AR-10 Barrel Length and Scope Recommendations

[numaone]

As I begin thinking about my next firearm purchase, I wanted your input. I am looking at buying an AR-10. I can get an Armalite AR-10 carbine for just about 1200. Is this a good price? Is Armalite a good brand to go with? I'm looking for something rugged and that can stand up.

Is there a significant difference between the 16 and 20 inch barrels from a performance and weight standpoint?

Finally, what would be a good scope to put on this rifle? I have an ACOG for my M-4 which I love. I was looking at the ACOG 6 x 48 scope, but the price tag scared me away (can get for approx $1800). But for that price, I can get nearly any scope out there. This would be a range gun, HD, and maybe even hunting rifle.

Advice?

Thanks,
Numaone

 

[madcratebuilder]

16" barrel for hunting to keep the weight down, 21" for long range work but heavy. Scope choice depends on what you are using it for.

I have a Noveske upper on a ArmaLite lower that's been 100% for me, excellent accuracy even shooting German surplus. ArmaLite well have a slightly higher initial cost but I think it's the best rifle in it's price point.

 

[Tirod]

Range? For the AR10, using full power cartridges, that's a 600-800m gun, 20+" barrel, and minimum 4x12 target scope with lots of elevation.

HD? A 16" or even shorter (NFA) gun with red dot and flashlight. Most would use a handgun, tho.

Hunting? a 16" -18", with red dot and two power mutilplier, or 1.1x4 with illuminated reticle.


Back up a bit and ask what this gun will do 85% of the time you have it (don't count sitting in the rack, so do ours.) What that job needs is what to spec the rifle to do. I'll start with the caliber. For range use, there are others that could be picked, most ranges only shoot out to 100m. Unless hunting large game is specifically needed - elk, moose, bear, spec'ing .308 before asking if it's really needed is chancy. It's like choosing the hammer without knowing what the job is, and why there are so many different ones.

Once the job is specifically spelled out for what you mostly will do with it, then the caliber and barrel get sorted out. As shown above, range, HD, and hunting don't mesh well - there are lots of contradictions when you look at the specifics. In this case a 16-18" barrel will do all three, the 20+" won't be optimum for lots of walking or close quarters manuevering. From their, the choices narrow down.

Caliber and barrel, upper, optic, furniture, then trigger, in that order. Once it's spelled out, then Brand. You can't be sure any one maker offers the specs you need once it's sorted out, but those that do will have one put together ready to go, likely better and cheaper than buying something and buying a lot of expensive parts to replace expensive parts that will be considered used and only sell for half.

Buying the wrong gun and converting it can easily add $250 or more to the project - just get the right one first and save the money. Choose Brand last, the only makers left sort that out. In AR10's, it's a short list if dependable makers - but their parts do NOT interchange readily, they are mostly proprietary guns, not like the AR15. Don't plan on swapping uppers, etc.

 

[TonyAngel]

For an all purpose type of rifle, 18 to 20" on the barrel and a 2-10X scope. I'm partial to the Nightforce 2.5-10X32. The downside to the .308 ARs is that they are kind of big and heavy for what they are. You'll want to keep the weight down where you can.

 

[TIMC]

I have had my Bushmaster AR-10 for quite a few years now and it's role in life has been as a hunter. I like the 20" barrel on the rifle, it is not cumbersome in the field and I like the balance of the rifle.

For years I had a Leupold VXIII 6.5-20x40mm scope on it but recently I have changed it out to play with a Burris Eliminator scope which has done well on the range; I'll see how it performs in the field next hunting season.

With Leupold VXIII


With Burris Eliminator scope

 

[sellmarkguy]

Is Armalite a good brand to go with?

Yes, very high quality build materials.
The A.L. magazines are a deal killer for me, though, when
I can get Magpul mags for my DPMS for less $$$.
Not knocking Armalite though.... Excellent rifle.
But DPMS does what I need it to do and I feel that they give more value for your $$$.

 

[Frankl03]

Armalite makes a great rifle. To keep the weight down to make it handi for hunting I would go with a 16 inch barrel. AR10 mags are about $25.00 if you get them on sale. The AR10 comes with a chrome lined double lapped barrel and a 2 stage trigger. You get some extras with the Ar10 over the base DPMS but you pay a little more.

With the AR10 you may get a slight edge on dependability. The carbine with the adjustable stock uses a longer receiver extension, heavier buffer and a beefier recoil spring which helps with cycling etc.

A plus for the DPMS is the Pmags.

 

[MachIVshooter]

That's a very good deal. I paid $1,400 for my A2 carbine 7 years ago. It's a great general purpose rifle, and I do hunt with it. 16" handicaps the round a little, but I don't think the critters know the difference; They go down just fine.

I personally like the carry handle, because it puts the scope at a perfect height for a very natural and comfortable shooting position. Optics-wise, I went with a Nikon Prostaff 3-9. Good scope, does everything I need it to, and was $140 on sale at wally world.

The A.L. magazines are a deal killer for me, though, when
I can get Magpul mags for my DPMS for less $$$.

Buying 1 or 2 at full price ($53) is brutal, yes. But they run sales, and you get a big break buying 5 ($40/ea) or 10 ($35/ea). Still not cheap, but then again, nothing is in the AR-10 game.

It's also kinda nice to be able to get 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 round magazines.

 

[Webyshops]

The BURRIS Eliminator has been one of our best selling sights. Not a single return and everyone loves the reticle on it.