As a smith and machinist. I can tell you that there's no reason for the M1A to cost more than $100 more than a Mini-14. The makers, distributors, wholesalers and FFL's just know that 308 fans are suckers, so they charge you twice as much. Why not just a used Savage 308 bolt action for hunting and a $500 AR15 in 223 for combat-survival? The 223 can be of a handy size and weight (with enough ammo) with a silencer mounted. The m1A cannot. The silencer makes all the difference in the world. So does subsonic .22 ammo in the Ciener .22lr conversion unit for the AR. It's $300, 3/4 lb, 10 second caliber swap, groups 2" or better at 50yds. About half of them need a bit of smithing to be reliable. Most need a shim under the extractor spring, due to empty cases not getting ejected clear of the gun now and then.