seanW 1 Posted January 23, 2015 Report Share Posted January 23, 2015 I wanted some input/suggestions/knowledge from you guys on which way I should go about obtaining an AR10. I have been thinking of doing a build with an upper/lower from Aero and a barrel(18") from Black Hole Weapony with other parts sourced out from different companies. I am concerned that I might not see the accuracy I'm wanting to get out of this rifle. I'd like to build a precision rifle capable of shooting out to or beyond at least 600. My main question is should I buy a complete rifle from a company in order to get this kind of performance or can I expect the same performance from something I build myself. I have been looking at the Ruger SR762, SIG716 and would love to pick up something like a Reaper or SR25 but my budget probably won't allow something like that. I am a little disappointed that both the SIG and the Ruger have a 16" barrel, I was thinking I wanted an 18" but would be willing to bend on that a little. The other reason I wanted to build is weight, I have friends who have piston AR10s that are heavy as hell and I was wanting to maybe avoid having a rifle that was too heavy to carry/hunt with and I feel like an impengement system would be a little lighter. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jwulf 179 Posted January 23, 2015 Report Share Posted January 23, 2015 (edited) I have a Rock River that I have been happy with. Now that I have my scoped sighted I feel comfortable that long shots will be accurate, though I have to wait for warmer weather to try it again...I think it has a 20"barrel though...certainly longer that 18". Weighs around 9lbs out of the box as I recall. Edited January 23, 2015 by jwulf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rhodes1968 1,638 Posted January 23, 2015 Report Share Posted January 23, 2015 Honestly? The history of failure on the Stoner design for 308 is just too much to ignore. Maybe thats all worked out but from what I see doesnt look to be, all the reasons folks may not like Stoner rifles in 223 is exaggerated in the larger round. FAL or M1A (yeah I know) at least have a good record, not a perfect one but better than the ARs. And these aint gonna be light rifles, but one does grow stronger. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
semper299 284 Posted January 23, 2015 Report Share Posted January 23, 2015 (edited) What's your price range? Palmetto State Armory is a good source if you are wanting to "assemble" one. They run some pretty good specials on lowers and parts kits, as well as the assembled uppers. IIRC, you can put together a PSA AR10 for around $750 to $800. I have several of their AR15's, and they are quality IMHO. DPMS has a Gen2 AR10 that has gotten some great reviews. They have several flavors to choose from, most being under $1000. Edited January 23, 2015 by Semper299 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james lambert 3,059 Posted January 23, 2015 Report Share Posted January 23, 2015 A high quality barrel, a good free float handguard and a good trigger are the keys to an accurate AR10 With the market as it is right now, I would be inclined to buy a complete rifle in the config You prefer. 16" guns with carbine length gas systems are quite hard on extractors when shooting Milspec ball. 20" guns are prefered 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
6500rpm 670 Posted January 23, 2015 Report Share Posted January 23, 2015 This one's been haunting me also. I missed a great deal on a Mega Arms MATEN upper/lower package by sitting on the fence too long. I'd like to see what piston systems show up this year (yeah, I'm one of those guys). It's either build a AR10 or buy a quality FAL.....decisions,decissions Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rhodes1968 1,638 Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 There are several new offerings in 308 battle rifle configurations a SHOT show, might want to check that out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KrisFox 69 Posted January 27, 2015 Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 Armalite No other "AR-10" is an AR-10, it's trademark infringement. Been building AR type rifles of all calibers for over a decade, no other 308 type holds a candle to it. Of course Troy and LaRue are pretty good... But those are copies. If the rear of the upper/lower is rounded and not a streight angle I don't even bother. If your not getting an Armalight, get a FN FAL or H-SCAR. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
corbin 621 Posted January 27, 2015 Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 My deceased buddy's widow still has all his firearms, including an Armalite/Eagle AR-10. I know that Eagle Arms had bought the rights to the AR-10 at one point and produced some. Not sure if they still do or if they are any good. What's weird though, is I understand the Eagle Arms AR-10s are supposed to have chrome moly barrels instead of stainless, but I'd swear that one has a stainless barrel. Been thinking of trying to buy it from her. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
