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AL, USA
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Posted: 7/26/2023 3:03:00 PM EDT
I’m looking for a new deer rifle in .308. I was pretty much set on a Ruger Gunsite Scout with an XS rail, which I can get NIB for $955 including tax. Here’s where things took a turn. I asked my sister for a sling for my birthday and received a text weeks later, after my birthday, saying that she didn’t want to have any gun stuff “on her conscience” so she didn’t buy me anything. It got me thinking about picking up a Fulton Armory barreled M14 action for $1300 instead, and building that out… just because it’s extra scary. Plus, I’ve always wanted an M14/M1A as a fun gun to go with my Garand and ARs. Should I go ahead and get the GSR and save the M14/M1A for later?
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Posted: 7/26/2023 3:06:30 PM EDT
[#1]
I’ve hunted with an M1A and a Ruger GSR. I’d rather take the Ruger hunting.
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Posted: 7/26/2023 3:12:58 PM EDT
[#2]
Yes, obsolete platform. Expect when you stick a bayonet on the end! Then it’s a killing machine waiting to genocide hippies!
18Z50….M-14 owner. |
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Posted: 7/26/2023 3:20:59 PM EDT
[#3]
They are pretty cool, but you know the answer for hunting. Get something you can get an optic on easier.
 Attached File |
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USA
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Posted: 7/26/2023 3:24:55 PM EDT
[#4]
I have shot a few of the Ruger GSRs and they have all been pretty disappointing in the accuracy department so I always give them a no vote. I used to have a Springfield m1a scout, cool rifle, pretty accurate but not my favorite ergos and a real pain to mount optics on.
I would suggest a more standard bolt rifle if you want to go that route, maybe a Ruger American predator in 308, they get great accuracy reviews (don't know why they can't rub some of that on the GSR) and the couple I have shot are accurate as well. If you want something to ruffle your sisters feathers maybe just get an AR10, that's what I do most of my deer hunting with these days. Great ergos, easy optics attachment, tons of accessories out there for them. just my .02 ymmv. |
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Posted: 7/26/2023 3:28:58 PM EDT
[#5]
I mean if its what you want and you are paying for it..
I always say get what you want, heck with everyone else... |
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Posted: 7/26/2023 3:31:43 PM EDT
[#6]
If you like it and are proficient with it then it is a good fit for you.
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Posted: 7/26/2023 3:58:07 PM EDT
[#7]
I think they are pretty fun for hog and deer hunting. Go for it OP. I had a Scout Squad I did quite a bit of hunting with.
Slap a Bassett Machine mount on it and like a 3-9 scope and it's plenty accurate for that stuff. |
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Posted: 7/26/2023 4:17:23 PM EDT
[#8]
 This is the Ruger 308 you want for hunting. The new SFAR. Its about the same size as a 5.56 AR15. |
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AL, USA
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Posted: 7/26/2023 5:19:58 PM EDT
[#9]
I’ve got an Aero M5E1 that I’m really happy with as a fully modern .308. The Ruger SFAR (and the DPMS G2 and the POF R-guns) doesn’t really tempt me for weight savings.
The M1A SOCOM II was the first gun that I thought looked cool, before I was old enough to buy one. I’m not really interested in hanging a quad rail from an M1A anymore, but I definitely still want an M1A or M14 of some kind. Definitely going to get one at some point for nostalgia. For this .308, I’m looking for: traditional stock, not a lever action, scope mount above the action, and iron sights as back up. The Skinner Sights scout rail and a Tikka T3X or Ruger American Predator were options, but I’m solidly in between the Ruger Gunsite Scout and XS rail or the M14/M1A and Sadlak mount for this purchase. |
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USA
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Posted: 7/26/2023 7:03:52 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By masiaka: I’ve got an Aero M5E1 that I’m really happy with as a fully modern .308. The Ruger SFAR (and the DPMS G2 and the POF R-guns) doesn’t really tempt me for weight savings. The M1A SOCOM II was the first gun that I thought looked cool, before I was old enough to buy one. I’m not really interested in hanging a quad rail from an M1A anymore, but I definitely still want an M1A or M14 of some kind. Definitely going to get one at some point for nostalgia. For this .308, I’m looking for: traditional stock, not a lever action, scope mount above the action, and iron sights as back up. The Skinner Sights scout rail and a Tikka T3X or Ruger American Predator were options, but I’m solidly in between the Ruger Gunsite Scout and XS rail or the M14/M1A and Sadlak mount for this purchase. I will add this to my original post. If you are 100% only picking between the GSR and the m1a I would go m1a because all the GSRs I have ever shot have been steaming piles, just my anecdotal experience. |
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Posted: 7/26/2023 7:56:56 PM EDT
[#11]
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NV, USA
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Posted: 7/26/2023 8:16:25 PM EDT
[#12]
I have m14's, but would definitely prefer a Ruger SFAR for hunting and just about everything else.
