Can't decide on a NR 308 black rifle.

The XCR-M is a nice rifle, but the current price is crazy .. sticker shock doesn't even come close to describing it. However, for a .308 semi, it's very nice and it does have a short stoke gas system similar to the M305.

Those FN's looked like a good deal and the new SCAR that IRG has coming in should be looked at too, but I would still choose the XCR-M, and I'm not giving mine up.
 
...My point is that even though norinco's get the poop end of the stick, they polish up real pretty. I grab my norinco more than I go for my LRB M25...... I don't know why but my head thinks it likes the norinco better.
There is that pride you get in building a rifle to your own taste. It takes ownership one level up making it more personal. And the M305 has some advantages for this purpose. My M305 weights 11 lbs as seen here with an empty mag:
nW_4mbHPCxa4Rcge5zMOjpOlny7ZKoz7vTC94aehdDreRbYvkKw=w1059-h673


a3LMs0-seMzhHff61vozXXez2-niiEfMvx9UQpKnYoqurmwrC8U=w736-h673


SxajOwzWdYX-2TYi3O6LPcJxsNmrydjZctyeNNIlwpzgXlbT_98=w1168-h673


54YBhSSn7jKf4m8JrXaphC_VBw11-8dRulhs1GoqAx2eJKpkxEU=w1366-h375


Hryg_jhywBjEwqTgKhZmvOVt7ai1lJkswyyzkUxhrDACrohaOLg=w1366-h348
 
There is that pride you get in building a rifle to your own taste. It takes ownership one level up making it more personal. And the M305 has some advantages for this purpose. My M305 weights 11 lbs as seen here with an empty mag:
nW_4mbHPCxa4Rcge5zMOjpOlny7ZKoz7vTC94aehdDreRbYvkKw=w1059-h673


a3LMs0-seMzhHff61vozXXez2-niiEfMvx9UQpKnYoqurmwrC8U=w736-h673


SxajOwzWdYX-2TYi3O6LPcJxsNmrydjZctyeNNIlwpzgXlbT_98=w1168-h673


54YBhSSn7jKf4m8JrXaphC_VBw11-8dRulhs1GoqAx2eJKpkxEU=w1366-h375


Hryg_jhywBjEwqTgKhZmvOVt7ai1lJkswyyzkUxhrDACrohaOLg=w1366-h348

Have you reached out to 600m with yours? I've never tried to reach out that far with mine, but maybe I will one of these days. Have a box of Hornady Steel Match sitting around so hoping for some decent results.
 
I'm in the same boat. Had my heart set on an xcr-m. I could afford used, but really wanted new. $3500 with taxes was not going to happen. Not fast enough to scratch the itch anyways. I think I'm going to go with the fnar. Reports on accuracy and reliability are really good ad it can be had new for $1600 taxes in. It's more of a traditional rifle, in black of course... The xcr has the tactical look down for sure. The steel targets at 500+ yards are not going to know the difference. Sadly, the 305 did not make my list. I feel like it would eventually get sold for me like all the other norincos I've owned.
 
I've heard Tactical Teacher mention that you can pour mountains of money into an M14 and you may still only get 2moa.

For long range precision, I think I'd be grabbing one of my bolt guns. That being said, if it were possible to plink at 500-600m with my M14 at a 16x16in steel gong, I think I may enjoy it. I'd like try to find some time this summer to see if one of my M14s can do just that.
 
I've heard Tactical Teacher mention that you can pour mountains of money into an M14 and you may still only get 2moa.

For long range precision, I think I'd be grabbing one of my bolt guns. That being said, if it were possible to plink at 500-600m with my M14 at a 16x16in steel gong, I think I may enjoy it. I'd like try to find some time this summer to see if one of my M14s can do just that.
I wouldn't say I've poured mountains of money into mine. In terms of aftermarket parts, I've only bought m14.ca products (blackfeather, casm, black arrow), magpul MOE and cheek riser, ar buffer tube, and 1 SAI bolt stop for US$12. And I also bought $5 worth of shims from Tactical Teacher. That's it. I am currently getting 2 to 3 MOA.

