PA-10 Deal

[Masonlaw1]

So here it is, threw the PA 4-14 FFP on it for function testing. Shot about 20 rounds at our gunsmith’s 100 yard range. I shot about 2 MOA, one of my agency’s smiths shot three touching. Not much data but everything cycled and didn’t seem overgassed. Considering both upper and lower were sold as blems, little to no obvious blemishes to be found. For $650 all in, it’s a great place to start!

 

[American_Fusilier]

Nice! That's very similar to my build. Glad it functioned well.

2 moa is not bad. Work up a load for it, or put some higher quality ammo through it, I bet it shoots sub moa.

Are you happy with it?

Now I gotta get mine to the range...

 

[ExtremeSquared]

Does anyone have any info on setting the adjustable gas block on the PA-10?
Palmetto does not address it.
There are no visual cues.
The manual appears to deny its existence entirely.

 

[DMW1116]

It has a total of 18 clicks from closed to fully open. After closing it for the Titegroup subsonic loads, I opened it 5 or 6 to try my 168 grain Speer loads and adjusted from there. I don’t know where it is right now, but one click closed won’t run my Speer loads. The Winchester M80 white box loads are fairly hot and need a little less gas but I’d have to close down and start counting to figure out where to set the block for those.

Some powder/bullet combinations have given me trouble with bent rims and other issues so I try to limit hand loads to 308 service rifle loads.

 

[Masonlaw1]

Nice! That's very similar to my build. Glad it functioned well.

2 moa is not bad. Work up a load for it, or put some higher quality ammo through it, I bet it shoots sub moa.

Are you happy with it?

Now I gotta get mine to the range...

I am happy so far, typical PSA. Well put together, mediocre finish, so far good function. I don’t handload but have some high end ammo I’ll put through it when I can.

 

[Hunter 08]

Yeah I just got my Gen 3 PA 10 yesterday. Later June or July is when I'll start getting it setup. I didn't go for a Blem model, so I paid $879 for mine (~$930 with sales tax). Its about 8.2lbs as is, not terrible. With what I'm going to put on it, I think it will top out at 12lbs. Going to have to hit the gym if I hike with it.

 

[12Bravo20]

The PA10 rifles are heavy, but most large frame AR's will be heavy. I have a Gen 1 PA10 that works great. The only thing I want to change is the gas block, the rifle could benefit from an adjustable gas block. I don't know the exact weight of mine but it will be heavier than others since I am using a MagPul Gen 3 PRS stock.

 

[DMW1116]

I am happy so far, typical PSA. Well put together, mediocre finish, so far good function. I don’t handload but have some high end ammo I’ll put through it when I can.

Mine shoots Federal Gold Medal Match 175 grain SMK just over 3/4" at 100 yards. My hand loads are about the same, but 1/3 the price. It shoots the Winchester M80 White Box just over 1". I tried some Fiochi match loads but mine doesn't like them. They shoot about 2". I don't want to say it's picky, but I definitely saw better accuracy with some ammo over others. My FMJ hand loads are on par with the Winchester, and I have a 168 grain Amax hand load that is as good as the 175 grain SMK loads, though it has overgas issues and I don't load it anymore. I haven't beaten the good factory ammo, but I can replicate it for about 1/2 to 1/3 the cost. If you're willing to feed it factory ammo, you won't give up much if any accuracy, and will likely gain some velocity.

 

[2ndtimer]

Mine shoots Federal Gold Medal Match 175 grain SMK just over 3/4" at 100 yards. My hand loads are about the same, but 1/3 the price. It shoots the Winchester M80 White Box just over 1". I tried some Fiochi match loads but mine doesn't like them. They shoot about 2". I don't want to say it's picky, but I definitely saw better accuracy with some ammo over others. My FMJ hand loads are on par with the Winchester, and I have a 168 grain Amax hand load that is as good as the 175 grain SMK loads, though it has overgas issues and I don't load it anymore. I haven't beaten the good factory ammo, but I can replicate it for about 1/2 to 1/3 the cost. If you're willing to feed it factory ammo, you won't give up much if any accuracy, and will likely gain some velocity.

Yours shoots better than my Gen 2. Curious what powders you are using for your handloads?

 

[DMW1116]

The best results over the widest range have been with IMR 4064. I could load marbles in 308 cases and they’d shoot if I used that powder.

CFE 223 shoots the Amax bullets but it’s gassier than me at a burrito buffet. I’ve switched to AR Plus for the Amax bullets. Test loads shot just behind the CFE Amax load with not gas issues. Even with the adjustable gas block I don’t want to use CFE 223 with those bullets any more.

