First Time Buyer, any recommendations?

[TexAtty31]

I'm at the point where i can finally afford to get into the whole long range expensive shooting thing. So I joined this here forum so i could learn from all the great stuff on here and share all the mistakes I'll be making along the way to become a broke amateur paper puncher. Ive shot all your standard deer rifles with $75 BSA scopes and have had no problem filling the freezer. But now i want more. I want to be able shoot somethin at half a mile. Probably not a deer, but maybe a watermelon or a piece of steel.

So what should i get??

Ive been wanting to get a .308 for quite some time now and im pretty set on that round. Its easily found and fairly cheap. And from browsing through the treads, y'all have no problem using them at extended ranges.
Ive been looking heavily at the new DPMS gen 2 rifles., the SASS in particular. i know they are fairly new and that there isnt alot of hard consumer data on em yet, but im in no hurry. There's one thread going on about them and they finally got some range shots into see how it did. I think it did pretty well.

But y'all know the market and guns better than me, so i figured i'd let y'all give some advice.

Im looking to spend about $2000 on rifle. $3000 with optics. I like what ive read about the Vortex scopes and the PST seems like a winner. So that'll leave $2000 for the gun.

Thanks in Advance for the help!

 

[slothlacrosse]

If you're looking for an accurate gas gun, I highly recommend Armalite. Their NM and SASS are both guaranteed 1 MOA with FGMM. New models use DPMS pattern mags.

 

[cshann55]

With this soft market right now is a great time to pick one up used or on sale. The DPMS is a nice entry level shooter as well as the POF series. There are some great deals out there.
Save a little money like any other AR build. Get the entry level rifle wit the barrel you want and build it to your liking.
In Stock .308/7.62x51mm Rifle Deals | Slickguns

 

[The_New_Sniper]

I'd add about $300 to your rifle budget and get a scar-17s. Without doubt one of the best rifles at the $2.3k-$2.5k range: very low recoil (probably one of the lowest recoil for it's weight), light (definitely the lightest .308 DMR), and reliable (runs in about any condition).

 

[tickled pink]

I have never had anything but a Bushmaster DCM rifle in .223. It was very accurate (1/2 MOA). I now am getting a new upper for my new Colt LE6920 M4 to hopefully get 1/2 MOA with my reloads. I shoot in competition at 1,000 yds. with my 6MM Norma BR. bolt gun which is extremely accurate.

Now from what I understand AR10 can be gotten in .243 Winchester. This round is a very accurate one and is easily reloaded and inexpensive factory loaded and can be found in any sporting store.. It can also be used for shooting out to 1,000 yds. and beyond. Very accurate bullets are easily found for reloading.

Look here:

Kasandra Cow elk 688yds.mp4 - YouTube

 

[GhostFace]

If you're looking for an accurate gas gun, I highly recommend Armalite. Their NM and SASS are both guaranteed 1 MOA with FGMM. New models use DPMS pattern mags.

I lean toward Armalite if you have a budget and don't want to wait simply because they are a above average quality rifle that will flat out shoot. Now if you have the coin and time to wait there slightly more accurate rifles and you may have to wait for them. Or other rifles offer more features like ambi controls and quick change barrels for slightly more money too, I don't know if these are important to you or not. Truth be told just about any .308AR with a SS match barrel that is free floated and has a decent trigger will shoot. It's not science or voo doo to get an accurate .308AR.

 

[tickled pink]

I forgot to mention I use a Vortex PST FFP MOA 6-24x50mm scope on my 6MM Norma BR. I have been using a Bushnell AR/223 scope with 4.5-18x40mm zoom. It is extremely clear & sharp. I highly recommend it. It will hold up to a .308 or .243 also. You can get stick on custom turrets for $25 that are dead nuts accurate if you shoot a drop chart and give them the info to put into their computer.

This is the best price I have found for the scope:

BUSHNELL 4.5-18X40 BDC RETICLE TARGET AR-SCOPE | Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore

Custom turrets:

Custom Turret Systems | Affordable Custom Turret Labels

 

[jevan126]

Well there are many good ones to choose from, but if I was you I would hold off a little while longer and save and then get a POF. There are many people in this forum who own POF rifles and love them.

 

[ACPjunkie]

I went with the LMT MWS. A little more than your stated 2k but you can find them used around 2300, which is what I did.

With the Chrome barrel its MOA with most match ammo, with some hand loads, it starts to get down into the sub-half MOA, in my humble and unassuming opinion thats pretty damn good for a chrome lined barrel. Only issue I'm having is from the 16in length, I am not getting the velocity I really want with my reloads, the good news is that it seems really pressure stable as far as higher than recommended loads.

I would look at every rifle you can get your hands on before purchasing one, if you can shoot it, mores the better. Before I got mine I shot a DPMS, Armalite, POF and a LWCI all in .308. The LWCI performed the worst accuracy wise and had a few malfunctions but this was a first gen rifle which had known magazine issues.

 

[samnev]

I would recommend the POF P P-308 over the LMT MWS. I own both and the 16" CL LMT I own isn't nearly as accurate as my POF. The POF regularly shoots 5 shoot 100 yard groups around 0.7-0.8 moa. My LMT MWS usually shoots groups somewhat over 1 moa and i've tried many different projos and powder combos and it just will not shoot consistent sub moa groups.