They are lighter than a SCAR17. |
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Posted: 7/26/2023 8:24:55 PM EDT
[#13]
You won’t enjoy carrying a scoped M1-A for any distance.
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MI, USA
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Posted: 7/27/2023 3:46:54 PM EDT
[#14]
Idiot?
No, I would not say that. I just think if you have a lighter more practical hunting rifle available it would be a much lighter and better choice. |
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Posted: 7/27/2023 4:23:28 PM EDT
[#15]
I love an M1A for the nostalgia... but there are lots of limitations. If you want a scary rifle to hunt with, I'd choose an SFAR.
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Posted: 7/27/2023 7:16:26 PM EDT
[#16]
An M1A/M14 is a great addition to a collection. Since I have AR10s, an M14-type wouldn't be my first choice for a hunting rifle, but one with a red dot is very handy and definitely capable.
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NV, USA
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Posted: 8/1/2023 10:26:29 AM EDT
[#17]
If you were planning on buying a new scope for the new rifle you should spend the extra $3-400 on a BETTER scope instead of a more expensive gun you’ll need a scope for.
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TX, USA
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Posted: 8/2/2023 11:14:45 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By FightingHellfish: I’ve hunted with an M1A and a Ruger GSR. I’d rather take the Ruger hunting. This. The GSR is more handy and carryable by a good deal. Terminal performance is identical. The M1A is cool for sure, but is unwieldy heavy if you’re carrying it hunting for much distance. I like hunting with irons too, but if you want to hunt scoped, the Ruger is just easier to do that with. Unless you want to upgrade to an M21 LRB receiver. |
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Posted: 8/2/2023 11:27:55 AM EDT
[#19]
Killed the biggest buck of my life with an M1A, I used it to commerate my FIL's passing and last hunt in his woods. He carried one in vietnam USMC, and liked shooting mine so it made sense.
For regular hunting I would probably get the GSR as it's much easier to scope and handle. |
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USA
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Posted: 8/2/2023 1:03:41 PM EDT
[#20]
It’s heavy for what it is, and the safety can be loud or clunky to manipulate.
I’d much rather go with a lightweight ar pattern in 308 like the Ruger SFR |
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Posted: 8/2/2023 1:08:49 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Sajer]
[#21]
I carried my M1a with scope around the UP for a deer season and by day two I was regretting that decision. Besides being heavy , it seemed to get caught on every freaking branch. The party I was with laughed at me when I showed up , but I didn't show any hatred or indication I made a bad decision to them.
I did run stumble into a sleeping bear that season and was glad to have the semi in hand , though not needed. |
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Posted: 8/2/2023 11:07:40 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By durtychemist: If you were planning on buying a new scope for the new rifle you should spend the extra $3-400 on a BETTER scope instead of a more expensive gun you’ll need a scope for. Sound and solid advice. |
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AL, USA
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Posted: 8/3/2023 1:08:32 AM EDT
[Last Edit: masiaka]
[#23]
Okay, you all have convinced me to get the M1A *after* the deer rifle. Gunsite Scout and a Vortex Viper first, then the M1A and an Aimpoint to pay tribute to Randy Shughart. If I want to punish myself, I can take my .308 Garand out for a day.
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Posted: 8/3/2023 5:07:25 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By masiaka: Okay, you all have convinced me to get the M1A *after* the deer rifle. Gunsite Scout and a Vortex Viper first, then the M1A and an Aimpoint to pay tribute to Randy Shughart. If I want to punish myself, I can take my .308 Garand out for a day. My man. 
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Posted: 8/19/2023 2:50:29 AM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By masiaka: Okay, you all have convinced me to get the M1A *after* the deer rifle. Gunsite Scout and a Vortex Viper first, then the M1A and an Aimpoint to pay tribute to Randy Shughart. If I want to punish myself, I can take my .308 Garand out for a day. I took my first deer in 1990 with the only rifle I had at the time, a blue sky import M1 Garand. 
