A 308 For General Purpose

Dealers/ Manufacturers/ Regional/ Info Trash
1

I’m looking at options for a general purpose, magazine fed semi-auto 308. It will be put to use as a range toy (“range toy” would include mag dumps at 25 yards to training courses out to 600 yards), a hunting firearm (up to and including elk), and a backpacking companion (because hey - I like to walk long distances and shoot rocks).

Because of the backpacking thing, weight is an issue. For this reason I am not considering heavy rifles like the FAL, M1A, et al. I would eventually like to use a suppressor and I am indifferent to having a full length barrel or an SBR. SBR’s are attractive due to weight savings (I know - it’s only ounces), but loss in velocity (and presumably range) is a con.

I will be using a LPVO (probably the Nightforce 1-8 ATACR) and plan on attaching a light. I might mount a bipod to use as a kickstand. That’s about all I plan to add to it, besides the aforementioned suppressor.

What are my options?

2

I presume you want to buy the rifle complete, and not assemble it yourself.

What’s your budget?

A SCAR 17S is supposed to weight 8.0 pounds with a 16.25" barrel. It readily accepts magnified optics and lights. I don’t own one, but I put about 20 rounds through one once…it didn’t suck.

Not all M14s are excessively heavy. I have a Bula M21 DMR with a 19.25" GI profile barrel in a Walnut USGI stock that weighs 9.0 pounds. A fiberglass or carbon fiber stock with a 16" barrel would reduce this to 8 pounds or a bit less. The M21 DMR receiver incorporates a Picatinny rail that runs from where the clip guide normally resides to the front of the receiver. The negatives are that there’s no easy way to mount a light, and a removable cheekpiece is needed for use with an optic.

The only other likely real option is the 308 AR. An SR-25 E2 CC with 16" barrel weighs 8.4 pounds. I expect AR carbines from other brands, with lightweight 16" barrels, to weigh approximately as much as the KAC.

3

On budget:

If the rifle is what I want and the best in it’s class I am willing to shell out up to $5k. The SR-25 looks to be the most expensive of what you mentioned and goes for $4,450 on Gunbroker, so $5k seems like a good place to cap the budget.

Between the SCAR and the SR25 CC, which is the better suppressor host?

Ranking from most important to least:

[ul]
[li]Weight
[/li][li]Suppressor ability/performance with suppressor
[/li][li]Accuracy
[/li][li]Durability
[/li][li]Reliability
[/li][/ul]

4

I was an early adopter of the SCAR 17. Never looked back and it checks all the boxes you mentioned.

5

I had two SCAR 17’s. Went back to FAL’s, M1A’s, and HK 91’s. Out of those three I’d choose the HK 91.

6

Why?

By that I mean, why did you leave the SCAR and why out of the 3 do you suggest HK91?

Also at 10.9 pounds (according to Wikipedia) it’s a heavy f__ker. An M1 Garand is reported to be lighter.

7

I like my Colt LE-901. Relatively lightweight and ~1 MOA accurate with 155 and 168 gr AMAX. I’ve found that balance is ruined with a suppressor (Omega with Key-Mo Mount) so I usually shoot it without a can, or bipod for that matter

8

I didn’t care for the SCAR, mainly because it’s not very robust. The G3A3 is only the one of the big three battle rifles that is essentially optics ready, has a free floated barrel with the wide handguard, and overall- is arguably the toughest of the battle rifles. FYI the G3A3 weighs 9.04 pounds and the collapsible stock version, the G3A4 weighs 10 pounds.

9

Larue has 308 ultimate upper kits. With the predatar 16in profile barrel they are 8.3 pounds assembled supposedly. They are also incredibly economical compared to the company they keep once assembled. Otherwise the Larue Predatar itself is 7.75 pounds with a 16in barrel and 15in handguard. You may need an adjustable gas block if you choose to suppress it though.

10

It’s not truly a free float. If you pop the cocking tube cap you will notice the inside of the cocking tube typically makes variable contact with the inside of the triple ring front sight setup. As the barrel warms that makes the front sight move and changes the contact. So really it’s no more free floated than AR-15s with “free float” handguards, the gas tube results in variable contact with the barrel on that design.

The only HK rifle that is truly “free floated” is the PSG1 and that is the only rifle that guarantees 1MOA accuracy or better. A SR-25 can match that performance all day long.

