can you build your own AR10?

[gunsmith]

I had an AR15 but I wasn't happy, I had a springfield m1a
and I liked the caliber but not the rifle.

I want an AR10 but am not in great shape $$ right now, who has built their own?
was it cheaper?.
I might end up getting one from the local reputable dealer, but I thought making my own would teach me more about fixing things myself.

What is the difference between .308 and 7.62 Nato?
will shooting .308 out of a 7.62 Nato hurt me or the rifle?

this will be for shtf, fun at the range.
& I want to reliably hit man sized targets out to 500 yards
(if thshtf I'm in the desert, so need longer range then urban & dust/sand is a problem too)

 

[MachIVshooter]

I have never looked into it, but I would guess that the lack of availability and higher prices of AR-10 parts would make building one impractical. I bought mine whole, an Armalite AR-10A2 carbine, for $1419 new.

What is the difference between .308 and 7.62 Nato?

Nato cases are thicker for use in MG's. If you load them, reduce the charge a bit.

will shooting .308 out of a 7.62 Nato hurt me or the rifle?

No.

 

[mljdeckard]

Yes and no. Mostly yes.

I also had an M1A and I decided that to make it comfortably shootable with a scope, I would need a custom stock and trigger. I also realized, that even with these modifications, I wouldn't be shooting it any faster than I would a bolt rifle. So, I went back to a Rem 700 VS. IF I did again want to look at an autoloader for precision, I would look at the AR-10, and in all honesty, I would start with the base DPMS and work up from there. (about $800.) If my marksmanship improved to the point where I really needed a better rifle than that, I would consider it when that happens.

As for the 7.62/.308 issue, THERE ARE DIFFERENCES. I have spoken to professional gunsmiths who didn't realize this. I have spoken to sales reps in 'reputable' stores that did not know this. Refer to the following article for clarification. (There are similar differences in 5.56/.223, which most people don't realize.) I owned rifles in both calibers, and switched out ammo in both without knowing the difference, and wondered why I could never keep accuracy consistent.

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/308vs762nato/index.asp

The primary concern is sizing. If you are reloading, make sure you A: know which your rifle is chambered for, and B: load to the correct spec, as they ARE different. When you buy .308 ammo, look for the NATO circle/cross symbol next to the .308. This means it was loaded for NATO spec. It is not so much a safety issue as a performance issue, unless, as the article, you are using a very old rifle in which the varied pressure could make it unsafe. Short answer, make sure you always do it the same way, to the correct spec. (I personally have never used one of these antiques re-chambered for .308.)

I have also been told that the differences matter much less in civilian bolt action rifles than in military style/surplus autoloaders.