Has anyone bought a FNAR 308 rifle ? looking for feedback

[Jon Deer]

if my assessment of your statements was flawed, then all I can say at this point is:
"I apologize" for my responses...

 

[westcliffe01]

Accepted. I will have to carefully consider how such simple statements could be misconstrued in future.

 

[Jon Deer]

I am sending you a private message which I hope you'll accept as a jesture on my part to make amends for this mess...:ashamed:

Accepted. I will have to carefully consider how such simple statements could be misconstrued in future.

 

[dmccarty]

if my assessment of your statements was flawed, then all I can say at this point is:
"I apologize" for my responses...

:thumbsup:

Later,
Dan

 

[Sigarms]

Although not a semi auto, while at the gun shop today, I came across this rifle in .308

Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle Models

Just pointed very nice in the arms.

By the name, guess they are trying to continue Jeff Cooper's scout rifle.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Like a lot of guys, I got fond of the .308 while packing an M14. I always felt the cartridge was inherently accurate. For personal use I am more conservative, though. I found a Savage 99 in .308 that is a great little hunting rifle.

 

[westcliffe01]

The quarry I have in mind for the 308 are feral hogs. I see that incidence of feral hogs is on the rise even in Michigan, which I thought would be a bit cold for them.... In South Africa we had a "bush pig" epidemic and people were being attacked on hiking trails. Pigs generally are tough as nails and if they charge, you had better keep shooting until they go down... I also used that caliber on baboons (along with 12 gauge shotgun with buckshot at close range). a 150lb baboon (and a half dozen friends) is very intimidating indeed if you are unarmed. Fortunately we don't have any baboons to deal with here in the midwest... In nature reserves where they were protected, they learned to tear open tents, break glass with rocks to get into cars and buildings... In short, very destructive and dangerous.

 

[westcliffe01]

After agonizing over all the options, I today finally settled on a Redfield 2-7x33 scope for the Savage. I really wanted a 1-4x20 from Nikon, but it was another $100 higher in price. I don't know yet if a nearly $300 scope is justified on a $480 rifle.

The rifle was today finally delivered to my FFL after being delated by the snow in the deep south. As soon as I get the Redfield mounted, I am going to be trying to find a range to do some shooting to see how it works..

Redfield Revolution 2-7x33mm Riflescope - Matte Finish, 4-Plex / Accu-Range Reticle FREE S&H 67080, 67085. Redfield Revolution Riflescopes, Redfield Riflescopes.

 

[westcliffe01]

Well, to circle back to my original question, I was still thinking seriously of the FN FNAR until I saw this U-tube video:
YouTube - FNAR bolt removal high definition version

After watching that video, there is no way I am buying an FNAR for the pursuit of any deadly game, 2 or 4 legged. While I am an engineer and have built a lot of complicated equipment, complicated delicate assemblies is not what I want in a service rifle.

Contrast that with this video of the SIG 556R (7.62x39 caliber)
YouTube - The New SIG556 R

Neither is like the FAL or AR15 type rifles, the sig being closer to the 223 version of the Galil, which I carried in Namibia. But it is a world of difference compared to the FNAR.

Unfortunately, I checked and the Sig 556R is sold only with a folding stock and at 26" it is federal legal, but falls foul of a Michigan law that classifies rifles with a length shorter than 30" as "pistols". That opens up more cans of worms on handgun law than what I would want to deal with in MI. Since it is a new model, SIGUSA has apparently not considered coming up with a fixed stock version to deal with freak states like MI, IL, CA and a few others.... So sadly I am going to go without the 556R until such time as SIG decides that we deserve one of their weapons too.

All these weapons are similarly priced at around $1300msrp..

 

[AZTimT]

I don't play around here much as I spend more time using my M59 than talking about it, but this wandering thread could use a response to your actual topic.

I have an FNAR 308 light barrel I bought back when they first came out in 2008. Back then I had to wait 5 months to get extra magazines, but now that isn't an issue. I've put several hundred rounds through it no problem and it is extremely accurate. If the takedown is your only gripe about it I think you are selling yourself short on one of the most accurate sub $2000 guns I have ever shot, no M1A for me, thank you. Just use the FNAR as it comes out of the box, except for adding a scope and maybe changing the cheek/butt pads, rod the barrel and oil it before you go out and I doubt you will need to be take it down in the field.

My only other .308 is also for hunting and it is an old Savage 99 lever gun that it is accurate beyond acceptable risk during a hunt. Those two 308's will do everything I should ever need in North America.

Hopefully this helps you a bit.