What is the “go-to” ar10 caliber now?

WestKentucky said:

I suspect that a lot of folks who use an ar15 will pile into an ar10 before the next election if they haven’t already.

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I've been thinking about getting back into the AR-10 platform, don't think I can wait until the next election though, plenty bad can happen before then with no real 2A defenders on the political scene....

I had a .308 last time, but intend to put together a 6.5 this time. I'm pretty sure .308 still qualifies as the "go-to" AR-10 chambering for the majority of folks though.

Most of mine are chambered in 257 Roberts or 22-250, but that's probably not the norm.

Judging by the sales volume at the LGS, it would still seem as if 308 is the 'go to'; whether that's because of demand or because that's how most of them are manufactured is anyone's guess.

308 for cheap ammo

6.5c for novelty and accuracy

338-06 for sheets and giggles

308 is far and away the most common. Mine is in 6.5.

308

WestKentucky said:

if a person were to buy an AR10 now, what would be the “best” caliber to buy one in?

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That of course would be the caliber you:
1. Can use for a specific purpose (hunting?).
2. Will enjoy at the range.
3. May already reload for.
4. Can shoot cheaply.
5. Have a hankerin for.

I have 2 6.5CMs in bolt action so I would be inclined to lean that way for the sake of ammo, but knowing little about the big brother AR, I suppose I’d research what functions well without heavy modification of magazines, etc. If I’m spending money I’d prefer the sure thing whether for purpose or fun. My top reason for not owning an AR10 is its lack of uniform standard though I suppose that’s mitigated to some degree if you purchase a complete rifle.

two:
308 for SD & hunting (16")
6.5 CM for the range & varmints (24")

Horses for courses:

Guy who wants a blaster? Don’t buy an AR-10, buy an AR-15 in 5.56 and live happy.

Guy who wants a bigger blaster than his buddies’ AR-15’s? Waste money on an AR-10 in 308.

Anything short range/quick stop? 338 Fed

Anything mid to long range? 6.5 or 6 creed.

ETA: I’ve owned a bunch of AR-10’s, still do a few, and have built many more than I have owned. The ONLY reason I would be compelled to build/own a 308 would be shooting Highpower in matches which allow SR-25/M110 clones, or if Gas Gun had not fallen totally out of PRS competition - where one rifle could be Tac Class AND Gas Gun, depending how I wanted to enter that day. Otherwise, and considering the demise of Gas Gun class (and no desire to shoot straight up Tac with two disadvantages to Open shooters), if you gave me a 308 AR-10, I’d sell the barrel and replace it with one of the above 338 Fed or 6 Creed.

Mine is .308. I think most would say .308 as is reflected by this thread. I had a reason to choose .308 (ammunition cost, availability and power) but your reasons should be your own. Some in this thread have listed other very good calibers that might serve your needs as well or better.

I considered all the available cartridges and recently and ended up with .308.

Because I did thorough research I can agree with all @Varminterror posted above.

However I chose the .308 for more available and marginally less pricey bulk ammo, the ability to shoot heavier bullets (albeit with less sectional density, and more options for barrel lengths and configurations should I choose to do so)

This is going to be a range toy as well as a deer and hog rifle.

Ig I wanted a different cartridge I would go with .338 Federal mainly because of the hunting I do.

If I were to buy one I think I would get a .308 for a couple reasons. Ammo availability, good performance for game, the ability to participate in military matches. That said I prefer the 7-08 for hunting but there is not much difference at hunting ranges. The big fad now is the 6.5 CM. Nothing wrong with that. Better if you prefer less recoil or plan on shooting 1000 yards I suppose. I am not a cartridge bigot, well maybe some.

BigBlue 94 said:

338-06 for sheets and giggles

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Doesn't fit in an AR-10. 338 Fed is the LFAR 33cal cartridge.

Varminterror said:

Doesn't fit in an AR-10. 338 Fed is the LFAR 33cal cartridge.

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Coulda swore I saw a 338 a-square in the midway catalog years ago. Maybe it was just the 338 fed...

For me it would be a 6.5 that’s just me though

6.5 Creedmur.

BigBlue 94 said:

Coulda swore I saw a 338 a-square in the midway catalog years ago. Maybe it was just the 338 fed...

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Noreen Firearms sells a 30-06 length AR-10 based rifle. Basically a stretched out AR10. You could certainly get that in 338-06. They also sell one to chamber the win mags.

https://onlylongrange.com/bn36x3-long-range-270-25-06-30-06/

.308 then 6.5 imo

Outside of 6.5CM, there really hasn't been that much of a caliber question for many years when answering: "What's the most popular caliber for the AR-10/LR308?" Like above, there are some non typical guns and calibers available. KAK makes an interesting upper in 300WSM: https://www.kakindustry.com/kak-300-wsm-complete-19-inch-barrel-magnum-upper

All the non-typical firearms and uppers are niche offerings. Big box stores won't typically have niche stock available. When asking for "go to," it's just asking for the most popular caliber, which is still 308Win. You can go up and down the 308 family with 243 Win, 260 Rem, 7-08, 338 Fed. Someone probably makes a 358 too. It's just none of these are as popular or available as the 308 (and only recently) the 6.5CM chambers.

If the question is what is the "best" caliber, I don't think a person can separate caliber choice from intended use. If someone asks, "What's the best rifle cartridge?" The answer is, "For what?" Just like anything else, chamber and barrel length are driven by purpose. If I wanted to go long range AR-10 shooting, you bet I'd have a 24" barrel in 6.5CM. Now that rifle probably weighs in at over 13lbs with a scope and most people would need a bipod or front bag to shoot it. If I were deer hunting, a 16"-18" 308 Win would be easier to carry and swing better. (There are better and lighter deer hunting options outside the constriction of AR-10.) Choose any filter - Hog hunting; recoil sensitive shooters; a preference for a particular cartridge - you can filter for your intended use and come up with a "best" caliber. Most people are going to purchase a 308 or 6.5CM

I'm stilling trying to figure out what my AR10 will be for. I decided to build it and figure that out later.

For me? 308.

I did .308 mostly for ammo availability

308, anything else works but is just a novelty.

Hold on, new cartridge better than the 6.5 Creedmoor is now on the market. The 6.5 PRC. New bandwagon already rolling.

Even though 7mm-08 and .45 Raptor are the only AR-10 chamberings that interest me, I would still say the .308WIN and 6.5CM are the go-tos. They're the easiest to get and more often than not are the least expensive for basic rifles.