Before dumping more money in aftermarket parts I'd like to play with different handloads and factory loads to determine what the gun really likes. The 2 to 3 MOA is using Barnaul, Hirtenberg surplus, and Norinco surplus -- all bottom priced ammo. I would expect my groups to tighten with premium priced ammo. If I get decent enough accuracy with pricier ammo, I would see no need to keep on dumping money on aftermarket parts.
 
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I wouldn't say I've poured mountains of money into mine. In terms of aftermarket parts, I've only bought m14.ca products (blackfeather, casm, black arrow), magpul MOE and cheek riser, ar buffer tube, and 1 SAI bolt stop for US$12. And I also bought $5 worth of shims from Tactical Teacher. That's it. I am currently getting 2 to 3 MOA.

Before dumping more money in aftermarket parts I'd like to play with different handloads and factory loads to determine what the gun really likes. The 2 to 3 MOA is using Barnaul, Hirtenberg surplus, and Norinco surplus -- all bottom priced ammo. I would expect my groups to tighten with premium priced ammo. If I get decent enough accuracy with pricier ammo, I would see no need to keep on dumping money on aftermarket parts.
H80926_1.jpg


I hear folks get good results with this stuff. Have a box at home, hope to try it out soon.
 
How about a used ATRS Modern Hunter....there seems to be enough of them coming up on the EE, damn nice looking gun!
 
I had the same dilemma.

The FNAR is the cheapest of the bunch, and probably best value. Even with a couple mags, all in all, comes in at under $2,000. The built-in pic rail, and dimensions of the FNAR, would allow me to share scopes between my bolt guns. A huge plus. I just think it is ugly. I know that shouldn't matter, but it does to me. And it probably is the most accurate and reliable of the bunch, and that should be all that matters.

I did handle a RFB, and the 18.5 inch version was way handier than my ruger gunsite scout, due to the oal being 14" shorter. Mags for the RFB are cheaper, but the rifle itself, new, is in the $2,500 range. Also, I was a little worried I would shoot my hand off.

http://thegunwriter.blogs.heraldtribune.com/19139/another-devastating-kel-tec-ksg-injury/

I seriously looked into the modern hunter, and I cannot seem to find any significant accuracy reports on it. There are a few mentions here and there, but nothing substantive. It seems it would get one moa on a good day. For the price, I could not do it.

I handled a couple robinson arms (RA) xcr's and it felt like an ar. That is a good thing, for me. I couldn't find any significant accuracy reports on it. Some anecdotal praises of the accuracy, so I assumed 2 moa or maybe a little better. I did find that RA did have quality control issues in the beginning, but now their warranty service more than makes up for it. If there is a problem, they will send you parts until it's working, no questions, no hassles.

In the end, I did nothing... I am thinking that I am going to wait for the Scar. I am still really tempted by the FNAR though. Hoping someone buys them up so I don't blow my ammo budget on a new rifle. So, buy an FNAR! ;)
 
I wouldn't say I've poured mountains of money into mine. In terms of aftermarket parts, I've only bought m14.ca products (blackfeather, casm, black arrow), magpul MOE and cheek riser, ar buffer tube, and 1 SAI bolt stop for US$12. And I also bought $5 worth of shims from Tactical Teacher. That's it. I am currently getting 2 to 3 MOA.

Before dumping more money in aftermarket parts I'd like to play with different handloads and factory loads to determine what the gun really likes. The 2 to 3 MOA is using Barnaul, Hirtenberg surplus, and Norinco surplus -- all bottom priced ammo. I would expect my groups to tighten with premium priced ammo. If I get decent enough accuracy with pricier ammo, I would see no need to keep on dumping money on aftermarket parts.

