Century Arms C308 Sporter Rifle Overview

The Century Arms International C308 Sporter Rifle stands as a testament to robust engineering and battlefield-proven design, reimagined for the modern civilian shooter. This semi-automatic rifle, a cornerstone of the Century Arms 2015 lineup, masterfully blends the esteemed heritage of original surplus CETME parts kits with a new, meticulously crafted US-manufactured receiver and an 18-inch barrel. Chambered in the powerful and versatile .308 Winchester (7.62x51mm NATO), the C308 Sporter is engineered to deliver reliable performance for a diverse range of shooting applications, from competitive sport shooting and target practice to medium-to-large game hunting and collection.

For those seeking a dependable, high-caliber rifle with a storied lineage and modern amenities, the Century Arms C308 Sporter offers an compelling blend of attributes. Whether you're an experienced marksman looking for a robust platform, a hunter needing a reliable long gun for the field, or a collector appreciating the engineering marvels of iconic firearms, this rifle is designed to meet and exceed expectations. Its design cues and operational reliability harken back to the legendary CETME and HK G3 platforms, known worldwide for their durability and functional excellence under demanding conditions.

Understanding the C308 Sporter's Core Strengths

At its heart, the Century Arms C308 Sporter capitalizes on the renowned roller-delayed blowback operating system, a mechanism celebrated for its smooth cycling, controlled recoil, and inherent reliability. This system minimizes felt recoil by delaying the bolt's rearward motion until chamber pressures safely drop, ensuring a softer shooting experience compared to direct blowback designs, even with the potent .308 Winchester cartridge. This design choice contributes significantly to the rifle's longevity and consistent performance, making it a favorite among those who value mechanical integrity.

The integration of original surplus CETME parts kits provides a foundation of battle-tested components, offering an authentic connection to the rifle's military heritage. These parts are known for their ruggedness and ability to withstand rigorous use. Complementing these tried-and-true elements is the new US-manufactured receiver, which ensures compliance with domestic regulations while maintaining high standards of fit and finish. This combination results in a rifle that is both historically significant and entirely ready for contemporary use.

Key Features and Design Excellence

• Caliber and Power: The C308 Sporter is chambered in .308 Winchester, a cartridge celebrated for its flat trajectory, excellent terminal ballistics, and widespread availability. This makes the rifle highly suitable for various tasks, including long-range target shooting, precision work, and effective ethical hunting of a wide array of game animals. The 7.62x51mm NATO designation means it can readily accept surplus military ammunition of this caliber, offering flexibility in ammunition choice.
• Barrel and Muzzle Device: Featuring an 18-inch barrel, the C308 Sporter strikes an optimal balance between maneuverability and ballistic performance. This barrel length is ideal for extracting significant velocity from the .308 cartridge without making the rifle overly cumbersome. The barrel is threaded to the standard 5/8x24 pitch, a common thread pattern for .308 caliber firearms. This allows for the easy attachment of a wide variety of muzzle devices, including compensators, flash hiders, or suppressors (where legal). The factory-included compensator significantly reduces muzzle rise and felt recoil, enabling faster follow-up shots and improved shooter comfort, especially during extended shooting sessions.
• Optics Ready Design: One of the most significant modern enhancements to the C308 Sporter is the inclusion of a Picatinny-style top rail on the receiver. This integrated rail provides a stable and versatile platform for mounting a broad spectrum of optical sights, including traditional rifle scopes for precision shooting, red dot sights for rapid target acquisition in close quarters, or prismatic optics for a balance of speed and magnification. The ability to easily mount optics drastically expands the rifle's utility and allows shooters to tailor their setup for specific applications and preferences, from hunting in varying light conditions to competitive shooting where quick transitions are essential.
• CETME Buffer System: The rifle incorporates a CETME buffer system, which plays a crucial role in managing the rifle's recoil impulse and ensuring smooth, reliable operation. This system, integral to the original CETME and G3 designs, contributes to the rifle's durability and keeps the operating parts in optimal condition over extended periods of use.
• Aesthetics and Durability: The C308 Sporter sports a durable black painted finish, providing excellent resistance to wear, corrosion, and the elements. Complementing this finish is the black polymer furniture, which includes the stock and pistol grip. Polymer furniture is renowned for its lightweight properties, high durability, and resistance to environmental factors like moisture and temperature extremes, ensuring a consistent grip and comfortable shooting experience in various conditions. The robust nature of these materials means the rifle can withstand the rigors of field use without compromising its integrity or appearance.
• Magazine Compatibility and Capacity: A significant advantage of the C308 Sporter is its compatibility with readily available G3 20-round magazines. The G3 magazine platform is one of the most widespread and affordable military surplus magazine types globally, meaning owners will have no difficulty finding additional magazines. The rifle comes standard with two 20-round magazines and one 5-round magazine, providing immediate utility for both range use and compliance with varying local hunting or shooting regulations that may restrict magazine capacity. This ensures flexibility right out of the box.

Why Choose the Century Arms C308 Sporter Rifle?

