What is the best .308 SD rifle?

[ibe4buckshot]

Opinions please.:D

[zoomie]

308 for SD? None of em. Unless you're talking TEOTWAWKI, in which case you're talking battle rifles, not SD rifles.

[ibe4buckshot]

Just tell me the best .308 rifle for battle then. :D

[kraigwy]

Super Match M1A

http://photos.imageevent.com/kraigwy/posting/websize/M1A%20_1_.jpg

[Axel357]

Springfield SOCOM 16 (or II) would be my choice. Nicely balanced gun, tried and proven reliable action, handles the recoil wonderfully, and has rails for accessories without getting cluttered.

http://www.thegunroominc.com/gunroom/SOCOM16.gif

[Chui]

I'd probably say FN FAL, HK91/G3 and M1A in that order but in all truth and honesty they ALL work phenomenally well.

[RT]

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n443/thorm001/IMG_0001-1.jpg

[roy reali]

I prefer a nice .375 H&H magnum for SD. We have really tough thugs around here.

[zoomie]

This new LaRue rifle looks like it'd be a great rifle. Wanna loan me $3K? I'll be happy to do a very thorough review!

http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=268

http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/catalog/OSR%20Profile.jpg

I think it needs a nicer stock, though. Something like a UBR or PRS.

[skeeter]

FN FAL and HK91 will cost a lot while the Springfield Armory Socom 16 (for 16" barrel) and the Scout (with 18" barrel) would be my first choice. If longer range is what you want look at their Loaded or National Match. Should cost about $1600 to $1900. Look on www.gunbroker.com . These are scaled up Mini-14's type action rifles though their design came first. A very well proven design. They are not much less if used and I have seen used one sold for $1700.

[LateNightFlight]

The FN AR. I looked at one today -- didn't really care for the pistol grip, but the Black Rifle shop says they should come out with a Cal legal (no pistol grip) version this summer. It has a Browning BAR type semi-a action, hammer forged/chrome lined barrel - yada, yada, yada - guaranteed sub MOA, .5 MOA typical. I liked it.

Edit to add: About $1500.

http://www.fnhusa.com/support/images/dynamic/m/FNM0136mb.png

[ronl]

+1 on the Super Match M1A. Very reliable and very accurate. What more could you ask for?

[NWCP]

My HK91... just my not so humble opinion. I don't think the judge would consider 100-400 yards self defense distances though. :D The .308 makes for a great battle rifle cartridge.

[skeeter]

Socom 16 or Socom II or Scout. Best value for the money. Yes a German HK is better but twice the price.

[wayne in boca]

Somebody said when you might get in a fight,you bring a pistol.When you go to start a fight,you bring a rifle.I would like to add that when you go to win a fight,you bring a .308.While a fullsize M1A is a great choice in an offensive role,it is not so handy indoors.And a Supermatch,with its small rear sight aperture and thin front sight,is not ideal for low light scenarios.So I'm going to go with the Socom 16 too.Pretty much perfect for close up mayhem.I put an Eotech 512 on mine,and it suits me just fine.That rhymed.:)Although I have a DPMS LR308AP4 that might even be better,since it has a collapsible stock.

[YODA308]

the best rifle for doing battle with these little bitty arizona whitetails is the MAGIC FIRESTICK .thats right RUGER 77 V IN 308 WINCHESTER.24 AND 0 SINCE 1985 http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv330/YODA308_PHOTO/IMG_0211.jpg

[PoorSoulInJersey]

Let me just add my voice to the chorus of M1A... it's an amazing rifle with an amazingly long sight picture. It might be the best you can get for iron sights.

It's a little hard to mount a scope on, though. If you're looking for longer range, those FNs look pretty sweet, but I can't say personally.

[Para Bellum]

The FN FAL (Steyr STG 58) was my service rifle. It is very good and pin-point-accurate.

But i'd prefer all the .223 rifles I know for SD, TEOTWAWKI or battle. Try to run an IPSC rifle course or similar scenario with the most handy .308 and then the most handy .223 you can find. And then decide over the caliber.

And for the ballistic differences, read this:
http://razoreye.net/mirror/ammo-oracle/AR15_com_Ammo_Oracle_Mirror.htm

If I had to choose a .308 rifle for all purposes, it woul be a 650 or 508mm barreled Steyr STG69 (better stock than the new STGs...):
http://www.steyr-mannlicher.com/index.php?eID=tx_nawsecuredl&u=0&file=typo3temp/pics/6cb7440355.jpg&t=1239786585&hash=829518392ee7e0a27f4d351e4266ac31
with a 2-12x50 Swarovski Z6i Scope with "BR" recticle:
http://www.bearbasin.com/brreticle.jpg

Why no semi or full auto in .308? Because full auto is not controllable in a handy .308 and because accurate shooting in semi-auto isn't much faster than with bolt action in .308 as long as I'm holding the gun. With a .223 that would be a lot different...

[lipadj46]

Mine

[Robert M Boren Sr]

The .308 can work just fine with the right ammo. Expanding purpose-designed defensive ammo such as Hornady's TAP line is devastatingly effective in tissue, nearly on par with 12 gauge buckshot, with less recoil and greater capacity.

For a platform, my preference leans towards the M1A first, FAL second, then everything else. I would look into a Scout/Squad or possibly a SOCOM 16 with a good reflex or red dot sight and a white light. Such a set up should still be relatively lightweight and handy, and plenty fast.

[Jack O'Conner]

The BEST .308 for South Dakota is my 99 Savage.

Jack

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c146/rushmoreman/muley4.jpg

[chris in va]

308 'battle rifle'. No mention of the Saiga yet?

[Jack O'Conner]

How do you get battle rifle from "SD"?

SD can mean sectional density or South Dakota. Perhaps even sexual deviant :D

Jack

[ronc0011]

http://www.adlinda.com/m1ascoped.jpg

M1A is plenty accurate enough and fast enough. You would be surprised how fast you can get back on target and fire again. In fact with the price of ammo I have to say it’s too fast. Fun but fast.

The longest range I have around here is 300 yrds and it will put em down range and on target all too fast. In fact it cost about $30 a minute if I’m not careful.


SOCOM or M1A I guess is a mater of preference. 308 goes through walls or several walls so you don’t really have to stand in the hall way or bathroom to shoot it. You can shoot it from the other end of the house, or the neighbors house for that mater. Actually that is the draw back as a home defense weapon.

The upside is that a 308 is probably as good as any for a one shot stop with a COM hit.

[jglsprings]

Too Whimpy!

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I prefer a nice .375 H&H magnum for SD. We have really tough thugs around here.

Would you use 235's or 300's ??

[Kermit]

M1A -- reliable, accurate, durable, affordable & parts are relatively easy to find

[roy reali]

The 235's, the 300's would be overkill!:D