AR10 Build

Start by reading this FAQ

"AR-10" just refers to the line of rifles made by Armalite, Inc. They are one of several manufacturers that make .308 ARs. Their parts are not compatible with the other major pattern of .308 AR, which is the pattern that DPMS, Bushmaster, CMMG, and KAC use. Also, Rock River Arms makes a .308 AR that is it's own pattern, and not compatible with any of the others.

So, assuming that you were asking about all .308 ARs and not just the Armalite AR-10, your first task would be to decide which pattern you want to build on.

Do a little reading up on the Armalite vs. the DPMS pattern, and figure out which one you want to use.

Then you have to figure out a caliber. Since you are a handloader, I would strongly recommend .260 Rem for the role you're talking about. It is ballistically better than the .308 in every way. It is an outstanding caliber for both long range and hunting, since it is such a flat-shooting round that bucks the wind and retains energy way on out there, while being nice and low-recoiling. If you handload, you have plenty of selection when it comes to 6.5mm bullets.

One option you may want to look into is a Mega Arms MA-Ten receiver set. It comes with a stripped upper and lower receiver. You use all AR-15 parts for the lower (except for the parts that are supplied with the receiver set, like the charging handle and take-down pins), and for the barrel and bolt, you can use either an Armalite pattern or DPMS pattern, which is nice. It takes the DPMS-pattern mags, which is nice since they are the cheapest.

I mean taking a lower puting a stock trigger and everything else on it.

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I went the complete opposite on my ar-10 build. I got a complete Remington R-25 and replaced everything in the lower. You will find that a stock trigger is the Achilles heel of the AR-10/AR-15 (they are they same). You are better off getting a matched upper and lower as described above and for resale value, Frankenguns dont fetch as much. If you want to choose your own barrel and headspace it yourself go for it but you can most likely find a pre assembled upper that meets all your criteria.

If you are consider 260Remington...why not go 6.5Creedmoor? You can load the 6.5CM longer since mag length is limited on the 260R. Both are very very close ballistically, but the 6.5CM shines in a mag system.

I've narrowed it down to an Armalite or MegaArms receiver.

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Armalite mags are proprietary, but they've come down in price lately. They're also the only ones that offer a 25 rounder (and 5, 10, 15 & 20). Allegedly, Magpul is going to make Armalite pattern P-mags, too.

Armalite also uses a stronger 7175 alloy for the AR-10 receiver.

MachIVshooter said:

Armalite mags are proprietary, but they've come down in price lately. They're also the only ones that offer a 25 rounder (and 5, 10, 15 & 20). Allegedly, Magpul is going to make Armalite pattern P-mags, too.

Armalite also uses a stronger 7175 alloy for the AR-10 receiver.

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Magpul is not going to make ArmaLite AR-10B mags (M14 mag). The mag well is to narrow to allow the use of plastic mag construction.

ArmaLite has released a model of the AR10 called the AR-10A, that is the SR-25 pattern or Pmags.

ArmaLite AR-10B=M14 mags
ArmaLite AR-10A=SR-25 mags

Krieger makes .260 barrels for the AR-10.