7 Best .308/7.62 Semi-Auto Rifles

I love all firearms, but the most special place in my heart will always be held by semi-automatic rifles chambered for .308 Winchester or 7.62x51 NATO.

It's a cartridge that's dropped deer and won wars for decades. Semi-automatic rifles that fire this classic are great for target shooting, hunting, and rounding out your collection with some interesting historic pieces.

Best .308/7.62 Semi-Auto Rifles

1. Aero Precision M5E1 - Best Overall

Best Overall

Aero Precision M5E1 .308

$520

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$520 at GrabAGun

Specs

• Caliber: .308 Win
• Action: Semi-automatic
• Capacity: 10+1, 20+1, 25+1, 50+1
• Barrel Length: 12.5”, 16”, 18”, 20”

The Aero Precision M5E1 is the gold standard for people who want a customizable AR-10 without breaking the bank, though you'll have to piece it together yourself.

That makes it a fun project, and you can build your rifle however you want. Spec out a budget build, a respectable entry-level precision rifle, or anything in between. If you want to swap out a component later, you know where to go.

Coming in somewhere between $1,200 and $2,000 depending on options, the M5E1 is an excellent choice for those who want a solid rifle that can be made great with a few small upgrades.

You can read our full Aero Precision M5E1 review here.

2. Palmetto State Armory PA10 - Best Budget

Best Budget

PSA PA10 Gen 3 18″ Mid-length .308 Win

$879

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$879 at Palmetto State Armory

Specs

• Caliber: .308 Win
• Action: Semi-automatic
• Capacity: 20+1
• Barrel Length: 18”

Palmetto State Armory is a budget firearms enthusiast's dream come true. I’m not sure exactly how they do it, but they have everything from ammo to AR-10s at rock-bottom prices.

You can check out our reviews of the .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor versions and peep our video review of the .308 version below.

Best of all, their PSA-branded uppers, lowers, and complete rifles are all very affordable compared to the competition. Their fit and finish are nothing to drool over, but they go bang every time, and they’re more accurate than the price would lead you to believe.

If you’re looking for an entry model AR-10 or semi-auto .308 in general, the PA-10 from PSA is available in multiple configurations. They start at about $700 and top out at around $1100.

Want something a little more high-end? Check out our PSA Sabre AR-10 review!

3. FN SCAR 17S - Best Premium

Best Premium

FN SCAR 17S

$3849

at Palmetto State Armory

Prices accurate at time of writing

$3849 at Palmetto State Armory

GrabAGun (see price)

Guns.com (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 7.62 NATO
• Action: Semi-automatic
• Capacity: 10+1, 20+1
• Barrel Length: 16.25"

The FN SCAR 17S is a monster of a rifle designed to be as modular as possible and to serve a variety of uses. From being a CQB weapon for various door-kickers and SOCOM units to a scout sniper and designated marksman platform, the SCAR can do it all.

This is as solid of a rifle as you can get. The civilian version ships with a 16.25-inch barrel but you can swap them out by removing just a few screws, allowing you to slot in any number of aftermarket barrels, from 13 to 20 inches, depending on your needs (and access to NFA items).

The semi-automatic civilian version uses a modern version of the short-stroke piston FN developed for the FAL. It's currently in service in 24 countries around the world in one capacity or another.

For civilian shooters like you and I get something that’s as military-tested as any rifle can be and is as close to military spec (aside from the lack of select-fire capability) as we can get.

The trigger isn't perfect but certainly better what you'll get on the FAL. The good news is that there are a considerable amount of aftermarket trigger options. If you’re going to slap a 20-inch barrel on there and stretch the SCAR out to 800 yards or more, you might consider swapping the trigger out.

All in all, it's based on one of the best modern battle rifles out there and is pretty perfect if you’re looking for a heavy-duty semi-auto. The price is steep but, hey, you get what you pay for.

Be sure to check out our review of the SCAR-17S or watch the full video review and let us know your take!

4. IWI Galil ACE Gen 2 - Best AK Variant

Best AK Variant

IWI Galil ACE Gen 2

$1821

at Bereli

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1821 at Bereli

Midway USA (see price)

Palmetto State Armory (see price)

GrabAGun (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: 7.62 NATO
• Action: Semi-automatic
• Capacity: 20+1
• Barrel Length: 16”

Here comes the dark horse in the competition: the Galil ACE Gen 2 in 7.62 NATO. The first-generation Galil ACE was launched in 2008 but it wasn't been featured as heavily in the U.S. market, or video games, which kept it under the radar.

In a nutshell, the Galil ACE is the ultimate refinement of the AK-47 platform. It uses the same long-stroke piston and rotating bolt design as the Kalashnikov and even sports a similar pop-off dust cover.

Updates to this second-generation version include an M-LOK handguard, AR-style buffer tube for use with your favorite stocks, an improved two-stage trigger, and better ergonomics.

By virtue of using a long-stroke piston, the ACE is able to have a folding stock and fire when folded. It also sports a non-reciprocating charging handle on the left side. Its cold hammer forged barrel ensures good accuracy and long service life.

Although a bit heavier than the SCAR-17S or the average AR-10, the ACE is still manageable at 8.6 pounds. The ACE also benefits from using standard SR-25/AR-10 magazines.

