I prefer the M1A platform for such a gun.
I prefer the M1A platform for such a gun.
Yes.
No.
Get the DPMS LR-308L, which is the 18" lightweight barrel version and the carbon fiber handguards. Only 8 lbs clean. Follow KISS, and you'll have your do-it-all rifle. Maybe a 1.5-6x40mm scope in good rings, ergo grip, tac-latch; sling; you're done. Only thing better is same in a .260 rem which is what I did. 6.5 grendel lightweight fighting rifle on steroids. Now if I could just make myself sell all the other ones.....
I did too, until I compared the cost of "$300 for a mount, plus $50 for rings", versus just "$50 for rings".
Handle an M1A before you plunk your hard earned money down and remember these points.
They are heavy, with scope/mount and all mine was like 13 lbs, a little much for a carry around all day rifle.
You will pay dearly for a quality scope mount.
If you do mount a scope it will be waaayy up there, likely you will need an adjustable cheekpiece for comfort.
The rifle will probably be a 2-2.5 MOA gun, making it better will get real expensive.
The one I had was neat, don't get me wrong, but it just sat, and for me was not useful.
Now I own a bolt 308 and several 223 AR's, I am much happier for it.
As far as hunting, if you are limiting yourself to deerish animals, you could probably get away with the other cartridges available in the AR-15 platform.
If you want an AR-10 though, don't make excuses about need, if you like it then buy it.
They are heavy, with scope/mount and all mine was like 13 lbs, a little much for a carry around all day rifle.
You will pay dearly for a quality scope mount.
If you do mount a scope it will be waaayy up there, likely you will need an adjustable cheekpiece for comfort.
The rifle will probably be a 2-2.5 MOA gun, making it better will get real expensive.
The one I had was neat, don't get me wrong, but it just sat, and for me was not useful.
Now I own a bolt 308 and several 223 AR's, I am much happier for it.
As far as hunting, if you are limiting yourself to deerish animals, you could probably get away with the other cartridges available in the AR-15 platform.
If you want an AR-10 though, don't make excuses about need, if you like it then buy it.
Not enough gun for moose. Barnes bullets might get a .308 to the marginal level, but I wouldn't.
Not sure about the AR-10, but the Garand doesn't like hot loads. It likes the ammo it was designed to shoot. I wonder if the AR-10 really likes hot .308 loads. Just a thought.
My experience with do-all stuff is that it usually doesn't do anything really well. For the cost involved you can buy two or three pretty nice bolt guns or a couple of .223 shooters, or three or four 7.62x39 rigs. CB
Not sure about the AR-10, but the Garand doesn't like hot loads. It likes the ammo it was designed to shoot. I wonder if the AR-10 really likes hot .308 loads. Just a thought.
My experience with do-all stuff is that it usually doesn't do anything really well. For the cost involved you can buy two or three pretty nice bolt guns or a couple of .223 shooters, or three or four 7.62x39 rigs. CB
'tis a good idea, one gun for everything but I foresee problems, some of which have been mentioned.
One. Weight has already been mentioned
Two. An 18 inch barreled 308 for moose?? Seems pretty light to me, but I'm not an expert moose blaster.
Three. Cost-of magazines, of plinking ammo
Four. 308 is way over gunned for most things a 223 is used for
One. Weight has already been mentioned
Two. An 18 inch barreled 308 for moose?? Seems pretty light to me, but I'm not an expert moose blaster.
Three. Cost-of magazines, of plinking ammo
Four. 308 is way over gunned for most things a 223 is used for
go for it, why not. the squirells will love the .308 round.
Although I like shooting many different calibers, I like smooth logistics better. I also determined what CB has. If I were to start from scratch without any heirloom shooters that I'm trying to work the logistics in with, I'd probably end up with both a .308 ARish gun and a traditional-looking bolt action .308 for hunting.
Unless you're a collector, I'd consider what I use my guns for and which guns I use. Trim the fat and make actionable decisions from that information.
