Help me choose semi auto 308!!

[TEAMSENDIT]

Well i have been playing with a rra lar 8 and it honestly shoots 1/2moa right now so i can't complain, but i have rifle a.d.d. bad so i am considering getting another one because they are so much fun to shoot.

So here is what i am looking for a super reliable, 3/4moa accuracy, min. 18" barrel, I am looking for a rifle that will hold good accuracy out to 800yds after that i will use one of my bolt guns. I am trying to keep it $2600 or less roughly. I have been looking at noveske, pof, gap (which is pof i know). I don't know what else i should be taking a look at so give me your opinion and why. I will only be using this for tactical match shooting and general steel shooting for fun.

On a sidenote i will also be adding a 6.5cm barrel to play with later down the road (aka benchmark is building me one as i speak). I am also partial to the a2, magpul ubr and magpul prs stocks epecially the prs.

thanks for your time and opinion

 

[SgtKope]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

I am gonna throw a monkey wrench in your plan and I am gonna say...



SA M1A SuperMatch

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

not sure how a 6.5cm would work on a m1a and i don't know if it would have good enough accuracy.

 

[3O8Junkie]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

LMT MWS is a pretty sweet rig thats close to your price range. You basically have yourself a KAC 25 for half the price. I have a Noveske N6. +1 for noveske also, although mine ran a few hundred above your price it was worth it!

 

[ranger1183]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

well, if you ever decide to go with a lighter weight platform, I can honestly recommend building a 6.5 Grendel. That's a hell of a cartridge in a small package. Shoots 123 gr Lapua's very well, remains supersonic past 1200 yards.

The C-Mags are relatively inexpensive, hold 26 (25?) rounds and being built on an AR-15 platform it's a fair amount lighter than the AR-10/DPMS 308 platform.

Just throwing it out there. Good Shooting!

 

[SgtKope]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Team-Send-It</div><div class="ubbcode-body">not sure how a 6.5cm would work on a m1a and i don't know if it would have good enough accuracy. </div></div>

My bad, I must have missed that part.

 

[terrygood]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

I have $4000 into my M1A. It will never outshoot my DPMS ($2,500)

 

[gpz750]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

Dpms+ geissele trigger+ magpul prs. less than 2k and mine is a great shooter. I run the 24" bb version, but that might be a little long and heavy for a tactical match. I shoot mostly steel out to 500, haven't found a place to shoot farther that is close. No problems hitting 6" round steel to 500 though

 

[oneshot onekill]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

POF... That simple.

 

[KillShot]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

+1 for a POF*USA P308

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

killshot how well does yours shoot at distance that is the exact model i was eyeballing from pof.

guys this isn't just a pole if you tell me to choose a pof please include the reasons why it is the best for the money.

 

[bmt]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

GAP-10

http://www.gaprecision.net/ga-precision-2011-custom-rifles/ga-precision-g.a.-precision-gap-10-.html

Problem solved. With a 3/4 MOA guarantee.

BMT

 

[cooper_257]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

you cant go wrong with a GAP-10. they have great customer service and you can get it just the way you want it.

 

[Speeddog]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

For a few more bucks take a look at the Les Baer .308s. They have PRS stocks, Geisselle match triggers, can be had in variable barrel lengths and a variety of rail options with or without integrated brakes. 1/2 MOA guarantee on all. Mine is a Monolith .308
which drives tacks all day long and has pretty much replaced my bolt gun out to 600yrds or so.

Best of luck with your choices. Lots of good guns out there (and of course some not so good). The hide's a great place to get advice. All sorts of folks with really good experience with a large variety of rifles and makers

 

[Hawk45]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

LMT... there are a few vendors with them in stock for sale right now (MidWestPX & LinSchryver) in the Vendor for Sale section for $1500 and easy swap barrels available soon.

DPMS SASS is ready to go for about $1800

GAP10 - Wait or pickup a used one in the for sale section. $2500 and up with options.

 

[FirefighterEd]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

POF!!!

