AR style .308w?

[Brake Weight]

I find myself wanting my first AR. I want an AR10 or equivalent in .308w/NATO that has an aftermarket support. I've looked into the piston style like the Ruger 762 and Sig 716 first before the gas operated because the adjustable gas blocks caught my attention, and it's all factory setup. I have a hand-me-down R15 in .204 and have no issues from it, but we don't put enough rounds through it to matter. So I fondled the .308 version and it's heavy. Fondled the Sig 716 and their 516 in 7.62x39. Looked online at various gas driven makes from $800-2000.

What I'm wanting:
Hoping to stay under $1500
-.308w/NATO
-Commonplace magazines
-20" bbl
-Adjustable gas block
-Reliable with bulk brass and hunting loads

Leads me to this:
-I want a good quality gun vs. the 10s of thousands of cheap crap cranked out during the AR craze.
-Can I source parts to build from scratch cheaper? Where?


To sum it up, it's use would be for busting hogs at maybe 100 yards and and occasional deer at maybe 2-300 yards. These are about the longest shots we have in our woods. I'd like for more distance at a range, but if game can comfortably be taken at this yardage it's good.


BW

 

[hacksaw]

Your price point seems to put you in the general vicinity of the Ruger 762. Seems to be a good choice for your stated purposes. You may also want to look at the S & W MP 10.

 

[Quiet]

At your price point, for a factory made rifle...
Ruger SR-762
S&W M&P-10

 

[Brake Weight]

Would a lower from somewhere like SI Defense be compatible with a RRA or either of the two stated above? Reason I ask is because I'm new to the AR platform but from coworkers and other places. I've learned the AR15 is almost like a Lego set with accessories like a Chevy 350.

 

[henschman]

Of those two, the M&P would be a bit lighter, and would have an advantage in the deer woods... though the Ruger has the adjustable gas block you want. Why that feature in particular? You don't really need it for your stated uses... are you planning on suppressing it or something?

 

[CHALK22]

Reason I ask is because I'm new to the AR platform but from coworkers and other places. I've learned the AR15 is almost like a Lego set with accessories like a Chevy 350.

You are correct about the AR15 platform, however, the AR10 platform was never standardized, and as such there is not as much interchangeability between parts. You would want to start with a matched receiver set (and SI make an awesome one) and go from there. I have been looking into the .308 platform for a few friends, and I think that you would be better off buying over building, unless you have other specifics you wanted, other than budget.

 

[Brake Weight]

Of those two, the M&P would be a bit lighter, and would have an advantage in the deer woods... though the Ruger has the adjustable gas block you want. Why that feature in particular? You don't really need it for your stated uses... are you planning on suppressing it or something?

After some reading I decided on the adj gas block. For the reason of playing around plinking with bulk/surplus and hunting with a hotter, heavier ammo.

 

[EdLaver]

How about the new DPMS G2 308? Got great reviews at SHOT show this year. Doesnt have the adjustable gas block, but has all the bells and whistles for your price point + alot of other nice additions. Looks like a easy choice to me I think they are out now, if not, it wont be long.

http://discounttacticalsupply.com/dpms308762g2recontacticalrifle.aspx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMouXHkZQX0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL30jfzdrfo

 

[Arizona_Mike]

After some reading I decided on the adj gas block. For the reason of playing around plinking with bulk/surplus and hunting with a hotter, heavier ammo.

I put a Syrac adjustable gas block on my M&P 10. I will test it soon but will redo it because the dimpling jig is now in stock and I have one on the way

Mike

 

[henschman]

Yeah, if you get the M&P10 you will probably want to get rid of that ugly tall railed gas block anyway... might as well swap it out with an adjustable one.

 

[fragout]

B.W.

For your applications, I think a 16 or 18in bbl would be just fine at the ranges your gonna bust hogs and hunt deer at.....and then some. (With and without a can.)

My applications are similar, and I ended up with the Ruger SR762 over the other AR10types out there now.

Here is the comparison between the SnW Mp10 and Ruger SR762.

Dry weight:
SR762 = 8.6 lbs
MP10 = 7.7 lbs

Difference is negligible IMO at less than a pound.

Overall length:
SR762 = 38/34.75 via it's adjustable stock
MP10 = 40.9/37.6 via it's adjustable stock

The difference here makes the SR more compact when hunting in brush, moving in and out of trucks, draggin hog/deer bodies out of the thick stuff by yourself, and for use with a can. (My M14S Tanker has less OAL compared to the MP10 with stock extended, and it sports an 18.5in tube.)

Adjustable gas system:

SR762 = 4 position adjustable dual stage gas piston system. 0,1,2,3. The zero setting shuts it off completely, and was designed this way by Ruger.
MP10 = None. (The more common DGI non adjustable type.)

Iron sights:
SR762 = Samson front/rear flipup with dual "A2" type rear apertures.
MP10 = None.

Barrel:
SR762 = 16in chrome lined medium "inner fluted" contour 1-10in twist.
MP10 = 18in non chrome lined pencil thin contour 1-10in twist

Note: both have threaded muzzles


Magazines: (both = Magpul type)
SR762 = 3-20rd mags
MP10 = 1- 10rd mag

Other:
SR762 = Samson iron sights, Houge pistol grip, soft case, front sight adjustment tool, 2 sections of rail, and 3 handguard "grips". Optional if one wishes to use it on their own rifle or leave it in the wrap. The entire BCG is chrome plated, and the rifle runs very clean with less time involved for maint compared to DGI systems.

MP10 = None of the above, but is fully ambi for southpaws or those who train to transition from one hand to the other. ( I'm a lefty, but am simply used to how our M4's at work are set up.)

Either will fire any 7.62x51mm or 308 Win ammunition. FMJ,Match, and various hunting loads. From firsthand experience, the SR762 is plenty accurate out to your 300yard max via minute of deer/hog. I haven't hunted with an MP10 however.
I have had the SR762 out in last year's nasty weather, right along with this month's weather, and it hasn't failed me yet. The Houge pistol grip is a much better grip compared to the old "A2" types, and sticks in my mitts when the rifle is soaking wet, covered in snow, and especially with gloves on.

Best bang for the buck out of a factory rifle goes to the SR762, as by the time one adds the items to the MP10, your lookin at more $$.

If one doesn't need any of the extras that the SR762 sells with, your still out the 2 additional magazines.

 

[Brake Weight]

After some research I was leaning toward the SR762 but no one has them in stock locally. I'd have to order one and I didn't get to fondle one in the store. The piston types caught my eye more due to the cleaning up after cheap plinking. I'll see if I can get one ordered without a buy commitment so I can fondle it first.

Thanks for the comments.


BW.

 

[G.barnes]

You can also get a basic armalite for about 1400.

 

[henschman]

While it is true that the M&P10 doesn't have a chrome lined barrel, it should be mentioned that it has a nitrided barrel, which has all the advantages of CL while usually delivering better accuracy. The results I've seen posted from other people's M&P10s give me no reason to doubt it.

Also, being almost a full pound lighter is a very noticeable difference with handling... especially since the weight mostly comes off the part of the rifle that is closest to the muzzle. I have handled both... the Ruger is far from a pig, but the Smith definitely points better.

 

[Brake Weight]

MRSP on the sr762 is almost the same as SI Defense quoted me a while back for their 'Battle Rifle'. Which puts other vendors into this category also. So I may just rathole another $500 and say I'm looking for $2000 or less now ,but a few months down the road.