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Does anyone know how a 338 rcm will work in an AR 10? I have a dpms lr 338 federal and want more energy and performance. If so what is needed? ie new bolt, etc.
Next question is: who can build it for me who does quality work?
Thought since had upper in 338 fed good choice as oppose to 300 wsm etc. I have heard issues with that round in ar 10 platform.
Factory ammo is too long to fit AR10 magazines by a millimeter. You'll need to source or have made a custom magnum bolt for the wider 338rcm rim, and have your 338fed barrel rechambered to 338rcm.
One guy posted over on ar15.com that he built and tested one for himself:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_3_121/4...38_RCM_AR.html
I have read those and if i can use factory ammo by removing the plastic tips might be worth it. Looking for more down range ft lbs of energy than my 338 fed. Cant imagine taking the tips off would do much harm in bullet performance or bc. Not enough for most i should clarify.
Any one you trust to build it?
If I were doing it, I'd probably do most of it myself. Reaming the new chamber should be doable for any competent smith, but I'd be worried about opening up the bolt face for the wider magnum rim, given the case pressures involved.
I've got no one I'd care to recommend for the bolt, but BP Tactical should be able to handle the barrel for you, provided they've got or are willing to get the right reamer. Failing BP, maybe contact Hickman Rifles here in the springs.
Have faith in Bert. I drive 4 hrs round trip so he can fix my guns. I break stuff alot. He has never failed to amaze to include telling me he isn't the best choice for certain jobs. That is what really sells me on that man.
I've got a huge bug for the 338 federal in an ar10. I haven't looked at expected energy at target for this round. How bad is it? Is that the only thing pushing you away from 338 fed?
Bert does great work if ha has the time to do it for you.
I'd not go with the practice of pulling tips out of bullets though.
Can I ask what you will be shooting at? From the little bit I have read about AR platforms and mag rifle rounds is that they can be tricky, especially the bcg's, with the chamber pressures involved. I have been looking at using the .338 Fed instead of the usual .308 Win for deer hunting, but have accepted that elk, moose or bear hunts will be done with my .300 WSM bolt gun. Especially since you can put together a decent bolt action mag rifle for what it would cost to get the work and parts done to convert an AR to mag rounds.
Though if you do go this route check with BP Tactical and see what he can do for you.
One of the pioneers in off caliber AR production is Mike Milli known on hunting AR forums as Dtech.
I know he has in the past done AR-10 builds, but he specializes is AR-15 chassis builds in big and small calibers.
Mike with Olympic Arms together put together the WSSM platform. Without Mike there wouldn't be WSSM AR-15's.
Unfortunately he has a large following as well as a high demand. Expected wait times for his work are at least a year out.
http://www.dtechuppers.com/ email is the best way to get ahold of him.
I know there are only certain days he takes phone calls (one man show)... but when you get ahold of him the wealth of knowledge of off caliber AR's is amazing.
BTW... Yes, I do own a gun he built for me. He guarantees 1/2 MOA on all his builds! Mine is almost 1/4 MOA from a lead sled.