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Advice on choosing a .308 rifle

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Hardwood83:
I have determined that I need a Semi-auto .308/7.62x51. Not for hunting or target shooting per se, just to get a solid battle rifle.

Seems there are a few general options: 1)FAL variants (DSA, Century, etc) 2) M1A variants (Polytechs, Springfields) 3) G3 variants (CETME, PTR). So am I missing any choices (that are readily available)?, any advantages of one platform over the others and what's the most bang for my buck? I was hoping to keep it around a $grand so am not willing to drop $3000 on an H&K, especially since I'll have to stock up on a new caliber of ammo, too.

Any insight or experience to share? 

FarmerRick:
1) FAL - "Right arm of the free world" an excellent rifle and pretty upgradeable, fairly to very accurate. Parts and mags are reasonable and easy to find.  I like shooting mine, but would not want to carry it all day, it's pretty heavy.

2) M1A's, etc. - no experience with them, can't help you there.  I have always wanted a Poly M14, but most are over $1000 now.

3) CETME/PTR - I had a cast stainless CETME(one of the good ones, better than stamped steel), shot fine.  I got rid of it because of the fluted chamber that tends to mar the brass a bit and is not conducive to reloading.  Very inexpensive mags($3-5 each).  Somewhat upgradeable.

4) AR10 - You didn't mention these, but thought I would bring them up.  I don't have one, but some like them if they also own an AR15 for the fact of identical controls, some parts interchangeability between the two.  Mags are getting cheaper lately.

5) Saiga .308 - Another choice.  I just sold mine.  If you like AK's, this can be converted to pistol-grip style.  Mags are pretty expensive($35 and up, each) and not as readily available.

Hardwood83:
Thanks- Saiga & AR 10 are a couple of options I hadn't considered. I have AR's so the big brother would make sense!
But I think the FAL is the nominal leader at this point so any suggestions on builds or makers? The inch/metric pattern thing is a bit confusing to me, too.

Also, I cruised ar15.com and there are a LOT of similar threads there- guess I shoulda done that first, might have answered my question without bothering you nice people.

Thanks again. 

A-FIXER:
Other than what has been discussed the only other choice would be a rem 700 setup and at cableas you can install a 10 rd mag with upgrade but as I read some post the mag has the weakness of the mag falling out.. during some of the reviews and yes its a bolt action the ar-10 or fal my be the ticket the CETME I was told kicks alot more than the fal or like versions. I personally can not comfirm this but maybe someone can confirm this as hearsay or not here on the fourm.... Alantic Firearms is on of the sources to get but the wait can be long and some of their customer rel skills are lacking from my personal experience but maybe different for you and they are under 1K the finish is good and I would say you would be happy with it.....but if you were so inclined to spend more the FN is the standard with the warranty is has. Good luck to you.

20nickels:
Disregard this if you are stuck on .308.  Not wanting to start a caliber war, I have been reading on the 6.5 Grendel for some time now and everything shows it to be a far more efficient (size, weight, recoil, weight of gun) cartidge and giving up little to the 7.62.  Not many ammo choices though. 

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