[msmith]

I'm torn. I would like to have one or the other. It would be used for plinking and for an occasional Deer hunt. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

 

[Paveway]

I'll take .308 over .223 any day of the week.....

I would buy the M1A AND a Ruger 1022 and plink with the Ruger 'til my fingers were sore....

Why limit yourself to one firearm?

 

[Bandit]

Originally posted by Paveway:
I'll take .308 over .223 any day of the week.....

Umm, They are both .308's [

] Tough decision though.. I'd choose the M1A though for nostalgic reasons.


Rick


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"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms ... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. ... Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." -- Thomas Jefferson

 

[Rosco Benson]

The flat-topped AR10 is a better platform on which to mount optics. There has not yet been a fully satisfactory optic mount for the M1A (the Brookfield Precision mount is tough and reliable, but puts the scope awfully high, making a good cheek weld difficult).

The "scout" configuration M1A's show promise, but the M1A is pretty much an iron-sight affair. That said, it has excellent iron sights and is a superb rifle in that role.

Rosco

 

[col132]

I'd go with the M1A partly because of the availability of accessories compared to sole source Armalite.

 

[popeye]

I had a M1A scout. Probably best for your multi purpose. I was satisfied with mine but I traded it for a N.M. M1A. Mags for AR10 (nice piece too) are modified m14 and rather pricey. However AR10's come in a basic model and retail for $1000, so you may find one for $900. Uh......given your choices, and what your demands will be, it's almost a coin toss.
Butt, I would go with M1A full size. Long range capabilities are outstanding and you will never lose money on investment.

 

[strider]

Rosco is as usual right.

The M1A is not an ideal scoped gun. Get a decent scope with mount on the gun and it gets very heavy.

However, if you can work with iron sights, I would choose an M1A as it is lighter, the balance is better for me, and overall the M1A is much more handy and friendly to pack around.

For plinking, if you want a scope, get the Ar10. FWIW I have both and like both.

Neither one is my idea of a great game rifle. Both are heavy. I'd prefer a controlled feed, lightweight bolt gun over either semi auto. Lighter and handier, especially with a scope on it.

JMHO. YMMV

 

[themao]

I've shot, cleaned and handled both rifles, and I'd prefer the AR-10 for your purposes. Unless you're planning to shoot/plink targets 400-500 yards away, an AR-10 will be the best platform for a scope and bipod. There are plenty accessories to modify the gun with from Armalite.

If you really want a M1A, look into the new M25 Carlos Hathcock edition. It has a built in pictinny rail on the receiver, and the receiver itself is lugged so it can be braced rigidly in the stock. Gets 0.75 MOA out to 300 yards according to some reviews I've read. Problem is, it's $3000. However, it's the ultimate rugged semi-auto sniper rifle. The Scout model isn't bad either, but you'd have to use a "scout" style 2-3x powered scope on the front rail. It works great out to 300 yards.

Anyway, for the money, I'd go with an AR-10.

themao