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Getting Semi-Auto 380 NATO help...

mckelveymx

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 25, 2009
57
2
40
Alabama
im looking for a semi-auto .308 win. need ideas on a good, accurate, reliable gun. will use to hunt large game and will customize for target shooting later. leaning toward the M1A or FAL...DSA or open to good ideas...$2000 budget w/o optics. help me pick a gun (a hunting gun that could be turned into a battle rifle would be cool too)
 
Re: Getting Semi-Auto 380 NATO help...

I have shot the DPMS 308 panther carbine. Was able to hold right at around and 1 inch at 100yards with iron sights. Needless to say I was very impressed since I was not shooting match ammo.
 
Re: Getting Semi-Auto 380 NATO help...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pat M</div><div class="ubbcode-body">DPMS 308 all the way</div></div>

That would certainly be the easy button.
 
Re: Getting Semi-Auto 380 NATO help...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pat M</div><div class="ubbcode-body">DPMS 308 all the way </div></div>
+1

About $1100, nice, reliable and accurate. EZPZ Lemon Squeezie
smile.gif
 
Re: Getting Semi-Auto 380 NATO help...

Armalite AR-10. Starting to show up again arond 1200. Better and cheaper magazines.

Both the AR-10 and the DPMS are a better choice than the M1A, to get an M1a of comprable quality to either, you have to spend twice as much.
 
Re: Getting Semi-Auto 380 NATO help...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HotIce</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pat M</div><div class="ubbcode-body">DPMS 308 all the way </div></div>
+1

About $1100, nice, reliable and accurate. EZPZ Lemon Squeezie
smile.gif

</div></div>

In the DPMS you've got a very common, reliable, proven platform. Plus it put another $900 in you pocket for additional mags, ammo, or even nicer glass than you may have originally planned for!
 
Re: Getting Semi-Auto 380 NATO help...

After looking at you budget, I think an AR-10T (20") with a Daniel Defense or SWS rail would be the way to go.

I have not had very good experience with DPMS products.I am sure there are some good ones out there, I just have not been pleased with their quality.
 
Re: Getting Semi-Auto 380 NATO help...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AZ EMS Pilot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">After looking at you budget, I think an AR-10T (20") with a Daniel Defense or SWS rail would be the way to go.

I have not had very good experience with DPMS products.I am sure there are some good ones out there, I just have not been pleased with their quality.</div></div>

+1 for the AR10T. Mine is very nice, reliable, and shoots very true.
 
Re: Getting Semi-Auto 380 NATO help...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">good, accurate, reliable gun...</div></div>
M14/M1A tweaked by SEI all the way.
 
Re: Getting Semi-Auto 380 NATO help...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: H2O MAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">good, accurate, reliable gun...</div></div>
M14/M1A tweaked by SEI all the way.
</div></div>

This would be good advice, however his budget is UNDER $2000.
 
Re: Getting Semi-Auto 380 NATO help...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AZ EMS Pilot</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: H2O MAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">good, accurate, reliable gun...</div></div>
M14/M1A tweaked by SEI all the way.
</div></div>

This would be good advice, however his budget is UNDER $2000. </div></div>

A ChiCom M14 and a USGI bolt conversion is doable for well under $2K.
 
Re: Getting Semi-Auto 380 NATO help...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Outsydlooknin75</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I didnt think that 380 was a NATO round ... thats why a lot of Europeans were able to own them in a pistol. </div></div>

Yeah, a .380 hunting gun that could be turned into a battle rifle would be too cool
 
Re: Getting Semi-Auto 380 NATO help...

I have had both and in my opinion I would go with the DPMS . The DPMS is scalable o your wants and or needs. Don t get me wrong I love the M!A but if you want it accurate it will cost you in money and wieght and scope mounting is a pain in the Butt.
The DPMS allows for cheaper and simplier scope mounting and is far more accurate out of the box without gunsmithing. If later you decide you want a differant barrel or even a differant caliber it is possible

just my 2 cents
 
Re: Getting Semi-Auto 380 NATO help...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: H2O MAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AZ EMS Pilot</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: H2O MAN</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">good, accurate, reliable gun...</div></div>
M14/M1A tweaked by SEI all the way.
</div></div>

This would be good advice, however his budget is UNDER $2000. </div></div>

A ChiCom M14 and a USGI bolt conversion is doable for well under $2K. </div></div>

This is very true, and some would say, a better rifle than a Springfield. There was a ChiCom M-14 rebuilt with all GI parts, that sold for $900 on the arfcom EE recently. That would be a great option.

Armalite is still tough to beat, but if you could find a GI converted ChiCom M14S, I would jump all over it. Both are better than DPMS, in my opinion.
 
Re: Getting Semi-Auto 380 NATO help...

I've got a chicom M14s w/ GI parts (fulton built back when it was affordable). I love it. It's a shooter but not a precision rifle, w/ irons. A DECENT scope mount (brookfield, etc) is going to cost you quite a bit. I'd research this before I went down that path. Dont screw around w/ a cheap one.

Had no idea you could get something like that for $1K nowadays. If (verifiably) so, I'd go that route. But then, I love the M14's.

Now, I think the AR platform is going to be a lot easier to customize. DPMS, RRA, and Armalite. Think Fulton makes/sells one too but expect to pay a lot there.

I guess it depends on what you want to do w/ it. No personal experience w/ the .308 AR platform.

-Slice