FAMAE SG 542 or XCR-M

BeaverMeat

BeaverMeat

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Decided I need a 18"-ish barreled semi-auto battle rifle in 7.62NATO. Not going with the M14 platform this time. Would love to get an AR-10... I don't like being restricted to a range.

Decided on one of these two options. Leaning toward the XCR... because, mags.

Discuss
 
Right on the mags....$150 a pop is killer.
But I think the 542 is the more durable design and will give you less problems in the long run. It's proven at least.
There is the NR AR10'sh Modern Hunter but so far accuracy and reliability are not there for the price, so I'd hold off on those.
Keltec RFB is another one that gets some love, but it is a keltec...meh.
We really are limited in the 308 department.
 
Am not sure if the XCR-M are better than they used to be but I would not buy another one. Had feeding issue, barrel issue and the whole thing was falling apart... but it's always good to keep in mind WS will keep fixing whatever goes wrong with the gun.

Keltec, you need to buy it new to have any kind of warranty with it. I love the fact it's so short but I am not sure about how accurate the platform is.

In my opinion the MH is a good option, they come used for a fraction of the price they cost new mostly due to the fact they are custom.

Good point on the mag for the Famae 542, but it is a proven design and for the price... it might be worth a try... lots of dealer have them in stock too... between the that and the XCR, the famae would be my pick
 
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For non-restricted 308s there are a few options. The XCR-M and the Famae are good choices but I've always had a preference for the Famae over the XCR. I do love my Modern Hunter but the price was definitely on the steeper side and really only excels on hand loads and premium ammo. Another excellent choice for accuracy at a good price point is the FNAR. I'm sure there are a few owners on here that will back this sentiment. I almost picked one of these up but instead I'm waiting for the release of either the B&T APC308 or DT MDR whichever comes first. The last suggestion is the NEA 102 which should have a release announcement soon. Having never shot a NEA I can't really comment on the quality or accuracy.

Hope this helps.
 
Ivevowned both.

Xcrm hands down.

It ran better,
it was way more accurate,
It didn't rattle itself apart (issue with the solid famea stock and front irons)
10 round mags
the recoil was decent... The famea will bruise your face
avalibility of parts and accessories
 
I'm a mag whore... My docterine is 12 mags per rifle. Eight for steady use and four auxiliary.

I have read that they both have issues. It's a tough call when you can shoot them both.
 
I just picked up a used Modern Hunter. If you are going to spend around $3000 then I say skip the XCR-M and the Famme and get a used MH for a few hundred more. The Modern Hunter is a very well built rifle and parts are easy to find with manufacturer support in the same country so no issues with warranty if needed.
Even though they get a bunch of negative comments about accuracy and reliability they will still shoot better groups than either of the other two options. Not the sub MOA we all hoped for unless you are willing to spend some time reloading or get lucky and find a factory load it likes. The best I've seen from a 308 MH with factory ammo is a pretty steady 1.5 moa with 168gr Hornady Z-max but was in the 3ish moa range with cheap stuff which is comparable to any other option. The biggest negative I see with it is that they don't like gen 3 pmags which sucks because it's getting hard to find gen 2 mags these days.
I just started loading for my MH in 6.5 Creedmoor and out of 4 loads tested the worst I got was a little over 2 moa and the best were around 1moa, I think that with some more work I'll have it shooting consistent sub moa. I didn't buy this to be a "battle rifle" or to run lots of rounds through it so feeding it handloads is doable for me but if you feel you want a rifle to just shoot the hell out of and run high volumes of bulk surplus then the XCR or 542 may be a better choice. The Modern Hunter is tested at the manufacturer for function with American Eagle 150gr FMJ so that should be reliable but some other cheap surplus has been reported to be problematic. Keep in mind though that I've spoken to Rick at ATRS about some of the problems people are having and some of the stories he has about what people are using for lube and the ammo they expect accuracy out of would make your head spin. I think a lot (definitely not all) of the problems reported are user error and not a fault of the rifle.
 
I have a restricted XCR-M (2015ish, so recent production keymod version) and a 5.56 Famae, so not a direct comparison of the platforms, but I do have some thougts:

- recent XCR seems to have no QC issues - very solid, hundreds and hundreds of rounds through mine with zero problems. Famae (in 5.56, at least) also seems reliable
- XCR barrel retention is badly designed IMHO, but if you cinch it down well, it won't likely be a problem
- XCR ergonomics are excellent, as opposed to the more old-fashioned ergos of the Famae (right-hand charging handle and paddle mag release, and the bolt release is worse than the XCR)
- Famae is very solid, and comes with nice diopter sights (though the XCR also comes with decent flip-up sights)
- XCR takes more affordable mags, and you can use 10-rounders

I've had the same dilemma, as I too want a NR .308. I really like the Famae, but the mag price is the killer for me. If the Famae mags were more affordable, I'd probably go Famae over XCR despite the mag capacity limitation and crappier ergonomics, as I like the old-school battle rifle style. I, personally, decided on XCR-M when I find a deal on one and have the cash ahead.
 
