AR-10, AR-15 or LTR?

[MotorOilMcCall]

Well, after a lot of looking, and some shooting, I'm stuck between buying a Long Range bolt gun, or an AR-10, or an AR-15. Looking at a Tikka T3 Tactical, or a DPMS LAR-10, or any number of AR-15's. Now I know I'll need optics, so I'll probably put a Super Sniper on whichever I choose. Right now the only rifle I have is a Savage 93SS 17HMR, along with a few pistols and a number of shotguns. I had a 30-06 Rem 700, but sold it to a buddy last hunting season, and I did get to do quite a bit of long range shooting.

I am kinda thinking having the .17HMR and a .223 would be overlapping to a point. While the .308 Tactical could be a nice Varmint gun to long range, a fun target gun, and even a Deer gun if I wanted to haul the lug out to the stand. The LAR-10 would just be a heck of a lot of fun to shoot, but its accuracy would be limited to a shorter range (I shoot out to 800 yards at our cabin).

So if it were you guys, what would you get?

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

I would get the AR15 but it really depends on what your primary uses for the gun will be.

 

[SpeedAKL]

I'd get one of the .308 guns if you have the ability to shoot out to those distances.

 

[jpwilly]

Well for long range work if it were me I'd get a Savage 10FP or for a Semi Auto DPMS LR-308 possibly in the Rem 260 but right now my LR-308 is 308. But lets face it there are many many good rifles to pick from and those on your list will work great too.

 

[aubie515]

The LAR-10 is Rock Rivers renamed Bushmaster BAR-10.

The DPMS is the LR 308 Panther.

That being said, I have owned two LR 308s, several AR15s and a Remington 700PSS (older version of the current 700P) and a current 5R.

You will have to decide what you want to do with your rifle. If your state allows the use of semi for hunting and you may want to use it for hunting in the future...I'd go with the LR308. It is just as accurate as my 5R with the added benefit of being a semi-auto = faster follow up shots.

My LR 308 weights a ton with the PRS stock and Badger forearm.

My 5R is a little lighter with the AICS stock.

Do you want a precision weapon or a plinker? Any AR15 with standard options will give you good precision, but it won't give you longer distances if you compare .223 to .308 ballistics.

Don't forget about ammo...it's not getting any cheaper to buy or reload it...if you must buy factory ammo...I'd say .223 is your best option.

ETA: Try to get a DPMS LR 308 from a gun shop that has it in stock...DPMS is showing 1 year wait if you order it from them directly.

 

[rangerruck]

I would get the ar 15 as well, and in a pinch buy a remmington 30 ar upper.
it fires a 308'light' bullet, 125 grains at 2800fps. the beauty of it is, it is 100% added to the ar 15 platform, the only differences are the bolt, and the bbl. it uses all other ar15 size parts, including mags.
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/centerfire_rifles/Model_R-15_VTR.asp
Look at the bottom of this page.

 

[MovedWest]

(I shoot out to 800 yards at our cabin)

Don't you have to take into account the curvature of the Earth at that point?

Seriously though, pick a .308. It's known for being accurate at long ranges.

-MW

 

[skidooman603]

+1 DPMS .308. Isn't the current world 1000yd record still held by a .308? How would I know though? These old eyes can't even see that far anymore let alone shoot that far. As mentioned above DPMS a long ways out on thier guns.

 

[MJR007]

It just matters what you want.

200yd paper poking after dinner (25wssm)
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/MJR007/IMG_1633.jpg


267yd deer poking (7mm08 Hart tube)
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/MJR007/IMG_1642.jpg


Bow range
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u54/MJR007/IMG_1651.jpg


I have a 200yd range off my deck, a 300yd out back, and shoot at a club that has a 600 meter. The deer get awful small past 300 and the x-hairs get awful big.

 

[moooose102]

long range gun to do what? there is a lot of difference between punching paper @ 500 yards, and killing an elk @ 500 yards. it is going to depend on what you ate doing. if you do it correctly, you can paper punch @ 1000 yards. but if you plan on killing anything at any range requires energy.

 

[Interceptor_Knight]

For the price difference in what a .308 AR would cost, you could buy a .223 AR AND a bolt gun in .308.
Right now I can't afford to feed my Armalite AR10 for plinking. Basic hunting ammo is between $16 and $20 a box and FMJ is near or over $15. I can still feed my AR15 for between $5 and $8 a box of FMJ and hunting ammo is no more and often cheaper than what the .308 costs.

 

[MotorOilMcCall]

I picked up an AR-15 lower at the gun show last weekend, and just ordered a 20" varmint upper for it.

I looked at a few AR10's, but as some of you guys said, the ammo is just too dern expensive.

 

[Javelin]

If you can find one, look at the Armalite AR-10 (the light weight barrel).

Though I have a big affection for DPMS LR-308 rifles due to their tack-driving ability, and surprising affordability for what you are getting, they are heavy and unless you have big muscles to carry around a 12lbs gun then stick with a rifle <8lbs. This leaves the AR-10 and the DPMS lightweight .308. These will give you MOA capabilities (and even sub MOA as long as your not rapid firing and getting the barrel really hot).

If you are counting on having to carry your firearm around much then the best bang is going to be the DPMS SASS in 7.62. Great firearm that will give you sub MOA all day, every day.

For the money you just cannot beat the AR platform in .308/7.62. I have often thought that the AR platform was designed for the heavier cartridge.

 

[jkingrph]

I ordered an upper in 6.5 Grendel for my AR

 

[Karl Hungus]

If you are counting on having to carry your firearm around much then the best bang is going to be the DPMS SASS in 7.62. Great firearm that will give you sub MOA all day, every day.

After giving much thought to the subject, this is the rifle I decided on. Now if I could just find one...

 

[messerist]

kingrph has a good suggestion. How would the 6.8 serve your purpose?

 

[RedNoma]

What upper did you end up getting? I have a Stag lower with a Rock River 24" varmint upper. I wish I had gotten a 20" barrel. I think I'm going to send it off to be cut down to 20", recrowned, and fluted.