I've decided that it's about time to buy a nice semi-auto rifle (assuming that I can find one...). I'm looking at either the AR15 or the M1A. I just bought a Remington 700 SPS .308 today, so one benefit of the M1A would be the ability to share ammunition between the two. What are the other benefits/drawbacks to one over the other?

 

What do you wanna do with?

 

Weight and payload.

 

I know if I was going to drop a grand or more on a rifle right now it would be a nice M1.

Just really depends on how you intend to use it and what you like. Sharing ammo is a good thing right now no matter what you get.

 

How much are AR15's going for? One with a scope, 2 pistol grips, flash light. Etc?

 

If it's just for commy blasting, the AR15 will be cheaper on ammo. If its for hunting, what are you hunting? An AR SR primer type case would make a better varmint rifle. An M1A would defiantly be my choice if Elk was on the agenda... If its for pure cool factor and you may only shoot it a couple times a year M1A all day long. On the sharing ammo topic, some of the newer factory loads may shoot clovers in your bolt gun, but they have a good chance of being loaded too hot for the M1A...

 

I vote M1A!!
Several of the guys i shoot 600yd Fclass with use the M1A with a lil work they are competitive!

 

I guess my question was pretty vague, thanks for filling in the blanksso far. I guess what I'm looking at are things like:

1. Is it better to share ammo, or have some variety?
2. How much more is .308 going to cost me long term than .223, assuming I take it out a few times a year for target practice?
3. Ammunition availability - if an AWB were to be passed again, what will that do to the availability of .308 vs .223?
4. This will be primarily for target practice and potential defense (I already have a shotgun too, and if I ever start hunting it will probably be with the Remington 700)
5. I just want one since they are talking about banning them again
6. Reliability and accessories - I know the AR parts market is huge, what about the M1A?
7. Gun availability - I know that both are going to be difficult, if not impossible to find right now, but any thoughts on which one would be easier?

I guess those are the types of things that I'm trying to consider right now.

 

I love shooting my AR10. The .308 is a blast. Like a big blast. LOL But for fun, you can't beat the .223. I'd rather shoot my AR15 all day than shoot the AR10 for a little bit. Somewhere around $120 to $140 for 500 rounds of .223 maybe? 308 maybe around $200 bucks for 500 rounds? (in this current market for junky ammo)

But if you want it to die and can't shoot its eye out like nonnie, the .308 is unstoppable. And the muzzle concussion is awesome.

 

Just figure double the cost for 308 ammo. Since youve got a 700 in 308 I'd go ar15 so you could just scrounge up a lower then wait it out for the rest of the parts to drop in price. 223 and 308 are probably 2 or the top 4 most available cartridges on the planet so I wouldnt worry too much about ammo availability.