Options for 7.62/308 battle rifles

[Outerspace]

It looks like I'll be able to get a FAL, but I have no experience with the caliber.

Am wondering if a DM/Battle Rifle gun like this for SHTF and hog hunting inside 400 yards, what are the pros/cons of the different bullet weights, 140-180. Would I want to spec it out (twist/free bore) for heavy, medium or light bullets, anyone have experience in this?

 

[jevan126]

Re: Options for 7.62/308 battle rifles

I am a big believer that it is better to have it and not need it than not have it and need it.

 

[hessian]

Re: Options for 7.62/308 battle rifles

Love mine. Isreali made.Nice trigger but crappy sites. Somebody makes a dust cover with an integral picatinny type base. Clean gas system often

 

[BCP]

Re: Options for 7.62/308 battle rifles

I've shot a few, it's a neat rifle but not very accurate. Maybe 2-3 MOA on a consistent basis. Good enough for hunting at realistic distances. Scope mounting isn't difficult either there are plenty of decent mounts out there for about 100$, DSA has a couple. A short, light 1-4x scope like the PST or burris MTAC would probably work very well on an FN FAL.

As far as handloading goes everything I have read says to stick to 150ish grain bullets and loads that don't run higher pressure than your typical 147gr mil spec ball ammo. So probably something like 42-44 grains 4895 or varget and a 150gr bullet.

 

[MontanaHick]

Re: Options for 7.62/308 battle rifles

I've owned several FALs, all frankenstein-ed together. They shoot reliably, but reliably inaccurately unless you put some work into them. Toughest battle rifle package out there, bar none and for hogs/shtf you probably can't do better. Depending on what you're looking to spend, DPMS makes some higher-end models that will treat you very well.

As for bullet weights, the FALs I've owned tend to run 1:10 twist, so I'd say anything up to 168 grain bullets without battering the recoil system to death would work fine.