Ar10 build options

[PD Gohil]

So I want to build a new rifle. AR-10 (really LR308).


I have not decided on a caliber yet but I'm really leaning hard towards 308. Components are about it as easy as any to find and it's a hard hitter at well. Not looking for a " precision " rifle, but 1-1.5moa out to 400 yards. Want a heavy barrel sustained firing with a suppressor.
Am I on the right track with a 308?
Anyone have recommendations on barrel length? I am favoring an 18-in barrel. But not sold on the option. Component choices?

Should be a fun build, just a little more expensive in the current times.

Thanks all,

PGohil
WV

 

[Sandstorm]

I built a 308 cal and you know... after a long frustrating load development program.
i finally got smart and got a 6.5 Creedmoor 24 inch plus 2 quality barrel and started to
Finally enjoy the gun shooting real nice consistent groups. So please plan accordingly as an AR10 is no picnick if your really accuracy obsessed like i am.

 

[dasherfan]

i have one in 308 with a 22 criterion barrel. it shoots well for a gas gun and is fun with a can on it. it also hammers wild pigs and rings steel on the long range. now I'm thinking I'm going to take out of the safe shoot it this weekend. merry Christmas and enjoy the build

 

[Outrider27]

I have a custom AR-10 that a local gunsmith built for me; it is .308, and I can't see any other caliber making me any happier. If I want more precision (with a little load tinkering, MOA out to 200 yards is easy enough; haven't had a chance to test it farther) than MOA or slightly over, I'll go to a bolt gun. I have found a .308 AR-10 to be fine for anything I use a gas gun for.

 

[msalm]

I have a 338 Federal Armalite AR-10 if you’d like a heavy(er) hitter. I’ve built quite a few in many different calibers but could never warm up to the oversized/heavier nature of those rifles.

 

[PD Gohil]

I have a 338 Federal Armalite AR-10 if you’d like a heavy(er) hitter. I’ve built quite a few in many different calibers but could never warm up to the oversized/heavier nature of those rifles.

That definitely would be a heavy hitter. I want to stick to 30 caliber so that I might run my suppressor which is a 30 caliber can.

 

[Justinmac13]

I built a 308 cal and you know... after a long frustrating load development program.
i finally got smart and got a 6.5 Creedmoor 24 inch plus 2 quality barrel and started to
Finally enjoy the gun shooting real nice consistent groups. So please plan accordingly as an AR10 is no picnick if your really accuracy obsessed like i am.

Does the caliber choice have much of anything to do with the gun shooting good groups? I would assume if you have a good quality barrel in whatever caliber they would shoot with the appropriate amount of load development for that particular cartridge. I’m in the same position as the OP as I am looking to build one for deer hunting. In western KS I don’t think there is a better option for deer hunting with the type of hunting we do. I currently hunt with a DPMS 243 and it’s okay but want something with a little more knock down power. Most shots are within 400 yards in my case.

 

[warrbuk]

I have a 6.5 CM for sale on other forums with a Geissele NM SS trigger. PM me if your interested, its for sale on LR hunting and Rokslide.


I went down that road, the rifle shoots well, but you have to be a hell of a marksman (which I guess I am not) to run a large format gas gun as well as a bolt gun. 58 factory rounds down the 22' barrel

 

[Kurz]

So I want to build a new rifle. AR-10 (really LR308).


I have not decided on a caliber yet but I'm really leaning hard towards 308. Components are about it as easy as any to find and it's a hard hitter at well. Not looking for a " precision " rifle, but 1-1.5moa out to 400 yards. Want a heavy barrel sustained firing with a suppressor.
Am I on the right track with a 308?
Anyone have recommendations on barrel length? I am favoring an 18-in barrel. But not sold on the option. Component choices?

Should be a fun build, just a little more expensive in the current times.

Thanks all,

PGohil
WV

Without meaning any disrespect, there are three types of AR builders:

- Those with amateur status who treat them like Erector sets.
- Those gunsmiths without the the ability to assemble the parts for accuracy.
- Those gunsmiths with the knowledge and ability to create a fine firearms which will perform accurately in good hands.

It takes more than just knowing where the parts go to make an AR shoot accurately. Sure, most folks can put the parts together and the firearm will shoot but will it shoot consistently and accurately? It takes knowledge and experience to actually build an AR to be both consistent and accurate.

1 MOA - 1.5 MOA is a good range for most self assembled ARs without expecting consistent small groups. Much of your shooting as you note just doesn't require it. Good thinking!

18" is fine for the .308 Win cartridge. Be sure to check that your bullet is matched to your twist rate. Adding a suppressor to the front of 18" makes for a longer barrel anyway.

The AR in .308 Win. is an excellent choice but so is the 6.5 Creedmoor. It's a good thing to consider using a +2" barrel for the gas system on the Creedmoor since it reduces some of the battering which can take place.

Enjoy!

 

[DangerRanger]

Not sure how much you are wanting to spend but rock creek has some 18” 308 AR barrels in stock

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

I have two LR one 308 18” rifle and one 6.5 Creed 22” rifle. The Creed is a 1 MOA rifle, but the 308 is around 1.5. I am only shooting factory ammo. Three suggestions. Plan on using adjustable gas blocks. Call Clint from heavy buffers for your buffer and spring. Use the cheap DPMS bolt carriers. I have had good luck with the JP fancy upgraded bolts, but ran into some incompatibility issues with some upgraded bolt carriers. The DPMS bolt carriers have not given me any trouble.