To the OP, I’d only mention that lighter weight translates into more recoil. Of all the options I’d say HK-91 or Knights SR-25 are probably your best options. DSA FALs are probably the most affordable option and a acceptable middle ground.

I too fell out of favor with the SCAR for various reasons. I’ll probably move to a Colt 901-16S eventually.

11

Given that both the SCAR and the SR-25 have a threaded barrel, they are going to be pretty much exactly the same in terms of suppressor host.

The SR-25 has, in my experience, the advantage in accuracy, durability and reliability.

The difference in weight is almost negligible. Suppressor performance will be nearly identical, although any piston system will have “some” gas bleed at the adjustment valve, which is why FALs aren’t a great candidate for suppressors.

The SCAR will be about 40% less expensive.

12

For your use, it would be really hard to beat a Scar. while not my favorite 308 in my stable, The FN really lends itself to walkabouts. A SR25 would also be a great choice, and shoots nicer but carries a substantial premium. I really like the newer MLOC MWS with light weight barrel but it is about 6oz heavier.

There are also some 7lb AR options out there but I really can speak on how there are other than they seem light and priced pretty high

Ever consider a Fix from Q,

13

If I was on a budget, I’d just buy this:
https://www.atlanticfirearms.com/products/ptr-91-a3s-308-rifle

14

I had a SCAR 17 in 2011. I was not a fan. Maybe I should have waited but magazines were $50 each when you could find them and the charging handle bit me often. I think I am too set with the AR platform and would and did go with that in the future. Same manual of arms. No learning curve. No difference at all from an AR15 other than the recoil.

The SCAR is cool for people who want to be neat and different and say “This is what special forces uses!” At the range.

The SR25 is for putting in work.

15

This is my ideal “ranch rifle”, you can top the rounds off while the mag is inserted.

https://www.mauser.com/en/m12/m12-extreme.html

16

Just a comment, you mention backpacking… You really need to think thru weight.

All these weight comparisons are unloaded.

I’m assuming you are going to carry more than one mag? Given any thought to what the ammo weighs? Let’s say you are carrying 1 loaded mag in the rifle, and three in a pouch. That’s 4 lbs in ammo alone.

Likewise, based on real world weights a scar mag is double the weight of an HK mag. (.5lbs vs .25 according to a recent weighout write-up) so add a 1lb to the loadout weight of a scar relative to the HK.

So add 6 lbs to the scar weight for 4 loaded mags. 5 for loaded g3. Don’t know what SR mags weigh.

Back to rifle weights… you still have not put an optic on it.

You need to be looking at loadout weights, not paper empty weights. Which will quickly lead you to Grendel and 6.8 rifles.

You really going to tote 13+ lbs of rifle/ammo in addition to your backpacking stuff? Yep, some in the Army do it. My son’s normal Airborne IN loadout is way more than you are talking. Was more than 100 lbs in Ranger school. But that was not for fun, nor was it pleasant.

I hunted with a 91 for years in hill country. Then switched to a 6.5lb manlicher stocked scoped 308. I shoot it enough to keep it sighted in and tested, but light 308s are no fun on the bench or prone.

Now for fun I hunt with AR in Grendel, but still keep my LW bolt carbines for rugged terrain and handling.

BTW, a properly setup 91 has a very reasonable recoil. Note many non-hk g3/91 clones did not have the roller lock setup correctly. Also note there are big variations in furniture weights on some of these rifles. 91 foreends vary widely.

Not trying to talk you into an HK, I’d love to have a scar, mws, or SR-25. But I would not be backpacking with them.

17

A loaded Magpul 20 round 308 magazine weighs 1.5 pounds.

18

Having messed with a few 308 AR’s. The KAC feels the lightest. I loved my MWS, but it was too heavy! You aren’t going to find anything easier to mount optics too and easier to suppress than an AR type rifle. If humping it all day is a concern have you thought of a lightweight bolt gun? Steyr Scout?

19

I’d go with a SCAR17. I have a lot of time behind mine, including classes taken with it. It does everything I want a 762 rifle to do except be cheaper.

20

I just shot my new PWS mk216 yesterday.
I’m really surprised with how light the recoil was. I only shot some surplus ammo to break it in so I don’t know about accuracy.
It has an adjustable gas system which was a big selling point for me as I shoot suppressed.
Also, if you are prior military, they have a nice discount available.