AR10/LR308 essentials?

[Wolfdog91]

So decided I wanna throw together a large platform AR . Building it for fun and just to have one more then anything. That and a easy way to play with calibers that don't fit a regular ar. Gonna go with a PSA lower but will probably build the upper from parts. Never messed with the bigger AR platform so what are some essentials for making one work well ? Like what are some things y'all have found that just help them off the bat or usually need to be messed with down the road for better performance ( FYI I'm a 1MOA @100yd so don't need the best of the best )
Adjustable gas blocks ? Certain buffer systems , ect ?
Or is it about the same as a regular ole AR-15 ?

 

[ELR LVR]

Adjustable gas block
Tune your brass ejection angle, distance and recoil impulse

 

[Jeff Porter]

It’s nothing like the AR -15. Feels like I am dancing with a different woman ( a large fat one ) when I shoot the AR-10.
The parts are not as standardized and plug and play as with the small frame.

Advil - the huge heavy BCG can give you a headache if you are shooting heavy loads. Definitely use an adjustable gas block. And tune your buffer weight for the heavier BCG.

They are a hoot to build and shoot. Have fun but it’s a cousin, not a brother the the AR15’s.

 

[precision1]

Be ready to do a lot of research on compatibility of everything you order.

I was that guy 20 yrs ago building ar15's before anyone knew it was possible.everyone thought I was a gunsmith at gun shows carrying around colt barrels looking to trade stuff to guys in the know... lmao

That being said ar10 is its own animal.

If your building a basic budget rifle your better off just buying a palmetto state,delton,dpms.......

especially if 1" groups make you happy

You want a step up get stag arms,armalite......

Your getting the same cheap stuff but with a warranty from the factory.no research needed and tools you probably wont use again.

Your gonna have a tough time building an ar10 that works cheaper than those palmetto state sales...

You want the best go get a knights armament

 

[jlorenzo]

Get ready to try different buffer springs, buffers, mess with gas settings etc. I would stick with matching brand upper and lower, make sure you are aware of the difference between AR10 and LR308/DPMS.

I would consider buying a whole gun if you are not a tinkerer.

 

[SongdogHunter]

a turn bolt makes life much simpler.... I watch my shooting partners having issues constantly fiddling with with their AR10's shooting creemoors, while my turn bolts just shoot and shoot

 

[mic2377]

Lots of people like to piece large frame AR's together, but that is a path fraught with problems.

If I was going to buy a good quality but less expensive (by less expensive I mean <$2000) complete AR-10, the best value is probably a factory Armalite AR-10. Good quality, decent barrels, and don't tend to be horribly over gassed.

If you want to build one, for the love of God don't cheap out on the barrel and BCG. If you do, high chance it isn't going to run reliably no what tinkering with the gas block or buffer you try. Something like a Criterion, Centurion, or Craddock barrel combined with a JP high pressure bolt is the way to go.

I tinkered with building these for awhile, and ran into all sorts of weird issues related to tolerance stacking from different company's parts. It was pretty annoying.

Now I shoot a LMT MWS. Not a light or particularly soft shooting rifle, but consistently very accurate and reliable right out of the box. Just shoots great with whatever I feed it, and never had a malfunction. Great rifles but they are NOT cheap.

They are NOT, I repeat NOT, nearly as plug and play as AR-15's. Cheap parts from multiple sources WILL result in reliability and accuracy issues.

 

[joshb]

I see some old DPMS guns on Gunbroker. Check them out! I have one of their SASS models and couldn’t be happier with it. After I got it and fired it, I sold my GAP Armalite because it was nothing but headaches. Here’s one:

 

[LVLAaron]

I've been down this rabbit hole. Someone else said it but an AR10 is NOT just a bigger AR15. The parts are not interchangeable like you might expect. I highly suggest getting everything from the same manufacturer.