Premium .308 AR or a SCAR?

General Firearms Other Semi-Automatic Rifles
1

Now that my AR15 collection is pretty well rounded, I am looking into a semi-auto .308.

I really like the SCAR 17, but I’m not a fan of virtually non existent magazines and parts. If I could find them, 10 spare magazines would be almost $500. Cost is near $3,000 for the rifle.

Then there are the Noveske N6, Larue OBR/PredatAR, etc which are all around the $3,000 mark as well but magazines are relatively easy to find and inexpensive. I am just looking for a weekend blaster, are these worth the increase in price over say an Armalite AR10?

And of course I could always get an M1A Socom for $1,500 and call it a day. Mags are everywhere and it would certainly do for range outings every now and then. Downside is lack of optic compatibility and modularity.

What would/did you do?

2

One reason I went with the SR25 pattern gun is because it has the same operation as an AR. Up to you if you want to learn another system. Also with the SR25 pattern there are Magpul mags which are only $20 each.

Id like a SCAR-H but don’t like the short rail they put on them with about 8" of barrel and flash hider sticking out there. Like you I would also not be thrilled with such expensive magazines that are not interchangeable with the 25 or so SR25 magazines I already have. Id want at least 10 range mags and 10 SHTF magazines kept loaded which would cost me $1000 dollars just for magazines to go with a SCAR. Magazine cost is one thing I take into consideration when buying a gun, and I simply refuse to pay dumb prices for them.

3

It really depends on why you perceive the need for a .308 in the first place. If it’s purely the range/ballistics of the .308, then an AR pattern rifle might be your best bet. For me, it was more about getting something “different”. Part of that difference was having a rifle chambered in a different caliber. But that alone wasn’t enough to get me excited. I already have a couple ARs. I wanted something fundamentally different.

So, of my possibilities the SCAR was the most interesting–though I briefly considered a FAL. The magazine and spare parts availability is a big downside. I was lucky enough to snag 11 extra mags (I have a total of 12) at a fairly reasonable price. It was/is a concern, though, and I could see that as reason to not grab one.

I don’t regret choosing the SCAR at all, though, and don’t have the slightest sense of regret or envy when I see postings about how great the PredatAR (or its brethren) are. I ran my 17 at a recent carbine class and really enjoyed how different it was, it wasn’t limited to dealing with more weight/recoil.

4

I already had an M1A(USGI barrel, trigger group, op rod, etc) so I just put it in a Troy MCS chassis and swapped out the FH/bayonet mount for a Vortex. It cost me less than buying a AR style .308 and I could use all kinds of AR add-ons. YMMV :cool:

Works for me. :smiley:

5

+1 for the Troy Industries MCS!

6

Other than mag availability, I love my SCAR. YMMV

7

IMHO, the 7.62 ARs’ primary strength is the inherent accuracy. If you want to build an accurate long range semi-auto, the .308 AR is the way to go.

If you want a lightweight, ergonomic, and pretty accurate 7.62 tactical carbine, then go with the SCAR.

FWIW: I have a .308 AR as a precision gun, and a FAL as a 7.62 Main Battle Rifle.

8

THIS ^^^^^!! IMO, the above statement sums it up perfectly

9

I love my SCAR 17, but like an earlier poster, I wanted something fundamentally different from the AR platform, and not a FAL, M1 or G3.

If you’re just looking to be able to put .308 on target accurately, I would get the Larue Pred in 7.62. You can get it with a Geissele trigger already installed, get $20 PMAGs, and rock on for less than a SCAR 17. In order to make my SCAR half decent, I had to dremel the grip tang to fit a MIAD grip, install a Geissele Super SCAR trigger (rare and stupid expensive compared to their AR triggers, but worth every penny), and I’m currently limited to three mags (though supposedly my Midway backorder might come in sometime at the end of next month).

That said, I took it apart to clean it for the first time this week, and it’s a breeze to clean without all the crap getting dumped back into the chamber. Certainly not something I would have gotten with the Larue. :smiley:

10

My agency got us a few LaRue 16" PredatARs to try out as patrol rifles:
http://www.laruetactical.com/16”-larue-tactical-predatar-762

So far I have been very impressed with them. The quality is excellent, inside and out. The weight is just as light as my BCM 16" middy, with slightly more rear weight due to the .308 action…so it actually balances better. Performance?..it goes bang every time and does 1 MOA at 100yrds. It’s very controllable, and I could get easy double taps with the A2 muzzle attachement. With a Battle Comp, I’m betting it would be even easier.

The big advantage of going to a AR style .308 is identical controls to the AR-15. The LaRue also uses SR-25 magazines, so it will accept good ole PMAGs which the SCAR will not do.

11

I should have been more specific. I am taken care of in the long range department. I want a big caliber blaster in a tactical, user friendly package, exactly why most people seem to choose the SCAR.

The SCAR seems ideal for this, but again, the M1A is really sticking out at half the price. If it were a bit more modular (specifically, getting rid of that stupid muzzle brake) I would already have one.

I like the controls of the AR-10, but I want something different. I’m a bit sick of ARs right now and since this will be an entirely new caliber that isn’t going to be used for serious social work switching to something new isn’t necessarily an issue.

