Looking to buy a new rifle, Need Help!
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 5
Looking to buy a new rifle, Need Help!
Hey guys!
So, I've been looking at buying a new rifle, and just to get the sacrilege out of the way, I’m looking at getting a semi-auto one. I did a search and went back to 2008 and didn’t see a similar thread so I figured I’d start a new one.
I’m looking for something in .308, mainly just because it’s a solid general-purpose caliber, I’m not tied to that though. Basically I’d just like to avoid the more odd-ball stuff.
Also, I’d love to go synthetic stock, ideally synthetic/stainless. I did some browsing and it looks like the BAR is pretty well received here, but there is a lot of talk about ones made in Belgium. I assume that’s some sort of older variety no longer made? If so, I’m not a very good gun buyer and am looking for something I can buy new in a store.
Oh, and to cap off this post that surely tags me as a total newbie (no argument there), I also haven’t a clue about optics, which I didn’t do a search about, but would love some recommendations.
My budget is anything within reason, I’m thinking like $2000 for everything, does that sound about right?
Thank you for your help!
So, I've been looking at buying a new rifle, and just to get the sacrilege out of the way, I’m looking at getting a semi-auto one. I did a search and went back to 2008 and didn’t see a similar thread so I figured I’d start a new one.
I’m looking for something in .308, mainly just because it’s a solid general-purpose caliber, I’m not tied to that though. Basically I’d just like to avoid the more odd-ball stuff.
Also, I’d love to go synthetic stock, ideally synthetic/stainless. I did some browsing and it looks like the BAR is pretty well received here, but there is a lot of talk about ones made in Belgium. I assume that’s some sort of older variety no longer made? If so, I’m not a very good gun buyer and am looking for something I can buy new in a store.
Oh, and to cap off this post that surely tags me as a total newbie (no argument there), I also haven’t a clue about optics, which I didn’t do a search about, but would love some recommendations.
My budget is anything within reason, I’m thinking like $2000 for everything, does that sound about right?
Thank you for your help!
#4
There are very few manufacturers that produce a semi auto in a hunting configuration stock. Most semi's are based on the black rifle with the exception of Springfield's M1-A1. Check out the Remington 750. Synthetic stock in 308 with detachable magazine and very accurate. If you are considering hunting in other states you may want to check on their hunting laws. Many states do not permit the use of semi's for hunting.
#6
Spike
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 49
Hey guys!
So, I've been looking at buying a new rifle, and just to get the sacrilege out of the way, I’m looking at getting a semi-auto one. I did a search and went back to 2008 and didn’t see a similar thread so I figured I’d start a new one.
I’m looking for something in .308, mainly just because it’s a solid general-purpose caliber, I’m not tied to that though. Basically I’d just like to avoid the more odd-ball stuff.
Also, I’d love to go synthetic stock, ideally synthetic/stainless. I did some browsing and it looks like the BAR is pretty well received here, but there is a lot of talk about ones made in Belgium. I assume that’s some sort of older variety no longer made? If so, I’m not a very good gun buyer and am looking for something I can buy new in a store.
Oh, and to cap off this post that surely tags me as a total newbie (no argument there), I also haven’t a clue about optics, which I didn’t do a search about, but would love some recommendations.
My budget is anything within reason, I’m thinking like $2000 for everything, does that sound about right?
Thank you for your help!
So, I've been looking at buying a new rifle, and just to get the sacrilege out of the way, I’m looking at getting a semi-auto one. I did a search and went back to 2008 and didn’t see a similar thread so I figured I’d start a new one.
I’m looking for something in .308, mainly just because it’s a solid general-purpose caliber, I’m not tied to that though. Basically I’d just like to avoid the more odd-ball stuff.
Also, I’d love to go synthetic stock, ideally synthetic/stainless. I did some browsing and it looks like the BAR is pretty well received here, but there is a lot of talk about ones made in Belgium. I assume that’s some sort of older variety no longer made? If so, I’m not a very good gun buyer and am looking for something I can buy new in a store.
Oh, and to cap off this post that surely tags me as a total newbie (no argument there), I also haven’t a clue about optics, which I didn’t do a search about, but would love some recommendations.
My budget is anything within reason, I’m thinking like $2000 for everything, does that sound about right?
Thank you for your help!
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,519
It seems like the Browning BAR's are about the best out there for a semi auto rifle. The Benelli R1 is another good option. I'd stay away from the 740's and 742's from Remington. They tend to wear out quickly and start jamming constantly. The 7400's and 750's don't have this issue to my knowledge, but are no where near as nice as the BARs. That being said I have mixed feelings on the BAR's. Imo they are a great hunting rifle out to about 100-250 yards. However, the one I've had was not at all accurate. It shot 3-8" groups with most ammo at 100 yards. 3" groups or so with cheap Federal Power Shok ammo and I finally found that it liked Federal Fusions and it shot 1.5"-2" groups with those. The rest I tried it shot 3-8" groups with depending on the ammo. So 1.5"-2" groups to me at 100 yards is perfectly fine for a deer rifle, however this is not a sub moa gun. So if you want something super accurate I'd look for something else. I've read some reports of guys claiming theirs shoot sub moa groups, but more often than not I hear about 2-3" groups. Other than the accuracy issue though I think this is one of the best guys out there. For hunting short ranges like I said I think it's great. However, if you want it for target shooting or a long range shooting rifle this isn't the right choice.
That being said, in general the BAR's also seem to be more accurate than the Remington's. I'm not sure about the Benelli though as I've never shot one or seen anyone who has shot one.
That being said, in general the BAR's also seem to be more accurate than the Remington's. I'm not sure about the Benelli though as I've never shot one or seen anyone who has shot one.
#9
my BAR .270 has shot about 1/2moa....
I think that would be my only choice in a semi auto hunting rifle, aside from an AR15 in a .223....for coyotes etc..
or that benelli maybe, but its not too pretty IMO.
So the BAR, though I'd probably just get a nice boltaction
I think that would be my only choice in a semi auto hunting rifle, aside from an AR15 in a .223....for coyotes etc..
or that benelli maybe, but its not too pretty IMO.
So the BAR, though I'd probably just get a nice boltaction
#10
I have a Remington 742 that was my dad's. I won't sell the rifle because of its sentimental value but I don't hunt with it either. It was never one that was plagued with the jamming but it was well taken care of. It shoots 2-2.5" groups with 150 grain Federal Power Shoks.
Having said that, I would not get the BAR either....especially if this was going to be my only hunting rifle. Two or three seasons ago I had a friend that lost two weeks of deer hunting due to his BAR being at the gunsmith awaiting parts. Can't recall what the part was but it was a part he normally carried....however this particular year he had fixed a lot of these problems and had ran out of these parts.
$2000 will buy you a very capable bolt action and optics.
Having said that, I would not get the BAR either....especially if this was going to be my only hunting rifle. Two or three seasons ago I had a friend that lost two weeks of deer hunting due to his BAR being at the gunsmith awaiting parts. Can't recall what the part was but it was a part he normally carried....however this particular year he had fixed a lot of these problems and had ran out of these parts.
$2000 will buy you a very capable bolt action and optics.