Re Barreling my AR-10

[Baddog0302]

Due to medical reason's I've been told either cut down on recoil or get a total shoulder Sooo I'm thinking about either selling my AR-10 T, or getting it re barreled with either a 24 or 26" Bbl. and having a brake installed.** One thing that bugs me is that there seams to only two twists available; 1-10 which IMHO is what we've been doing since ever and a 1-8 for sub sonic . Does anyone know of any BBl. maker that offers a 1 -11.25 or 1-12 24" or 26" AR barrel ??
** I think the 20" is just a bit short for a "shark gill" style brake. and this weapon will be shot from a bench only. More over active life style catching up with me.

Thank you

 

[L.Sherm]

Call Dustin at X- Caliber barrels he may be able to fix you up, don't know if they offer the Cal. and twist you want but might be worth a call. 406-3932610

 

[M14AMU]

Due to medical reason's I've been told either cut down on recoil or get a total shoulder Sooo I'm thinking about either selling my AR-10 T, or getting it re barreled with either a 24 or 26" Bbl. and having a brake installed.** One thing that bugs me is that there seams to only two twists available; 1-10 which IMHO is what we've been doing since ever and a 1-8 for sub sonic . Does anyone know of any BBl. maker that offers a 1 -11.25 or 1-12 24" or 26" AR barrel ??
** I think the 20" is just a bit short for a "shark gill" style brake. and this weapon will be shot from a bench only. More over active life style catching up with me.

Thank you

"1-10 which IMHO is what we've been doing since ever"

There's a good reason for that!!

 

[Baddog0302]

"1-10 which IMHO is what we've been doing since ever"

There's a good reason for that!!
[/quote] The reason is that a 1-10 is the generic twist that works with bullets from 110 to 250 gn bullets. But that is not saying it is the best for special purposes like BR shooters that use 1-16 or the USMC's M-40 A3 that uses a 1-12, or the US Army's M-24 or SR-25 that both use 1-11.25, hell, even Rem uses a 1-12 in their Varmint 308's

 

[jonbearman]

Why not put a JP tank brake on your current barrel if you really want recoil reduction.

 

[Baddog0302]

Why not put a JP tank brake on your current barrel if you really want recoil reduction.

From past experiences with JP's on 14" th 16" the "blast" is annoying the the shooter, and while the 20" Bbl. that I now have may be enough but a 24" or 26" should tilt the odds in my favor of having to do it only once.
My 26" 700 will be the test bed for a Ross 3 port brake.

 

[M14AMU]

"1-10 which IMHO is what we've been doing since ever"

There's a good reason for that!!

The reason is that a 1-10 is the generic twist that works with bullets from 110 to 250 gn bullets. But that is not saying it is the best for special purposes like BR shooters that use 1-16 or the USMC's M-40 A3 that uses a 1-12, or the US Army's M-24 or SR-25 that both use 1-11.25, hell, even Rem uses a 1-12 in their Varmint 308's
[/quote]

The 1-10" will do just as good as any of the others!!

 

[seymour fish]

Baddog, As strictly a bench proposition, and assuming the other shoulder is in better shape, why not learn to use it. Price is right. Seymour

 

[SG4247]

I was in the same boat. Shoulder is hammered.

So, I re-barreled my AR-10T to 6.5x47 Lapua. Sold the original .308 T barrel and later sold all the .308s in my collection except for one special Armalite gun.

Tried the .260 Rem LR308 and it was basically the same as the .308.

The 6.5x47 has much less recoil, more accurate and a lot more fun than the .308.
Loading is easy, in that it is very forgiving.

I have pet loads from 142 down to 100 grains. Its so mild, that my 130 lb wife even shoots it.

I do have a five port brake on it. See attachment.

Later I started building 6.5 Grendels in the small frame AR, and then the 6mm AR.

Still, the 47L is my favorite AR rifle of about a dozen.

 

[mac86951]

6.5x47 or 6.5 creedmoor would be far better in recoil reduction.

also look at a hydraulic buffer if you have a collapsible stock.

My Accuracy Systems 24" barrel with brake (308 175s) still recoils more than my 24" no brake 6.5CM with sierra 142.

-Mac

 

[bobke]

I've got a Schneider 11.25 twist barrel on an older Reid built 308 AR10 that is a hammer with 155's of most all varieties. Easy on both giving and receiving ends. Paul Craddock could knock out a Bartlein in short order for you-quick turn and very nice work on a current 6.5 CR 22" barrel. Get a matched bolt, whatever you do. The new JP/HP bolt with small diameter firing pin especially recommended for LR series AR's, and the Armalite bolts are already supplied with a small diameter firing pin for true AR pattern. Either way, have correct headspace confirmed.

 

[mac86951]

I've got a Schneider 11.25 twist barrel on an older Reid built 308 AR10 that is a hammer with 155's of most all varieties. Easy on both giving and receiving ends. Paul could knock out a Bartlein in short order for you-quick turn and very nice work on a current 6.5 CR 22" barrel. Get a matched bolt, whatever you do. The new JP/HP bolt with small diameter firing pin especially recommended for LR series AR's, and the Armalite bolts are already supplied with a small diameter firing pin for true AR pattern. Either way, have correct headspace confirmed.