I looked at the GAP for the .75 guarentee but I am just sold on piston rifles, based on my 223 POF. The GAP is a POF modified to run on gas.

I just got my P308, 20" which came with a Geisselle trigger. I'm running a NF 2.5x10 and just got to shoot it yesterday. 3 shots at 25yd to get on paper, 2 - 3shot groups at 200 and I'm dead on.

To say I'm happy with POF would be an understatment. With some generic 168bthp reloads we shot 5 groups at 200 yds. I blew one bad and it was only 1.25MOA. All the rest were 1/2 to 3/4 MOA with 2 different nuts pulling the trigger.

It's in the truck so when the wind quits blowing tomorrow or friday I'll check it out with Federal Gold, no breeze & 5 shot groups.

$2449 +$25 ship & $25 FFL = $2499 in my truck.

Yep, I'm happy.

 

[Downrange1x]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

Above all others: Larue OBR. These are some sweet shooting platforms.

 

[SSSamurai]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

I built a Noveske barreled semi-auto that was a 1/2 minute gun, but I have gun a.d.d. too and now it's gone. I had a DPMS AP4 with the barrel cut down to 13.7 + KX3 for a shorty 'CQB' upper, then I built another top end that used the DPMS receiver with a Noveske 21" barrel, JP handguard, Armalite BCG... I might have kept it if it had been an 18", but it was heavy. Especially with the IOR scope, which also kicked ass.
Shorty

Same lower, second upper

 

[Downrange1x]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

SSS, excellent choice in cans. AWC's have always giving me more than excellent service.

 

[KillShot]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Team-Send-It</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">killshot how well does yours shoot at distance that is the exact model i was eyeballing from pof.

guys this isn't just a pole if you tell me to choose a pof please include the reasons why it is the best for the money.</span></div></div>


The best I've gotten with my POF is 3/4 MOA using Hornady A-MAX 168gr but...I'm an average shooter. When I purchased my rifle, I looked at LWRC and others such as KAC, Noveske, and LMT. If I had it to do all over again, I would still purchase my POF over all the other semi-auto .308's available. I've never had any issues with it either.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bmt</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">GAP-10

http://www.gaprecision.net/ga-precision-2011-custom-rifles/ga-precision-g.a.-precision-gap-10-.html

Problem solved. With a 3/4 MOA guarantee.

BMT</span></div></div>


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Speeddog</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">For a few more bucks take a look at the Les Baer .308s. They have PRS stocks, Geisselle match triggers, can be had in variable barrel lengths and a variety of rail options with or without integrated brakes. 1/2 MOA guarantee on all. Mine is a Monolith .308
which drives tacks all day long and has pretty much replaced my bolt gun out to 600yrds or so.

Best of luck with your choices. Lots of good guns out there (and of course some not so good). The hide's a great place to get advice. All sorts of folks with really good experience with a large variety of rifles and makers</span></div></div>

The rifle manufacturers can place ANY guarantee they want on how accurate their rifle is but the rifle will only be as accurate as the shooter. This "moa guarantee" is a selling tactic to attract sales.


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Speeddog</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><span style="font-weight: bold">For a few more bucks take a look at the Les Baer .308s. They have PRS stocks, Geisselle match triggers, can be had in variable barrel lengths and a variety of rail options with or without integrated brakes. 1/2 MOA guarantee on all. Mine is a Monolith .308
which drives tacks all day long and has pretty much replaced my bolt gun out to 600yrds or so.

Best of luck with your choices. Lots of good guns out there (and of course some not so good). The hide's a great place to get advice. All sorts of folks with really good experience with a large variety of rifles and makers</span></div></div>


The Les Baer doesn't offer anything extra that any of the others mentioned don't and you still pay the price for it, such as the Geissele trigger and Magpul PRS.

 

[Speeddog]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

I totally agree with your point about guarantees. Nevertheless I've been shooting Les' guns for 20+yrs and they've always been more accurate than he claims. I don't mean to be a "fanboy" but the Monolith is every bit as accurate as he claims (at least mine is). I'll see if I can figure out a way to post some targets. In any event I've put FGMM 175 and 168s through it as well as a variety of Hornady TAPS and get one hole groups at 100yrds.

