Everyone's favoite question :p which .308 should I buy?

A

Anders94

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Hey guys I'm looking to tap into the collective knowledge and experience of this forum to purchase
a 1 MOA or sub-MOA firearm, price is a non-issue. I've been looking around the internet for the past 9 months at various makes and models (bolt/semi AR10, government profile/hbar) and I'm wondering which one should I go with. This is what I want it to do:

Importance: 1st
Low jam rate above all for me this is one of the most important things as I don’t want to have a critical jam while I’m hunting in the middle of nowhere and have to get it repaired at an armorer
Heavy Barrel and reliability in various hot/cold/wet conditions for hunting
Feed various types of .308 ammunition without jams or large accuracy issues, It’s slightly the same as above but if I have to sacrifice some of the gold-standard sub-MOA that’s fine as long as it shoots well, I hear the Larue OBR has issues with factory ammo but is otherwise the best with premium (I also likely won’t be doing handloads for awhile)

Importance: 2nd
Accept silencers and not have any issues (accuracy or otherwise) in regards to using them outside of Canada where legal
Accuracy Everyone wants sub MOA but long-term I’m thinking reliability will be king for me with 1 MOA or a bit more
Weight I’d prefer to keep it under 10 pounds the only exception would be unless a much more costly military precision sniper rifle eg: PGW Coyote, FN Scar-H TPR, etc. (assuming anyone has tried them) would be significantly better with something in the importance 1st or importance 2nd section eg: reliability, accuracy

Importance 3rd
Semi auto, I’d prefer a semi-auto but in terms of everything I’m asking for above I’m willing to go bolt action if a semi-auto doesn’t fit these capabilities, I’ve heard that semi auto’s are constantly getting better but they may not be all the way there for reliability just yet.



So there’s the question, I’ve looked into a variety of Rifles from the DPMS REPR and the Savage 10/110 FCP HS Precision for the hbar, to the LWRC REPR for the use of silencers without issues (the GAP-10 having some), and the GAP-10 for accuracy with various types of .308, and the Larue OBR for accuracy with premium grade ammo. There’s a wide range of price in all of the rifles, it’s a non-issue though I wonder how all of these will function with silencers. You shouldn’t need to read the rest but there’s more to this post below...



I’ve got to say the Rifle I’m favoring now is certainly the DPMS REPR for that Hbar, 1 MOA accuracy, and being semi-auto but for an all round more reliable rifle the FN SPR A3G with a Hbar, low jam rate, and ½ MOA accuracy looks pretty good to. Or if I can go with my cheap option the Savage 10/110 FCP HS Precision and get about 1 MOA with all of these things that would be nice as my wallet will not be made of both tears and lost dreams. What’s your recommendation? Remember all of my “knowledge” is based on reviews, forums, and recommendations. Just below is one of the best comments I think I’ve heard to "What's the most accurate rifle”


“As I indicated in the previous post, I don't think there is a "best rifle." I think there are "best rifles for my application or specific requirements." That means there might be tradeoffs...for instance, you can basically count on an OBR to be sub-moa. However, most likely because it has a tight chamber to facilitate said accuracy, it is possible that it will choke on surplus or cheap ammo. By the same token, a PWS or REPR or SCAR will give you reasonable accuracy (which to me is two inches or less - mine was sub-moa) and probably be noticeably more reliable with a wide variety of ammo than a rifle that is more of a "match grade" build. Heck, George (GAP) has posted that the GAP10 doesn't like suppressors. That doesn't mean they don't run with them. It means that adding a suppressor introduces issues and variables that have a negative impact on reliability and accuracy. That's common sense, and part of why I got a (LWRC) REPR. Because of it's construction, it ran like a raped ape with a suppressor. That was one of my parameters, and I made an informed decision about which rifle was best suited. My shooting is typically over a fence post or truck hood, which makes a 1/4 moa rifle unnecessary...but most of my targets are live movers in the form of hogs or coyotes - so my focus was on reasonable accuracy with absolute reliability. On a flat range, paper is still right where you left it, so clearing a malfunction periodically is not a big deal. If I'm shotgunning a semi-auto to get it running again, then my hog is gone. Yeah, I'm outing myself there - I don't always get that first round hit.

So, buy based on a realistic evaluation of what you want or need. Not pie in the sky "I want to shoot 1000 yards..but my range only goes to 200" or "I want to shoot 1/4 moa, but I can't afford to buy good glass or match grade ammo" etc.

I'm an equal opportunity shooter - not a fanatic. I recognize the quality and versatility of the LWRC lineup, but I'm not limited to it by blind loyalty. I also own a Spike's Dissy build, a 13.7 inch Noveske build, a .308 PredatOBR 16 inch and am collecting parts for a 3gun rifle build based on a JPEnterprises 18 inch barrel. However, the PredatOBR will soon be sold to a friend, as I'm sure that the 16 inch bolt gun has similar ballistics, suppresses better and eats whatever I feed it”. - chainring on disbanded sniperhide forums
 
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You've mentioned hunting. If you are planning on hunting, ignore all the AR-10/15 rifles, you can't hunt with them (by can't I mean not allowed by law, not that they aren't good hunting rifles).

