saiga 308, Id like to modify it to detach the stock its been done as a one off by tromix. I asked them about doing it but it’s basically really simple replacing the top screws with a pin.

Socom 16 is a factory Multicam black edition. I left the upper hg on. Placed in a delta 14 chassis. I have a ultimak for it but I’m not sure about putting it on this one.
Pictured with the take down case by skinner sights.