Help me make sense of .308 ARs

[qwert65]

Hi, I have decided that I'd like an AR for many reasons, range toy and SHTF are both at the top of the list- because I can/maybe use for hogs is third. I have decided I'd like it in 308 mostly because I shoot 308 and 30-30 and don't feel like stocking another caliber. I have no semi-auto rifles at the moment but have fired and owned a lot. I have never owned any type of AR and have only fired them in .223 config. I don't reload frankly bc I don't have the time.
I would like a quality rifle with irons and a 18-20 inch barrel. I will most likely put a red dot on it as well.
Who makes a quality AR 308? I'd like it to be at or below 2,000$ before optic. Any opinions comments are welcome, thanks in advance.

 

[TIMC]

DPMS makes a decent good shooting AR-10 style rifle and you should be able to pick one up for $1200-$1300 quick leaves you plenty for optics.

 

[dprice3844444]

colt makes an le901 308 rifle with an adapter kit that lets you mount a 223 upper on it so you can shoot 223

 

[qwert65]

I looked at the colt it seems to be 16 inches, how loud is a 308 at 16 inches? I have a 20inch barrel on my BLR and for hunting purposes it's not bad

 

[Karys]

My AR-10 carbine isn't any louder than any other rifle.

I certainly didn't notice any excessive noise when I shot three hogs with it in SC.

 

[Reloadron]

I happen to have an Armalite Rifle AR-10 which I have no complaints with. My reasoning for Armalite is pretty simple, when I built it 18 or so years ago the selection was much more limited than it is today.

Something to consider in your looking is that unlike the AR-15 flavors where many have interchangeable parts that isn't the case with the AR-10 flavors where parts are not interchangeable.

There is no shortage of well made good accurate rifles out there so shop and do your homework as you are doing. Try and find a few to handle and look at and note the features of each. Think about what YOU want in the rifle. Would I buy another Armalite? Yes, in a heartbeat but I haven't owned any of the others either.

Ron

 

[yzguy87]

I've had DPMS and Rock River. Both treated me well. The RRA was really accurate.
I'd like to play with a Sig 716 if i ever get the $$$ to pony up for one. If money was a factor, I wouldn't hesitate to look at another DPMS or RRA though.

 

[btg3]

I considered .308 when first shopping for an AR. But I wanted to shoot 3-gun/tactical rifle, so .223 made more sense for a light rifle and a 50+ round match.

 

[Float Pilot]

I too was researching this subject a while back.

I did not want a carbine but rather an accurate rifle.

I got lost in the wash...

1. DPMS....RFLR-REPR MSRP: $2,589.00

2. Armalite...ArmaLite AR-10 Super S.A.S.S: MSRP: $3,100.00

3. Bushmaster....308 Hunter... can't find a reliable price

4. LaRue Tactical .... 20 Inch LaRue Tactical OBR : MSRP $3,370.00

5. Les Baer..... LBC .308 Semi-Auto Match Rifle MSRP $3190.00

6. Noveske...??????

7. Rock River Arms..... LAR-8 20 Inch Varmint A4 CM $1,575.00

8. Lewis Machine...308 Slick Receiver Rifle: $3,148.64

9. JP Industries..???

10. Knight Industries..SR-25..KAC 20 : LOTS

11. Colt...901...???

12. Fulton Armory FAR-308 "Titan". $2500 to $3500

13. H&K..MR762A1...$3,995

14. Sig...SIG716...PISTON DRIVE MSRP: $2,132

15. POF...P-308 piston drive..MSRP: $3,244.99

16. Ruger ( I saw a piston drive Ruger in 7.62 a couple days ago. I'll wait )

 

[Strahley]

I have to ask, why a red dot on an 18-20 inch AR10 in .308? That's like putting training wheels on a Corvette

 

[qwert65]

Well not def going with a red dot but they intrigue me. Usually I just use irons. My longest range is 300yds

 

[Reloadron]

I have to ask, why a red dot on an 18-20 inch AR10 in .308? That's like putting training wheels on a Corvette

I guess it is a matter of personal preference and how one plans to use the rifle. Mine is some custom sights but I do use a scope every now and then or the standard factory iron sights.





Like dressing for the occasion I guess.

Ron

 

[CaptHank]

Here is my DPMS LR308. I'm very satisfied, except for trying to find enough powder to feed this beast.