You are basically stuck with a bolt, or a few semi-auto options. Going long range precision, nearly everyone is using bolts. There are the occasional semi shooters, but they are pretty rare.

If you want to be under 10lbs, you are almost certainly stuck with a bolt in a standard style stock; most of the chassis systems will push it above 10lbs, especially with a LR scope.

Suppressor advice is going to be thin here given the audience. You might be better off asking about those on a US-based forum.

EDIT:

Also, if you are planning on reaching out at all, hunting or paper, you really should reconsider your stance on reloading. If you want accuracy and functionality, reloading is the way to go.
 
I'll have to reload eventually, it just seems to be the reasonable thing to do. I just don't want to get started doing it right off the bat but thank you. I did look at the Tikka's initially, that was going to be one of my original picks before I started looking into Savage's models earlier this year, I like their nice addition of the Accu-trigger but I'll have to check out that particular model by Tikka. If the magazines are readily available those could be nice to have. On the topic of hunting thanks for the reminder, I wouldn't be against having one specifically for the range as well, thanks for the replies.
 
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If you don't know if you want PGW Coyote or semiauto and 1st thing you worry about is jamming on bolt action and second is an optional moderator....

Due all the respect, there is nothing to discuss. Failed trolling attempt or complete incompetence.
 
There was a bit of hunitng I'd like to do but it looks my main thing will be ranged target shooting taking repeated shots. The Tac 2 from Proof Research being a precision rifle but weighing around 2 pounds less then the FN SPR 3AG looks nice. I have to admit that's "down the road" so far I'm leaning towards the DPMS REPR to purchase within 2 months for dedicated range shooting.
 
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The reality of all this, is this. Canada's laws do not allow us to hunt with an AR10. Most semiautomatic rifles in 308 are restricted which means they can only go to a range. No hunting. You can get an Atrs modern hunter, but you will pay for it and as far as I'm concerned you will not get the consistent accuracy that you will get out of a bolt gun (my oppinion, not looking to start a pissing match). But if you want to hunt with a semi auto in Canada, that's your option.

Hunting with a heavy barrel, I have done it. It depends on how you hunt. I walk in 200-300 yards, plant on my hill that overlooks a vast area and I sit and wait. Not a lot of walking. I did walk with it once.....18 lb bolt gun. I will never do it again. Everything hurt.

For someone just getting into this and wants some options, possible hunting, go get a ruger precision rifle. It has AR furniture and uses AI mags. It's not light but it's also not heavy (compared to other rifles) Again, my oppinion cause once you've hunted with the pigs I have, an RPR is light haha.

This way you can get a nice rifle, decent scope for 3k ish and then shoot. Lots of shooting. Others will say, get a savage or a Remington and they all shoot and are great rifles. Have owned them all, I just think right now the rpr is a great bang for your buck and gives you the look your going for.

Suppressors? Not in Canada and I know you mentioned it, but how often are you going to go to the states? And if you do, you can't just grab one, it requires things like tax stamps and waiting periods. If you have a friend that has one, great, the rpr is threaded for a break or a can. Also there is really no way to say how much impact shift you will get with a suppressor. There will be some, how much depends on every rifle. Your adding weight to the end of your barrel and changing the balance and harmonics. Most guys who shoot with suppressor on and then off just learn what their impact shift is and deal with it or just shoot with the can on all the time.

So again, reality is, Canada is Canada. Accurate semiauto's are rare, and cans are really not worth planning for unless you go to the states every other week and have people down there that are gonna let you borrow.

Get a good bolt gun, and if you want to walk around and hunt without the burden of the weight, just add a savage package gun for 500 bucks to your list. Hunt with it and use your "tactical" rig for all your other stuff.....or deal with the weight like I do.
 
There has been a few of these "I want to get into precision shooting" help me do some research posts, recently. You might refine your search by telling us about your current experience wrt centerfire target shooting, and the distance at which you intend to shoot. I refer you to the second last paragraph in your first post....
 
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ATRS : Modern Hunter , 22" barrel, .308
 
"Importance: 2nd
Accept silencers and not have any issues (accuracy or otherwise) in regards to using them outside of Canada where legal
Accuracy Everyone wants sub MOA but long-term I’m thinking reliability will be king for me with 1 MOA or a bit more
Weight I’d prefer to keep it under 10 pounds the only exception would be unless a much more costly military precision sniper rifle eg: PGW Coyote, FN Scar-H TPR, etc. (assuming anyone has tried them) would be significantly better with something in the importance 1st or importance 2nd section eg: reliability, accuracy"

just for the guys who are ragging on buddy....there are several countries where it is legal to have a suppressor while hunting. maybe he has family in one of those countries and plans to hunt there, who knows.....no need to be a #### about it.

a couple of options in .308 in non restricted would be ATRS modern hunter....those start around $4k or so and then the other rifle which i really like shooting is the M-305/M1A which pretty much is a civilian copy of an M14. out of the box you would have better luck with the springfield armoury M1A. however if you have the money and are willing to take the time either version of the gun can be built into a pretty accurate (1MOA) rifle.
 
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