Old Griz - Did you end up buying one or the other? or are you still thinking about it?
I vote for the M1A. Have you handled either? I would bet, that with a nomiker like "Old Griz", you would be best pleased with a heavy, solid weapon of steel and wood, rather than something made of aluminum and plastic that rattles and feels like a toy. I know many swear by them, but after handling my brothers "black rifle" I was very unimpressed. Besides, since you have a .223 already, a .308 makes sense.