I own a couple different variations of the M1A/M14 and love them to death. I have a National Match, the Scout rifle, and a rack grade.
I have hunted most big game in Alaska with my rack grade (though I don't recommend brown bear hunting with such a light round.) and have used the NM for varmint hunting on occasion. I've carried it in the worst conditions and terrain that AK has to offer and have never had a weapon malfunction (just ammo and that was crappy Greek 7.62 I bought at a gun show for cheap) . My scout I've run through the ringer doing tactical shoots and never had a complaint one about it.
They point nice, recoil is neglible (for follow up shots), shoots about any kind of ammo, easy to disassemble/maintain, accurate as hell, and there a tons of parts out there for them.
I own a couple other semi-auto 7.62s (HK91, FALs, CETME) but I always reach for that M1A when it comes to doing actual work. Plus, put a bayonet on that and you have damn fine spear that shoots!!
