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I'm looking for a .308 semi auto to fill a gap in my collection. I already have a .308 bolt action (rem 700) for distance shooting, so I'm looking for a more general purpose rifle... something to use from up close and personal out to 3-400 yards. (I have an AR15 that fits this niche, but would like something with a little more kapow!)

From looking through other posts on the subject, it seems that the FNAR will likely be a little more accurate out of the box, but also a little harder to strip down for maintenance. Any thoughts on the pros and cons of the FNAR versus similarly priced AR10s? (I'd love to have a Larue, but that's an awful lot of pennies to save)

The FNAR is the "nicer" rifle of the two. An AR10 can be made as accurate as an FNAR, but the FNARs come out of the box with superior accuracy. However, as I recall, extras like magazines cost a lot more for the FNAR.

Also, if you're looking at both of those rifles, consider the FN SCAR Heavy in 7.62 NATO.

Thanks for the comments TAM. I will have to look into magazine prices and factor that into my decision. I hadn't considered that.

As for the SCAR heavy, I'd love to have one but it's out of my budget. Silly kids think they need food and clothes, when what they really need is for dad to have a new rifle!

On the day that I bought my M1A Loaded a few years back, there was an FNAR on the shelf for a price within $10-$15 of the M1A price..........which at that level is an inconsequential difference. I went for the M1A because it was the fulfillment of a life-long love affair; but I have admired the FNAR since they first came out with them. I'm not a huge fan of the lines of the stock, but it's not ugly. I simply preferred the more "traditionally-american" lines of stocks like the M1A/M14/Garand/M1 Carbine, etc.

Even so, if accuracy is what you're after, you'll have to spend the price of an FN SCAR Heavy to get an AR10 that will shoot like the FNAR does right out of the box.....particularly the heavy barreled version.

On the plus side for the AR10—tons of aftermarket stuff, and as long as you pick the right brand, plenty of GI magazines at a decent price.

Don't mind me, I'm just gonna stand over here in the corner and listen.

I was in the same situation, having owned AR-15's and honestly did not really care for them that much I wanted something in 308 that would reach out much further with accuracy than a 223/5.56. After lots of research between various AR-10 models I ended up getting the FNAR, it is one heck of a rifle. Downside is it is a bit heavy so I doubt I would carry it around in the woods for very long, mags are pricey but that are built like a tank so I doubt one would ever break. Plenty of space to mount various toys on if your so inclined. Accuracy is OMG accurate, even with my old eyes. Recoil is fully manageable, doing a complete strip down is kind of a project, takes about 20 minutes to strip, clean and assemble although they do not get very dirty from shooting. What it will truly come down to is personal preference, one thing about the FNAR is there will not be a dozen of them at any range you visit. The prices on the FNAR with the light barrel have come down drastically right now, no longer are they $1300 to $1400..................

Thanks Salty!

I've been leaning toward the FNAR, so hearing your good experiences with it is encouraging.

Would still love to hear any thoughts from others. I love how much experience there is to draw from on this forum.

call me old fashioned, but if I was to buy a .308 semi-auto it would be the classic FN FAL

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FNAR!!!!!!!

I am an FNAR owner as well, infact I think I may have been the first on this board to publicly admit to owning one. Pros are that you won't see very many others like it at the range, accuracy out of the box is good (Gets better with custom loads), and it stays pretty clean. The cons are that it is heavy, mags and other accessories are expensive, disassembly is a pain, and everybody wants to shoot it when you take it to the range. Taking one to the range is like taking the prettiest girl to the dance, everyone wants to have a turn and a reputation will form.

Mine is extremely finicky about ammo selection. I swear it looks at the sticker on the box before deciding how it's gonna like it. if you put a $100 price tag on a box of wolf it would love the stuff, but put a $5 price tag on a box of Hornady match ammo and it won't even cycle the stuff. Mine prefers good quality ammo with match grade ammo being its preferred diet. Oddly enough its not that accuracy suffers from using cheaper ammo, the gun just won't cycle stuff it doesn't like. I'm told that newer FNARs are not as tempermental as mine, but I don't care as I feed it a custom mix I worked up just for it.

I haven't heard that the FNARs were picky about what you feed 'em. I'll have to look into that.

As for being a beauty queen... I'm pretty neutral on the looks but this rifle will be a tool so I'm not too concerned about that. After I settle on a semi auto .308 I will have all the bases covered and will finally be able to shift over to "collecting" rather than filling my toolbox. Looks will come into play at that point

Both...

I have had no ammo issues at all with mine although I have only put about 40 rounds of factory through it before I started loading my own, been shooting Sierra 168 HPBT's through it and they have performed fine out to 200 yards, have yet to shoot it any further though.

Of course beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, at first I thought my new baby was a bit ugly, but after shooting it a few times that quickly went away. It works very well and after all that is really the bottom line on what people decide on, it is not a show off type of rifle, it proves itself once it is shot with the accuracy.........

Have you considered the M1A? The Loaded model is in approximately the same price range as the FNAR, and you also get the same results that G.A. Heath reports when you show up at the range.....people start wandering over and asking how she shoots.....and the older guys nearer my age get that wistful far away look in their eyes. Mine was very reliable, and not too finicky as long as the bullets were in the 165-169 grain range. Bonus points: gas piston design from before gas piston guns were all the rage.