[Dr Big Bird PhD]

Have you thought about not limiting yourself to a .308? When i was researching AR platforms I originally wanted a cheap versatile semi-auto that I could use for mid size game hunting. Obviously a 5.56 wouldn't work other than rabbits and coyotes, but getting an AR10 was also out of my price range.

Have you thought about settling on a buying a $250 lower for an AR15 and then buying a bison armory 6.8 upper? It would be a 16 inch carbine style weapon with adequate hunting capabilities. Ammunition would be more expensive and you couldn't buy it in bulk, but on the front end the lower and upper would run you under 750 w/o tax. You would need to get iron sights and optics, but that would still run under 1000 unless you were going fancy.