Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles The 7.62x51 in a semi...

So what's the consensus,..is the 308 too much for anything of lighter construction than the Springfield and FNFAL?
I'd really like too add a semi to the stable but I don't like the idea of some cheap HK knock off or PTR plastic lower beater.
I'm getting thee feeling that the M1A is the only real answer.

Had an M1A about fifteen years ago. Sold it. Nice trigger, reliable, accurate, cools as hell, but just too forward heavy for me. For that reason, I couldn't warm up to it. It's a heavy chunk of steel and wood. Maybe the SOCOM version would feel better, though.

DPMS had their "Gen II" model, which was supposed to be a good deal lighter than standard AR-10's. The buzz on them is they don't work so well. If they get the bugs worked out then maybe that would be an option.

Right now I have an inch pattern FN, i.e. an L1A1.

I like it but would like to trade if for a DPMS Gen 2 after they work out the bugs.

Depends on what you want it for and what you demand of it.

I"ve shot both the AR version and a LOT of the M14... I have a soft spot for the 14, but the AR is a better deal, BUT I can't comment on longevity because I have not shot one until I've replaced a couple of barrels, so not sure how they hold out.

What are you looking for in a semi auto 7.62 ? The M1A will run a long time w/o cleaning. I've got a Squad Scout model that has run about 400 rds. w/o any more cleaning than the removal of the factory bore oil. While it has shot a few groups under MOA, for three rounds, most of the better loads run 1.3 to almost 2 MOA for four rounds. None of my loads use any match bullets, BTW.
The only M1A models really setup for scope use are the latest Loaded models with the fully adjustable stocks, unless you would be happy with a scout scope on the Socom or Squad Scout.
Some of them, like the Loaded version with the fully adjustable stock are reported to run 11.2 lbs. w/o a scope.
My Squad Scout runs 8 lbs. 11 ozs. with the Leupold VX2, 1.5-4X Scout Scope.
If you insist on something lighter, on an AR style design that will readily take a conventional scope, I hear alot of good things about the S&W M&P 10.
While it can argued that the AR style 7.62's can't run as long and hard as the M1A's or the FNFAL, they do alot better than Remington 750's or the other sporter style semi auto .308's.
I talked to alot of people about the Smith M&P 10 before I bought my M1A Scout. I bought the Springfield basically because it handles better for me than an AR style rifle would.
That and I don't need a more powerful scope than the 1.5-4X Scout for what intend to hunt with it.
But both rifles have a rep of running alot longer or harder than the Remington 750 or the Browning BAR. They work under dusty, dirty conditions where the above don't.
Mine doesn't change zero when hot. I understand the Smith M&P 10 doesn't either. Both of them don't recoil off target much thanks to their designs.
The M1A's come with really good triggers and excellent, well protected iron sights. The Smith M&P needs a quality after market trigger to make me happy and has to have irons added.
So, do you really need/want a rifle that can run hot for hundreds of rounds under bad conditions ? Or will something not quite to that level of performance make you happy.
BTW, the M1A Loaded, National Match and Super Match rifles have the reputation of not being 100% reliable when shooting some mil surp ball ammo. Something else to consider. E

400 rounds withotu cleaning?

I know folks that don't clean their ARs other than once a year... probably 5000 plus rounds...

every time I get ready to sell my Ruger SR-762 I shoot it and decide not to sell it, its about a MOA for 3-5 shots. I have a 1-4 on it now in an aeroprecision mount, I had tried the MP10 and DPMS G2 first..

Good shootin'!

It depends on how much recoil you are willing to tolerate. Personally, I'm willing to tolerate quite a bit of recoil from a gun like a Sharps or Model 70, I guess because you're not shooting them as much or as fast. With a semi-auto paramilitary type rifle, I want something with pretty low recoil. The only thing that fills the bill are AR-10 knock offs. IMO the others recoil too much. My DPMS 1st gen. doesn't recoil much at all, but it's pretty heavy.

Ringworm,

What do you think is lacking with the AR-10 / SR-25 rifles? They are the most accurate semi auto platform as well as being very reliable. I won't say "most reliable" due to there being so many cheap ones on the market that give the .308 AR platform a bad reputation.

If you put the same money into a .308 AR that you would a good M14, I'll take the accuracy, versatility, and weight savings of the AR every time.

Did the SR-762 out shoot the later 2?

I have a LMT in 7.62x51 and it is stone cold reliable as well as shooting inside 1 MOA with just about anything I feed it. The only downside is the weight. With a MK6 1-6 Leopold it weighs 12 pounds with a 20 round loaded magazine in place.

What I was talking about was the rifle still shoots as well as it did when it was brand new. As far as reliability goes, the M1A's have a rep for going further and longer than the AR direct gas rifles in .308.
The other thing is that M1A's will run when dry. AR's in .308 don't run well at all when shot w/o lubrication.
All of which may mean little to a guy wanting a military style .308. There are many to pick from. I think it would be more helpful to describe the strenths and weakness of whatever we are familar with. With that information, he can make an informed decision. E

The guys not cleaning rifles for 5000ish rounds are high masters, and still winning matches, and even writing books about it....

I have more than a few ARs for hunting, most all of them get fired once at game.... recoil isn't that big of an issue. I can shoot a lot of shots out of a big bolt gun too...

I have one too, the weight is a training issue.
Accuracy and functionally is pure pleasure.

The MP 10 is a good gun 1.5-2moa for three shots which really proves nothing, the Gen2 was similar except it tore brass up and they gave me my money back. On a good day with the ruger it does much better for 4-5 shots. Its got an Aeroprecision/SWFA 1-4 on it now and its stock terrible trigger. It is 11 pounds with 10 rounds in the gun. So far the only jam I have had was popped primers from a bolt gun load I was feeding it. I buy a box of WW 150 grain powerpoints every time I go to the store, kind of like stocking up on Jiffy Corn Bread mix, you never know when your going to need it.

to add I thought the piston action would make it less accurate, it does not seem to do so and the function is very positive.

I'm curious as to how this is a training issue?
I'm just a little guy at 6' 235 lbs., in pretty good shape (I run quite a bit), lift heavy stuff all day at work and am still faster with a lighter gun than a heavy one.

Everyone will use a lighter gun better once they get off the bench. Curious of your rational.