His stuff isn't cheap which is probably why it doesn't get mentioned in these sorts of threads. No harm no foul but when a member is contemplating a 3k purchase his work is reasonable to consider, particularly since he machines all his own stuff including the bench rest grade barrels that come with all his weapons

 

[hydro556]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

None of the stuff in this thread is cheap.

 

[Speeddog]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hydro556</div><div class="ubbcode-body">None of the stuff in this thread is cheap. </div></div>

You're absolutely right. We spend a lot of time elsewhere (such as the bolt action forum) discussing, lusting after, and praising multi thousand dollar long guns. Then we get "frugal" when we discuss the AR and similar platforms. As LL pointed out in a thread the same rules to "goodness" apply to ARs-great barrels, good triggers, attention to detail make the difference. I've had the good fortune to work with Les over the years and think it's reasonable to bring up his work when similarly priced and configured weapons come up for conversation. That takes nothing away from anyone else's work but does add an alternative for someone looking for a great rifle.

As an aside, someone earlier in the thread said all the rifles mentioned were pretty much the same. I disagree. Les offers a variety of fore grip and stock options but all his .308s come with bench rest SS barrels, billet machined and matched uppers and lowers, Geissele match triggers and so forth. I'm sure you can build or buy similar which is why there are horse races. On the other hand you get what you pay for, as we used to say in the car nut world (I'm an old guy); speed costs money, how fast do you want to go?

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

I am not looking for cheap or maybe reliable. i am looking for relentless reliability with good accuracy. it won't be replacing my bolt gun so when i need to stretch it out past 800yds i will always grab the bolt gun. but damn the semi auto's are fun at 600yds and under. especially for new shooters, follow up shots are quicker and you keep the sight picture so much better, along with less recoil.

after hearing all of them i think i might be even more lost, they all seem so good i don't know what to do.

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

whatever platform it is it absolutely must be able to use a geissele trigger i have a dmr on my other ar and it is the only ar trigger i will use!!!

 

[rkreiff]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

I have an LWRC REP and I'm convnced it's the best of the 308 semi-auto piston diven rifles out there. Excellent quality and superb customer support.

 

[SSSamurai]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

Well I'm going to add more fuel to that fire. If I was going to get another semi-auto .308 it would be a REPR. I really want to know how much 'better' the ergonomics are with the side-charging handle and ambi bolt catch/release. Plus, now that the mag issue is resolved they seem to be accurate and reliable... You should get one so I can try it out!
Jason

 

[phxfa]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Team-Send-It</div><div class="ubbcode-body">whatever platform it is it absolutely must be able to use a geissele trigger i have a dmr on my other ar and it is the only ar trigger i will use!!! </div></div>
The OBR comes with a Geiselle trigger so your money ahead there

 

[Hawk45]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Team-Send-It</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am not looking for cheap or maybe reliable. i am looking for relentless reliability with good accuracy. </div></div>

Sounds like you want a battle rifle then..

Also do you care if it is DI or Piston?

LMT = Brittish Military Contract and in your price budget.. not over. Think you have your winner. You can pay more.. but why?

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

no don't care if its di or piston! i will check out the lmt

I think the repr is out of my price range.

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

i love my MA-10 from mega. build or have built. just saying.

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AXEMAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i love my MA-10 from mega. build or have built. just saying. </div></div> This. Pick a receiver set and build it to your own exact specifications.

 

[KillShot]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

For what it's worth, the POF rifles are now sold with Geissele triggers installed.

 

[nfoley]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

I know what you mean about 'guarantees.' Bought an American Spirit Arms (used) which supposedly had sub MOA guarantee. Called factory when I was only getting about 3" at 100yds, they said send it in. After 2 weeks I got a call saying give us your credit card number, we'll bill you $50 and will send it back to you. They said it was 'in spec', after getting it back same accuracy. I didn't get it to shoot long range and it was used so no big deal but made me question their "sub MOA guarantee".
My POF 223 and 308 however are true 3/4" guns at 100 yds.