 

[TexAtty31]

Alot of POF recommendations. What model would be ideal to try and find? im seeing several with the 16.5" barrel and one with a 20". I realize the longer barrel is heavier, but weight isnt a big concern of mine. if its all under 12 lbs in the end, ill be happy.
I would like to try and stay as close to my budget as possible. a couple hundred bucks extra wont kill me though. Ill just eat Ramen for a month or two.

 

[cshann55]

The POF rifles have a 1 in 10 twist barrel regardless of length i believe so keep that in mind. I have 16 and 20 inch barrels in 1/10 twist and as Im sure these more experienced guys on here will tell you, they both will shoot well at distance but you do see a velocity loss as the barrel gets shorter than 20 inches.
They still shoot fine, just different, so to speak.

 

[bschnzl]

BassMaster -

I own a POF, too. It is an excellent, all American product. I am still learning to drive it.

Oh Sure, I can keep it on a silhouette at 300m. At that range, 3 inches is 1 MOA. Which brings up the question, what kind of shooting are you looking to do?

I have ~$3500 into my POF. It is funny how some accessories become necessary once you pull the trigger. Better to leave some room in your budget for items that will enhance the utility of your new tool.

For instance, any .30 caliber semi will be a challenge to shoot off hand, unless you are Iron Man or Ahhnold. A Harris Bipod runs about $100. You can find them cheaper, but you get what you pay for with the Harris. Caps for your scope run about the same. Beaver Creek flip ups are $18, for each end. Then there is transportation. Are you just gonna throw your $3K toy in the bed of a truck? The Case that came with my POF won't fit w/ the scope mounted. There went another Benjamin!

So, tell us a bit more about where you'll shoot, and at what. It's good to take your time. Buy once, cry once as they say around here.

 

[TexAtty31]

The type of shooting i plan to do-
I plan to go to the range here in town probably once a week in the summer. Its 600 yrds. thats where ill learn as much as i can before hunting season comes. Come September ill be looking to drop a caribou at anywhere from 1-600 yrds. November ill be moving from alaska down to Texas. Texas ought to have alot more options for longer range shootin.

Im mainly looking to just get the base set-up with the 3k. That'll get me started and from there ill upgrade and accessorize as i see fit. I realize that there are lots and lots of add-ons and necessities to come. Those things i wont have a problem with buying. I have a monthly budget which allows for "fun" expenses, like ammo and fishin gear.
Im thinking that ill buy whichever gun this next month, As soon as uncle sam sends some of my taxes back, The scope the next month, and then by May ill be set to sling some lead.
I live up in Alaska, so it will be May before i can really stand to sit outside at a range for more than 20 min.

 

[bschnzl]

I live up in Alaska, so it will be May before i can really stand to sit outside at a range for more than 20 min.

LOL! Or any where else outside I would imagine! You do have some time.

So the big thing is the Caribou... That will probably require some terminal energy! Good Hunting! I have put some 69gr .223 in my Rock River NM-A2 and made hits at 600m in CMP matches. All I was going thru was paper, tho'.

The other discussions here put a hard limit on .308 semi's somewhere around 1100m. That should not be hard to find in Alaska, or Texas. The bipod is pretty much required for anything approaching 1 MOA. You could use a pack, or a bag, I supppose. That'll let your long term budget become more relavent!

One thing that popped into my head shortly after hitting the "post" button was your mount. I bought an American Defense, and keep looking back at the Bobro. SWFA has a bundle on the Bobro, but I wanted that 20 MOA cant. I took the QD mount off, and lost the paper. It hasn't been off since. One reason is that my range has rifles late on Saturdays, and I don't have the time to mess with it before the sun goes down. It has held well for three months. All in all, the 20 MOA keeps me more in the center of the glass, so I take that consolance.

Then again - my buddy keeps telling me rings are much more stable, even on 1913 rail. I'll be watching for your rig when you get it!

B.

 

[samnev]

POF P308 16.5" Vs20" Barrel

The POF rifles have a 1 in 10 twist barrel regardless of length i believe so keep that in mind. I have 16 and 20 inch barrels in 1/10 twist and as Im sure these more experienced guys on here will tell you, they both will shoot well at distance but you do see a velocity loss as the barrel gets shorter than 20 inches.
They still shoot fine, just different, so to speak.

I got the 16.5" model. IIRC the velocity loss is about 110 fps going from 20" to 16.5" To me I Thought the 16.5" was the sweet spot. 14.5" to short, 20" a little longer than i'd like for easy handling and the extra weight. I also like the trigger on the POF it's crisp and light almost as good as the Geissele trigger in another of my 308 AR's. The trigger on my LMT was very heavy in comparison and as I said before just doesn't shoot as well as my POF.

 

[hlee]

Buy the rifle, not the name...

 

[TexAtty31]

Any suggestions on the DI side? Besides the armalite?

 

[bschnzl]

Any suggestions on the DI side? Besides the armalite?

GAP-10! Basically a DI POF. Hogan makes the receivers for both. DPMS seems to be making a push in the .308 - AR-10 market too. There is are two great threads that are stuck to the top of this "Semi-Auto" forum, if you haven't found them yet. Lots of "gun porn" mixed with the range reports that make this site the envy of the Internet.

B.

 

[jasonnorcal]

Lmt mws for the win! I don't care for POF's