Which .308 AR?

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marksman13

marksman13

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I've shot a ton of 5.56mm ARs, but I don't know anything at all about ARs in .308. I want to stay around $1200.00. Primary use for the rifle will be hunting and range work. It needs to be fairly mobile so the 24 inch barrels are out. I'd like a 16 to 18 inch barrel and I'd like it to shoot at least MOA out to 300 yards. It will be scoped so a flat top is probably ideal.

I know there are some folks with practical experience on the AR-10 platform. Chime in and help me decide. Thanks in advance.

Steven
 
There's dozens of threads on this - no offense but please do a search for the basic info. Then you can formulate some questions that haven't been asked before, or at least lately, and people can chime in.

I own a DPMS LR-308, search my username and DPMS for my comments. I've also shot the POF-308, ditto.
 
I'll give you this. I've seen a lot of folks complain about the DPMS. That said, a buddy of mine has one, and has been very happy with his. Of course, he rarely shoots it.

Were I to buy one, I'd go with LaRue or the LWRCi Repr.. God help my credit when BCM starts to make .308 ARs.
 
I'll give you this. I've seen a lot of folks complain about the DPMS.
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Were these the 308 models? I have one and while it is not a LMT or SR25 it is a fine gun for range and field use. DPMS LR308s are made differently than the DPMS 223s. Haven't you guys looked at one? The receivers are billet unlike their 223 counterparts and you can't talk mil-spec on 308 ARs since there is no standard yet, but it looks like the SR25 pattern is the dominant platform.

For the OP I say go with the DPMS MK12 or if that's to heavy go with the LR308L.
Armalite also makes good ARs in 308 but their mags are more expensive and DPMS can use Magpul 308 PMags unlike the Armalite if that matters to you.

Remember guys the OPs price range is 1200$

Mine
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I missed the $1200 price limit in my first read. OP, look at DPMS, because there's nothing else you can take home for a complete out-the-door price of $1200 or less. Fortunately they are quite good rifles anyway. Don't forget you'll probably want an optic and some decent scope rings for it.

I'm well aware of the DPMS limitations for 5.56 ARs, but they seem to make a very good .308 product, and the most of the parts that are mediocre (like the trigger) are easy to upgrade.

The Armalite AR-10 has far better specs on paper, but I don't know that it's really much better for most civilian users. And the cheapest truly mil-spec .308 AR is the LMT .308, coming in at $2400+.
 
Z, for the LMT are you speaking of the Brit's mil-spec? Not that there is anything wrong with just wondering.
 
I missed the budget as well. Look carefully at the Rock River LR308, and see where that will fit in with things. I have no opinion of which is better, though I like the fact that the RRA takes FAL mags.
 
RRA LAR-8 will fit your requirements. Mine does. It is kinda heavy, esp compared to 5.56 AR's. It is a sweet shooting rifle.

BTW mine has 20 inch barrel and shoots about 3/4 MOA with my reloads so far.
 
Z, for the LMT are you speaking of the Brit's mil-spec? Not that there is anything wrong with just wondering.
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Yes. To my limited knowledge only the Knight's SR-25 has seen US military acceptance. However, there is no question I can see that the LMT is a milspec rifle, simple not a US-military-accepted rifle.
 
RRA LAR-8: FAL mags are no longer cheap and abundant, but now run $25 or so for excellent condition mags, and close to $20 for fair condition mags when you can find them. DPMS compatible new US-made mags start at $15 (best price on CP stainless 20rd) and $18-19 for the 308 Magpul Pmags. Just something to keep in mind.
 
I had a LAR-8 didn't like the whole FAL mag thing and it was heavy. But it did shoot pretty accurate. Also keep in mind the LAR-8 is a whole 'nother beast of it's own. It is neither SR25 based or AR10 based but a whole new platform. Might as well look at a FAL or HK91 variant if you bring the LAR-8 into the mix.

100_0807.jpg
Yes that's a 30 round FAL mag
 
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Z, I thought my question was fairly specific to my needs, hence I started a new thread. Maybe the title should have read "What is the best .308 AR for my needs?", but that would have been a bit wordy don't you think?

So far I have actually wrapped my hands around a DPMS Panther LR-308T, Bushmaster ORC, Armalite AR-10 and a DPMS model made like the ORC. Also handled a few of the 24 inch Panthers. Most of these guns at my local shop fit within my budget, the exception being the AR-10 and a 24 inch gun or two. Really thinking the LR-308T may be the closest thing to perfect minus the fact that it does not have a rail. Not a deal breaker, just that in a perfect world I prefer a rail. $1200.00 doesn't buy perfect though.

Thanks for all the replies, folks. Glad there are folks that know more about these things than I do.