What would be the benefits to a SCAR over an M1A aside from mounting optics?

What about G3s and FALs? I hadn’t really considered either as I wanted something a bit lighter and more compact. Is there a good way to mount an optic to either of them? I have a spare ACOG that would be right at home on a .308 battle rifle.

12

The issue with current production M1A’s is they are made with current production parts which suck. You would have to spend a lot of money getting an M1A up to “old issue snuff” because they have become commercial guns, and parts for them are not going to be around forever. That is a big problem, and only going to become worse as time goes on with guns of the past. The original parts were quality made, and like most anything else, the stuff made today is junk in comparison.

I think the SCAR would be a good choice for you if you can stomach the mag prices and parts issue. I wouldn’t mind having one, and Ive actually been on the semi look out for a real 308 blaster. I have an EMC which I don’t want to treat that way because thats not what it was made for, and Im not going to turn a gun capable of sub MOA 10 shot groups into that type of gun.

13

With all due respect to all the skilled shooters who make the M1A sing:

I don’t like the M1A/M14 very much. When I owned my National Match, it was a 1.5 MOA rifle at best (and cost more than my sub moa AR10). The safety was in the trigger guard, and when practicing handling the rifle dry, I’d occasionally pull the trigger when I went to rapidly disengage the safety. Training issue? Probably. But safety in the trigger well is a big no go.

Bolt release. Unless you upgraded, the only bolt release was by sling-shotting the charging handle. So it’s sort of like an AK–you can use your shooting hand or you can come over or under. I wanted a ping pong paddle.

You’ve already covered the scope mounts sucking.

The gun was also unbelieveably front heavy. Perhaps it was my heavy barrel, but my gun was definitely NOT a tactical blaster. In comparison, I find my FAL with the same barrel length to be much handier (lighter profile barrel though).

Take-down also sucked. Perhaps only because I did it a couple of times. And I wasn’t supposed to take apart my M1A national match. It took a lot of force to unhinge the trigger guard in order to begin take down. Not like the simple push-pin of the SCAR.

Honestly, if you’re an AR guy and you want something non-AR but close enough that you can pick up the gun and rock-n-roll without too big of a change in your manual of arms, the SCAR is the way to go. I personally did not like the SCAR’s height over bore, or how “tall” the gun felt, but it’s very intuitive and ergonomic to an AR user.

If you can afford it, I think the SCAR is the next generation 7.62 main battle rifle.

====================

The FAL. I like it. It’s not nearly as accurate as the SCAR though. I really like the controls, the bolt release, the charging handle, the take down lever. Slap a railed dust cover on there and you can mount reflex optics.

However, the trigger (usually) sucks, the mag release is still a rock-out type instead of push button. Folding style “para” models lose their ergonomics (or so i hear), and, as stated before, the accuracy department leaves most people wanting.

I treat my FAL like a beat up pick up truck, and my (sold) SCAR like a Range Rover.

/rant off. Hope this helps.

14

My M1A (which I picked up 10 years ago) has virtually 100% USGI parts (except receiver) so that’s not an issue for me.

Thanks but don’t be unhappy as I put mine in a Troy MCS chassis for mainly financial reasons. An AR-style .308 wasn’t a “must-have” for me but the option of using many of the AR add-ons available on my M1A was a plus. Also, it was a good upgrade to the M-14 style as it made mounting of various scopes much easier. It’s not a SCAR 17 or an AR10 but it wasn’t meant to be. It’s mine and I’m happy which, in the end, is all that matters to me. :laugh:

15

The problem I see with that is your using two different weapons platforms which complicates training. Better in my opinion to stick with one action type and set of controls.
Pat

16

I think I’ve narrowed it down to the PredatAR and the SCAR. Price is almost the same. Lots of pros and cons to weigh on both sides.

17

What about the Colt SP901?

Its looks like a good option for a 7.62 AR. Is there any reason others havnt mentioned it? Because it has not been released and proven yet?

Just curious.

18

Guessing for the same reason he didn’t mention the MWS: they’re both pretty heavy relative to the SCAR or PredatAR.

19

Some other pros for the LaRue I forget to mention is that it uses a LOT of standard AR-15 parts and accessories. The rail height is identical to the AR-15 so that you can use the same mount height for optics and iron sights. It also uses AR-15 buffers(comes with H2 buffer), and then of course it uses many other standard parts like AR-15 trigger assembles, and AR-15 furniture. So, you have MANY more options to fit the rifle to your needs. The SCAR has very few options for parts upgrades, furniture, and other accessories.

The LaRue is one of the best made AR-type platforms I’ve ever handled. It utilizes many features that Stoner originally intended for the rifle to have. Many AR-10 designs disreguarded some of those features to reduce manufacturing costs. It uses a chrome lined bore and chamber, a chrome lined bolt carrier assembly(and bolt), staking at all the needed areas, improved feed ramps,…etc. I thought the rifle would get a lot more dirty during firing, but I was suprised how well the chrome lining of the BCG kept carbon from sticking to parts. For me, I definately like the LaRue over the SCAR.

20

I would wait for the Colt SP901 to come out later this year and then decide. Me thinks that it will be the best deal around.

C4