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What semi-auto rifle should i buy?

dougal
I am thinking about buying a semi-auto (308 or 30-06) rifle and have narrowed it down to a Remington 750 synthetic http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/model_750_woodsmaster_specs.asp or A DPMS Panther LR308 http://www.dpmsinc.com/firearms/firearm.aspx?id=14.
Is there anything i should know before i decide which one?
Is the DPMS worth almost double for a 24" stainless bull barrel and 19 round mags?

FYI
will be used for cyotes, groundhogs etc.
in Ohio and maybe Indiana

What hoops other than licensed ffl do i have to jump through in OH?
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • Bert H.
    Please read my signature line[:D]

    For what you intend to hunt & shoot, you would be much better off with a Ruger No. 1 in 223, 22-250, or 243 Win.
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  • dougal
    Thanks for the suggestion. I already have a .243 Rem 700 BDL and a .22 Stevens Savage in bolt action. Both 30 some in age. And I really want a semi-auto.
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  • quickmajik
    Well i would tell you to go with the DPMS, I have one and it is more accurate then I am most of the time, The accuracy is impressive.

    The rifle I have has some upgrade options that you cant see in the DPMS picture, basically an SASS upper with forward assist/brass deflector, low profile gas block, and fluted barrel.. I paid less then a thousand for mine from a vendor. magpul makes a pmag and C products makes aftermarket 20 rnd mags for LR308. The C Products brand mags sell for 30.00 or so and are well made and reliable. The pmags sell for 20.00 or 25.00.

    i havent had the chance to buy any Pmags yet, but everyone I have talked to that has the 5.56 pmags really like them.

    Edit,
    Well now that the 5.56 is out there I agree with TSR, an 18" to 24" heavy barreled AR with a wylde or 5.56 chambering would fit your needs perfectly.

    Here are a few good examples from the auction side.

    This doesnt fit my own criteria, it has a 16" barrel, but they shoot great, and wont cost you an arm and a leg.
    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=135883464

    Rockriver predator pursuits
    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=134986533
    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=134988708
    Rockriver varmint
    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=136091493
    DPMS varmint
    http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=136081004
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  • tsr1965
    Do not buy the Remington for that type of shooting. They are ok for a deer or two plus sighting in each year, but not a high volume. Their predacessors have been retired early with a lot of shooting. basically speaking they are a throw away when done gun.

    The DPMS is an option, and for what your going to do with it, a 223 would work well.

    Best
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  • sandwarrior
    If you are looking into accuracy and Semi-auto in .308 you might look into a Browning as well. FN has a relatively new (couple years old now) semi auto in .7.62/.308 with a pistol grip. Very accurate. For what you are requiring, you are pretty much going to be in the $900 range to $2000 (depending on options).

    Edit:

    Yes, now that the 5.56/.223 is on the table, the sky is the limit with AR types. (you can get the FN in .223 as well.) Bushmaster, Rockriver, Oly, Aero, Colt... all are pretty good with the exception of Hesse/Vulcan/Blackthorn. It also depends on who built it. I saw some DPMS 5.56's that were catching when the bolt was pulled back.
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  • iwannausername
    The FNH that sandwarrior mentions retails for about 1300. Mags are hard to find and $50-60 a pop when you do.

    I'd add the FN-FAL (metric pattern) or L1A1 (inch pattern) to your list of possibles...
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  • Anonymouse
    I would get a BAR, WAY before any Remington semi. BARs are great guns.
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  • beantownshootah
    quote:Originally posted by dougal
    I am thinking about buying a semi-auto (308 or 30-06) rifle

    FYI will be used for cyotes, groundhogs etc.
    in Ohio and maybe Indiana


    What hoops other than licensed ffl do i have to jump through in OH?


    Its your dime, but if all you're after is this sort of small-sized game, .308 or 30-'06 are probably overkill. Those rounds are really versatile if you want to shoot bigger things too, but on small game only you'd be just increasing gun cost, ammo costs, recoil and noise unnecessarily.

    As mentioned, for the purpose you mentioned, a .223 is actually a perfect choice, and that opens you up to a gazillion possibilities on the AR-platform, which can be customized almost any way you like.

    Quickmajik's choices all look good. To simplify, what you really need is a gun with a nice match-grade bull barrel (ideally with a "Wylde" type chamber rather than a simple NATO one), a good trigger (though you can always add that later), and a "flat top" upper, to make it easy to mount a scope.

    A "fast" twist barrel (eg 1 in 7) will let you use heavier bullets, which is an advantage if you want to shoot at distance, or on slightly larger game later.

    You won't need hi-capacity magazines for hunting (anything). If you can't hit the coyote or groundhog with your first 10 shots, you should think about packing it up and going home!

    In terms of legality, my understanding is that semi-automatic rifles are legal in Ohio, but magazines that hold MORE THAN 30 rounds are restricted under state law. (Don't ask me why. . .these laws never make any sense).

    But rather than accept my hearsay, the most practical way to find out the rules in your particular jurisdiction is just to speak with your local friendly gun store owner who (since his livelihood depends on it) ought to be highly conversant with what he can and can't legally sell you in your State, and what exactly you'd have to do to take one home.
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  • dougal
    Thanks for the advice. I have thought about a .223 but decided i do not need another lower caliber rifle. I'm kinda attached to semi-auto & stainless but haven't found one for less than $1,000. I don't intend to use this on groundhogs unless it is convenient (already loaded or very far away).
    I got a medium sized groundhog earlier today with 1 .22 long rifle 36 grain hollow point, so it is not a area where i don't have anything to effectively shoot with.
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  • rp85
    hello;

    suggest a ptr-91 (308win.). very accurate. almost impossible to make fail to feed or eject. mags are dirt cheap and easy to find. parts are easy to find.

    it's on the heavy side. felt recoil is "different". scope mounts are pricey.

    yep, it's an e.b.r. (evil black rifle).

    rp
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