Steven
 
Really thinking the LR-308T may be the closest thing to perfect minus the fact that it does not have a rail. Not a deal breaker, just that in a perfect world I prefer a rail. $1200.00 doesn't buy perfect though.
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Rails are heavy, I would much rather have an aluminum FF tube over the 1.5 pound rail on my MK12. Also other than mounting a bipod the rails seem useless to me for a long range gun. Look at the heavy pig on my LAR-8 that rail weighs 4 pounds!
 
Mags, that is a lot of weight. I never really thought about the extra weight. The LR-30T comes with a FF tube that should mount a bipod just fine. May be my best option. Just curious how that 16 inch barrel is going to shoot. I realize that generally shorter is stiffer and stiffer is more accurate, but that seems like an awfully short tube to launch .308 out to 300 yards and stay within 3 inches. I could be wrong.
 
barrel length affects velocity not accuracy. But in my head I would think they go hand in hand. But hey if my 16 inch 5.56 AR can hit 8x8 steal consistently at 500 yards with nothing more than an Aimpoint I am sure a 16 inch 308 with a good magnified optic will do 1 moa at 300.
 
So far I have actually wrapped my hands around a DPMS Panther LR-308T, Bushmaster ORC, Armalite AR-10 and a DPMS model made like the ORC. Also handled a few of the 24 inch Panthers. Most of these guns at my local shop fit within my budget, the exception being the AR-10 and a 24 inch gun or two. Really thinking the LR-308T may be the closest thing to perfect minus the fact that it does not have a rail. Not a deal breaker, just that in a perfect world I prefer a rail. $1200.00 doesn't buy perfect though.
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If your local shop is offering a new AR-10 for $1200 or less, they're offering it at a very good price. That's the lowest I've seen them go for on Gunbroker, and I've watched a lot of AR-10 auctions.

I didn't mention the Bushmaster ORC because it's basically a DPMS, and apart from the midlength gas I think it's inferior in most ways to the LR-308t.

I think the LR-308t is a good size, well balanced and good features for the price. A 16" barrel is a little short for a .308 but not a lot, and will be more than enough for shooting anything out to 300 yards.

I have a LR-308B which is very similar but has an 18" bull barrel with no muzzle device instead of a 16" med/heavy with a flash hider. The B model is a little too heavy overall and front heavy for my tastes, but it's very accurate. It has the same FF tube. It works fine on a bipod or offhand, although Harris bipods seem to loosen up with enough shots, probably because of the shape and slickness of the FF tube where the stud is mounted. Not really a big deal.
 
Mags, I realize that the barrel length does not, in theory, affect accuracy but I tend to believe the reduced velocity affects practical accuracy. Basically the shorter barrel would decrease my point blank range, correct? Not sure if this decrease would be enough to notice in the real world though. I know it's noticeable when going from a 16 inch AR-15 to a 20 inch AR-15.

The bottom line, I guess, is that I am trading a very nice Kimber TLE/RL II for this rifle and I don't want to be disappointed with it. I like the Kimber, but I haven't really shot it since I bought it three or four years ago.
 
DPMS

Don't get caught up in the "CHART" stuff when it comes to hunting, if you go buy the chart there is not a hunting or varmit rifle out there that would meet the standards. It would just cost you a lot of money with some bragging rights. DPMS has had the cog for a long time when it comes to hunting and varmit rifles. I have a fair collection of AR platform rifles from Colt, Bushy,BCM and DPMS. I'll state the my LR308C's have over 5000 rounds down the tube and I'm very happy with them, happy with the price tag and two extra Pmags I bought with it all under $1200.
 
Z, sorry if I wasn't very clear but Armalite is not in my price range. I think it's up above $1500.00.

Your last post was very helpful. I looked closely at a LR-308B online. If I could handle one in person I think my mind would be made up. I like the idea of the 18 inch barrel, but I'm not sure how practical it would be to haul around the woods. Thanks for all the replies guys.
 
You can try a 16inch

A 16 inch barrel will run side by side out to 500 yards with an 18 inch or 20 inch if you want to go shorter for weight. I would go with the chrome moly for maintenance and longevity, believe me, most of us couldn't shoot the difference between SS or CM and it will save you a few bucks too. They kill a lot of yots up here using the 308 AR platform, when deer season comes by the just change bullet wt, re zero and use a 5 rd mag to keep legal.
Have fun and good luck.
 
The bottom line, I guess, is that I am trading a very nice Kimber TLE/RL II for this rifle and I don't want to be disappointed with it. I like the Kimber, but I haven't really shot it since I bought it three or four years ago.
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Must be a pattern, I traded my Kimber for my DPMS ap4. Given the prices of current new and used Kimbers, it was a fair trade.
 
I have a DPMS SASS LR-308. While the SASS model isn't in your price range, I have confidence in any of their rifles. It is a lot of rifle for killing paper zombies at the distances I have available to me (< or =300 yards), but I have never been on the firing line wishing for less.
 
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