I'm thinking of buying a .308/7.62 caliber AR type rifle, the local sportsmans warehouse has an Armalite AR10T that i have handled and am very impressed with. I know DPMS offers their LR 308 but have not seen one, are there other manufacturors offering this caliber in the AR platform? Which would be the better rifle between these two choices?
Best .308/7.62 rifle in AR platform?
- Thread starter davepool
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Kind of Blued
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I just find Armalite's offerings to be hideous... 
I like the DPMS .308s that I've handled.
I like the DPMS .308s that I've handled.Quiet
Member
.308/7.62x51mm AR platforms I can think of off the top of my head...
(in alphabetical order)
ArmaLite AR-10 series
Bushmaster BAR-10 series
DPMS LR-308 series
Fulton Armory Titan series
H&K HK-417/MR-308 series
KAC SR-25 series
POF P-308 series
RRA LAR-8 series
(in alphabetical order)
ArmaLite AR-10 series
Bushmaster BAR-10 series
DPMS LR-308 series
Fulton Armory Titan series
H&K HK-417/MR-308 series
KAC SR-25 series
POF P-308 series
RRA LAR-8 series
rbernie
Contributing Member
I have Armalites, but primarily because they're what I first got involved with.
As far as I know, the current Bushy and Fulton AR-10s are built on the DPMS receiver set. The Rock River is, IIRC, a retooled version of the old Bushy design that didn't work so well the first time out of the blocks. I do not believe that the RRA offering is Generally Available (GA) yet.
I like the notion that the Armalite can take modified M14 mags, but that's less relevant the further we get from the AWB. Cost and availability of mags and parts is now comparable between DPMS and Armalite. Some of the DPMS models come with a forward assist; I wish the Armalite's had the same option.
DPMSs are popular in most retail stores; DPMS in general seems to do a better job of encouraging retail sales. I usually see far more DPMS retailers than Armalite retailers. Dunno how the RRA offering will turn out, but I'm pretty comfortable saying that the Armalite and DPMS products are reasonably reliable.
None of them are lightweight.
As far as I know, the current Bushy and Fulton AR-10s are built on the DPMS receiver set. The Rock River is, IIRC, a retooled version of the old Bushy design that didn't work so well the first time out of the blocks. I do not believe that the RRA offering is Generally Available (GA) yet.
I like the notion that the Armalite can take modified M14 mags, but that's less relevant the further we get from the AWB. Cost and availability of mags and parts is now comparable between DPMS and Armalite. Some of the DPMS models come with a forward assist; I wish the Armalite's had the same option.
DPMSs are popular in most retail stores; DPMS in general seems to do a better job of encouraging retail sales. I usually see far more DPMS retailers than Armalite retailers. Dunno how the RRA offering will turn out, but I'm pretty comfortable saying that the Armalite and DPMS products are reasonably reliable.
None of them are lightweight.
azhunter12
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In stead of an ar platform I think you should get a .308 Saiga. go to forum-saiga.com for more info on them.
Gunnerpalace
Member
I'll say KAC SR-25.
SimpleIsGood229
Member
Yeah, just as Gunnerpalace said, the Knight's Armament is about as good as it gets. 
If you aren't willing to shell out what the KAC costs, go for a DPMS.
If you aren't willing to shell out what the KAC costs, go for a DPMS.
.308
I own three Armalites. All three have a life time warranty, don't know about the others mentioned.
One of them is the most accurate gas gun I have ever seen.
Custome service is excellent.
One malfunction that was mag related. Took about five seconds to fix.
I own three Armalites. All three have a life time warranty, don't know about the others mentioned.
One of them is the most accurate gas gun I have ever seen.
Custome service is excellent.
One malfunction that was mag related. Took about five seconds to fix.
MachIVshooter
Member
My thoughts exactly, except in the reverse. The Armalite is a scaled-up AR-15 W/O forward assist. The DPMS has a very plain and angular receiver that I find aesthetically unpleasing.
However, since this isn't a beauty contest, I'm gonna have to say go with whatever suits you. I love my Armalites, but I've not heard anything bad about the DPMS. The Panther comes in about $400 cheaper than the armalite.
The KAC SR-25 is cream of the crop, and it's sticker reflects that.
