Springfield, Famae or Keltec, thoughts?

AlbertanBound

AlbertanBound

Regular
Rating - 100%
23   0   0
Location
med hat
Hey guys,
So I recently purchased a new ruger precision and fnar-h both in 308. Originally I was gonna stay away from a 308 battle rifle but now I'm kinda digging it. Looking for another one but I can't decide on what would be better, I'm interested in a Springfield m1a or maybe the new famae sg 542, or maybe even the keltec rfb. Not looking for a sub MOA gun just something to play with in semi auto. Looking to get some feedback on these since I'm pretty sure they're all in her 2000+ $ range.
 
Last edited:
I've owned all three of the .308 rifles that you mention and my vote would go to the SG 542. It is the lightest of the three, by far the most responsive and "quick to hand". It is also good to go right out of the box with the addition of an optic rail, versus the M1A which may take some tinkering for optimal accuracy, or the Keltec which requires the gas system to be properly adjusted to a load. The SG 542 is accurate enough for me - delivering 2" groups with South African surplus 7.62mm ammo or commercially-loaded .308. Is it the equal of the Swissarms for fit and finish? Not quite, but then again it is not nearly as bad as some of the complainers on here would have you believe. If you are looking for a genuine, operationally-proven "battle rifle", the SG 542 is your best choice - it is certainly the closest thing you will ever get to an FN FAL "experience" without prohib status. The M1A would be my second choice over the RFB. Nothing wrong with the RFB per se - it is a fine hunting rifle. But a battle rifle? Nope.

Just my $.02 FWIW....
 
Attaching the optics Picatinny rail to the SG 542 is easily done, and very intuitive. The front slides into a dovetail and at the rear is a tensioning screw that mates with a detent on the front of the Rear Sight Housing. You just tighten the screw to force the rail forward into the dovetail for a secure fit. Just be careful not to over-tension the rail, as some have been known to flex upwards in the center. The rail will set you back about $100. The real kicker is the proprietary magazines, at $135 apiece! I wanted 5 for sentimental reasons (the same number of mags I was issued with the FNC1) at a cost of over $500!! Just for mags!!!

Once you get over the sticker-shock of the rifle itself and the mags, it is a great firearm. A very smooth-shooting, operationally-proven battle rifle with pleasing lines. What's not to like? If you shop around you can pick up a new rifle on sale for as little as $2350, which is what I paid last year on Cyber Monday. Check out the Calgary Shooting Centre for rifles and accessories. The other option is Tactical Imports, as already mentioned. They are the two importers/distributors, whereas everyone else is simply a resale dealer.

Cheers,
 
Thanks for the response guys. I really like the look. Not pumped about the mag price but such is life in Canada. What's the accuracy like with yours? Also are there torque specs to prevent over tension or is an by feel kinda job?
 
I've only owned the SG542 but I really like it. I've fired about 200 rounds through mine with no issues at all. I've sticking with irons for now for the retro Cold War-era look. I posted a thread earlier this year with more details. They seem to pop up on the EE fairly regularly, too.
 
Great thread.

These are all good options and opinions. Did you consider a FNAR with a standard barrel? Do you think it would be longer, heavier or less reliable?
Upfront it's not really a "battle rifle" and doesn't have iron sights but with a 1-4x, Specter DR or TR it would make a very capable rifle. Pricewise, that choice would leave more funds for an optic, tools, mags, etc.

I don't own an FNAR but you do and there are advantages to limit the number of platform we use.

Show us what you choose. :)
 
Last edited:
Personally I would lean towards a M1A or RFB, but I have never done more than gunshop handled an SG542.

The price of mags put me off, and finnish appeared rough for that price point.

I also tend to look for precision out of .308 semi's unlike my .223's. For this reason I would go M1A in a Sage stock.
 
onetwentyish said:
Personally I would lean towards a M1A or RFB, but I have never done more than gunshop handled an SG542.

The price of mags put me off, and finnish appeared rough for that price point.

I also tend to look for precision out of .308 semi's unlike my .223's. For this reason I would go M1A in a Sage stock.
Click to expand...

Or go with a National Match or Super Match M1a, Mine is a solid 1-1.5 Moa with good ammo and Me doing my part. Sadly, i am the weak point on that equation. :)
 
Listen to Bartok.
I own the SG542 nd had an RFB.
No Springfield but had an M305. Nothing wrog with the M305.
M305 if yiou want to go cheap.
RFB is technically gretat but finnicky until you perfect the load to the gas system.
SG542 right out of the box for the win.
 
I have the famae and a nm Springfield , Springfield might be more accurate but it's set up with better scope to. But I'd say the famae , it eats any ammo and shoots great to 200 yds with just a aimpoint patrol sight . M1a freaks me out with the double fires ,
Just got the military primers , hoping they help , but with the right reloads it shoots great accuracy. And the famae is way nicer to handle
 
Has anyone had issues shooting the surplus Austrian 308? The famae I tested is giving me issues, if u can't actually get through an entire mag the bolt doesn't hold open all the way. But mostly it's non-stop jams. It's like the gas system has no effect switching between 1 and 2 it jams more on 2 which I thought was the more open gas setting?
 
AlbertanBound said:
Has anyone had issues shooting the surplus Austrian 308? The famae I tested is giving me issues, if u can't actually get through an entire mag the bolt doesn't hold open all the way. But mostly it's non-stop jams. It's like the gas system has no effect switching between 1 and 2 it jams more on 2 which I thought was the more open gas setting?
Click to expand...
The Hirtenberger stuff? My SG542 works really well with it.
 
The more reliable m1a in a sage stock but the rfb is really a great option to play around.

I found the sg542 over priced with expensive mag...
 
RFB: I was not impressed, having to do a 10-50 round ga adjustment for every different brand of ammo you use was a major hang up for me. if you left it alone would it still run? sometimes, but it would over gas and beat the crap out of you the shooter and the gun, or it would under gas and jam. its accuracy was soso, its tear down was a pain, it was finiky... all the time. I would not count on a range day without having to fix something.


Famea 542: I wanted to love it, I liked the ergonomics, but it is picky with ammo. Way to picky, I started a thread about this like a year or so ago, and it seems to be a common issue. If you find ammo that doesn't make it kick like a mule it shoots garbage groups, if you use hotter ammo it groups good but it beats the #### out of your cheek, just the shape of the stock lends itself to bash your cheekbone if you have a good cheek weld. It proved that cheap plinking ammo was a waste of time unless you like 4-6 inch groups at 100m.

M1A: I'm sure everyone knows I hate M305s like the sun burns hot. but an NM, particularly a LRB arms one is a damn nice rifle. they need a bit of tinkering here or there to keep the groups tight; but they run smooth they shoot tight and they work. I was so impressed with my friends (I helped with load development so I got lots of triger time) I bought my own....(never got to shoot it it got wrecked in transport due to a POS exporter that stole my LRB arms case and repacked everything insufficiently into a cheapo $30 case)

If I was to take one of those three rifles it would be the M1A/M25

that said... I would rather take option 4 my XCR-m
 
As the last true dedicated steel and wood battle-rifle, I've always loved the M14. If I could afford a Springfield or LRB then I'd have one. Until then though, a Norinco will suffice.
 
Last edited:
WhOiS said:
The more reliable m1a in a sage stock but the rfb is really a great option to play around.

I found the sg542 over priced with expensive mag...
Click to expand...

AS someone who has owned a sage stock... I would not buy another, its freaking heavy, its bad ergos and the benefits were negligible in comparison to a tricked out tuned up platform. the only thing going for it is that it looks cool and cuts down on felt recoil.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom