Thinking about an AR10

[XJ]

I am assuming you know what passes [panic]



Have an FAL that hasn't left seen a range in at least 15 years, it was fussy about feeding so I just kind of forgot about it. Have a decent amount of surplus FMJ. Already have bolt guns in 308 and 6.5, so there would be overlap in both instances.

The less-standardized design is a concern, I don't like the idea of troubleshooting a mix & match jumble of parts. Building parts from a single source should be no problem at all. I like the idea of longer ranges, but obviously haven't done anything about it yet.

Palmetto is certainly budget friendly. I hear good things about Aero, but that is a step up in price. Ruger has an interesting approach but I am leery about unicorn parts.



Just curious if you guys have any thoughts on the topic.

[BPTactical]

Buy a complete rifle for the reasons you mentioned-mix masters suck.
You didn’t lay out a budget- that will define what is worth looking at.
You basically have 3 patterns to choose from:
Armalite B series- the originator of the platform. Great rifles but limited magazine (M-14 modified) availability- I am not 100% sure if anybody has made a successful copy.
Knights Armament SR25- the gold standard along with the LMT rifles-$$$$$. They run great and use standard mags but proprietary parts. I’m not sure if anybody makes an affordable variant.
DPMS Gen1 pattern- probably your best bet and clearly the most prevalent of the large frame AR’s. This is what the majority of makers rifles are patterned after. Most parts interchange to a degree.
Stay away from the G2 DPMS- unicorn parts as mentioned.

Smith and Wesson M&P 10’s are solid rifles and won’t break the bank, the CMMG MK IV is decent- the Aero is decent if you can find a factory complete rifle.
Not impressed with Palmettos PA-10 at all- clearly a budget rifle.

Budget in a Superlative Arms adjustable gas block- it can go a long way to cure an ill running rifle.

[def90]

My dad in NC bought a PSA AR-10 for deer and hog hunting and he loves it. Every time I see him he needs to tell me about how accurate it is. I?ve only ever held it and have never shot it myself so who knows.

[bellavite1]

Down at Silverbullet we have a Sig in 308 on consignment for $1500

[BushMasterBoy]

buy a spear...just say Luigi sent me.

https://www.sigsauer.com/spear.html

[XJ]

Sig has a history of abandoning products, so not really a fan.

Thanks for the info BP, looks like I should make the drive north a ways

[BPTactical]

If proprietary components are a concern the SIG is about the worst choice a person can make. They are horrible at that not to mention they discontinue rifle models constantly. Got an old MCX and need parts? 2BAD4U!

[bellavite1]

If proprietary components are a concern the SIG is about the worst choice a person can make. They are horrible at that not to mention they discontinue rifle models constantly. Got an old MCX and need parts? 2BAD4U!

Well I learned something today.
Nevermind then...

[bellavite1]

Out of curiosity, Bert:
One of our customers just dropped like 7k on a HK 7.62.
It's their money, by all means, but is there anything even remotely justifying such a price tag?
https://palmettostatearmory.com/hk-mr762a1-long-rifle-package-iii-7-62x51mm-rifle-with-vortex-viper-pstii-3-15-44-81000498.html

[Bailey Guns]

I'm on my third PSA .308 right now. The first was a 1st gen. I didn't get to shoot it a lot before I sold it to help fund the move from ID to OK. When I got it the gas tube was slightly kinked where it went thru the delta ring. Sent it back and PSA sent me a new one. But what little I did shoot with it, it worked fine.

Bought my second, a 3rd gen, and shot it a little more. It worked quite well and was capable of some pretty good accuracy. I traded it to a buddy in Bailey early this year. He shoots it a lot and says he loves it.

I'm now on my third PSA .308 and it's by far the nicest rifle. I bought a complete 3rd gen lower and a complete Sabre upper. I'm into it for just over $900 because PSA always has good sales/free shipping...and transfers at my FFL of choice are only $10. Saved about $150 buying upper and lower separately and by using the standard 3rd gen lower instead of a Sabre lower...because the good stuff is in the upper. Uses MagPul mags and parts are plentiful from PSA. The Sabre also comes with an adjustable gas system. I'm really pleased with it so far. Only about 200 rounds of older Federal XM762 GI ammo thru it but it's been perfect...haven't touched the gas adjust at all. I don't really shoot for the best accuracy possible but it'll shoot 2" groups with that ammo pretty consistently. I'm the weak link in the accuracy dept. I haven't tried anything better but I do have a decent supply of 168gr and 175gr GMM ammo and I'll try some of that eventually.

The only down side to buying upper and lower separately is you won't get any mags. But that wasn't a big deal for me because I already had some.

[BPTactical]

No. It’s a great way to prove you have more dollars than sense.
For that dime Lou I would invest in either a KAC SR-25 or a LMT MWS (personally I’d do the MWS- switch barrel capability)
HK is just as bad or worse than SIG as far as proprietary components. Wanna put a B5 or Magpul stock on it? 2BAD4U!
You want to run common DPMS pattern magazines? 2BAD4U!