I've changed the sights on mine, put on an ARMS 18, Leupy Mark4 in ARMS 22 rings, match oprod spring guide, tactical bolt release, bedded it in one of M14doc's stocks with a MOE grip, an AR15 buffer tube with Magpul CTR with riser and a USGI gas system, shimmed. At worse, it's literally a hair over 1.5 MOA and occasionally sub-MOA (5 round groups) with my handholds (168r Hornady HPBT over 40.3 gr Benchmark in Federal cases with CCI 200s). I shoot it out to 475 yards at least once a week. Currently looking for somewhere to stretch it's legs a lil more. There's just something so enjoyable about having a rifle you've worked on and know inside and out and it's just a joy to shoot. When I eventually shoot out the barrel (I'm only at about 3000 or so rounds, would have to check my logbook) I'll be putting a match grade, probably medium weight barrel on it.
 
Pemberton? Figured there would be tons of places to reach out near by or at least not too far?

We've been driving out to Merritt lately, but always find places to reach out to 1km or more (with out bolt guns).
 
Anybody deal with the FNAR take down? Watched the video and it doesn't look impossible but it is more complichter than the other 2.

As well as far as 308 NR black riflesh go, are there any other options below the $2000 mark?

I can't speak from personal experience, but when researching the FNAR last year I did read about several shooters stating that once you've done it (the take down of an FNAR) it really isn't a big deal. I would of course buy/recommend an AR-10 well ahead of it as your do it all rifle particularly due to that aspect (and the availability of #10 Rd.mag.'s), however they are as you all know currently restricted in Canada.

So out of all the NR Black rifles in .308 I'd recommend the FNAR based first and foremost on the best accuracy by far (excluding the ATRS Modern Hunter of course which once zeroed-in should prove equally accurate and possibly even more capable), better then average reliability/quality and the NR status along with it's user factory adjustability (all those shims for length of pull and comb height...).

There is also the Famae 542 that hasn't been mentioned, while more expensive (about $3,000+/-) and less accurate then a FNAR it is the only current in service battle rifle that's NR and .308.

The ATRS MH while significantly more expensive then any of these other rifles is serviceable by the Canadian Co. that not only built it, but designed it too and it appears as more of a precision match grade rifle then all these other candidates; yet due to that higher cost I'd lean back towards suggesting the FNAR.

That's my take on it (and I do like the look of the FNAR when scoped) and until AR's... (& AR-10's) are NR the FNAR is a decent, quality choice (and the one I'd make) and perhaps the best option when considering cost/value since it can be had for well under $2,000. I also believe you wouldn't lose much if you were to sell a FNAR at a later date if it were somehow not to your liking (provided you took reasonably good care of it).

Finally other then the M-305 (or a bolt-gun) I cannot think of another .308 NR black rifle under $2,000 and would not recommend a used (or new) RA XCR-M if accuracy at 600yds. is your quest (that's just one guy's opinion however as many do like their RA rifles, but not likely at 600yds.;)).

Cheers D
 
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I've changed the sights on mine, put on an ARMS 18, Leupy Mark4 in ARMS 22 rings, match oprod spring guide, tactical bolt release, bedded it in one of M14doc's stocks with a MOE grip, an AR15 buffer tube with Magpul CTR with riser and a USGI gas system, shimmed. At worse, it's literally a hair over 1.5 MOA and occasionally sub-MOA (5 round groups) with my handholds (168r Hornady HPBT over 40.3 gr Benchmark in Federal cases with CCI 200s). I shoot it out to 475 yards at least once a week. Currently looking for somewhere to stretch it's legs a lil more. There's just something so enjoyable about having a rifle you've worked on and know inside and out and it's just a joy to shoot. When I eventually shoot out the barrel (I'm only at about 3000 or so rounds, would have to check my logbook) I'll be putting a match grade, probably medium weight barrel on it.

Do you have pictures?
 
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