 

[Tigerbikes]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

M1A is not as accurate a platform as the AR and needs to be consistently rebedded to maintain accuracy. Unless you use an JAE, and then it becomes a tank.

Piston guns are more reliable than gas, but heavier.

I have had outstanding accuracy from my GAP AR-10s shooting 175g 308s from an 18" barrel. Sub MOA out to 1,000 yards.

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

Where are these great deals on LMT rifles? the ones i have found are $2800ish. please provide a link.

 

[adam1122]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

If you really want to drop some cash you could go with LWRC's repr platform or any of their M series rifles. They have perfected the gas piston so they take seconds to clean after shooting a lot compared to a DI weapon.

I personally own a 20in REPR and it outshoots my AR-10A2 carbine all day long. Well, let me clarify....the AR is for tactical shooting...not shoooting sub moa (even though it is sub moa at 200yards and closer but after that no way). The REPR has the sweetest features of any new gas piston on the market, although I beleive DPMS came out with their own version of the "repr". Take a look around - all of these guys are right....POF, GAP, LMT, just pick a distance you think you will be commonly be shooting at and what you will be shooting at and that will help with cartridge selection...then you can pick what kind of AR to build around it.

A gun store in Houston has a Les Baer built AR brand new with 16in barrel for $2400...no optics.

 

[Hawk45]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Team-Send-It</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Where are these great deals on LMT rifles? the ones i have found are $2800ish. please provide a link.</div></div>

There are two versions of the LMT MWS. There is the standard chrome moly chrome lined barrel that you can get in the Vendor Section here for $2500 I believe. Then there is the stainess steel (black coated) barrel version. This one goes for around $2900. The SS version is supposed to be more accurate but I hear the CM versions hold their own very well.

 

[BCP]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

LMT or build something around a good 16" barrel.

 

[FirefighterEd]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

I cant complain about my two POF's if they're in your price range.

Both are 3/4moa or better. The newest, the 308 did that the first time out with some factory reloads. I was just planning to get the scope dialed in and ended up shooting 7 groups that were all .75moa or better, 2 were right at 1/2moa. All shot at 200 yrds. It's been too windy here all week to do any serious testing but if it'll do that with factory reloads I'm betting we'll be under 1/2moa with some federal gold 168's and my handloads.

When combining ABSOLUTE dependability, cleanliness and accuracy I don't think you can beat the POF platform.

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

I appreciate all of the advice. i just ordered a pof upper/lower/forend/buttstock and a dpms chromed bcg, using existing geissele dmr trigger. I am just going to skip the 308 and go straight to the 6.5mm either creedmoor or 260 leaning towards 260 alittle because of the cheaper brass and it looks like it would feed better.

I am still open to suggestions on anything i have selected.

 

[K_Labs]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: terryg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have $4000 into my M1A. It will never outshoot my DPMS ($2,500)<a href="http://s716.photobucket.com/albums/ww168/terrencegood/?action=view&current=DSCN0002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i716.photobucket.com/albums/ww168/terrencegood/DSCN0002.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> </div></div>

Specs plz. Not trying to change the subject. I really want an AR-10 but I can't justify spending that much money on another build when I already have an M1A that I can just upgrade.

 

[FirefighterEd]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: K_Labs</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Specs plz. Not trying to change the subject. I really want an AR-10 but I can't justify spending that much money on another build when I already have an M1A that I can just upgrade. </div></div>

I'm a huge M1A/M14 fan. I have one that I thankfully didn't have to sell to get my P308. That being said, knowing what I know now about the AR10 type platform, sell the M1A and buy the best AR10 type platform you can afford.

The exception being if you have sentimental attachment to the M1A, then dress it up and have fun.

Just my 0.02 worth as a new 308AR type rifle after years of M14's & FAL's.

