FAMAE SG 542-1 review.

Hoplite Tactical Supplies

Hoplite Tactical Supplies

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Here's our range and tabletop review of the FAMAE SG 542-1 semi auto 7.62x51 NATO battle rifle. Hope you all enjoy :d. Mods and admin, we're not advertising the rifle for sale as we don't sell it and this is simply an impartial review, please leave this here and don't move it to our forum as I appreciate all critique without the ability or appearance of our own moderation to the thread :).

Topics discussed include weight, reliability, accuracy, magazines, after market parts, and more.

Rifle reviewed had after market optic rail and folding stock. Factory configuration of the rifle is with fixed stock and no optic rail.

Ammo used to review was;
Sellier and Bellot .308 win 147gr FMJ
American Eagle .308 win red box 150gr FMJ
South African Surplus 7.62x51 NATO 147gr FMJ
Hornady .308 win TAP FPD 168gr

No reloads as I wanted to do the review with off the shelf ammo.

 
Hoplite Tactical Supplies said:
It's a fun rifle to get behind :d. Initial sticker shock is admittedly a bit of an issue, but considering the 'modern' replacement of this is the SAPR then this seems down right affordable. What this rifle really need is mags under $80 ea :cool:.
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Yea that SAPR would have needed a mortgage to pay it off. The mags are about 120 each correct? Very pricey. Either way it would make a fun hunting/tactical shooting rifle.
 
Looks like a cool rifle ; but for the price , there are lots of other options out there that are just as good for alot less money....
 
driller212 said:
Yea that SAPR would have needed a mortgage to pay it off. The mags are about 120 each correct? Very pricey. Either way it would make a fun hunting/tactical shooting rifle.
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We had them on for $129.99 and at that price they were a loss leader item for us (considering we offer flat rate shipping), regularly they're $135.99. Certainly not cheap and I can guarantee the retailers aren't making a fortune off them (I catch a lot of hell on the price of the mags so just getting it out there).

Two things the 542 rifle needs; parts availability and affordable mags. Hopefully that will come about in the near future.
 
Thanks for the review thread!
It's been a long time coming.... hopefully some other users will chip in with their thoughts as far as accuracy with common off the shelf ammo and handloads.

You mention your best group of 1.2" but there is no mention of your worst group or average group?
Have you considered mounting a scope and shooting some 100yard groups on paper with what ever .308 you can muster?
 
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I have had one for many months. Bottom line is it is not a Swiss Arms in terms of quality or accuracy. For less money you can do better on both counts (XCR-M being one). Don't get me wrong, it is an adequate rifle (although it wasn't for the Swiss Military), but under-built, under-engineered and over priced IMO.
 
Can-down said:
You mention your best group of 1.2" but there is no mention of your worst group or average group?
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Well when I was looking to group and not just rings some steel without care for group other than making 'ting' sounds with every shot ;). Using the mag as a monopod on my backpack from the benchrest all ammo used averaged under 2 MOA. I do count my 'flyers' as a matter of personal discipline as they're typically something I did wrong or at the very least didn't use repetitive form.

Keep in mind that's with 30 year old 7.62 surplus ammo, dirty bird, and commercial surplus FMJ. Decent factory hunting ammunition grouped acceptably and I got the impression that this rifle likes heavier grain bullets (but didn't fire enough to prove / disprove that impression).

Can-down said:
Have you considered mounting a scope and shooting some 100yard groups on paper with what ever .308 you can muster?
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Yes. If it didn't come across in the vid, I was less than impressed with the scope I used (to put it very politely). Would love to get another chance at it with a different scope.

As for whatever .308 I can muster I tend to steer clear of bi-metal ammunition. The most affordable ammo I like to run through rifles was already used. Pure personal preference there and to each their own of course.
 
2moa average shooting off the mag is........ above average! :)
Keep us informed when you get the scope dialed in and maybe some from a rifle rest with sandbags on the back...... seems like you have an accurate specimen on your hands!
I kind of figured the reason there has not been many paper range reports in the last 6 months is because on average they are 3 plus moa.....
 
Ive had some major issues grouping lighter bullets.

150 sst can be 2moa with a hot charge.... but its kicks bad and the brass is totalled. not just the neck.. like cut through or highly dented on the case wall.
reducing the charge low enough to salvage the brass netted bad results with 5-12 moa groups dependant on hot/cold weather

145 MFS, garbage... 6-8 moa
130 Vmax... wasn't even enough on paper (7X11 size target) at 100m to group...

I have a bunch of 168 Barnes loaded but haven't gotten a chance to take them out.
 
LordEvilPepper said:
Ive had some major issues grouping lighter bullets.

150 sst can be 2moa with a hot charge.... but its kicks bad and the brass is totalled. not just the neck.. like cut through or highly dented on the case wall.
reducing the charge low enough to salvage the brass netted bad results with 5-12 moa groups dependant on hot/cold weather

145 MFS, garbage... 6-8 moa
130 Vmax... wasn't even enough on paper (7X11 size target) at 100m to group...

I have a bunch of 168 Barnes loaded but haven't gotten a chance to take them out.
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I remember you saying this, which for brass treatment was the exact opposite of my experience. I didn't reload of course.

The 130gr results you're talking about is horrible. Of course I only shot 147gr, but SA surplus isn't known for accuracy and it kept on my 18"x12" rectangle and 20"x12" IPSC plates.

Didn't you also mention something about the rim being nearly torn off?
 
A slightly tuned Norinco M-305 can easily keep up with the Famae for a fraction of the cost of the rifle, parts and mags.

As such, I think they have been priced out of the market. Too bad really - I bet they would deservedly fair well with aftermarket support if they were in way more shooters hands. I think to do that though, they'd need to be a least half the cost of their current pricing structure.
 
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