semi-auto .308

tacticalpanda

tacticalpanda

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I am trying to buy a new rifle and can't decide. Thinking about a semi-auto .308. Trying to stay sub 1K as I need to buy an optic. Right now looking at the PTR 91 and the Vepr in .308. I was wondering if anyone has experience with the two. I really like the AK style platform, but I am also interested in the PTR but never had the chance to handle on/shoot one. Looking for something to shoot sub 600 yards that is also fun. I like the PTR due to the fact I can get Preban mags pretty cheap but have heard it destroys brass if you can even find it.

Anything else I should look at that is similar (not really interested in a AR10 as they are mostly +$1k)?
 
tacticalpanda said:
I am trying to buy a new rifle and can't decide. Thinking about a semi-auto .308. Trying to stay sub 1K as I need to buy an optic. Right now looking at the PTR 91 and the Vepr in .308. I was wondering if anyone has experience with the two. I really like the AK style platform, but I am also interested in the PTR but never had the chance to handle on/shoot one. Looking for something to shoot sub 600 yards that is also fun. I like the PTR due to the fact I can get Preban mags pretty cheap but have heard it destroys brass if you can even find it.

Anything else I should look at that is similar (not really interested in a AR10 as they are mostly +$1k)?
Click to expand...

I think I read the M&P10 is a sub 1k gun.
 
I'm probably biased because I built one and it's f*cking awesome, but look into an FAL. Plenty of fairly inexpensive preban 20 round mags, lots of spare parts around. They are probably one of the easiest rifles to build yourself, which is why I chose that for my first (and only) build. You can buy the tools you need to do it, then turn around and sell them when you're done. That's what I did. Just charged a little less than what I paid for the brand new tools, and someone else gets a once-used set for a nice price.
 
I have a PTR 91 and a CETME. Both are a blast to shoot. I've never had a problem with my PTR destroying brass. It just likes to fling them into the next zip code. I got so sick of chasing them that I now use a brass catcher on it. Sometimes that will kick the brass back and cause them to get caught in the bolt and crushed. I've seen (here in RI) CETMEs for $500/$600 and PTRs for $900/1000. Although I, unfortunately, don't have a FAL yet (looking to build one) I would recommend that as well. There's just something cool about that carrying handle!
 
The PTR 91, CETME,and the H&K 91 are very good rifle will eat up most every ammo with no problem. Parts, and mags are easy and cheap. The only problem it likes to mess up the case.
 
This choice gets harder the more I read. Wish I had money for both. Seems like PTR/FAL is split right down the middle with recommendations everywhere I read, which is good cause I can't go wrong. Now I have to find a place to handle one of each cause it seems to come down to ergonomics.

Still thinking about a vepr in .308 or 762.x54r. I already know I like the AK pattern rifle.
 
tacticalpanda said:
Still thinking about a vepr in .308 or 762.x54r. I already know I like the AK pattern rifle.
Click to expand...

I had a 16" Saiga in 308 that I sold to help fund my move out of MA. It was a pretty sweet rifle, very light and handy. I would buy one again if one crossed my path cheap enough.
 
You may be a little late to try and build a FAL for under a grand. The Imbel kits that were $150 are now @$500 if you can even find one. The gear logo receivers that were @$200 have totally dried up.
You can still find other receivers, Coonan, Enterprise, CAI for @$350 but they are no where near the quality of the Imbel gear logo. By the time you add a semi FCG and enough parts to be 922r compliant, you will be over a grand easy.

However if you do want to go that route and can find a kit and receiver, I have all the tools needed build and headspace them. I still have two of the ones that I built, they are an awesome rifle.
 
7.62x39 said:
You may be a little late to try and build a FAL for under a grand. The Imbel kits that were $150 are now @$500 if you can even find one. The gear logo receivers that were @$200 have totally dried up.
You can still find other receivers, Coonan, Enterprise, CAI for @$350 but they are no where near the quality of the Imbel gear logo. By the time you add a semi FCG and enough parts to be 922r compliant, you will be over a grand easy.

However if you do want to go that route and can find a kit and receiver, I have all the tools needed build and headspace them. I still have two of the ones that I built, they are an awesome rifle.
Click to expand...

A friend of mine just grabbed one for less then $400 somewhere, I don't recall.
 
I think I am set on building a FAL. Found parts kits for less than $400. Receivers for $300, then I have to add the stupid US parts. So guessing can build for about $800 and however many hours it is going to take me to figure out how to build it without messing everything up!
 
tacticalpanda said:
I think I am set on building a FAL. Found parts kits for less than $400. Receivers for $300, then I have to add the stupid US parts. So guessing can build for about $800 and however many hours it is going to take me to figure out how to build it without messing everything up!
Click to expand...

Please post pics & keep us updated when you do, I've been trying to decide between building a FAL & buying an M1A.
 
45collector said:
I'm probably biased because I built one and it's f*cking awesome, but look into an FAL. Plenty of fairly inexpensive preban 20 round mags, lots of spare parts around. They are probably one of the easiest rifles to build yourself, which is why I chose that for my first (and only) build. You can buy the tools you need to do it, then turn around and sell them when you're done. That's what I did. Just charged a little less than what I paid for the brand new tools, and someone else gets a once-used set for a nice price.
Click to expand...

This...only thing I see being a problem (and maybe it's not) is the fact that parts come in both metric and English measurement and that you have decide which route you are going to take because when you try to use multiple parts it can be problematical.
 
bigblue said:
Please post pics & keep us updated when you do, I've been trying to decide between building a FAL & buying an M1A.
Click to expand...

Step #1 when you get your kit.
http://www.gunco.net/forums/showthread.php?t=33086

Parking.
http://www.gunco.net/forums/showthread.php?t=29530


Finished.
http://www.gunco.net/forums/showthread.php?t=42991

I did one on barrel timing, but I can't seem to find it. I'll keep looking for it and a couple others I did, but I did lose some old posts when we did our last forum update.

- - - Updated - - -

mark056 said:
This...only thing I see being a problem (and maybe it's not) is the fact that parts come in both metric and English measurement and that you have decide which route you are going to take because when you try to use multiple parts it can be problematical.
Click to expand...

Go Metric.
 
7.62x39 said:
Step #1 when you get your kit.
http://www.gunco.net/forums/showthread.php?t=33086

Parking.
http://www.gunco.net/forums/showthread.php?t=29530


Finished.
http://www.gunco.net/forums/showthread.php?t=42991

I did one on barrel timing, but I can't seem to find it. I'll keep looking for it and a couple others I did, but I did lose some old posts when we did our last forum update.

- - - Updated - - -



Go Metric.
Click to expand...


Thanks, Been reading pretty much non stop, just ordered my kits, but reading at FALFiles, where I ordered from still have not been shipped. I can buy the Entreprise cheaper than building that but that's no fun. Will update when I get started.
 
I recently acquired a PTR91. The very first thing I noticed is it is one solid rifle. It's not very heavy for a semiauto .308 and parts for it are dirt cheap. It is accurate and the quality rivals the original HKs. Mine honestly doesn't fling the brass into the next county like others claim. My brass goes 10 feet at the most (while my Sig 556 flings brass literally 30 feet). A FAL is certainly more ergonomic, but I got used to the PTR's manual of arms rather quickly (and the HK slap is way too much fun!). I also think the roller lock system is more reliable than the FAL, but the FAL gets the nod in ergos if that's important to you (though it will generally be less accurate than the average PTR which are 2MOA guns out of the box)
 

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