AR 10 upper suggestions

[Ranger Roberts]

Hello everyone, I'm starting the process of building another AR 10. I currently have one that I built years ago for long range shooting. I love it but it is heavy. I came across a stripped AR 10 lower the other day for a price that was too good to pass up. I was hoping you guys could give me a few suggestions for an upper.
Here is what I imagine for this build:
I'm not looking for anything crazy, 600 yard shots would be the absolute max for this gun and they would be very rare.
I really don't want to spend a fortune.
I have never bought anything other than a complete upper but I wouldn't be opposed to assembling one myself if it would keep the cost down.
Thanks everyone! I look forward to your responses!

 

[ajandrs]

What's the intended purpose of the rifle, or rather, what do you want to do with it it up to 600 yards? Hunting, varmint control, or just range paper / steel? What caliber do you want?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ranger Roberts]

Mainly just punching paper/steel. Occasionally it will be used for hunting. I am going to go with a 308.

 

[ajandrs]

I'm currently just starting my first AR-10 build as well and have only looked at parts and not complete uppers. But if you're open to building and want to keep the costs down i'd check out ballistic arms barrels. They come with a 1 MOA guarantee and are under 3 bills ... compared to the high end barrels that are $600+. AERO Precision has their .308 nickel boron BCG on sale right now for $225.

The big thing if you build is making sure all your components are compatible since there isn't a "mil spec" like with the AR-15.

http://ballisticadvantage.com/20-inch-308-gov-rifle-ss-premium-barrel.html

http://aeroprecisionusa.com/308-bcg-nib.html


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ranger Roberts]

I'll definitely check it out! Thanks!

 

[evtSmtx]

I'm happy with my aero precision 6.5 upper

 

[Quentin]

You say AR-10, are you actually talking ArmaLite? Of course it does matter in regard to recommending uppers for your lower.

 

[Ranger Roberts]

You say AR-10, are you actually talking ArmaLite? Of course it does matter in regard to recommending uppers for your lower.

Sorry, I mean DPMS compatible. I just used AR 10 as a generic term.

I'm happy with my aero precision 6.5 upper

I was looking at aero precision. Their uppers are stripped though (at least for 308). Are there extra tools I would need to assemble it? I have normal gunsmithing punches, screwdrivers and stuff like that. I also have the AR wrenches. I've never put an upper together before, besides stripping it for cleaning.. etc.

 

[ajandrs]

The only "special tool" you really need to assemble the upper is a vice block to securely hold the upper while you torque down the barrel nut ... oh and a torque wrench obviously. Other than that it's pretty simple stuff.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ColoradoMinuteMan]

The LR-308 (DPMS) patterned rifles unfortunately are not all the same spec. For assurance of fit you may consider using the same brand upper as your lower. For instance I've heard anecdotal stories of PSA not playing well with LR-308 patterned parts. You may also consider a bolt carrier and charging handle of the same brand as the upper receiver as well. Some do mix and match, but others will not. Often charging handles will require a little bit of hand fitting if it isn't of the same brand as the upper.

As far as tools to assemble a LR-308 upper, really the only "specialized" tools you will need are the vice block or a barrel extension torque tool, a torque wrench, a muzzle device wrench (the jaws of many standard wrenches are too wide), and a barrel nut wrench. The barrel nut wrench is often supplied with the barrel nut if get a free floating type. If you use the Aero Precision "Enhanced" type upper it uses a standard AR15 barrel nut wrench. If you have an AR15 wrench you also likely already have the muzzle device wrench built into that. You can find clamp on or set screw mounted gas blocks, but if you want a pinned gas block you'll also want a drill press as well.

For my first LR-308 patterned build I decided to just go Aero Precision for the lower, upper, bolt carrier group and charging handle for simplicity purposes. I feel like it was a wise choice and made assembly as quick and easy as a mil-spec AR-15 would have been. It also has flawless operation.