new build time

this is my first AR-10 type rifle. I have built many AR-15's but decided I want something with a bit more umph. To use in tactical rifle matches locally and will be used for some prarrie dog extermination until I finish my 22BR bolt gun.

I told my local dealer to order me an Armalite, Eagle, or DPMS complete lower with an A2 stock, and a stripped upper to match the lower. I told him to order the one he can get without backorder.

The plans for the build are

Cal - .243

Barrel - 18"-20" Lilja, I need to talk to someone more famalier with .243 and ask if I will loose much with an 18" barrel and see what twist rate they recommend. Probably will go with a .750 diameter or a flutted .938 not exactly 100% on what profile I want. Since I am starting from scratch I can go with any profile I want probably.

Brake - Bennie Cooley, MTSN, or a custom made brake of similar design.

Badger Stabilizer Tactical free float handguard or a A.R.M.S. #53 if I can come up with the spare cash.

Optic will be somewhere in the 2-14x area, I may try out a Shepherd 3-10x for it I have heard good stuff about them. If not I will get a Leupold 3.5-10, or an IOR 2-12 or 3-18.

If any of you have built AR-10's I am open to suggestions as this is my first AR-10 build. Is there anything I should be forwarned of building on that differs from an AR-15.

3 words.

Adjustable. Gas. Block.

Being able to tune the gas on an AR10 platform will save you LOTS of headaches.

KoT

The gas-system is the kicker.

My AR-10 is in 260 Remington, with a 22" Lilja barrel and Bennie Cooley brake.

JP extra-long AR-10 forend tube.

I've got a Leupold 3-9x40mm PR scope on it now. I think I'd like to replace it with a Nightforce 3.5-15x though.

I had a 6.5-20x40mm on it, but it seemed dim at 20x, and the mirage was horrible on prairie-dogs @ 500yds (@20x). It was also very sensitive to head-position / eye-relief.

I read a magazine-blurb by David Tubb once, and he said something similar that 15x-16x is about as high a magnification as you can go (for the particular type of shooting he was talking about).

The Nightforce 2.5-10x24 NXS looks like a kick-butt scope, but I haven't played with one.

http://homepage.mac.com/michael_aos/...0/IMG_5512.jpg

well, the wait times on Armalite and Eagle lowers is about 6 weeks, the wait for DPMS lowers is about 4 weeks.
DPMS wants almost 2 times the price as Armalite and Eagle for lowers.
So I ordered a complete rifle, it was actually cost effective for me as I don't have much time since I got the new job. I should know next week what the availability is on the DPMS that I want. I probably wont get it out of the shop until early or mid Janurary because of Xmas stuff and to add to that I am trying to finish my truck and get it to the body shop to get it ready for summer.

This is what I am getting. It's not set in stone yet, it depends on availability. If I can't get it when I want it, I will try Armalite, if that falls through I will look for a used rifle probably.
http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/products/?prod=1998

I seriously wish Robinson Arms would hurry up with the .308 XCR because that would be the rifle I would order without thinking twice about.