Which AR in .308?

[omcf]

Hello all, I'm new here but I've been lurking here and over at AR-15forums for awhile, researching what I would want in an M-4gery style 308 cal.

I would love to hear any experiences regarding the various AR-10 types. RRA is coming out with one soon in 308 cal, and I look forward to it. I have a friend involved in procurement for the USMC, he said that the rifles he got (cannot remember which specific maker) to test came with a spare bag of bolts, they were that failure prone.

What I am looking for specifically is:
1 which type of magazine (metric or inches) should I want
2 which maker is best for reliability
3 is a chrome bolt/bore going to be neccessary with the 308 cartridge
4 does anyone make a superior BCG for any of the 308's
5 what should I be looking for as far as rate of twist (1:10 or other)
6 7.62 nato or 308

Any informed opinions would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[Avenger29]

I believe that on RRA website you will find that their LAR-10 uses both inch and metric mags. RRA has come out with theirs, but you will have to contact them for availability. I believe that they were priced at about $1,100. Go check out their website and click LAR-10 to get to it. Can't help you elsewhere, not a .308 shooter (yet).

 

[CDignition]

I would get a GA Precision AR10-

 

[rbernie]

I have an Armalite AR10 and I like it. It actually has, as of last week, a DPMS 24" fluted barrel on it. Kinda of a FrankenAR10, I guess.

The Armalite mags are cheaper than the DPMS, which is a big plus. I've got about 1000 rounds thru my AR10 with no failures; not a torture test by any stretch but so far, so good. The Armalite barrels are set up with a 1:11.25" twist and work best with 150gr bullets. The DPMS barrels have a 1:10" twist and work best with 165gr bullets.

I seem to recall that that the Bushy AR10 (upon which the RRA is based) had lots of bolt and feeding issues; it'll be interesting to see if the RRA version fares better than its predecessor.

Bear in mind that because the AR10 is not a 'standard' pattern, many parts will not likely exchange between manufacturer's offerings. One reason to choose a DPMS or Armalite might be because of their relatively strong aftermarket support - support that may take RRA a while to develop.

 

[MachIVshooter]

researching what I would want in an M-4gery style 308 cal

Unless something new has come to market, all the AR-10's of various manufacture are either full or mid length; no shorty gas systems/handguards.

That said, I love my Armalite AR-10A2 carbine.

It should be noted that the AR-10's are substantially heavier than the 15's, if that is a concern at all.

 

[TIMC]

This is my AR-10 made by Bushmaster topped with a Leupold 6.5-20 LR VXIII. I don't know where all of these unsubstantiated claims of bad bolts and feeding problems come from cause you don't hear it from people that own them, it's always I heard but don't remember where. I also have a hunting buddy that owns one as well and we have never had a single malfunction from either rifle. I love that is uses FAL mags that can be had new for $8. I personally think they quit producing them because the cost was a couple hundred more than the Armalite AR-10 and their advertized cost savings was that it used cheap mags. Since the sunset of the assault weapons ban Mags have come down for the Armalite and it was not such a good deal anymore. Enough of the soap box stuff.

The AR-10 is a good choice especially in a semi-auto hunting rifle. I use mine for pig hunting and have made easy one shot kills out to 200 yards plus. I have tried several 7.62 semi-auto rifles and the AR-10 was the most accurate and reliable. Armalite make a good rifle and I'm sure with RRA's reputation they will as well and if you do see one of the Bushy's available get it and feel comfortable buying, they are great rifles.

 

[NMshooter]

The ArmaLite AR-10 is a good rifle, I have an AR-10A4 myself.

The new magazines should be much better than the reworked M-14 mags they used to use.

 

[MachIVshooter]

The new magazines should be much better than the reworked M-14 mags they used to use.

IIRC, the only thing that changed is the follower. It no longer has a spring-loaded pluger for bolt hold-open. Kind of a bummer for those of us with the old style rifle, since the new mags won't lock the bolt.

 

[rangerruck]

bushy is the most rigorously tested of the ar's, especially their bbls. now that being said, I am now a firm believer in the gas piston system. I just picked up a kel tec plr 16 from the houston gun show. went to break it in on monday. fired 300 rounds through it. brought it home to clean it. the bolt assy. and the inside of the receiver, well.... they just aren't dirty at all.

 

[Onmilo]

Last time I looked into it the USMC and the Army were using Stoner AR-10 rifles.
The rifles come with a direct maintenance kit that includes many small items including replacement breech bolts.
These items are included with the weapon package not because the rifles are failure prone but because they are in such limited issue that procurement of replacement parts is a problem at unit level.

Unit Armorers and unit level small arms repairmen can repair faulty AR-10 rifles but most do not have a background in logistics and have trouble ordering the correct parts for the weapons from the supply system.
By including often used replacement parts directly with the issue weapon downtime is substantially reduced.

Right now the best AR-10 rifle that can also be considered affordable to the average joe would be the Armalite.
Canadian Forces have also selected the Armalite weapon platform for the 7.62 NATO AR type limited issue personal weapon.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

The BAR-10/LAR-10 is a much different creature than the AR-10/SR-25. The BAR-10/LAR-10 uses FAL mags, a different lower receiver (longer), and a different bolt than the AR-10/SR-25 series of .308 ARs.

The BAR-10/LAR-10 was originally made for Bushmaster by RRA during the ban with the idea that cheaply available FAL mags would allow this rifle to dominate the FAL market. However, some initial teething and development issues common to any new semi-auto slowed initial gain on the market. Add to that Bushmaster placed a very high price on the rifle and then the ban ended killing the main advantage the rifle had over its competitors. Bushmaster bailed on the design, leaving RRA with the decision to continue producing it and recover its tooling costs or lose the investment. RRA decided to go ahead with production, including some refinements of the Bushmaster design.

The AR10/SR-25 designs are basically variants of the original AR-10 design from the 1960s and differ mostly in a few small dimensions and what type of magazines they take. DPMS also has an AR-10 style entry that has a few variations as well; but is basically the AR-10 design.

 

[possum]

DPMS SASS!

 

[steveracer]

DPMS AP4LR

This is their shorty. 16" carbine in .308. Uses their mags, but they are only about $35 each now, so the cost isn't that bad. Locally they are $1040.

 

[FatalMove]

I have an Armalite AR-10 with 20 inch bbl. it has no flash suppressor that i use for deer hunting. It has rail receiver and rail gas block. Wears a Leopold 2x7x33 scope. Has collapsible stock to adjust for hunting clothes. It will put 5 rounds within a 50 cent piece @100yards with Remington 150gr softpoint BT that cost $11.97 a box.I use 10 round mags to keep weight down some. Never had a jam. Customer service is great you can call or email and you will get answers immediately. The only problem i had with the rifle is the magazine would fail out under recoil sometimes but a quick removal of catch and a stretch of the spring and you are back in business.

You will not be sorry if you choose Armalite good rifle and good company for customer service. Check em out www.armalite.com

FataL][V][ove

 

[omcf]

Thanks for the input. Right now I am leaning toward putting together my first AR-10 w/ an Armalite upper/lower reciever (does anyone know where I can get a matched set), krieger bbl, a adjustable JP gas block and recoil eliminator muzzle brake. Does any one make a really good bolt carrier group? Also, I am thinking of getting a heavy buffer from slash over on AR-15.com forums, would a heavier buffer spring compliment this to reduce recoil?
I would love to wait for the RRA, just don't think I can.