FN FAL or AR-10

[Tofu]

I Had a good conversation with a guy I goto church with last nigt at a New Years Eve party. The only weakness in armory is a main battle rifle/hunting rifle. I have settled on a weapon that shoots .308 ammo due to its availability and stopping power. Everything I have read up to this point the AR-10 would be the best choice but new friend swears by the FN FAL.

Any opinions on this topic?

T

[protus]

HK91..hows that for putting mud in the water ;p LOL

[Tofu]

Getting back at me for the "backpacking snob" comment? :-P

[ridgerunner]

Out of the 2 you mentioned, I would go with the ar10. I have had enough fal's to know that I do not want another one.

A true HK 91 is way out of my price range, might I suggest a PTR 91 that uses the same affordable magazines?

If I were going out today to buy a 308 MBR, I would definitely have to consider an M1A on my short list:cool: The biggest disadvantage is cost of magazines. You will probably find the same is true with an ar10.

I will let the more experienced professionals debate the use of direct gas system versus a spring loaded piston :eek:

[Boyd]

this is the very reason I stick with AK's... Simple and easy :)

[Klayton]

I would agree with ridgerunner, an M1A... But if you really want the black gun look, AR10.

My hunting/sniping rifle is a Tikka T3 in .338 Federal (opened up .308) for more hitting power for shots under 600yds.



(.308) NATO 7.62x51, 150gr FMJ, 2,800fps, 2,584 ft-lb
(.308) NATO 7.62x51, 174gr Long Range BTHP, 2,600fps, 2,601 ft-lb

.338 Federal, 180gr Accubond, 2,830fps, 3,202 ft-lb
.338 Federal, 210gr Nosler Partition, 2,630fps, 3,226 ft-lb

But the heavier bullets limit its range to medium range (600 yds and under, IMHO)
:)

[protus]

Getting back at me for the "backpacking snob" comment? :-P

naw it takes alot more than that for me to get back at someone LOL

just pointing out there are other 308 semi auto platforms out there than the standard fal/ar 10 /m1a deals/

[eeyore]

I would also agree, there is more out there then just the two you mentioned. If you have not decided yet, do some research. Also are you planning to be a part of any group? What do they use. If you are going to use this gun for hunting also, make sure you get a 5 round mag for it.

I personally like the PRT 91 or the M14.

But out of your two i would say the Fal, just because it is more popular.

[biathlon]

If you mean an AR 10 made by Armalite, vastly superior to the other platforms for several reasons.
#1, the sights and trigger on the fal and hk91/clones suck whereas the ARs are superb!
#2, the AR 10 is out of the box optics ready, the rest of the 7.62s are not.
#3, since the sunset of the 94 ban Armalite has made their magazines from scratch and they are FLAWLESS! Witness, Magpuls work in most of the other ar 308 platforms.
#4, all the rest of the ar 308 rifles are nearly as good as the Armalite with some bonuses; 1in10 twist barrels, to many aftermarket enhancments to count, they are ALL battle proven. DPMS, Fulton Armory, REPR, I forget the outfit that sold nearly 5000 to the Britts just a few months ago.

The M1A, FAL, PTR 91s are all good but for the money, obsolete.

[Matt In Oklahoma]

T
I would also consider where your training lies. If you are former military, LE or someone very familiar with AR platforms this should be taken into consideration. If you are older school the M1 platform could be best. A traveler or SWAT may have trained more with the HK platform etc etc.
If your a "clean slate" well then good luck on that argument/desicion LOL

[Godcopp]

Funny, no one mentioned the CETME yet. Great bang for the buck.

[Tofu]

Training level: Flight Instructor (small stuff) by training, computer guy by occupation, looking to maximize his and his family's chances when this bubble bursts. Eagle Scout that is also a pretty decent shot (not going to win any awards with my tactical skills). So yeah I'm a clean slate. But that also means I don't have any biasis twoards any particular weapon. I just want one that will go boom when I pull the trigger and stand a very good chance of hitting what I'm aiming at. What intrigued me about the FN FLA is that its still in service and so the cost might be a little more reasonable, but upon my research that reasonable is for the guns that are junk. You want a good one now you're back up to the price point of an Armalite AR-10 which was my first choice. But something like a Remington 750 would give me a civillian look, but shoot the same ammo. I would drastically loose ammo capacity, but having a gun for sub $800 vs. not having a gun because I had a hard time coming up with the $1500+.

Thank you to all that have chimed in, especially Biathlon who gave me some stuff I can latch my teeth into.

[biathlon]

Don't dismiss the Remmington 750 or thr BAR because of magazine capacity. If there's one shot that's gonna save your or a loved ones life it will most likely be an offhand shot. I love my bolt guns and my Browning because I learned to shoot with a traditionally stocked rifle with my support hand right up next to the trigger guard. I love my M1A but my service rifle scores are better with my Garand because I can get my hand up where I learned to as a boy shooting smallbore. Unless you plan on shooting your way outa an urban environment to get to your retreat, go light and fast. When the doo doo hits the reciprocating blades you can bet I will grab my Savage and a revolver.

[ComputerGuy]

Out of the 2 you mentioned, I would go with the ar10. I have had enough fal's to know that I do not want another one.

A true HK 91 is way out of my price range, might I suggest a PTR 91 that uses the same affordable magazines?

If I were going out today to buy a 308 MBR, I would definitely have to consider an M1A on my short list:cool: The biggest disadvantage is cost of magazines. You will probably find the same is true with an ar10.

I will let the more experienced professionals debate the use of direct gas system versus a spring loaded piston :eek:

I am saving up for the PTR myself to compliment the Bushmaster, 2 Ruger 10-22's, the Pardner 12 gauge, and of course the XD 9 and XD 40

[Klayton]

@biathlon: can you equip larger capacity magazines to the Remington 750 or the BAR?