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FAL v. AR10 v. M1A accuracy??

BoomerangBoomerang Member Posts: 4,513
edited April 2014 in General Discussion
1. What kind of accuracy can one expect from these rifles?

2. What is the best accuracy one can hope to get out of these rifles without spending a fortune to modify?

Recommendations welcome.
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Comments

  • andrewsw16andrewsw16 Member Posts: 10,728 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    How about limiting the answer to factory stock models?
    Each can be modified to different extents depending on the depth of your pocketbook and that would skew the answer.[:)]
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  • Mk 19Mk 19 Member Posts: 8,170
    edited November -1
    It all depends on the quality of the rifle you buy, I have had 2 M1A's, one was a basic factory that would be hard pressed to shoot 2.5" groups, the other was a Super Match that would shoot into .75, both were shot in High Power matches, both were completely outclassed by guys shooting bolt guns
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  • jesnlsnjesnlsn Member Posts: 881 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    with federal gold medal match and a national match m1a rifle I am unable to shoot 1 moa or better. (rifle is completely factory)

    I think it's about half the rifle and about half me, so in fairness without adding a ton of money to them it is my opinion they are 1 moa guns at best. (from the factory)
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  • mark christianmark christian Member Posts: 24,443 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What do you actually plan to do with the rifle? Hunt? Plink? SHTF? Target or match shooting? If you want a target or match rifle then you need to purchase the M1A, the sights alone are superior to virtually any other .30 caliber semi auto (excepting the M1 Garand of course). You'll need a lot of time to get a FAL to shoot as accurately as an M1A will shoot right out of the box and National Match M1As are well ahead of anything a FAL can be made to do if keeping money in your wallet is a concern.
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  • kidthatsirishkidthatsirish Member Posts: 6,984 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by mark christian
    What do you actually plan to do with the rifle? Hunt? Plink? SHTF? Target or match shooting? If you want a target or match rifle then you need to purchase the M1A, the sights alone are superior to virtually any other .30 caliber semi auto (excepting the M1 Garand of course). You'll need a lot of time to get a FAL to shoot as accurately as an M1A will shoot right out of the box and National Match M1As are well ahead of anything a FAL can be made to do if keeping money in your wallet is a concern.



    agreed, as far as stock rifles go, the m1a is going to have way better sights and thus more accurate to the shooter I would bet.
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  • drobsdrobs Member Posts: 22,620 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Here's my ranking for Accuracy:
    1. AR10
    2. M1A



    3. FAL, Saiga 308, PTR
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  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    FAL is a straight-up battle rifle: dependable but not terribly accurate
    AR10 is strictly a commercial rifle: can be as dependable and accurate as you can afford
    M1-A is basically a commercial do-over of a battle rifle: same expectations as AR10 but more variables due to bedding and trigger

    Since the M-14 is the only one of the three that I've personally fired, I'm biased toward the M1-A. The AR10 probably has the best "off the shelf" chance for best accuracy.
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  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me the M1A is routinely used as a match rifle. Ever seen an AR10 or FAL on the firing line? I suspect that for pure accuracy, with that being the only criterion, the M1A is superior if for no other reason than it's one-piece stock.

    Realistically, any of the 3 can probably shoot better than the average shooter can hold.

    I have fired an M1A. I have owned an FAL for nearly 3 decades. Don't feel the need to swap the latter for the former. Just me.


    standard.jpg
    ....................................................................................................
    Too old to live...too young to die...
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  • Sam06Sam06 Member Posts: 21,244 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    All things being equal the AR-10 is going to be your most accurate platform.

    Like other have said the FAL is a battle rifle and not much can be done to make it more accurate.

    The M1A can be modified to shoot very accurately. Even in its "Battle" rifle mode with a good fitting stock its a good shooter.

    The AR-10 is very accurate and with a good barrel will really shoot.

    I don't have a FAL but I have shoot them. I do have a M1A match rifle and I have a AR-10. The AR-10 is a bit more accurate with the same ammo used in both.
    RLTW

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  • kidthatsirishkidthatsirish Member Posts: 6,984 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Flying Clay Disk
    It's okay, I didn't say the exact same thing (almost an hour earlier)...but, no worries!

    [}:)]


    Hey now, imitation is the highest form of flattery.[;)]
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  • RustyBonesRustyBones Member Posts: 4,956
    edited November -1
    I can't comment on the accuracy comparison, but this one is fun at the range. As a bonus you get to perform the tactical "HK slap" when reloading.

    IMG_3414_zpsaf00994a.jpg
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  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,437 ******
    edited November -1
    Great topic boomerang.
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
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  • 9 on the floor9 on the floor Member Posts: 1,606 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I own an older [late '70s] standard M1A and a fairly recent DSA FAL.
    Both box-stock.

    My M1A will put the FAL to shame with the same hand loads, under 2moa. but to be fair, I have not wrung out the FAL like I have the Springfield.

    I knew the FAL was not known for accuracy when I bought it, Mine is about a 3moa rifle. I just wanted one.

    As others have said, sights on the FAL are crap compared to the M1A.
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