Famae 540 vs. XCR vs. ACR

OP,
If you are looking to play black rifle games, the FAMAE will handicap you due to mag capacity and weight.
The ACR and XCR will perform ok except for the weight factor. The 18.6" barrels make these rifles very long and hard to maneuver. The ability to accept LAR and Beo mags are a plus.
If you are looking for accuracy, try a dedicated bolt gun. To pay $3000 for an ACR with a Herron barrel just to shoot 1 MOA is like turbo charging a Chevette to keep up with a Corvette. ( I may get flamed for this!!) There are many bolt actions that can do the job better for less coin.
If you are looking to hike and hunt with a NR black rifle, borrow someone's XCR and go walk in the brush for a few hrs. Then see how you feel. Not saying it can't be done but, again, there are better guns for the job.
And, like Master-G said, that better gun is the Tavor!
I've owned the heavy barrel XCR-L and M, and the Tavor. I've handled the Remington DMR ACR, HK Sl-8 and the SCAR. IMO, there is nothing better than an AR if all aspects are considered. Since the AR is a range toy, my second would be the Tavor.
Why did you rule out bullpups in your post? Because you already own one?
 
If you are looking to hike and hunt with a NR black rifle, borrow someone's XCR and go walk in the brush for a few hrs. Then see how you feel. Not saying it can't be done but, again, there are better guns for the job
caliber conversion ability is key if you are going to hunt with the rifle as you suggest. You can have conversions made for the ACR in 30 AR, 450 Bushmaster and 50 beowulf enabling you to take big game like moose, elk and bears without any issue. I waited a long tome for a NR platform worth building off of for hunting and finally we canadians have one.

I don't know of anyone building conversions in these calibers for XCR's, tavors or any of the other commonly available rifles. You could buy a larger platform rifle like those chambered in 308 but that adds considerable weight and bulk
 
the XCR fanboy will call everyone a hater rather than accepting facts.

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I really like my Famae. The non parkerized finish wears out like nothing and I'm not talking about the well known finish wear on the receiver that even the swiss arms have, I'm talking about the whole gun. however, the weathered look is actually kind of cool. I tried Hornady Superperofrmance 168gr SST in the Famae last week and these rifles are indeed capable of very good accuracy. The typical accuracy report is done with Chinese surplus or Russian manufactured .308 which does around 3". The Hornady though shot at the most 2" without a scope. I can only imagine how well it would shoot with a scope and a worked up handload. The whole reason why I got the Famae and sold everything else is because I wanted a do it all rifle. The 542 can run with black rifles in a tac rifle shoot, it can plink at the range, it can punch holes in paper, it can be scoped and used for hunting season, powerful enough to take down a moose, and reloading components are everywhere for the .308 its probably the most common cartridge to reload for. The XCR-M is also a .308 but it weighs a lot more than the SG 542. Also, comparing the 540 rifles to the 550 rifles is fine however keep in mind they're two different rifles. The 540 series is much older design from the 1970's while the 550 is much newer from the 90's. The Swiss Arms is indeed a nicer firearm when comparing the two however there is currently no .308 Swiss Arms and I'm willing to bet if there was it would easily be over $5000 not the $2800 you can get a Famae for or even much less on the used market.
 
the XCR hater will say that with their ACR they can do less than a moa with a custom made barrel ,

I don't think that's fair, I'd say the people that know the accuracy capabilities of an ACR are just stating their experiences with that platform.

People that own an XCR shouldn't be jealous of another NR black rifle having MOA accuracy. As a XCR's barrel retention system is fundamentally flawed so that a XCR will likely never be capable of consistent MOA accuracy w/o major custom work/re-barrel...; I mean really it's not easy getting consistent MOA accuracy out of a quality AR (w/o a sled) so why expect so much from a XCR.

Shooters need to recognize the currently available NR "black rifles" for what they are and that is 3-4 MOA capable rifles (on average) with non-match, but quality ammo. Saying that their are a couple of exceptions such as the ACR and HK SL8 which have proven to be capable of MOA accuracy with premium ammo.
I also wouldn't rule out a bull-pup like the Tavor even if not an MOA capable rifle it has other attributes not found on standard black rifle designs which can be an advantage away from the range providing you like how they feel as compared to a more traditional black rifle.


To the OP and Bacardi try deciding what parameters are the most important for you with respect to a rifles performance, ie.
Reliability,
Durability,
Accuracy,
Weight,
Warranty,
Cost,
Mag capacity,
Rails...+ caliber options... &
Parts availability... as this will help before making your decision.

Also considering buying a used NR black rifle to save a few bucks isn't necessarily a bad idea as it may get you into a higher quality platform for less.

Cheers D

Edit: update, I also wouldn't rule out the Benelli MR1 as a possible all purpose NR .223 semi.-auto. black rifle that is that is under $2,000 and capable of using AR hi-capacity mag.'s while operating reliably with decent accuracy, it also has a tri-rail system available for mounting a light/laser or FVG...
 
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Just to clarify that I am not new to black rifle. I have SIG 516, and just simply looking for another black rifle but it has to be NR one. Reliability and versatility are very important for me.
 
One thing that I dont like about Tavor is the rear end part is blocky. I guess it is part of the bull up design.
Yeah, it's not as comfortable to hold or as natural feeling as an AR, but it's not bad when you're shooting. Reliability-wise, it's probably the best of the ones on your list, although they're probably all pretty good. You rarely see anyone post here about problems with their Tavor.
 
One thing that I dont like about Tavor is the rear end part is blocky. I guess it is part of the bull up design.

You think the Tavor has a bulky rear? You should try a FS2000 on for size. It is literally twice as thick!

That is the one thing I believe the chinese nailed with thier QBZ-95/97 series of rifles, they feal very slim and small.
 
All of the accuracy videos and photos ive seen of the Famae 540 have been VERY disappointing considering the price of the gun. Unless you need a new .223 this year, id personally wait and see what happens with the ATR Modern Varminter. Cause if they offer that gun starting around $2500, the market will be a-wash in used XCR's and ACR's for much cheaper than they are now.
 
All of the accuracy videos and photos ive seen of the Famae 540 have been VERY disappointing considering the price of the gun. Unless you need a new .223 this year, id personally wait and see what happens with the ATR Modern Varminter. Cause if they offer that gun starting around $2500, the market will be a-wash in used XCR's and ACR's for much cheaper than they are now.
the MH didn't cause an influx of 308 rifles for sale cheap so I find it doubtfull the MV with no caliber conversions will
 
nothing big bore for hunting though like you can get for the ACR. IMO, the whole point of NR is hunting and I don't eat gophers and coyotes

Exactly correct in "your" opinion, but of course you don't speak for all or maybe even that many. IMO the whole point of NR status is to do what I want, where I want, when I want, and how I want with out Big Brother holding my hand and telling me I shouldn't stop for grocceries or get some new shoes or a movie on the way home from where ever I had been shooting that day, whether my shooting was for liesure or to put food on the table, or get gophers.

I live on farm, there for if I can have it with out the oversight and regi slip from big brother, thats all I really care about.
 
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