Help me pick a .308 AR

[Maximumbob54]

I am a huge fan of Magpul Pmags so since they started making .308 Pmags that work with the KAC SR25/DPMS type rifles that is my choice. Pmags are cheap, plentiful, they work, and you can afford to buy them. They don't dent, warp, rust, pop apart at welds, and there aren't cheap nonfunctional versions you have to worry about staying away from. I also wouldn't worry so much about the chrome lined barrel. Unless you are looking to blast away with a pile of corrosive primed milsurp it isn't that big a deal. Chrome lined barrels just aren't as accurate since the plating adds a layer to the bore. If rust is your issue them buy some Eezox or similar and swab the bore for storage. Armalite makes a pretty good rifle but it's my understanding they are very parts specific to their own brand. The SR-25 platform isn't universal parts but it's more common to a few brands. The NEW Bushmasters, Remingtons, KAC, DPMS, and I think LMT share more parts in common than not. I'm sure there are more to that list. As for the Armalite type (M14 mag use) rifles Rock River Arms is the only one that is close (that I know of) but they also have this to say:

http://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=451

 

[henschman]

I'm not worried about any accuracy handicap from a CL barrel -- like I said, I am perfectly fine with my GI barreled M14's accuracy. I'm fine with minute of man at 800m... I don't need minute of head at 800m. I have other rifles for that. With this one, I am more interested in long barrel life, reliable feeding when dirty, ease of cleaning, and corrosion resistance.

Don't tell me I am being irrational in my insistence on chrome lining. It has real benefits. I have had many CL rifles. I am familiar with its benefits and drawbacks, and consider it a desirable feature for a serious-use rifle that will see a heavy round count.

Those P-mags are pretty nice, but I'm thinking I might rather have a rifle that can share mags with my M1A. Even though Armalite mags cost almost 2x what P-mags do, the ability to mod M14 mags to work in both rifles would really defray the mag costs for me, since I already have several high quality M14 mags and plan on buying more. Plus the Armalite would come with a lifetime warranty, while a DPMS-pattern rifle I built from parts wouldn't.

 

[Z-Michigan]

A couple things. First, the modification between M14 and AR-10 mags is fairly involved, requiring a different follower, and Gen 2 AR-10 mags are not at all compatible with an M1A. I would not bother try to mod mags from M14 to AR-10 configuration.

Second, Armalite mags cost only $27.50 if you buy 10-packs from the Armalite website.

Finally, you might also consider the CMMG .308 rifle listed in CDNN's catalog. It's basically on the DPMS pattern but has the "WASP" nitriding finish which compares well to chrome lining. It doesn't have the fixed sights you want though.

 

[Luchtaine]

I cant remember where I saw it but I read a review from some magazine. The guy was testing Armalites more cost conscious brand eagle something? He was claiming better accuracy outta the Chrome lined barrel than the Stainless on the Armalite. Something to google, I didn't pay a lot of attention to the article at the time because I'd decided to go a different route.

 

[Z-Michigan]

"Eagle Arms" is currently used as the lower-end line for Armalite* and they recently introduced a confusingly designated AR-10. The Eagle Arms model has a NON-chrome lined barrel of chrome-moly steel. It could be more accurate than the SS barrel models by random chance.

*Mark Westrom's company was originally named Eagle Arms, and then when the Armalite name came available he bought it and renamed the company, and Eagle Arms was used for their budget models in the 1990's and then again recently, with little or nothing sold as "Eagle Arms" between roughly 2000 and 2010.

 

[henschman]

The way I understand it, the only modification you need to make to an M14 mag to work in the AR-10 is to cut the square hole in the side for the mag retainer; but the bolt hold-open will not work unless you use a different follower. I can live without a bolt hold-open if it means free mags with a little dremel work.

The CMMG offering is interesting. I know their 5.56 ARs are top quality, and is probably what I'll go with for the upper on my latest poodle shooter build. I suppose I am not opposed to a barrel with a coating like that if it approaches the benefits of chrome lining.

But it isn't the barrel length I want, it says nothing about the weight, I'd have to add a clamp-on front sight base, and I'd end up changing out the stock and handguards. I could probably sell the stock for enough to pay for the carbine stock and buffer tube kit, but still an extra PITA... especially when it costs at least $100 more than I can get an AR-10 for.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Re: CMMG, just giving you options. Also I would rate their 5.56 uppers as only very good, not top quality (and I own one).

As for M14 mags, I believe the standard M14 follower will drag and perhaps scrape the carrier on the AR-10, and while you won't have a reliable bolt hold-open you might have an erratic one. If you're willing to give up M14 mags you could also sell them and have about enough to buy new Armalite gen 2 mags without any dremel work.

 

[henschman]

Well I won't be selling my M14 mags, since I am not going to be selling the M1A. This whole AR thing will just be an experiment to see if it is reliable enough in comparisson to the M1A to replace it as my primary go-to rifle. I plan on running it hard and putting it through the wringer.

 

[lencac]

Noveske out of Grants Pass Oregon. Not cheap but superb.

 

[henschman]

Tell me if I'm wrong but as far as I can tell, Noveske only makes stainless steel barrels for their 7.62s, and only heavy profile ones in the length I am interested in. They also go with the handguard mounted front sights. They make such great chrome lined barrels for their 5.56s... you'd think they would make one for the 7.62 as well. Too bad.

 

[Zerodefect]

Thier 7.62 is more of a precision weapon, not a rapid fire carbine. Henceforth why most of the nicer .308 AR's have a SS barrel.

I like the LMT .308 the best, but I don't think it's quite what you're after.

 

[henschman]

Yeah, it seems like most .308 AR makers are in a paradigm of either short-barreled flamethrowers for close quarters that are light weight, or long-barreled precision/sniper rifles with big heavy bull barrels. Very few make a rifle with a decent length barrel that is light weight as well. I guess the traditional idea of a full power battle rifle with a light profile, full-length barrel is not as popular as it once was.

 

[230therapy]

Yeah, it seems like most .308 AR makers are in a paradigm of either short-barreled flamethrowers for close quarters that are light weight, or long-barreled precision/sniper rifles with big heavy bull barrels. Very few make a rifle with a decent length barrel that is light weight as well. I guess the traditional idea of a full power battle rifle with a light profile, full-length barrel is not as popular as it once was.

You could always call the manufacturers mentioned in this thread's posts and ask if they'll make a gun to your specifications. I'm sure many of them would be happy to do it.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Tell me if I'm wrong but as far as I can tell, Noveske only makes stainless steel barrels for their 7.62s, and only heavy profile ones in the length I am interested in. They also go with the handguard mounted front sights. They make such great chrome lined barrels for their 5.56s... you'd think they would make one for the 7.62 as well. Too bad.

The Noveske is a precision rifle and they are spendy. You want a "go to" rifle, I would take a hard look at the LMT MWS. The LMT well be my third .308 platform AR, and soon I hope.

Here's a Noveske, this is a heavy rifle and not something you would use for running through the brush. Even without the scope it's heavy, the PRS I added didn't help either.

 

[henschman]

Well, a local Armalite dealer quoted me a price of $1,260.00 to special order me a 20" with a collapsible stock. So that plus $70 for a CTR and $200 for a Troy TRX 308 handguard, and I have the rifle I want with a lifetime warranty. Sounds pretty good to me.

 

[zeke]

Just put a viltor collapsible stock on a M1A socom. There was a significant change in handling qualities for the better, especially with a shorter lop and hand grip. Didn't have to make any physical alterations to the rifle.