seanW 1 Posted January 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 KrisFox, I have always been a fan of Armalite. I have thought about just buying one of thier AR10s but want something I can make mods to and make my own or configure it how I want it. Its my understanding that a lot of AR10 parts arent compatible with one another because the AR10 platform isnt mil spec - so I would be limited as to what I could change on the rifle I bought. Not to mention the fact that I will spend $1600-2000 on a rifle that I immediately want to change most of the parts on and end up with a $3000 rifle. If I was going to spend that much on one I would buy a Reaper or Armalite SASS to start with. With my calculations with the barrel, forend, upper/lower, etc I think I was coming up with a number around $1600, which more suits my budget and I wont end up with a bunch of parts I dont need. Rhodes, already have an M1A, think it tops the scales around 13-15lbs(at least) scoped and loaded. That thing is beast- honestly its one of my favorite rifles though and its definately a shooter. I take it out and stare at it some nights, I love that thing, I just want to expand my collection in the "battle rifle" area but I want it to be a precision rifle. The other issue I have with the M1A is mine will only shoot the lighter weight bullets, about the heaviest I can shoot is 150-160grn. I know a barrel swap would fix this but just havent done it to date. Jim, I planned on a mid or rifle length gas system anyways. I really dont want a carbine battle rifle, my end goal here is a precision rifle. What barrel manufacturers would you recommend as a "high quality barrel"? As previously mentioned I was looking at Black Hole Weapony. With the polygonal rifling and the freedom to choose barrel contour, length, gas system length as well as all other options, seems very appealing. Looked at some of the Rock Rivers, just dont know a whole lot about them. And theres not a shop around me that Im aware of where I can go put my hands on one. Also dont know a whole lot about the FAL, I guess I need to look into that. I have seen/held a couple of them in the past but I know nothing about them. I guess I need to check PSA and DPMS, I honestly wanted to stay away from DPMS though - dont know why, feel free to give me some input on them and change my opinion on them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sccritterkiller 473 Posted January 27, 2015 Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 Just make sure whatever you get it will accept SR25 parts, mil spec parts and mag choices are easier to find. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rhodes1968 1,638 Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 (edited) All too true on the M1A. The DSA SA-58 FAL was the one I was contemplating before the latest round of "oh-shit" hit the fan. I am not going to run down anything as folks get weird when they get defensive but educate yourself on the FAL, huge community out there easily found with google. If God willing and the creek dont rise it will be the next 308 MBR for my money. Edited January 28, 2015 by Rhodes1968 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spacehog 2,218 Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 I would build as opposed to buy. It is the choice between buying a brand new house built with someone else's tastes that you will have to renovate to suit your own verses building it yourself the way you want it the first time. I know the Armalite is the original AR-10, but the DPMS pattern has become the most popular pattern, and there are more options out there. I have a CMMG (DPMS) with an 18" fluted bull (mid length GT) that has produced bolt gun MOA groups with hand loads, and has been 100% reliable. As far as barrels go, I haven't researched .308's lately because I haven't shot mine out yet. , but I replaced the trigger with a Timmney 3.5lb single stage. FTR there are several triggers out there that are better values for the money. A standard milspec trigger group with a polish job and a $15 set of JP performance springs can give you the same result for a $140 less. You can shave a lot of weight with some of the newer handguard options. I personally like the BCM KMR keymods HGs. As Jim said above, do your research on the barrel, trigger, and free float HG. Those are what I would put my money into. Buy a quality lower and upper receiver, but don't be fooled into thinking you need a $600 Maten. You can build an excellent rifle for $1500. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nlacy 692 Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 before you decide, you might want to check parts availability. Seems like a lot of guys are making .308's and the parts are a little scarce right now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
saltydecimator 482 Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 my vote is for the dpms g2 as well. why go heavier and bulkier if you dont have to?!?!?!?! i like palmettos prices but there inablility to ship in a timely manner in the 21st century is just freakin re tod did why not go a d tech wssm in a standard ar platform? that way you have a full power round but dont have teh additinal gun size. ya they are expensive, but so are all those other names you are mentinoing... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mancat 2,368 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 I just finished my PSA AR build and based on the parts I received I would not hesitate to put together a PA-10. The quality and prices are excellent, but if you put in an order just don't expect to see it at your door any faster than 2-4 weeks, especially if you order a complete upper, as they apparently assemble them in batches as orders are received. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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