Good points on headspace and bolt recommendations, I had some difficulties early on with firing pin issues in one LR upper. (Also thanks bobke, I'm headed to JP now)

 

[bobke]

JP is LR/DPMS pattern. Armalite and Noveske true 'AR' format. Different bolts and barrel extensions for each. Armalite has a slightly longer gas tube length for rifle length gas as well.

 

[hogan]

Actually, 1:10 has not "always" been the norm for semi-auto rifles.

1:11 and 1:11.25 are most typical. Not too many people shooting or loading anything heavier than 180gr match bullets. They tend to be too long, unless you're single loading.

NO AR-10 barrel I've ever owned has been 1:10. Owned many, still have a few; but all have been for Armalite AR-10 rifles.


Have an unfired 24" Armalite CM 10 (T) blued barrel off an Eagle Arms 10(T) basic match upper. Have that threaded for your brake and recoil would be thing of the past. If interested, we could talk. Also have a low round count Armalite carbine barrel, chrome-lined with a Bennie Cooley tactical brake.

The new Sierra 168smk with plastic tip is supposed to have BC of the 175smk which is a real progression. 11ish twist is just fine if you're going to shoot magazine length loads.

Armalite also once sold .300saum 10T uppers and rifles. Find one of those and get the velocity to make the new 168smk outperform any .308win with high BC bullets.

Might consider a .30/284win. There is a winner for ballistics in .30cal, or go with a .260rem and call it a day. Likely easier on your shoulder all around and there is supposed to be a new Nosler Comp bullet that gets .700 plus BC for its 142gr weight.

Or, sell your AR-10 and go with a PPC based 6.5 Grendel or 6mm AR Turbo in the AR-15 platform. Forget all the recoil worries and enjoy a lighter rifle as well.

Good luck and happy shooting!

 

[hogan]

JP is LR/DPMS pattern. Armalite and Noveske true 'AR' format. Different bolts and barrel extensions for each. Armalite has a slightly longer gas tube length for rifle length gas as well.

Not true about the "different bolts and extensions".

Ever examined a DPMS and Armalite? BCG to BCG?

I am an Armalite guy, but bought a powder-coated DPS bcg 8yrs ago. Bolts are identical, except for color of the ejector. Bolt carriers are oal and externally identical. Only difference is the DPMS has about .15" greater mass which firing pin sits in. DPMS doesn't use a firing-pin rebound spring on the pin like Armalite does. So.... remove the rebound spring off if using DPMS carrier w/Armalite firing pin. Be sure you have rebound spring in place if using your Armalite bolt carrier in your DPMS.

I did fire several rounds with the DPMS BCG in an EA 10 rifle. No problems. Not an extensive test, but the carrier functioned flawlessly and locked up tight with the Armalite barrel extension.

Only differences I am aware of is the older Armalite 10s and DPMS are that the lower receiver is designed for their proprietary M-14 based magazine and the barrel thread pattern is different. Seems like I saw several DPMS/FN-FAL magazine using rifles specify Armalite barrel extensions as sign of quality.

Think genuine Armalite 10 magazines are expensive? Try buying Sako TRG-22/42 mags at about $200 a pop... But DPMS did win the marketing war with cheap mags didn't they. No such thing as a decent shooting and cheap AR-10 though.

 

[Heman]

I shoot a 260 upper for course. When I needed a new barrel I ordered one from Bartlein the twist I wanted my smith installed the extension problem done. Just call and order a barrel in the twist you want. My gas guns are all 1:12, the palma rifle is a 1:11.25

 

[ericskennard]

Here it is. I put a 28" Brux on an SR25. 1 in 11.25 twist. It shot so good it was scary.

 

[Baddog0302]

Actually, 1:10 has not "always" been the norm for semi-auto rifles.

1:11 and 1:11.25 are most typical. Not too many people shooting or loading anything heavier than 180gr match bullets. They tend to be too long, unless you're single loading.

NO AR-10 barrel I've ever owned has been 1:10.

Check all the makers of 308 AR's sites, ALL state that thier Bbl's have a 1-10 twist except Knight's which is 1-11.25

 

[mic2377]

I personally think the slower twist is perfectly appropriate, with one caveat - if you are planning on shooting 200-220 gr bullets in a subsonic capacity, the faster twist is better suited. I do not believe the vast majority of shooters will ever see this application though.

I would be hesitant to say the Armalite and DPMS bolts are "identical" in regards to headspace - they are close, but can vary several thousands. In addition, bolt dimensions are not well-standardized among bolt manufacturers, as short of the SR-25 there is no true "mil-spec" dimension.

If you really want a lighter, low-recoil weapon, one of the 6 mm AR-15 variants is the way to go, ie 6 mm Fat-Rat, 6mmAR, etc. Even the 6.5 variants will kick more than these.