The decision to invest in a firearm is significant, and the C308 Sporter offers compelling reasons for its selection:

• Unwavering Reliability: Drawing on a design ethos proven in demanding environments worldwide, the C308 Sporter inherits a reputation for near-indestructible reliability. Its roller-delayed blowback system is not just efficient; it's incredibly durable and tolerant of varied ammunition types and operating conditions.
• Exceptional Value: For a semi-automatic rifle chambered in .308 Winchester with such a robust design and feature set, the C308 Sporter represents outstanding value. It provides access to a powerful, versatile platform without the premium price tag often associated with similar battle rifle derivatives.
• Historical Significance: Owning a C308 Sporter means possessing a piece of firearms history. Its direct lineage to the Spanish CETME rifle and German HK G3 lends it an undeniable appeal for collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate military-inspired designs and their operational heritage.
• Versatility for Multiple Applications: Whether your interest lies in honing your marksmanship skills at the range, participating in shooting competitions, ethically harvesting game, or simply having a reliable long gun for general purposes, the C308 Sporter adapts readily to these roles.
• Ease of Customization: With its Picatinny rail, standard barrel threading, and compatibility with a vast ecosystem of G3/CETME accessories, the C308 Sporter is highly customizable. Shooters can easily add optics, bipods, slings, and other enhancements to optimize the rifle for their specific needs and preferences.
• Manufacturer Support: The rifle is backed by a 1-year manufacturer's warranty from Century Arms International, providing peace of mind and assurance in your investment. This commitment to customer satisfaction underscores the confidence in the product's quality and durability.

Common Questions About the C308 Sporter Answered:

• "Is the Century Arms C308 Sporter a reliable rifle?" Absolutely. The C308 benefits from the robust and time-tested roller-delayed blowback operating system, which has a long history of reliability in military and civilian applications. Users frequently report consistent performance with a wide range of ammunition types.
• "What kind of accuracy can I expect from the C308?" While not typically a sub-MOA precision rifle out of the box (like some bolt-action or specialized AR-10 platforms), the C308 Sporter is generally capable of 2-3 MOA accuracy with quality ammunition, which is more than sufficient for most hunting scenarios and general target shooting at practical distances. With proper ammunition selection and an appropriate optic, many shooters can achieve impressive results.
• "What optics are best for the C308?" The Picatinny rail makes the C308 highly adaptable. For general-purpose shooting and hunting, a low-power variable optic (LPVO) like a 1-6x or 2-7x scope provides versatility. For longer-range target shooting, a higher magnification scope (e.g., 3-9x or 4-16x) would be beneficial. Red dot sights can be excellent for fast-paced, close-quarters shooting.
• "How easy is it to maintain the C308 Sporter?" Field stripping the C308 Sporter for routine cleaning is relatively straightforward. The roller-delayed blowback system is known for its durability and relatively simple maintenance requirements compared to some gas-operated systems, as it tends to run cleaner. Regular cleaning of the bore, chamber, and bolt group will ensure continued reliable operation.
• "Can the C308 be used for hunting deer or other medium game?" Yes, the .308 Winchester cartridge is widely regarded as one of the most effective and popular cartridges for hunting medium to large game, including deer, wild boar, and even elk at appropriate ranges. The C308 Sporter, with its semi-automatic action and potent cartridge, is well-suited for ethical hunting applications.
• "Where can I find magazines and accessories for the C308?" One of the significant advantages of the C308 Sporter is its compatibility with readily available and often affordable G3 pattern magazines and accessories. DEGuns (deguns.com) offers a comprehensive selection of magazines, optics, and other compatible accessories to enhance your C308 Sporter. Their expertise ensures you receive authentic and high-quality parts that perfectly fit your rifle.

Caring for Your Century Arms C308 Sporter Rifle

Proper care and maintenance are crucial for ensuring the long-term reliability and performance of your C308 Sporter. Regular cleaning after each shooting session is recommended, focusing on the bore, chamber, and the roller-delayed blowback system's components. Use a good quality firearms cleaner and lubricant suitable for semi-automatic rifles. Pay particular attention to the bolt head, rollers, and trunnion area. Store the rifle in a dry, secure location, ideally in a climate-controlled environment to prevent rust and preserve the finish. A high-quality gun safe is recommended for security. Following the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance will ensure your rifle remains a reliable companion for years to come.

In conclusion, the Century Arms International C308 Sporter Rifle (UPC: 787450280762, SKU: RI2253X) is a formidable semi-automatic rifle that marries historical design excellence with modern manufacturing techniques. Its .308 Winchester chambering, robust roller-delayed blowback system, optics-ready Picatinny rail, and compatibility with abundant G3 magazines make it an exceptionally versatile and reliable choice for a wide array of shooters. Whether you're drawn to its historical lineage, its powerful performance in the field, or its robust build quality, the C308 Sporter represents an outstanding investment in a rifle designed for lasting utility and enjoyment, readily available at DEGuns.

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Century Arms C308 Sporter Rifle Specifications

Feature	Detail
Model	C308 Sporter Rifle
Manufacturer	Century Arms International (CAI)
SKU	RI2253X
UPC	787450280762
Action	Semi-Automatic, Roller-Delayed Blowback
Caliber	.308 Winchester / 7.62x51mm NATO
Barrel Length	18 inches
Barrel Thread	5/8x24
Muzzle Device	Compensator
Receiver	New US Manufactured
Parts Kit Source	Original Surplus CETME
Optics Mount	Picatinny Rail (Integrated Top Rail)
Buffer System	CETME Buffer
Finish	Black Painted
Furniture	Black Polymer (Stock & Pistol Grip)
Magazine Type	G3 Pattern
Included Magazines	(2) 20-Round, (1) 5-Round
Warranty	1-Year Manufacturer's Warranty (CAI)
Overall Length	Approximately 40.2 inches
Weight (Unloaded)	Approximately 9.5 lbs