choose a semi-auto .308

interested in qualified opinions regarding choice of medium level semi-auto, .308, with stainless barrel and wooden stock, for deer at 75 to 150 yards.
off hand i can't think of any semi's in stainless but i just purchased a browning bar shortrac in 270 wsm. It has a silver reciever and a blued barrel with satin wood. I'm very happy with the handling and performance of it and i know they come in 308 too.
 
Remington 742 /7400/750 carbine. In .308 or '06. I had
2 Model 100s and i still hunt with a Model 100 carbine chambered in the awesome .284 Win.(rarest of the 100s ,only 917 made). However i still would buy the Remington. I've have had 2 Remingtons, still got an '06, and as far as accuracy and reliability i can't complain with both factory and my handloads. They are a little dirtier if fired alot at one time compared to piston type rifles such as the Model 100 but no problem trust me as a hunting rifle. Just remember one thing with a 742/7400. The fore end screw must be tightened and preferrably thread locked lightly, just nail polish will do. When you sight it for the hunt , don't remove till the season is over to clean because it will string your groups tremendously if it comes loose or if you remove/replace with different tension on the barrel. The Model 100 balances nicely compared to the Remingtons with their forward heavy feel. But if its new you are looking for I can't see anything wrong with a new Remington Carbine for the money. I'm getting a Norinco M14S but i dont see it in the Deer Woods like a nice wood stocked sporter carbine.


Happy New Year everyone!:wave:
 
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I Have Both

I own both a M305 and Browning BAR (2009 vintage on both rifles). Both shoot very well and really decent groups.

Having taken them both apart, my leanings would be towards the M305. The Bar has some pretty tedious parts and with prolonged use, I suspect that I will see some wear on the bolt track as it is a complicated assembly and seems to be quite tight on tolerances. As I said, it shoots great.

My M305 is pretty basic. It also is designed to take on scratches and bush dirt and still look pretty. The Browning is real pretty and is like the rich older brother to the redneck M305. Both shoot 165 and 150 gr bullets like there is no tomorrow and I like them both. The M14 had a faster clip attachment system than the BAR (BAR has a trapdoor and clip has to bet into it just right, which is a real pain in the ass). M14 = $500 while the BAR is $1,200.

Downside to the M14 is the weight....just over 10 lbs, the BAR is just over 7 lbs. The BAR likes scopes better than M14 (both came with open sights). The M14 sights are better (I ground front blade thinner) than the BAR, in my opinion.

My final answer would be the M14 followed very closely by the BAR. :D
 
Many people have voted for the Benelli R1 as the top of line in the semis. It is the most expensive semi auto hunting rifle. I don’t have any personal experience to comment.

I had a Browning BAR ShortTrac in 308. I like the look and the light weight of the rifle. It shoots 1” but not consistent enough for my taste. Once in a while there was a flyer – bad enough for me to miss a deer three seasons ago. Other than the flyer issue it was very reliable as I cleaned it regularly.

The Win SXR is the same as the BAR ShortTrac so far as I know (Chev vs Pontiac).

M305/M14 are not hunting rifle by design.

Remington Woodmasters are less inexpensive but had a bad reputation from the past. I suspect it is vastly improved now.
 
Interested in qualified opinions regarding choice of medium level semi-auto, .308, with stainless barrel and wooden stock, for deer at 75 to 150 yards.

Since stainless semi-auto .308s are uncommon and expensive, I'd suggest buying a Browning BAR and sending it to ATRS for ceracoating. It would be very weatherproof. If you put electrical tape over the muzzle your bore should be safe from harm as well.
 
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