These rifles are a bit pricier, around $1,700 to $2,000, but are far from the most expensive on this list. If you are looking for something modern that isn't an AR-10, the ACE might be your ticket.

Want to know more about the platform? Check out our full review of the 7.62x39 Galil ACE or watch the video below.

5. Springfield Armory M1A Standard - Best American Classic

Best American Classic

Springfield M1A

$1552

at GrabAGun

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1552 at GrabAGun

Brownells (see price)

Kygunco (see price)

Specs

• Caliber: .308 Win
• Action: Semi-automatic
• Capacity: 10+1
• Barrel Length: 22”

Next up is the Springfield M1A. This is the civilian version of the iconic M14; the rifle that trounced the AR-10 and FN FAL to become the U.S. Army’s primary battle rifle back in 1959 (however arguable those test results may be).

The M14 this rifle is based on is a fully-automatic military rifle but the Springfield M1A is a semi-automatic civilian versionin various configurations.

You can get everything from the stubby SOCOM version to decked-out configurations designed to get as much accuracy as possible out of the platform.

Much of the accuracy of these guns is derived from a quality barrel and the mating of the action to the stock. This means that repeated disassembly/reassembly cycles can affect accuracy, especially on the base models.  

Stepping up to the Loaded model that comes with the national match barrel is a step in the right direction if you want tighter groups. Fiberglass bedding between the action and stock will really show you what a properly set up M1A can do.

These rifles used to be a frequent sight on the field of competition, especially in service rifle competitions. With classic ergonomics and excellent iron sights, the M1A lends itself well to shooting without optics.

It's also earned a few starring roles in Hollywood.

Not sure which model is right for you? Check out our guide to the best Springfield M1A models.

6. DS Arms SA58 FAL - Best International Classic

Best International Classic

DS Arms SA58 FAL

$1599

at Brownells

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1599 at Brownells

Specs

• Caliber: 7.62 NATO
• Action: Semi-automatic
• Capacity: 20+1
• Barrel Length: 18”

FN Herstal developed the Fusil Automatique Léger (Light Automatic Rifle) in the 1940s and saw it completed in 1953. During the Cold War, many NATO countries adopted it as their primary battle rifle, where it earned its nickname, “the right arm of the free world.”

Its short-stroke, spring-assisted piston action was very modern at the time. The system is still relevant today, allowing the FAL to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with much newer firearms.

I love the FAL, and it’s a gun I think anyone looking to build a serious collection should have. For me, it sits slightly above the AK and slightly below the AR-10 and AR-15 15 in the pantheon of small arms.

The SA58 is a solid recreation of the FAL that holds its own against the other non-AR .308s we’ve talked about in the accuracy department.

Check out our review of one of DSA's modernized FAL variants.

7. PTR GIRK 113 - Best Affordable Classic

Best Affordable Classic

PTR GIRK 113

$1390

at Kygunco

Prices accurate at time of writing

$1390 at Kygunco

Specs

• Caliber: 7.62 NATO
• Action: Semi-automatic
• Capacity: 10+1, 20+1
• Barrel Length: 16”

The PTR-91 is a modern variant of the Heckler and Koch G3, one of the most revered battle rifles ever produced.

What would go on to become the H&K G3 was first produced in 1958. Primarily designed by German engineers working for the Spanish CETME development group, the CETME-C was a roller-delayed 7.62x51 rifle.

This legendary rifle would go on to inspire a number of similar rifles (including quite a few blatant copies) and be used by just about every country with a military.

The PTR 91 is an American-made G3 clone that uses tooling references from the original H&K G3 to be as accurate as possible to that original design, but with all the advancements and improvements of a modern manufacturing complex.

It features the iconic H&K diopter sights (the little rotating drum you probably recognize most from the MP5) and a standard 5/28 threaded barrel making it ready for suppressors out of the box.

A nice bonus about these guns is the widespread availability of dirt-cheap magazines. You can find surplus magazines for $5 to $10, and new magazines can be had for $10 to $15.

This was originally a mass-produced battle rifle. It’s got a stamped and welded receiver just like an AK, and the trigger does double duty as a medieval torture device. These things absolutely chew up brass; so if you are planning on reloading, this gun will literally put a dent in your plans.

I’d be comfortable calling the base model a two-MOA gun with mid-range ammo. Stepping up to their FR model with the match-grade bull barrel is an option for those looking to squeeze a bit more accuracy out of the platform.

Other Relevant Information

Why shoot .308 Win or 7.62 NATO?

I’ve talked before about how much I love the .308 Win cartridge and how perfect it is for my needs and those of most shooters and hunters.

It’s good out to 800 yards. With quality match ammo, it will probably be more accurate than most shooters.

Thanks to the extra heft of a .30-caliber bullet, it’s more capable in long-distance and hunting applications than its smaller siblings, .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO.

So while I love rounds like 6.5 Creedmoor and .224 Valkyrie, I can’t get away from good ol’ .308.

Final Thoughts

That was a look at some of the awesome semi-automatic .308 and 7.62 NATO rifles out there.

This are two capable cartridges and having the ability to sling them without working a bolt is an awfully nice feature. Whether you're honing your marksmanship, prepping for opening day, or building a collection, I'm sure you saw something you liked.

What do you think of these rifles? Let us know which is your favor it the comments and find ammo to feed these beasts with our guide to the best .308 Win ammo.