 

[txblackout]

dpms g2 hunters weigh around 7.75lbs. I have an older version dpms compact hunter that weighs 7.75 pounds but has a short barrel. I will probably end up buying a g2

 

[CaliCoastie]

300yds? 308? Irons? To me this screams an M1A. Best of luck.

 

[CaptHank]

Better picture.

 

[dusty14u]

After searching reviews I decided on a S&W M&P10 and I have been really happy with it. I bought it for hunting but it is a great range gun too. Very accurate and one of the lightest AR .308's. Ambi controls so if you are a left handed shooter the ergonomics don't suck.

 

[Arizona_Mike]

The S&W M&P10 makes a great package out of the box. I usually customise my ARs a lot but I just added a free float rail, adj. gas block (because I suppress), Magpul stock, and a better flash hider. It comes with fully ambi controls. Even with the lightweight barrel (which is nicely Melonited) many people see MOA or better.

I'm also excited about the Gen II DPMS as it will have more parts compatability with the AR which is the big flaw in the 7.62 platform. I was going to build a .260 DPMS for med to long range hunting but went with a Savage 110 and custom 6.5x55mm barrel instead.

Mike

 

[Reloadron]

300yds? 308? Irons? To me this screams an M1A. Best of luck.

I was actively shooting my match M1A (which I still have) when I began shooting the rifle I posted above. Once I adapted and learned to shoot my AR-10 I discovered I could shoot just as well with the AR-10 and that the AR-10 was just as accurate and enjoyable to shoot. Before the M1A it was the M1 Garand, you simply adapt to each rifle and learn to become proficient with it.

Then you begin to get older and older and wonder why any of those rifles just don't shoot as well as they once did.

I see mention of the S&W MP-10 rifles. Those are damn fine rifles right out of the box at a really nice price.

Arizona Mike :

I was going to build a .260 DPMS for med to long range hunting but went with a Savage 110 and custom 6.5x55mm barrel instead.

That 6.5 Swede is another cartridge I really like.

Ron

 

[kimberkid]

I'd bought a 1994-95 KAC SR25 nib about 17 years ago for $3K ... Like an idiot I sold it because it was so accurate it was boring and after a couple years I sold it just because it had become a safe queen ... and I had an itch for something else, regretted it shortly after.

About 10 years later I got a DPMS LR-308, played with it for a few years. I'd even upgraded the trigger, stock & grip but just not the same feel or accuracy I was after... I started eyeing GunBroker for another early KAC SR-25 and eventually scored one for $2200 that has a Geissele trigger, Magpul PRS stock and shoots even nicer than my first one. It's pictured with its younger/smaller cousin the SR15 E3 Mod1.

I've been thinking of getting a SiG 716 and if I do I'll probably sell the DPMS to help fund it.

DPMS LR-308


KAC Stoner's

 

[Jenrick]

One note an Armalite AR-10 uses a modified M1A magazine basically. It is NOT compatible with all the other manufactures 7.62 mags.

-Jenrick

 

[Reloadron]

One note an Armalite AR-10 uses a modified M1A magazine basically. It is NOT compatible with all the other manufactures 7.62 mags.

-Jenrick

Actually I think AR-10 magazines come down to about 3 flavors. This link may help with who uses what. I know the new Armalite 308 guns use their Gen II magazines and the early Armalite guns used their Type 1 magazines based on the USGI M14 and commercial M1A magazines.

I believe the KAC was based on the original Stoner design. I think KAC, DPMS and LaRue all remained with that design and others. Possibly if we have a knowledgeable Magazine Guru they could shed some light on what magazines go with what guns. I only have magazines for my rifle. I know I can modify USGI M14 magazines to work fine in my AR-10 (Armalite Early). Also wondering what magazine the S&W MP10 uses?

Ron

 

[CZ223]

No one has mentioned the Windham AR-10 yet

probably because they have not been out very long. I picked one up a few weeks ago and, while I have not put more than about 60 rounds through it, I am very happy. It is not Mil-spec, so you will have to buy be careful when buying things like after market stocks etc. I haven't put my scope on it yet, a 6.5 x20 Leupold in a QR PEPR mount, but accuracy at 100 yards with open sights is around 2 inches for me. Once I put the scope on it I will be able to give better info about accuracy, obviously. It handles very well and the trigger is pretty good right out of the box. Price was $1300 locally but I traded for it and I did well on trade value so I am happy.

 

[Colonel]

I sold it because it was so accurate

 

[savage23]

Just listed an Armalite ar-10 a2 in the trader.