Back in the 70's, 80's, and 90's. "assault rifles" were my "thing". I owned or tried just about everything available. I owned many HK G3, 41, 91, and 93 models as well as a number of FALs. As far as accuracy, my worst shooting HK shot better than my best FAL. These were all "out of the box" rifles with no "smithing" of any kind. All my HK's shot at least 2 moa and several consistently under 1 moa. My FALs were 2-3 moa guns. But when it comes to ergonomics and handling, the FAL is the hands down winner. The controls are in the right place and they point like a fine shot gun. Close your eyes and shoulder an FAL, and when you open your eyes your looking through the sights. As far a reliability it's a toss up, but the simplicity of the HK system gives it a theoretical advantage. In .308, I also owned one or more M1A, BM59/62, Galil, and Valmet rifles. Although not an assault rifle, the sweetest shooting military style .308 I ever owned was a Navy Match M1 Garand. Extremely accurate and almost zero muzzle rise. I have not played with any AR type .308's, but I'm interested. There seems to be a lot of inconsistency in the models I can afford, and I don't like problems. So, I keep watching and waiting for for the cream to rise to the top. None of this is "ground breaking technology" and the only reason for unreliability is sloppy manufacturing combined with poor quality control.
You are in AZ go look up Hogan Rifles. They have a very good 308 AR platform. You just may like it.
Sincerely, Thomas
Thanks Thomas, Hogan does indeed make a beautiful AR.308. Unfortunately it's out of my price range. If I can ever get my hands on that much "moola", I'd probably go for an FN SCAR-17. Thanks again and take care, Tim
The beauty of the AR platform is you can add a gas valve, a gas piston if you don't like the tube blow back. They come with or without rails on top for mounting stuff. Straight or adjustable stocks. Various forend, plain to rails all around. With just a few tools, one can completely assemble one from scratch.
To me a disadvantage is the barrel end is heavy and doesn't balance as well, not like a standard rifle. But I guess this would help with recoil and to stay on target.
I feel as if the AR-15 platform is great east of the Mississippi. With 60+ grain bullets you can kill a deer, unless it is illegal in your state, or you can add an upper in 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel for hunting.
West of the Mississippi or Alaska, you need range and knock down power, especially for elk. With the LR308 platform, you can get a 243, 260Rem, 7mm08, or a 338 Federal barrel without changing magazines, thus giving you a serious hunting selection of calibers from the same platform. Also, Armalite is now making their platform to accept the Pmags. So, it does look like the LR308 platform is winning out. Rock River makes theirs to accept FAL metric or English mags, and I think one company makes theirs to accept M1A mags. I also think one company makes their to accept the Centme mags.
There is no way I would ever consider lugging an LR308 type rifle in the mountains, even little ones, chasing deer, elk, bear and such critters. Just no reason too, at all.
My issue with the FAL's on the shelves is whether or not they have been built with BOTH metric and Imperial parts imported from various Countries. No one knows when they buy one.
It usually doesn't matter. You can spot where most parts are from if you are educated on the subject. In fact, I like combining the best features from several. A mutt? Yes, but they still run well.
The only issue I'm aware of is matching the gas block height to the rear sight.
With the right barrel, right handguard, the 308 platform in AR is not any heavier than a FAL, Cetme, HK91 or Springfield MIA. It is however more modular, ergonomic, and you don't have to have all the bells and whistles on it. Sights and a scope is all you really need. To me the others mentioned are heavier because of the all steel construction and gas piston systems. Hunting, you don't have to use a 20 round mag either, a simple 5 rounder will do. The AR-15 platform is light, and if you use a 6.8 or 6.5 for deer hunting, you can also use fewer rounds to lighten the load.