 

[warrbuk]

My buddy had a full on custom built by Craddock Precision https://craddockprecision.com/

 

[D. Eason]

So I want to build a new rifle. AR-10 (really LR308).


I have not decided on a caliber yet but I'm really leaning hard towards 308. Components are about it as easy as any to find and it's a hard hitter at well. Not looking for a " precision " rifle, but 1-1.5moa out to 400 yards. Want a heavy barrel sustained firing with a suppressor.
Am I on the right track with a 308?
Anyone have recommendations on barrel length? I am favoring an 18-in barrel. But not sold on the option. Component choices?

Should be a fun build, just a little more expensive in the current times.

Thanks all,

PGohil
WV

If you like cheap and accurate, you could do a PSA 20” 308, A2. I have 3 now, and I’m constantly blown away at how accurate they are. I’m shooting it out to 1k, pretty accurately. The barrel is pretty hefty, around .900-.920”, just prior to the gas block. Attached is a photo of a ladder test with 185s and Varget...shoots pretty straight. Also shoots 4064 really well too!! I’m currently shooting a tad more than the charge in the photos, maintaining about 1300fps at 1000. The barrel cleans up as good as any of my high end target rifles. Really been impressed with these guns...for the money
Regards

 

[284winner]

I can't speak to the building of one as I purchased one new from Panther Arms. I don't have enough knowledge to assemble one or precisely build it confidently enough to know it's gonna shoot to what my level of expected accuracy is. Mine is an AR10 .260 Rem. 24" fluted bull barrel. It's the .260 LR model. Shoots unbelievably well. .5 MOA is pretty common out to 500 which is the max distance of my range. Almost zero recoil. Loves 139 Lapua scenars at 2825 fps. The .308 is a great AR10 option but don't overlook the .260. It's definitely a great 400 yard black rifle.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

I can't speak to the building of one as I purchased one new from Panther Arms. I don't have enough knowledge to assemble one or precisely build it confidently enough to know it's gonna shoot to what my level of expected accuracy is. Mine is an AR10 .260 Rem. 24" fluted bull barrel. It's the .260 LR model. Shoots unbelievably well. .5 MOA is pretty common out to 500 which is the max distance of my range. Almost zero recoil. Loves 139 Lapua scenars at 2825 fps. The .308 is a great AR10 option but don't overlook the .260. It's definitely a great 400 yard black rifle.

LaRue Tactical is another option if you are interested in a .260 Rem upper. They have always sold uppers and complete rifles. Recently they started selling lowers. I don’t own any of their rifles, just a ton of scope mounts many different types which have all been flawless.

 

[mac86951]

So I want to build a new rifle. AR-10 (really LR308).


I have not decided on a caliber yet but I'm really leaning hard towards 308. Components are about it as easy as any to find and it's a hard hitter at well. Not looking for a " precision " rifle, but 1-1.5moa out to 400 yards. Want a heavy barrel sustained firing with a suppressor.
Am I on the right track with a 308?
Anyone have recommendations on barrel length? I am favoring an 18-in barrel. But not sold on the option. Component choices?

Should be a fun build, just a little more expensive in the current times.

Thanks all,

PGohil
WV

Lots could be said here. I suppose more details are needed. Building a rifle in this time may be a trial and error approach with what's available.
I'm making the assumption that you'd like to assemble yourself, as a few have mentioned buying an assembled rifle is the easiest way to be sure it works; and as Kurz mentioned, be careful with the "AR-15 Erector set" mentality; 10s are less interchangeable and need a little TLC along the way.

6.5CM, 260, 7-08, 308, 338F, 375R all are great; but think of components / availability and it's hard to deny the 308, which with some basic assembly tips will be sub-MOA to 400 no problem, but that means you'll want a few key components to be of good manufacture and work together. (Barrel, bolt, upper, handguard, trigger)

This is where I love to toss a wrench into planning. Did you know that after some milling and removal of ejection port cover; a 300wsm or 300Saum works in a 10 platform? My 7Saum works well and is quite the fun cartridge for a gas gun, but 400y is a bit too close.

I'll plug accuracy systems inc in Byers CO now for an experienced 10 'smith.

-Mac

 

[Liven The Dream]

Well I have seen the NG Team with .308 Service Rifles set up for Palma Shooting do well.
These are AR-10 Style Rifles Shooting 175 and 185 Bullets at 800,900&1000 yards.

I would think 22-24 or26 inch Barrel with the Gas System moved 2" forward ?
.308 or 6.5

http://www.medeshafirearms.com/ This Man made AR-10's Win at Camp Perry years ago ...

 

[D. Eason]

Well I have seen the NG Team with .308 Service Rifles set up for Palma Shooting do well.
These are AR-10 Style Rifles Shooting 175 and 185 Bullets at 800,900&1000 yards.

I would think 22-24 or26 inch Barrel with the Gas System moved 2" forward ?
.308 or 6.5

http://www.medeshafirearms.com/ This Man made AR-10's Win at Camp Perry years ago ...

The 20” PSA, standard A2 upper hammers the 185s, easily and accurately at 1k. Good thing is, you don’t even have to build it...just shoot it

 

[LVLAaron]

As others have said, AR10's can be frustrating and fickle. Do yourself a favor and plan on getting a Krieger barrel.

 

[PD Gohil]

After much debate, I decided to abandon this build for now. I got a few unexpected bills and now is not the time to spend reserves on a new build.
All in all this has been a great thread full of sound advice and helpful hints. Hopefully sometime later in 2021 I'll begin to get all the components and will report back!

Safe shooting to all.

PGohil
WV