Hi all, a potenial seller of a Socom 16 directed me here for advice as I choose my next weapon.

Seeking a handy carbine for stalk hunting (deer, pigs, ie medium game) that i can get on quicker than my Rem 700, but still take the occasional poke to 250 yds. Also want something more fun to shoot so i shoot more. .308 is my choice of cal., so my short list of weapons is Browning BAR Shortrac, and BLR, and Remingtom 7600/7600P. Added some defensive and all weather capability to my list of attributes after reflecting on family getting robbed during Katrina, so have added the Socom 16. I know I'm asking a lot of a weapon, so seeking thoughts on the pros/cons of my 4 options. Optics will be the Trijicon TR21. Here are my thoughts now based on what I have read, experienced and learned:

BAR Shortrac
pros - accurate, light, fun to shoot, good hunting weapon
cons - long for defensive, all weather dependabiltiy unknown, expensive

BLR
pros - fair accuracy, light, good hunting weapon, reliable, affordable
cons - levers so so fun, trigger tough to tweak, defensive ?

7600/7600P
pros - good accuracy, faster than lever, good close hunting/defensive gun, reliable, affordable
cons - fair weight, trigger tough to tweak, noisy

Socom 16
pros - capable of good accuracy (SA told me they quote 3.5" at 100 yds out of the box; with the two upgrades, glass bedding and trigger job they quote 1.75" at 100 yds before ammo selection -- if this is true certainly a 300 yd gun in my opinion and really made me seriously consider this weapon), semi auto, great close hunting/defensive gun, all weather reliable, fun factor very high
cons - very heavy for still stalking all day/mountain treks, very loud without ear protection, am I going to scare my hunting buddies away !?, very exspensive even used

Sorry for the long text. Really zoned in on the Socom and trying to pause and think since this is a lot of money for me. I know it is fun and capable, but I mostly hunt and need to be sure I can use a socom often at different ranges and game to get value for my spend.

Thanks in advance for any feedback on the Socom vs. traditional hunting weapons.

John

I love the M14 in all its forms.
ButI wonder.
Why did the FN Fal not make your list?
With its gas regulator it has the potential to achieve nearbolt action performance.
A lot cheaper.
Not too heavy.
Dependable.

Out of your choices I would stay with the Socom.
If youfeel you need a Battle Rifle. Buy One.
But make sure it is one.
MO

It sounds like you have done your homework. I have an Armalite AR-10, but I have had a hanckering for a SA Socom 16 myself. For the money that you are about to spend, I would go with a Steyr SSG bolt gun for better accuracy. It is still a "tactical" rifle and can be had with 20 heavy barrel and synthetic stock. Being a "sniper rifle", accuracy is a given. I owned one years ago, and it's one of those guns that I traded and wish I had back. I have never shot a Socom, but I have been at the range when a guy had one there. It looked like a ball to shoot and was pretty accurate, but this guy was shooting 100 yards with open sights (not a good test of accuracy to me). I think a "scout" set up would be good on the Socom. Good luck with your choice. Be sure to let us know what you choose.

Why not a Bennelli R1?

Just my two cents, but I'd go for a Rem 700LTR in .308 before a SOCOM 16. It's a heck of a lot cheaper for one. Second, I don't see a need for a semi-auto in the field. Fluted 20" bbl, good solid action, very accurate (much better than your averageSOCOMs, particularly at the 250 yard range you mentioned), and light and handy enough to drag through fields and brush alike.

But, it's all about what you're looking for. Have fun, and good luck!

You're right...that's an awful lot to ask of a single rifle.

Since you are primarilly focused on a reliable, quick handling, quick follow-up shot,stalk hunting rifle with 250 Yd capability, I personally don't think you can do any better than a Rem 7600.If you are leaning a little more towardthe "personal protection" slant the 7600P would fill the bill andand double as ahunting rifle; however, for my taste, you would be giving up a lot of "hunting" velocity with it's 16 1/2" barrel. Also, .308 would be an excellent caliber. By the way, you can also get a 10 round magazine for the 7600/7600P.

They handle and point like a shotgun, and have a free floated barrel which will provide the kind of accuracy you need for those longer shots you are looking for. Don't let anyone tell you a 7600 isn't accurate!!!


With the exception of the "personal protection" slant, I was looking for a rifle with the exact same features and wound up getting a 7600 in 7mm-08 from Grice Gun Shop. I went with the standard 22" barrel instead of the carbine as I didn't want to sacrafice any 7mm-08 velocity; however, at some point I may have the barrel cut down to 18 - 19".


The factory triggers do need work! There is an aftermarket spring kit available that will reduce the pull weight, but mine also has a lot of creep. I'm taking it to my local gunsmith (excellent on triggers) this week to get the trigger taken care of.

I'm not sure what you mean by "noisy". Any rifle you get with a 16 - 18" barrel is going to be loud,unless you are referring to the forearm rattle that seems to beaffectsome of the older models (i.e. 760). The forearem on my 7600 doesn't rattel unless you actually smack it with your hand or something.

I put a Burris 3-9x40 w/Ballistic Plex reticle on mine. This reticicle allows you to sight in dead on with the main cross hairs and then use the additional aim points on the virticle cross hair for 200, 300, etc. shots.

Good luck deciding which rifle!!!!

firstshot
----------------------------------
Make your first shot count!

thanks MO, i'm new to black guns, didn't know about the FN Fal, i'll look into it. in your experience can the weight of a socom be overcome with a 3 point harness ?

john

M77man, i ruled the R1 out a while back for a couple of reasons. first, the 1200ish price was steep with little on the used market. second, it is heavy a pound more than the BAR. third, the articles and posts i have read on accuracy for .308 have impacted me. when i tried to valid at stores in my area - no one had any one the shelves and sales folk were praising the weapon.

do you have any positive experience i can learn from ?

john

Aught Six, thanks good logic. i have a great Rem 700 now - wanting an auto or pump for fast fun at the range and defensive - which tends to confuse good hunting decisions when funds are low.

john

mini 14 and 30 are nice and very handi and versatile, i own both. folding stocks are available and they dont rattle near as much as an ar type rifle