Looking into semi auto in larger caliber

M1A/M305 in .308 would be good. Nothing wrong with a Remmy 7400 in .30-06 too. A Remmy in .35 Whelen would really hammer them and you could load 200 grain bullets to bring the recoil down a bit too.
 
So here is a question then, what about an M14? Like the new Socom, how are they holding up, accuracy etc?? I do not want to spend two grand including glass for a hunting and shooting setup. I want to hit the range with this new gun as much as I can to make sure I can live up to the guns potential. I like to do a couple hundred rounds this year and will handload for it especially if it increases its accuracy.

Opinions?? My concern with the M14 I had was the weight was 14 lbs, heavy for bush walking several kms in the morning.
 
M305 = poor mans M1A.

If you are going to buy a rifle to last you for the rest of your life and you have the money buy an American made M1A.

In the right stock you should be about 10lbs.

For your bad shoulder remember that the weight of the firearm directly affects the amount of felt recoil.

Get the right sling or pack and carrying around a 10-12 pound gun is no issue. I used to carry a Ljungeman, 10.5 lbs empty
 
yomomma said:
M305 = poor mans M1A.

If you are going to buy a rifle to last you for the rest of your life and you have the money buy an American made M1A.

In the right stock you should be about 10lbs.

For your bad shoulder remember that the weight of the firearm directly affects the amount of felt recoil.

Get the right sling or pack and carrying around a 10-12 pound gun is no issue. I used to carry a Ljungeman, 10.5 lbs empty
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+1

You can get an M305 for $450. With a mount and a half decent scope you could be all in for around $1000-$1200. Most Norinco M305's shoot around 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards off the bat, but with a little tinkering and some reloads they will group better.
I am a big fan of my M305 and it is my dedicated coyote gun. I dropped it into an M14.ca blackfeather stock and put a Leupold VX-2 2-7 on it and it is about 10 lbs. No problems carrying around with a good sling. It shoots pretty well at distance as well, I consistently ring my 10 inch gong at 600 yards. I don't push it any further because I have bolt guns for that purpose.
 
Drewz said:
I was looking at this gun again, I had an early model without the recoil compensation kit and the 300 stung a bit after 25-30 shots. Maybe with the recoil kit from Benelli it would be better? Do you own one??
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Sorry, I don't own one but I was looking at them a while ago. For your shoulder you would definitely want a Model with the Comfortech stock. I've heard it works well in reducing recoil on their shotguns.
 
My price range, should have started with that is about a grand for the gun. Looking at 4-600 for glass then. I would hand load if it was a benefit but there is some accurate ammo for certain calibers and I am not a competitive shooter.
 
When you said larger caliber I had assumed something above 30 or 338, you know, something cannon size..... maybe a semi that could feed/cycle hot loaded 45-70 lol
 
Benelli R1 338 mag, light, reliable upper powerfull, low recoil, i love mine, it would be hard to get a better package... JP.
 
Drewz said:
I was looking at this gun again, I had an early model without the recoil compensation kit and the 300 stung a bit after 25-30 shots. Maybe with the recoil kit from Benelli it would be better? Do you own one??
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I have 2 30-06 R1's, a wood and a comfortech. Also have a wood and comfortech SBE II.

The comfortech is noticeably better at reducing felt recoil in both guns. Not near as nice as the wood guns, but for function it does make a difference.
 
Drewz said:
My buddy sold his RFB due to accuracy issues. If it cannot do 2 inches at 100 yards then it is not the gun for me.

I miss my old M14 but at 14 lbs it was too heavy for the 5am walk into the bush.
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I have the RFB, shoots around 1MOA with premium ammo, after 3 rounds it opens up to 1.5 MOA.
 
cote_b said:
BAR in .338 win mag should be a sufficient cannon!
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I own a Bar in 338, its a brute for recoil and i shoot Rum calibers. I have tried recoil reduction by least money....a good pad and a mercury tube. So now i will remove the sights and spend the money to put a break on it.

I have a 30-06 Bar and it does not even have a pad, just the recycled hockey puck that come on them. Yet the recoil is fine. By happy coincidence having inherited another 30-06, its for sale in the EE

Your options are Remington 740 family, Browning Bar, and Benelli R1...in increasing cost order. The Benelli is pretty expensive and not out long enough to find a significant drop, used. I have owned three Bars, they are good, accurate, simple guns. i have never owned a Rem auto loader, some have a reputation for poor accuracy.

I see from one of your posts that a 300 bit after 25-30 rounds. If you are wanting a target rifle or range toy, semi hunting rifles are not really suited. That is where a M305 would come in, shooting surplus cheap...but they are a legitimate 2 MOA rifle. Any semi set up for hunting is going to have a sporter profile barrel, and groups will open up quickly if you shoot rapid fire strings.
 
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