AR-10 long distance; one lower, two uppers 308/6.5cm ?

P89DCSS

P89DCSS

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I have a Palmetto PA-10 in 308 for long distance. I'm going to add a Palmetto 6.5cm upper.
Debating getting another lower but I'm thinking it's cheaper to have one nice lower with fancy trigger and stock.
The savings (~$750) could go towards a scope on the 6.6cm upper.

I think this pretty much is a no-brainer and a definite advantage of the AR platform.
Any disadvantages to one lower, two uppers?
 
I'm doing something similar to you. I have a Battle Arms factory complete rifle. The lower has an upgraded trigger, grip and stock. I took off the factory barreled upper, threw a Geissele barreled upper on it, and now I shoot Geissele :D

Only the AR is so modular :cool:
 
hoardingthemanual said:
Only the AR is so modular
Click to expand...
I can do the same thing with my FAL. But the upper on the FAL is the firearm...

OP, how far is long range? Is the 308 not doing what you want or do you just want another upper? There is absolutely nothing wrong with just wanting a new upper. But if the 308 is meeting your needs, you could spend that money on more/better ammo, better glass, a better trigger, or a better shooting rest/bipod/tripod. Not saying don't buy a new upper, but there are some other things you could do with that money. Just a thought.
 
6.5cm has advantages for me. My range goes to 1000 yards. And I'm getting old.

I might get another lower eventually but it's not cheap once everything is included.

I live in Colorado and things are only going to get worse legislation-wise. Gives a shooter a "get it while you can" attitude. And PSA 6.5cm 20" uppers are at an attractive price.
 
I used to be a “uppers eventually grow lowers” guy, but over the last 10yrs, I’ve generally had twice as many uppers as I have lowers. Some rifles never come apart, a few of my lowers have 3 matched uppers, one has 5. So MAYBE I am speaking from a biased position, because I already have enough lowers that if my wife, son, a couple friends, and I all want to go shoot, I already have enough lowers to make that happen. If I only had ONE lower, I wouldn’t have that option. But in general, I take advantage of the modularity and I stack uppers onto fewer lowers.

but…

I might also point out, given your adoption of the 6.5 creed, I recommend you strongly evaluate the option of simply changing barrels instead of spending the money for another complete upper and optic. It’s quite likely that you just won’t shoot the 308 much once you have the 6.5, so it’s more likely that you’ll end up with $1000-3000 in wasted capital sitting in the back of the safe. Swapping barrels only takes an hour, at worst, 15 min if your tools are handy… then you only have $200-400 sitting in the back of the safe.
 
Another upper is is viable but at that point I would just look into re-barreling it.
Put the money towards a good barrel, better scope and ammo.
 
I don't know if I would swap barrels...as easy as it is, stripped uppers aren't real expensive and way easier, you can have a nice optic with quick release Rings/ mount that return to zero if put on the same rifle in the same position, utilize the same charging handle and bolt carrier (for accuracy I would at least use a dedicated bolt for each upper)

I don't bother with different lowers with multiple uppers, but I have the capital for all of them so I just have complete rifles save for one, which is a unique case. Space is the scarce commodity :(
 
I've got a PA-10 also, with a Geissele triggered lower. I also won a Savage 110 Tactical in 6.5 CM last year. So far at 100 yards the PA-10 is the more accurate, though I haven't yet tried either at 300. Looking to do that with both this year. If it remains as is, the PA-10 will be my long range gun and the Creed will likely drop to novelty status. I've always liked the .308 though, shooting my SAR-48HB a ton. The PA-10 though, has so much more accuracy than the FAL, that it begs to be shot at 300.
 
P89DCSS said:
6.5cm has advantages for me. My range goes to 1000 yards. And I'm getting old.
Click to expand...

Varminterror said:
It’s quite likely that you just won’t shoot the 308 much once you have the 6.5
Click to expand...

I've shot my .308 bolt gun next to a like-outfitted 6.5CM bolt gun... the difference shooting it was night and day. I'm not saying the .308 doesn't have it's place... I still have mine and it's not going anywhere... but if you are a regular shooter, you will likely find the 6.5CM easier to shoot, easier to shoot well, and with very little (if any...) downside vs a .30+ cartridge. Unless you are heavily invested in the .308, or plan to continue with it regardless, spinning a new barrel on your upper would not be a bad choice.
 
Stevie-Ray said:
I've got a PA-10 also, with a Geissele triggered lower. I also won a Savage 110 Tactical in 6.5 CM last year. So far at 100 yards the PA-10 is the more accurate, though I haven't yet tried either at 300. Looking to do that with both this year. If it remains as is, the PA-10 will be my long range gun and the Creed will likely drop to novelty status. I've always liked the .308 though, shooting my SAR-48HB a ton. The PA-10 though, has so much more accuracy than the FAL, that it begs to be shot at 300.
Click to expand...

Just picked up an 18" PSA PA-10 myself so I'm really glad to hear that about the accuracy. Just finished break in and getting ready to start testing.
 
P89DCSS said:
Any disadvantages to one lower, two uppers?
Click to expand...
A lot depends on what you plan to do with the uppers. Are they both going to be for long range shooting or is one going to be for hunting or maybe home defense? Several years ago I started putting my lowers together for specific purposes. I put a different trigger in an AR I am using for 500-1200 yards than I do for a hunting rifle or even a designated marksman rifle. Same with stocks and grips.

I find I am much more successful in a particular endeavor if I pick parts best suited to that endeavor. The first large frame AR I put together was a .308. I still have it; it's a great cartridge out to 1000 yards if you can do your part and have the right trigger and optic for the job. That being said, I found it much easier to hit 1000+ yards several times in a row once I put together a 6.5 CR.

I often have shooters interested in long range shooting start with a .308 as a long range trainer because they have to focus on shooting and ballistic technique much more. I would say invest in more than one lower but don't put them together the same.
 
I did the same thing except I added a 300 blk upper that was on sale from PSA for my AR. I already had a 1-6x vortex that needed a home, so I just made myself an option for things like deer and hogs if I want to go a bigger than 223. As a hunting rifle, it won't get a whole bunch of rounds through it.
 
Define long distance first (450-700 or 900mts)
There is so much cheese to cut there. Spend the money in a very good trigger, a great proven barrel and lastly in the best optic you can buy.
I let the ammo for last assuming you reload already.
After all that Jaz, I'm sure you will question yourself for a good Bolt action in 6.5 x 55 Swedish or 308.
 
czhen said:
Define long distance first (450-700 or 900mts)
After all that Jaz, I'm sure you will question yourself for a good Bolt action in 6.5 x 55 Swedish or 308.
Click to expand...
Buy a Sako Model 85 in 6.5x55 and be done with it!
 
If you're gonna wind up with 2 uppers that serve the same purpose, you might as well just rebarrel your existing upper and put the savings into a quality barrel.

Two uppers is just going to leave you with money sitting in the safe, especially if you put glass on the new upper, which is always better than swapping optics and having to rezero just to swap uppers.

Believe me, if you're building one to do what your existing upper does, only better, you're gonna lose interest in the one you already have.

With that having been said, I'm also a fan of having multiple uppers for a lower. I have one lower built out for long range. One built out for medium range and one for going fast. The major differences among them being the stocks, triggers and slings.

Now, of course, if money is no object, I'd say have them both.
 
Buy the upper for now.

And if you can swing it, buy another lower soon. Things are going to get worse.

Look at Washington State, and their "parts" law that just went into effect.
 
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