 

[Guntrainers]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

I can't vouch for the price being under $2600 but the Springfield MA9826CA is the accurized version of the M1A rifle. the "CA" variant has a muzzle brake on the front, reducing recoil somewhat, along with other accurizing features. A shipment just arrived at:

http://www.firearmsforyou.com/guns/sprin...ynthetic-stock/

 

[kansas45]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gpz750</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dpms+ geissele trigger+ magpul prs. less than 2k and mine is a great shooter. I run the 24" bb version, but that might be a little long and heavy for a tactical match. I shoot mostly steel out to 500, haven't found a place to shoot farther that is close. No problems hitting 6" round steel to 500 though </div></div>

What twist is that 24" & what bullet does it like?

 

[K_Labs]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

Funny you should mention that. I have a springfield armory m1a loaded and it is the CA version with the muzzle brake. NM barrel and yada yada. The only difference being that it doesn't have a stainless barrel and it has the walnut stock. I would sell it but I forked out some serious coin for it and the way the market is looking I'd lose a 3-5 hundred on a rifle I've shot maybe 2 or 3 times. It still has less than 200 rounds through it. Do you still think go the AR route or because it has a NM barrel and some other NM parts it's good enough to fix up?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Guntrainers</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I can't vouch for the price being under $2600 but the Springfield MA9826CA is the accurized version of the M1A rifle. the "CA" variant has a muzzle brake on the front, reducing recoil somewhat, along with other accurizing features. A shipment just arrived at:

http://www.firearmsforyou.com/guns/sprin...ynthetic-stock/
</div></div>

 

[patlaprade01]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

I have a similar set to the one gpz750 mentioned except w/ 24" s/s fluted barrel and added kdf muzzle break. Being new to this style of shooting I've been learning a lot.
I believe it a 1:10 twist and it weights around 13 to 14 lbs the way i have it set up with scope and bipod.
It shoots most ammo I've tried btwn 1 to 1 1/2 groups and some better than that. There has been around a dozen of them but it really likes winchester 150gr ballistic silver tip. They are holding steady btwn 1/2 and 3/4 when I do my part.
Although I haven't had any problems with mine, I'm right at 1,000 rounds, there has been some issues with the dpms ar-10 series. Has something to do with feeding problems and is related to the head spacing. My cousins had this issue and he had to send it back. No matter what rounds you used it would end up jamming.
Just an fyi hope it helps and good luck !!

 

[M21guy]

Re: Help me choose semi auto 308!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: K_Labs</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Funny you should mention that. I have a springfield armory m1a loaded and it is the CA version with the muzzle brake. NM barrel and yada yada. The only difference being that it doesn't have a stainless barrel and it has the walnut stock. I would sell it but I forked out some serious coin for it and the way the market is looking I'd lose a 3-5 hundred on a rifle I've shot maybe 2 or 3 times. It still has less than 200 rounds through it. Do you still think go the AR route or because it has a NM barrel and some other NM parts it's good enough to fix up?
</div></div>

You have the rifle already, I'd go with it. Going to be costly when it is all said and done, but it isn't going to be a slouch when it comes to hitting the target and can be done in time. I did the same thing. Spent a little more money than a factory SAi M21 would cost, but I haven't seen a factory one yet perform as well. So money well spent imo. What made my build worth starting was my rifle was older consisting of GI parts. That there was a plus, giving me a nice base.
Someone prior in this thread said something about bedded having to be touched up. In stocks that need bedding you simply have it steel bedded. Steel bedding to pretty much eliminates the original purpose of having a lugged receiver, which you don't have. By the time it needs to be touched up, you've shot out the barrel. Not an issue if you ask me.
Do a little studying on it, but they can shoot very well. Each rifle however seems to be way more unique than any AR platform I've come across. Something as simple as a different piston could make or break the rifle. It is frustrating to some, but I feel it is fun. You really get to know your rifle on a more intimate level. I shoot a smaller venue here, but there are few guys with insane 308 AR set-ups to run against. When I do it is normally splitting hairs in accuracy.