HK’s Quality Control has suffered as of late (on long guns anyway). I personally know of 2 MR556 rifles that were sent back due to accuracy/grouping issues- 1 had the barrel replaced and the other had the entire upper replaced.
HK AR pattern rifles (aside from the 416) are way overrated.

[BladesNBarrels]

Just picked up a Ruger SFAR 308 with a YHM Resonator 2 Suppressor.
Will be testing it out at BLGC sometime next week.
So far, I like the smaller AR frame compared to the Bushmaster AR-10 I had and sold 2 years ago.
I am looking for what sights to put on it.

https://i.imgur.com/zw3Ervz.jpeg

[Great-Kazoo]

Just picked up a Ruger SFAR 308 with a YHM Resonator 2 Suppressor.
Will be testing it out at BLGC sometime next week.
So far, I like the smaller AR frame compared to the Bushmaster AR-10 I had and sold 2 years ago.
I am looking for what sights to put on it.

https://i.imgur.com/zw3Ervz.jpeg

Based on the ones we see at the range. You're 50/50 on how it runs, between picky ammo issues, amount of gas to bcg. They either run out of box amazingly, or you're on the ph to ruger.

Nice concept for a lighter 308 AR. still has a few issues they need to work out.

[Baetis]

I built mine on a Rainier Arms receiver set, BA ss barrel, Seekins small parts, and a Brownels BCG and bolt. The only issue I had was that it wouldn?t eject occasionally. I thought I was short stroking but that was not the case. I found that the spent cartridge was falling out of the extractor grove before it reached the end of the stroke to eject. I changed out the extractor to the JP enhanced and have more trouble free rounds than with the original Brownels extractor in their BCG. If budget is a concern, you can get your receiver set and build later.


https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240505/e75309b20dbc511a2378474b6d6bdb62.jpg

[bchase75]

I have two PSA AR-10s, one chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and one in .308. Both are reliable, and the 6.5 is one of the most accurate rifles I own, but both required significant tinkering to get them running right. I replaced the gas block on both with Superlative Arms adjustable gas blocks, but the problems didn't end there. The dual ejector bcg that came with the 6.5 had problems, so I replaced it with one their standard PA10 bcgs. The .308 was horribly over gassed, even with the adjustable gas block, so I had to try several different recoil springs and buffers before it finally stopped cycling so hard I thought it was going to batter itself to pieces. Long story short, they're low budget rifles with low budget problems. You might get lucky and get a good one, but you'll most likely have to do some work before they're running right.

[BPTactical]

Nice concept for a lighter 308 AR. still has a few issues they need to work out.

I only have experience with a sample of one at range day @ SHOT. It ran ok but time will tell if it is a viable platform.

[ruthabagah]

No love for the aero precision M5? I build one a while back and it was an amazing shooter. The only part I sourced from another vendor was the barrel.

[MED]

I have PSAs, Aero M5s, and some random ones. They all run great; some took more tuning and break-in than others:

I'm selling off most of my PSA stuff. Their complete uppers worked fine, but they didn't have fluted barrels and they were heavy.

I like the Aero M5 platform the best, and I would definitely recommend it as the foundation to any build. I have some with both the enhanced upper receiver and handguard and some with the regular threaded receiver and Atlas in different configurations from 16-22".

Notes:

1. 7.52x51 you don't need an adjustable gas block, but it is good to have one. 6.5CM you definitely need it. I use the Superlative Gas Block on all of them; works great!
2. The Aero enhanced carbine 308 complete buffer assembly with a Magpul STR stock with pad works great especially if you plan to use it for long range. It takes a little break-in to get it working right, but not a big deal.
3. I mostly have Geissele SSAE triggers but that is personal preference.
4. I use the KAK double plunger BCG, and they work great!
5. I use Wilson Combat SS and Faxon Match barrels....never had a problem with any of them and they are all sub MOA builds.
6. I do have some ultra light weight builds with Faxon pencil barrels. They are more picky with ammunition choice.

In short; building it yourself is not an issue if you go about it the right way.

Attaching a pic with a couple Aero M5 builds: a 20" 6.5CM with the enhanced upper I use for long range, and a 16" 308 with the Atlas upper.

96534

[Scanker19]

As far as I understand it, and everyone feel free to correct me, there?s two different patterns of AR10s:

Armalite and DPMS

It seems that the armalite pattern is obsolescent with most companies building things with the DPMS style.

But within the DPMS style, you have a variances even within the same manufacturer.
You?ll find High and low profile receivers and hand guards, and as far as I understand it, it?s not interchangeable, even though their both DPMS style. Which is why Aero will NOT mate to a PSA and vice versa.

Building is cheaper and should run really good if you stick to one manufacturer for the lower, upper and handguard.
As long as these three things match, most other parts should fit and function together. I?d say stick with one for all of it, but a buffer tube is a buffer tube. The BCG is mostly the same but can be picky? My BA BCG sucked with my Aero/BA barrel, and preferred the Zero fail one better.