I also tried AR Plus with Hornady FMJ and it will likely be my choice there too, though IMR 4064 shot better for 2x the price.

 

[12Bravo20]

Mine shoots Federal Gold Medal Match 175 grain SMK just over 3/4" at 100 yards. My hand loads are about the same, but 1/3 the price. It shoots the Winchester M80 White Box just over 1". I tried some Fiochi match loads but mine doesn't like them. They shoot about 2". I don't want to say it's picky, but I definitely saw better accuracy with some ammo over others. My FMJ hand loads are on par with the Winchester, and I have a 168 grain Amax hand load that is as good as the 175 grain SMK loads, though it has overgas issues and I don't load it anymore. I haven't beaten the good factory ammo, but I can replicate it for about 1/2 to 1/3 the cost. If you're willing to feed it factory ammo, you won't give up much if any accuracy, and will likely gain some velocity.

I have not taken the time to find factory ammo or fine tune any reloads yet for my rifle. But my experience with the Winchester M80 white box has been similar to yours. and 1" - 1 1/4" is quite acceptable for that ammo. I tried some Norma TAC 150Gr FMJ ammo in the PA10 but it shot worse than the Winchester White Box. My Savage Model 12 shoots 3/4" groups all day long at 100 yards with the Norma TAC.

 

[Hunter 08]

Just have to try a variety of ammo that groups well for you and works for what you are wanting to do with it. I'm going to try a variety of hunting ammo to see what groups reasonable for me and stock up on that, plus whatever other range ammo does the same.

 

[2ndtimer]

The best results over the widest range have been with IMR 4064. I could load marbles in 308 cases and they’d shoot if I used that powder.

CFE 223 shoots the Amax bullets but it’s gassier than me at a burrito buffet. I’ve switched to AR Plus for the Amax bullets. Test loads shot just behind the CFE Amax load with not gas issues. Even with the adjustable gas block I don’t want to use CFE 223 with those bullets any more.

I also tried AR Plus with Hornady FMJ and it will likely be my choice there too, though IMR 4064 shot better for 2x the price.

Thanks for the reply. I, too, have had really good results with IMR-4064, but would love to find a better metering, more cost effective powder. Ramshot TAC shoots OK, but I am hoping for better. I have some SW AR Plus and Tactical en route to try. I also will try some Precision Rifle, as many have reported good results with Varget.

 

[DMW1116]

Oh right. I forgot about hunting ammo. The Federal 150 grain soft point blue box shoots about as well as the M80. I loaded some 180 grain Hornady SST that shot a little better, but velocity is in the low end. Most of my hand loads for it shot best in the bottom third of the load range.

 

[Hunter 08]

Oh right. I forgot about hunting ammo. The Federal 150 grain soft point blue box shoots about as well as the M80. I loaded some 180 grain Hornady SST that shot a little better, but velocity is in the low end. Most of my hand loads for it shot best in the bottom third of the load range.

Federal Power-Shok 150gr (Federal Blue Box) is the bulk of what I have for ammo. Least I know how it will perform. Going to be a fun range day nonetheless.

 

[ExtremeSquared]

It has a total of 18 clicks from closed to fully open. After closing it for the Titegroup subsonic loads, I opened it 5 or 6 to try my 168 grain Speer loads and adjusted from there. I don’t know where it is right now, but one click closed won’t run my Speer loads. The Winchester M80 white box loads are fairly hot and need a little less gas but I’d have to close down and start counting to figure out where to set the block for those.

Some powder/bullet combinations have given me trouble with bent rims and other issues so I try to limit hand loads to 308 service rifle loads.

Just received one with a rifle-length gas system. From the factory, it was 26 clicks from fully closed.

 

[DMW1116]

How about that. I never checked. I had some reliability issues at the start so took it back for repairs. No problems since. When they test fired it they said they tested it at the maximum of 18 clicks from closed. Different gas blocks maybe?

 

[ExtremeSquared]

How about that. I never checked. I had some reliability issues at the start so took it back for repairs. No problems since. When they test fired it they said they tested it at the maximum of 18 clicks from closed. Different gas blocks maybe?

Different gas blocks is more than plausible. It also wouldn't surprise me if it shipped beyond fully-open to save 5 seconds on assembly.
"Gen 3" has had at least two different handguards, and I think variance in buffers as well.

Shutting gas block and tuning it from zero setting may just be part of a PA10 purchase.

 

[Hunter 08]

By the way, the 20" version is $799 for Father's day. So jump on it soon.