Lets talk Battle Rifles!

[Heredoggydoggy]

I also love most anything HK.
I would love to have an HK 416 as well.

My favorite weapon of any type is the HK MP5SD.

I bought an HK 94 years ago--it's an MP5 with a 16" barrel and semi-auto.  Thought $500 was high at the time.  Not so now. 

[wadu1]

  M1A to me is still the best and made here. One thing that is a must have is the M14-E2 muzzle break it reduces muzzle jump. The E2 was the squad level weapon that was used in full auto same as a M-14 but with a different stock and the break. I made 10 round mags from a 20 and plugged them for 5 for hunting when I was young enough to carry a 10+ pound rifle all day in the woods.

[Maligator]

My first thought on your list was: "where is the Scar H" but then I read your p.s. Given your parameters I would choose the FN or the AR-10.

Now that being said, if I were going to choose a 308 battle rifle it would be the KAC SR-25 or the SCAR H. Those two are truly the definition of a 308 battle rifle IMO.

Have fun with whatever you purchased because in the end it's your weapon and it doesn't really matter what anyone else thinks.   

[denali]

I vote RFB as well,  compact, ambidextrous, a lot of fire power.  great brush gun as well.

[hillbilli]

Though there hasnt been much talk of it, since it is new- you might take a good hard look at the S&W M&P 10.. it's their take on the AR-10 concept. From what i have read it takes normal ar-15 dimension buttstocks and trigger group, as part of the reciever is scaled down from normal AR-10 dimensions. The result is an AR type carbine with an 18" barrel that weighs in at less than 8lbs, and all the tests and reviews I have seem on it say it is 1 MOA or so in accuracy (which we have come to expect from AR designs) Mags are supposed to be compatible with DPMS and Stoner SR-25. heres a link to a gunblast review of it, but there are many others; http://www.gunblast.com/SW-MP10.htm
  I'm probably not going to run out and buy one, as I am happy with what i have, but it's a good brand- and may be a good answer if your question is a battle rifle light and handy enough to carry up and down the mountain hunting..

[Mongo Hunter]

well this took the RFB off my radar lol

Kel-Tec RFB Issues

[Mongo Hunter]

So I have done a bit more research and thought I would share my findings.

SCAR-H: This rifle for sure hits just about everything I want. lighter weight, ergos are similar to an AR, recoil reduction, and most important, reliability with the piston system. HOWEVER that's a lot of coin to throw down and I honestly couldn't spend that in the near future.

FAL: A little heavier than the SCAR but still not a tank. Mags are pretty available, recoil is not super bad making follow up shots easier and are known to be reliable. down side is trying to find one that hasn't been Frankensteined. But James Yeager likes them and I have high respect for his opinion.

M14/M1A: little heavier but proven reliable and American made. not as big of a fan of the ergos (the safety mostly) and like I said the weight is starting to get up there.

AR-10: Expensive for a good reliable one but they are lighter than some others and controls are familiar.

Hk91: Too heavy, recoil is harsher and same problem as the FAL, Frankensteining.

RFB: don't like the Kel-Tecs to start with but looked anyways. I like the weight and size. don't like the reliability problems, the price or bull pup ergos.

If there is something I missed your you would like to add give let me know. thanks guys!

[Mongo Hunter]

Wish I had an extra grand lying around!

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=369058252

[hillbilli]

I always looked at the M1A as heavy as well, and for years my weight saving measure for hunting was an old GI wood stock with the metal buttplate removed and just a pad put on (takes a pound of weight off right there), but last year I bought a lightweight synthetic stock from springfield armory when I was at Camp Perry for Nationals, and this stock literally makes the rifle a pound and a half lighter than stock. (most of the synthetic stocks you see for the M1A are the old heavy GI solid fiberglass-sometimes with new paint. They are rugged, but they are not light) consider also magazine and parts availability- over the life of the weapon are you going to be able to get magazines? (can you find 12 magazines for it now?) what about parts? consider scope mounting as well. Hate to say it but the AR-10 has the M1a beat in scope mount options and ergonomics. Even though my squad scout has the forward mount, so you have the option of that or conventional scope- the conventional scope mounts pretty high..

[12Gauge]

Can you find 12mags for the M14/M1A?  , yes you can at 44mag.com.  (CMI) Checkmate Industries, mags at that.  Mags for these has never been cheap though.

An M14/1A on the average weighs 9lbs, its design made it about 1lbs less than the M1 Garand.  Most USGI wood stock are saturated with oils and is some what large/thick thus making them heavy.
The difference in the wood that you acquire will make a significant difference in weight.  The walnut is the heaviest, Birch and Beech are lighter.  The reason I know that is because I have built 2 M14's from scratch, (you know, buying all parts then assemble, including installing the barrel and headspacing) and I still have 12 USGI wood stock in my garage.

Have to concur with hillbilli on the scope mounting gets beat by the AR 10 and a scope mount for the M14 can cost $250. or more for the best ones.

Although I carried the M16 in the service and have owned AR's , I never caught (BRD), Black Rifle Disease, thank God.