Take the XCR - M .308 new ones are great got one and I thinks it is a bolt gun, just break in barrel use good quality ammo and do not blow out barrel by running mag after mag and overheating barrel!
 
When was choosing between the two, I went with XCR-M. I had good previous experience with the XCR platform, so it was an easy choice for me. I have a friend that bought the FAMAE (not on cgn) and he loves his.
 
i thing the price of the mags for the famae killed it. i wish they would have made an ar 10 mag adapter for it like they did for its lil brother
 
As posted previously the barrel change retention system is moot to me. I'd just buy another one.

FNAR is an other choice but... aesthetically it doesn't float-my-boat. Looks like a Remington 740 with a pistol grip stock. For a hunting type type rifle I stick with bolt-actions.

The modern hunter. Thought about them. To be honest I'm digging the SCAR type look of the XCR. Call me a "tacti-fool".

I guess my mind is made up already... but, should I wait for the Canadian edition of the SCAR-17? The polymer lower doesn't bother me.
 
BeaverMeat said:
I guess my mind is made up already... but, should I wait for the Canadian edition of the SCAR-17? The polymer lower doesn't bother me.
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Both versions IRG has in for FRT feature an aluminum lower :D That'll definitely be a 'buy' for me.

XCR-M: this is my go to 308 rifle for training and plinking. This, my tavor, and sr22 get 80% of my attention. Ergs are my favourite across any platform. Prefer this even to the AR. Side charging and bolt hold/release are top notch right out of the box. Mine is a later gen keymod and has been nothing but reliable. Haven't done group shooting with it, but that's not what I got it for. Now have an xcr-l on order simply because of how much I've fallen for this platform.

FAMAE 542: I'm a swiss/famae fanboy and love the classic design, so I'd keep mine either way, but simply due to the old school ergs and lack of gear compatibility it's a designated Sunday 'fun' gun. Also love it for the FAL-ish -esque feel that is has. Man I wish we could have FALs...

Modern Hunter: Just received last weekend. Fit/finish/overall quality is phenomenal, but I haven't had time to take it out yet. Heard some less than spectacular things on here about it, but have the feeling it's a bunch of victimizing. The impression I've gotten from those with positive accolades is that it's a tighter tolerance, fine tuned machine that requires closer care/attention to function properly. Most Ferrari's probably sputter and cough on 87.. MH is not necessarily a designated bench gun, but also not simply an expensive run&gun battle rifle that should be expected to eat up and spit out whatever you attempt to feed it; at least not with sub moa results. Plus ATRS is well trusted to make good on any warranty issues. Assuming it runs well for me, I'm sure it'll secure a future spot in the safe for a MV.

Norc m305: also just picked up a shorty last weekend (it was my birthday recently, okay?) and haven't fired yet, but again a well renowned design that's hung around for a reason. Now, this is a $700 gun vs 2.5 to 4k+ as compared above. Maybe a springfield, fulton, or LRB would be more apples to apples, but I got this to be another fun and reminiscent shooter. If/when getting around to doing an EBR build, I'd probably go with one of the aforementioned or at least put some money into the norc, though a 22" barrel would probably be a better choice.

NEA 102, APC308, SCAR 17: anxiously awaiting!

..now if only we could get the SG 751P SAPR up here...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfDQEQA2y_o

Ultimately, match your purchase with your intended use. Trying to make anything into something it wasn't designed to be is just setting yourself up for disappointment, and your firearm hobby/passion should be anything but disappointing.

Cheers,
 
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BeaverMeat said:
As posted previously the barrel change retention system is moot to me. I'd just buy another one.

FNAR is an other choice but... aesthetically it doesn't float-my-boat. Looks like a Remington 740 with a pistol grip stock. For a hunting type type rifle I stick with bolt-actions.

The modern hunter. Thought about them. To be honest I'm digging the SCAR type look of the XCR. Call me a "tacti-fool".

I guess my mind is made up already... but, should I wait for the Canadian edition of the SCAR-17? The polymer lower doesn't bother me.
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Since you decided on the XCR, here you go: buy it before I decide to!!

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1527276-XCR-M-Keymod-light-barrel-FDE
 
CobraGT said:
Since you decided on the XCR, here you go: buy it before I decide to!!

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1527276-XCR-M-Keymod-light-barrel-FDE
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That not that good of a deal.... i was selling mine with a muilticam hydro dip, fab defence g2 grip pod also dipped, 2x 5round mags 5x 10 roind pistol mags, team warn 30mm rings, spare parts, 100 rounds of ammo.... for that price. It took me like 5 months to sell it.


Plain jane xcrm goes for $2200 tops on the EE if it is like new.
 
LordEvilPepper said:
That not that good of a deal.... i was selling mine with a muilticam hydro dip, fab defence g2 grip pod also dipped, 2x 5round mags 5x 10 roind pistol mags, team warn 30mm rings, spare parts, 100 rounds of ammo.... for that price. It took me like 5 months to sell it.


Plain jane xcrm goes for $2200 tops on the EE if it is like new.
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Haha, you read my mind - I was thinking his asking price was a good place to start, and that it would actually sell after some negotiation for around $2200. I think you are exactly correct.
 
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