looking into a AR platform rifle

wildeyes · Aug 10, 2015

Looking into buying AR platform rifle, what kind of cal. .308/7.62. what kind of barrel twist, barrel length, brand of gun, best place to buy , any kind of info is good. Thank you in advance for your info.

Petras · Aug 10, 2015

biggest question is, what will you be using it for?

thriller1 · Aug 10, 2015

You can get by ALOT cheaper if you piece them together yourself. I highly suggest jsesurplus.com for your uppers. I have 3 of them (18", 20", and a 24") in a .556 with 1/8 twist. All of them are really good shooters.

Bed Wetter · Aug 10, 2015

I enjoy guns that can take a lot of abuse and/or require minimal maintenance. I have several piston ARs with melonite/nitride barrels. Adams Arms recently came out with a .308 for around $1200. I've had a couple of their 5.56 rifles and absolutely love them.

Even if you're not real hung up on needing a rifle that will outlast you and your grandkids, there are a couple things you might consider:
1. Forward assist: many AR10s don't have it. I've used mine and it's a must for me.
2. Availability of magazines: my AR10s accept Magpul SR25-style mags. Outstanding magazines, under $20, widely available. Armalite rifles (for example) have a different mag style and mags are about $35-40.
3. AR10s don't have a common platform like AR15s meaning parts are not always interchangeable. If you build a rifle, be sure the parts you buy are for the correct platform. Many companies use what's referred to as a "DPMS" platform. Others use an "Armalite" platform. Several manufacturers use their own unique platform. I went with DPMS platform rifles for maximum parts interchangeability. I can actually swap triggers between my AR15s and AR10s.

wildeyes · Aug 10, 2015

I plan on using it for deer mainly.

Bed Wetter · Aug 10, 2015

wildeyes said:
I plan on using it for deer mainly.

How concerned are you about weight? I have one long range 308 that's about 14 lbs with optics, full mag and bipod. Another 308 is a "brush gun" that's about 10.5 lbs with optics and mag. I fully loaded 5.56/223 can be kept under 9.

wildeyes · Aug 10, 2015

weight is not a problem, most of my hunting is in a tree stand.

PrairieGhost · Aug 10, 2015

I have shot a couple of deer with a 1/8 twist and the heavy X bullets with a 223. I would however go with 308 if deer was my main target. If your like me the threaded barrel will make you want a suppressor
Then you will want heavy bullets at subsonic velocities. I am building a custom 308 on a Remington action. I would have liked a 1/8 twist for bullets on the 230 to 240 gr to copy the 300 Whisper with my 308. A 240 gr bullet at 1080 fps has only slightly less muzzle energy than a 44 mag, but with the higher ballistic coefficient it will have much more energy at 100 yards. Many things to consider.

Kurtr · Aug 10, 2015

6.5 creedmoor better than a 308 all the way around and quality factory ammo is cheaper if you dont reload

Enslow · Aug 10, 2015

Pass the popcorn... And salt... Get some butthurt butter out too just in case.

PrairieGhost · Aug 10, 2015

I forgot to mention why I didn't go with the 1/8 twist. It was an eight month wait for delivery. The 1/10 twist was at my house in three days. I'm gresh out of patience this summer. The 1/10 should stabilize 200 gr and the round nose 220 at subsonic velocitie. I sure wish I could find some IMR Trailboss.

Norske · Aug 12, 2015

If you're a tinkerer, buy an inexpensive AR and start swapping out parts for better stuff like free floating hand guards, barrels, etc. If you want a rifle that will work and provide excellent accuracy out of the box, shop Les Baer. It's not uncommon to spend a couple thousand dollars upgrading a basic AR. But LB can sell you a better rifle for $2500-$3000.

Bed Wetter · Aug 12, 2015

Norske said:
If you're a tinkerer, buy an inexpensive AR and start swapping out parts for better stuff like free floating hand guards, barrels, etc. If you want a rifle that will work and provide excellent accuracy out of the box, shop Les Baer. It's not uncommon to spend a couple thousand dollars upgrading a basic AR. But LB can sell you a better rifle for $2500-$3000.

If you're talking that kind of coin, may as well also consider Noveske, LWRC, Larue, Knights Armament, Primary Weapons Systems, etc. There's a whole lot of excellent ARs out there in all price ranges. I'm about to get freaky with a PWS MK220.

wildeyes · Aug 13, 2015

thanks guys for all the info

looking into a AR platform rifle

wildeyes

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Petras

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thriller1

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Bed Wetter

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wildeyes

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wildeyes

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