But again, the three core parts is what?s going to cause the compatibility issues.

[MED]

As far as I understand it, and everyone feel free to correct me, there?s two different patterns of AR10s:

Armalite and DPMS

It seems that the armalite pattern is obsolescent with most companies building things with the DPMS style.

But within the DPMS style, you have a variances even within the same manufacturer.
You?ll find High and low profile receivers and hand guards, and as far as I understand it, it?s not interchangeable, even though their both DPMS style. Which is why Aero will NOT mate to a PSA and vice versa.

Building is cheaper and should run really good if you stick to one manufacturer for the lower, upper and handguard.
As long as these three things match, most other parts should fit and function together. I?d say stick with one for all of it, but a buffer tube is a buffer tube. The BCG is mostly the same but can be picky? My BA BCG sucked with my Aero/BA barrel, and preferred the Zero fail one better.

But again, the three core parts is what?s going to cause the compatibility issues.

1. Yes, Armalite and DPMS are different both in the receiver mating surface and the magazine. DPMS uses the SR25 magazine style (PMAG) You go Armalite you are going Armalite including mags.
2. PSA uses the low tang measurement. Aero is actually high. PSA low and DPMS low is close but not exact; there are a number of issues if I try to use my Aero uppers on a PSA. You can get away with a low DPMS handguard on a PSA; it's close.
3. PSA is by far the most prorietary of the DPMS pattern 308 platforms. Two things bite you with PSA. When they change generations, you can't get upper receivers that match up with their previous generation. Gen 1 and Gen 2s will function but the lines are completely different. Other manufacture stripped upper receivers are not really compatible although some people to get them to work. I never see just their handguards available for sale to build an upper. Their platform is really a nuisance when it comes to changing things out.
4. Midwest Industries makes handguards for both low and high, which is usually what I use when I'm working with an oddball receiver set. You will need to measure for the right one if you go this route.
5. You can use a carbine or rifle receiver extension assembly. If you go carbine, I would recommend using the complete assembly from KAK or Aero or get the buffer and spring from either if you want to use a stock like a Magpul UBR. The small buffer and heavy spring takes a little work get running well. Mix and match it, you might give yourself unnecessary headaches. The rifle receiver extension assembly is easy. The BCG and barrel extension is an area to address with any AR pattern rifle. I've had zero issues with KAK and Aero BCGs.
6. I'm a huge fan of the Superlative Arms Adjustable gas block...it is a little more expensive but makes tuning easy. Do yourself a big favor and buy this one.
7. Depending on what barrel you buy, you might have to dimple it yourself, which is not a big deal. KAK makes a pretty good tool for this for about $25.

One more thing: There are basically two contours for the web of your hand. Low contour you can use a standard AR15 grip that follows the same line for the web of your hand. The other has a high contour where a Magpul MOE grip will have a gap. Magpul makes an MIAD Type 2 grip for the high contour style. PSA is high contour and Aero is low (standard) contour. I was pretty thankful when the MIAD Type 2s came out, because the high contour was a pretty annoying feature on my PSAs.

[Sawin]

I've built a pile of AR15's over the years but didn't build my AR10. Wilson Combat built me a Tactical Hunter in 7mm-08, and it's my absolute favorite rifle that if I had to choose 1 and only 1 for the rest of my life it would be it. It's that perfect.

[CHA-LEE]

I recently got a Ruger SFAR in 6.5 CM with a 20 inch barrel. This is the version that comes with the PRS Lite stock and full pic rail hand guard. I am planning on swapping is the trigger to an AR Gold. The Stock trigger isn't horrible, it actually has a pretty decent break at 4lbs. I simply prefer the AR Gold triggers as they feel very similar to a 1911/2011 style trigger pull I am used to.

I won't be surprised if I have to swap the gas block with a full adjustable version as it being Over/Under gassed with the stock adjustable gas block settings seems to be a normal complaint.

I still need to get a Thermal optic for it for Night Hog Hunting, then I will be able to get some rounds down range with it. THEN I will see if its a Dookie Rocket or not....

My use case for this boom stick is Night Hog Hunting within 300 yards. When I was shopping around for AR-10 platforms it sees like the Ruger SFAR should be good enough accuracy wise for the use case at a pretty inexpensive price point.

Its really easy to go down an expensive rabbit hole and not know what to get or build if you don't first define the primary use case or purpose of the gun. For example, you don't need a sub 1 MOA rifle to give Hogs a proper dirt nap within 300 yards. If you are trying to consistently hit small stuff at 1000+ yards, that is another story.

Know your use case then build/buy what is needed based on that.

[Sawin]

….

Know your use case then build/buy what is needed based on that.

^^ This is the way.

[Ydennekb]

I’ll throw in the Larue Tactical rifles. I’ve owned a couple of Predatars that were damn good shooters, but not quite precision guns due to the light barrel getting stringy when good and hot.