Professor Gun
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I have three Armalite AR-10s that I and my two sons use for a lot of informal target practice and for deer hunting. We have been very happy with them, and they are far more accurate than we are.
mljdeckard
Member
I see that the DPMS has the most versatility for calibers. My main question would be, which platform offers the most universal compatability with AR-15 components and widely available magazines?
rbernie
Contributing Member
None of the AR-10 platforms will interchange much of any parts with the AR-15, furniture and things like gas blocks aside.
Between each other, they also interchange few parts. For example, Armalite and DPMS barrels will interchange, but not the barrel nut.
Between each other, they also interchange few parts. For example, Armalite and DPMS barrels will interchange, but not the barrel nut.
I happen to like the DPMS SASS the most. If you have the money, the KAC SR-25's that are high priced are great.
Personally I'm building a DPMS TAC-20 on a Fulton lower reciever, 20" barrel, 4 railed hand guards, standard stock, detachable 19 round mags. Going to put on a 2.5-10x42 Tasco Mil-Dot till it either breaks or I decide to spend a but load of money on glass.... I'm still waiting on the uppper to get here as it's been ordered since Feb, it should be here in the next few weeks.
Personally I'm building a DPMS TAC-20 on a Fulton lower reciever, 20" barrel, 4 railed hand guards, standard stock, detachable 19 round mags. Going to put on a 2.5-10x42 Tasco Mil-Dot till it either breaks or I decide to spend a but load of money on glass.... I'm still waiting on the uppper to get here as it's been ordered since Feb, it should be here in the next few weeks.
WhoMe?
Member
I haven't fired an AR-10, so I can't comment on that, but I own a DPMS LR-308 AP4 and have been very happy with it. The reasons I picked the DPMS were:
Availability of parts locally. Several stores in my area stock mags, etc.
Cost
It was the NRA American Rifleman's rifle of the year in 2006, for what it's worth.
http://www.nra.org/Article.aspx?id=5227
Those were the reasons that put me over the fence, but I haven't heard anything bad about either. I don't think you can go wrong either way.
Availability of parts locally. Several stores in my area stock mags, etc.
Cost
It was the NRA American Rifleman's rifle of the year in 2006, for what it's worth.
http://www.nra.org/Article.aspx?id=5227
Those were the reasons that put me over the fence, but I haven't heard anything bad about either. I don't think you can go wrong either way.
RockyMtnTactical
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Sr-25
Z-Michigan
Member
Armalite is the best balance (IMHO) of being well made, having a proven track record, and shooting well. I disagree with the hideous comment, I think they look nice. If you want a chrome-lined barrel, I'm not sure anyone else makes an AR-10 with one.
DPMS is significantly less $$ and gets good reviews, and is currently available to buy. Would be my 2nd choice, or maybe 1st if I wanted a caliber other than .308.
RRA LAR-8 may be great, if you can buy one. They don't seem to be really available yet. I tried both calling and emailing RRA a few months ago and couldn't get through either way. I guess they weren't interested in selling just yet.
SR-25 is in a different price range, I think.
DPMS is significantly less $$ and gets good reviews, and is currently available to buy. Would be my 2nd choice, or maybe 1st if I wanted a caliber other than .308.
RRA LAR-8 may be great, if you can buy one. They don't seem to be really available yet. I tried both calling and emailing RRA a few months ago and couldn't get through either way. I guess they weren't interested in selling just yet.
SR-25 is in a different price range, I think.
chemistpc5
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- May 8, 2008
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DPMS and Armalite
I just got a DPMS 308 TAC 20. It is heavy ~ 11 lbs. But I love shooting it. I have been more accurate with this rifle than any other. I am still in the breakin stages ~110 rds so far and the more I use and clean it the better it performs. The action was a little stickey at first but now is smooth, I wasn't comfortable in stripping it down and polishing/ cleaning all the parts. Can't say anything about Armalite. I didn't spend much on the deer scope.
I'm prejudiced towards DPMS... good luck!
I just got a DPMS 308 TAC 20. It is heavy ~ 11 lbs. But I love shooting it. I have been more accurate with this rifle than any other. I am still in the breakin stages ~110 rds so far and the more I use and clean it the better it performs. The action was a little stickey at first but now is smooth, I wasn't comfortable in stripping it down and polishing/ cleaning all the parts. Can't say anything about Armalite. I didn't spend much on the deer scope.
I'm prejudiced towards DPMS... good luck!
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