Fulton far-10 order change. What do you think?

[TexasEric]

I have been lurking for about a week, searching and learning. Couldn't find all the info I wanted, so I am posting this.
I did 6 years in the army, and I'm very comfortable with the ar platform. I am left eye dominant, and right handed. So I shoot from the left side.
I fell in love with M240 B's 7.62 by 51, I wanted that round for the rifle. I will use this as a "iron sights" range toy (200- 300 yards). I will work my way up to 600 once I get some good optics for it. I will probably do a deer/hog hunt with it as well. In a perfect world, I would take it to some distance shooting class. (800 yards max, not what the upper limits are on an 18 in barrel)

The rifle I ordered is a Fulton Far-10 phantom lte. All the standard features are here
http://www.fulton-armory.com/farifl...isionrifle-3-4-2-1-1-2-1-2-2-1-4-2-5-1-2.aspx

I intially wanted a dust cover and forward assist, because that is all I know and was trained on. After doing some reading and thinking. I am wondering if I should change the order to a side cocking option, ditching the forward assist and dust cover. I would also change to an adjustable low profile gas block. For adjusting recoil, and also I if wanted spend the time and effort to get a suppressor for it later.

I think the side cocking would be great as I am already on that side. I just hope the BCG doesn't get any dirtier without the dust cover. Iraq ingrained in me the need for a dust cover, but I question the logic for it in Texas.
It will have a 18.5 in barrel. It will have jp cooling compensator instead of a flash hider, and magpul UBR stock. Plus a Harris bipod with quick detach Arms 32 mount, to ditch the bipod, if I have to do a lot of walking/ hiking with it. It will have Ambi-safety, mag release, and charging handle. They didn't offer a ambi bolt catch. I will get two 20 round Fulton mags. I will probably add another 10 round mag for bench shooting.

So is it better to keep the dust cover, forward assist, standard low profile gas block, or not? What are you thoughts, quick input would be appreciated. Also, I ordered the rifle 6 weeks ago, the wait is 10-12 weeks, changes should be made now.

 

[Mike C2]

I haven't shot a slick side upper AR from the left hand side, but it seems that without (or maybe even with?) the shell deflector and shooting left hand you will take the empties in the face unless I am missing something here. Other than that for field use, they aren't needed.

I carry my 6.8 in a vertical rack in my jeep and the dust cover does work for that application, but if you clean the bolt after every excursion once again not that big a deal IMO.

 

[Robert]

I'd skip the side charging handle. I don't want the bolt handle flying around near my face, especially if I am shooting left handed. I grew up in Texas. It can be very dusty. Me personally I'd keep the cover and forward assist.

You only really need an adjustable gas block if you plan on shooting suppressed. My FAL has an adjustable block and honestly, I never touch it.

 

[Reloadron]

I shoot left handed for the exact reasons you mention. My AR10 is a 20+ year old Armalite and like you I shoot open sights. My rifle is a slick side and honestly I have never had need for a forward assist. If you plan to go open sights leave yourself some options depending on what you may want down the road. Here is what I am getting at:





I would also skip the side charging handle. When I bought mine the selection was much more limited than today and my barrel was added after I got the rifle. Additionally no adjustable gas block.

Ron

 

[wally]

Ron, your rifle has the brass deflector and dust cover, its only lacking the forward assist.

I believe what is currently being called "slick side" upper lacks the dustcover, forward assist, and brass deflector. I would want the brass deflector if shooting left handed, YMMV. I'd also want the dust cover if the gun is going to be driven around in the field uncased.

I've a couple of "true slick side" ARs, I like that they stack in the safe much better without the FA and brass deflector and as range guns I never miss what is not there, but I don't shoot them lefty.

Dust isn't that much of an issue in Houston, especially with all the rain we've had the past 1-1/2 years, but in the Hill Country and West Texas it sure can be.

 

[Reloadron]

Wally, yes, my bad on that. Yes, shooting left handed the brass deflector keeps them from the face. You make a very good point in never missing what isn't there to begin with. Have a few Colt SP1 but even they have dust covers.

Ron

 

[TexasEric]

Thank you for the info about the side cocker. I should have been clear, my intent was to keep the brass deflector no matter what. I am going to think a little more about it.

I do have another question. What is the upper limit for distance shooting, for an 18.5 inch barrel for a .308? I would be using gold medal Fed. 175 or 168 grain HPBT.

 

[Reloadron]

Thank you for the info about the side cocker. I should have been clear, my intent was to keep the brass deflector no matter what. I am going to think a little more about it.

I do have another question. What is the upper limit for distance shooting, for an 18.5 inch barrel for a .308? I would be using gold medal Fed. 175 or 168 grain HPBT.

I see guys shooting 600 yards common. My guess would be the limitations of the shooter. I have seen a few going 1,000 yards open sights. Anyway, the 500 and 600 yard ranges in the prone are common. While the Federal GM Match is really great stuff most guys are rolling their own at the longer distances. Part of the reasoning is when the bullet goes sub sonic it loses stability, using a ballistic calculator most guys can figure where their hand loads will go sub sonic. Using Federal or any other match quality my guess is shoot your rifle over a chronograph and get the muzzle velocity. Then with the MV known, bullet weight known, you should be able to calculate where the bullet will go sub sonic and that will likely be as good as it gets for the rifle and accuracy. Just a guess on my part. The entire game being to remain super sonic out to a given distance.

For example you want a MV that at 1,000 yards figuring in bullet coefficient, will be traveling at 1100 FPS or greater. A 168 grain Sierra Match King bullet with a 0.462 coefficient leaving the muzzle at 2600 FPS at 1,000 yards will be traveling at about 1146 FPS, just above the speed of sound at sea level under the right conditions. That is close to the approximately 2,600 FPS I get with my M1A and a 22" barrel. Never chronographed my AR10. That was using Federal GM Match 168 grain bullets.

Ron

 

[TexasEric]

Wow, thank you for the extra info! This is much appreciated.