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WI, USA
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Posted: 8/22/2023 8:25:31 AM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Sajer: I carried my M1a with scope around the UP for a deer season and by day two I was regretting that decision. Besides being heavy , it seemed to get caught on every freaking branch. The party I was with laughed at me when I showed up , but I didn't show any hatred or indication I made a bad decision to them. I did run stumble into a sleeping bear that season and was glad to have the semi in hand , though not needed. I had the exact experience when I took my M1A on a deer hunt up around Bemidji MN. Heavy rifle to be lugging through the woods, and that distinctive loud "clack" when you pushed the safety off. I bought a Browning BAR hunting rifle in 30-06 the next summer and had a Williams peep sight mounted on it. Much better choice for deer hunting. Gary |
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Posted: 8/25/2023 9:20:51 PM EDT
[#27]
My nephew bought the M1A for hunting. Other than sitting in a blind it’s too heavy. And he is a big boy.
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USA
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Posted: 8/25/2023 9:40:25 PM EDT
[#28]
Not an idiot. Buy what you like and support the companies that still offer them. I have an M1A loaded (parkerized with synthetic stock), and my dad has an M1A loaded (stainless barrel and wood stock). He deeply regretted trading his M1A National Match from back in the 90s.
I enjoy the rifle, wouldn't mind grabbing a scout squad for a slightly shorter barrel. |
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Posted: 8/25/2023 10:23:03 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By jagdkommando: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/146923/IMG_2454-2892710.jpg This is the Ruger 308 you want for hunting. The new SFAR. Its about the same size as a 5.56 AR15. @jagdkommando …very nice Buut I’ve been there and done that.. except I chose 6.8 spc. However, if you’re forced to choose to hunt with a scary weapon, this here is the way👆 In my AO, thick underbrush filled hardwoods and cattail wetlands at subzero temps, the AR platform is not my cup of tea. When it comes to hunting I’m a fudd gun type of fella.  Attached File Attached File Attached File |
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USA
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Posted: 10/19/2023 9:01:44 AM EDT
[Last Edit: SteelonSteel]
[#30]
I have a few M14 rifles.
I keep a hunting battery ready for the season, I change things up from year to year but a two or three gun battery has at least on non scoped foul weather gun. A gun that won’t have a scope ocular filled with snow or misted on water. Yea, I know they make scope caps but I broke my fair share of those through the years. Anyways I have two such rainy day stalking rifles, one being an 18” barreled LRB in a USGI fiberglas stock. Iron sights and a five round mag. (The other is my dad’s old Marlin 336 .30-30. I the the LRB is lighter or at least feels handier than the 336. Frankly the M14 is much easier to dry out thoroughly after getting soaked than the 336, plus no wood to risk swelling and promote rust later. Edit, oh, and if you want to quietly take a M14/M1a off of safe simply pinch the front and back of the safety and control it as you move it forward. Assuming you have time to be slow and deliberate like that. |
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ID, USA
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Posted: 11/3/2023 12:24:28 AM EDT
[#31]
Get the LRB M25 then you can mount a scope and still have your M14 pattern rifle.
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USA
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Posted: 11/10/2023 9:00:22 PM EDT
[#32]
m1a may not turn out as accurate as you want it to be for hunting. A scoped m1a is gonna be a beast to carry if you are planning on humping it.
I've carried lighter guns and heavier guns. If I have to walk a lot, ill stick with the lighter guns. If I have a destination and a short walk I might go heavier. |
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Posted: 11/10/2023 10:59:12 PM EDT
[#33]
Whoever said Ruger, you cost me.
This thing is incredible. 120 flawless rounds first time out.  Attached File |
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MO, USA
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Posted: 1/31/2024 8:39:18 PM EDT
[#34]
Mags rattle. Kinda unwieldy for the woods.
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CO, USA
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Posted: 2/4/2024 6:46:41 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Hasher1]
[#35]
Idiot?
I don’t think so. I do think it is a LOT of weight to lug very far in the woods. They also take some $$$ to get. Good scope mount for them. I have both M1A’s and scout rifles. The Ruger worh a 1-8 or 2-10 would be my choice. I see you are in the south. Any 150 grcup and core bullet or a Nosler BT in the same weight will do you just fine till you get to where the deer are larger. |
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Posted: 2/7/2024 6:16:48 PM EDT
[#36]
Idiot? No.
Ideal? No Cool? Yes. Do it. And post lots of pictures. |
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ID, USA
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Posted: 2/25/2024 11:26:40 AM EDT
[Last Edit: wspe1]
[#37]
Did you ever get a M1A type rifle?
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Posted: 2/25/2024 11:38:31 AM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By smullen: I mean if its what you want and you are paying for it.. I always say get what you want, heck with everyone else... Agreed 100%, last two deer I harvested was with an m1a. Fantastic rifle and experience. Stupidly traded it a few years later when I stopped hunting but I fixed that last year. Love my m1a!!! |
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