Well, I'll disagree and say that an M1A platform will cost you a fortune to keep up with an AR platform, and you'll be screwing with it regularly to keep competitive. It's the 1911 of rifles- if you want to tinker and fit, then that's what you want. Last I checked, .308 AR mags were under $20, which is less than what I usually see good M1A mags for. It is much, much easier to make an accurate AR. It's cheaper and easier yet to make an accurate bolt gun, especially in .30 caliber. You could get a savage, good optics, and ammo that will outshoot an M1a all day long for much less money.