Peer review for next rifle please...

[ceyko]

Yeah, so I know I may not like the answers/opinions. However, I'm trying to think of something versatile for my next AR build. I'd like to hear opinions/thoughts, experiences and alternatives.

Here is what I'm thinking about, but have not researched it heavily yet. It seems like it'll be a 900-1200 dollar build w/o optics.

AR-10 .308/7.62 upper

20" Bull Barrel (free float, if available)

Thinking Rock River Arms for this upper/Probably same lower since my understanding is that the AR-10 parts are not as interchangeable as AR-15 parts are...

Other details (fixed stock/adjustable, hand guards...etc..etc) are up in the air. I may not spend as much on the optics as I will on the rifle, but I will plan on a scope that is close to the cost of the rifle.

My reason for this type of rifle:
-My understanding is 7.62 can be fired from it with ease and it would make a good plinking gun and whatever else you want to use 7.62

-On the rare occasion I can shoot/practice at really long ranges, the .308 caliber is a decent choice and I'll have that available.

-I may use my 5.56 rifle for smaller game on the rare times I hunt that, and 7.62 for pig.

-I'd then have a range of 5.56 to .308 type rifles for Texas hunting which allows semi auto for most/all things. 30-06 for short range deer - may have to get another longer range rifle one day, but no near future need for that.

-I thought about 6.8, but that does not seem realistic for me. Ammo costs seem high and I like the thought of 2 different ammo types with a single upper - both readily available and can be reloaded. Also the .308 caliber is tried and true, any issues with that at longer ranges is the shooter - not the round.

Thanks for any input.

Take care

[YALE]

Why not save your pennies for the new Colt SP901? It's .308 from the factory, but accepts (yes, I know I'll get flamed for this) regular AR15 uppers if you want versatility. I haven't seen one for sale yet, but it looks promising.

[ceyko]

Will google and check it out. Appreciate it.

Edit: A shame, not a lot of information on pricing and so forth yet. Good think I'm not in a rush, but hopefully the tell more before the end of the year or so. Looks fairly neat although I'm not sure what to think of the 16" barrel. I guess that is fine, just feels nicer to me with 18-20" barrels. Some nice features on that rifle though.

[helosailor]

When you say 7.62, are you talking about 7.62x51? Because that is to .308 what 5.56x45 is to .223 (usually not a ton of difference in price, except when you get to the high-end match ammo).

[YALE]

When you say 7.62, are you talking about 7.62x51? Because that is to .308 what 5.56x45 is to .223 (usually not a ton of difference in price, except when you get to the high-end match ammo).

Yes. I know it sounds weird that it's a 7.62x51 rifle that can accept 5.56 uppers and mags, but that's what it does, according to Colt. I'm ready to see it.

[helosailor]

Yes. I know it sounds weird that it's a 7.62x51 rifle that can accept 5.56 uppers and mags, but that's what it does, according to Colt. I'm ready to see it.

Oh, I was actually asking Ceyko. But yeah, that is going to be interesting to see how Colt can pull that off. I just wonderhow much that's going to cost. :/

[bulldog896]

my 2 cents for what its worth is the following

I you build a 308 AR10 platform stay out of rock river their receiver uppers and lowers are longer than most so the aftermarket parts don't work plus it uses a FAL mag system which has been tried by others to varying degrees of failure. I personally have a DPMS and love it got it as factory new with a 20" barrel and a rail put a Magpul MIAD and PRS stock, TDI bi-pod and a JP adjustable gas block and called it good. May swap the brake for an AAC or Gemtech soon I have not made my mind up yet.

Building AR-10's gets sticky because as you say parts are not as widely interchangeable DPMS was running a sale on uppers not long ago and there are a few shops in FTW that have lowers and LPK's for the 308

I like my rifle but I like my M1A better were I only buying one I'd go M1A scout or standard either will get you 500-700 fairly easy

[dmdakota]

my 2 cents for what its worth is the following

I you build a 308 AR10 platform stay out of rock river their receiver uppers and lowers are longer than most so the aftermarket parts don't work plus it uses a FAL mag system which has been tried by others to varying degrees of failure. I personally have a DPMS and love it got it as factory new with a 20" barrel and a rail put a Magpul MIAD and PRS stock, TDI bi-pod and a JP adjustable gas block and called it good. May swap the brake for an AAC or Gemtech soon I have not made my mind up yet.

Building AR-10's gets sticky because as you say parts are not as widely interchangeable DPMS was running a sale on uppers not long ago and there are a few shops in FTW that have lowers and LPK's for the 308

I like my rifle but I like my M1A better were I only buying one I'd go M1A scout or standard either will get you 500-700 fairly easy

+1 on this Dpms is the way to go.

[BlackGT]

I'd go with RRA over DPMS. Armalite 7.62x51 AR > Colt, RRA, DPMS and all the rest...

[ceyko]

After seeing these messages, I did read about the DPMS AR-10 and they do seem attractive.

BlackGT, any particular reason for you preferring RRA over DPMS? My preference was because I knew RRA put out a decent product with other things and I was not aware of the DPMS option at the time.

I appreciate all the feedback so far, just what I was looking for and have been doing the research from the suggestions. If I were buying today, I'd probably go the DPMS route - a lot of good feedback on it from various forums.

The Colt option is attractive, but until it's released and proven I'd be hesitant to buy it. I figure it'll be a little more pricey then say the DPMS option - but it maybe worth it for the versatility. However...I'm paranoid about first gen stuff a lot of times.

[futant]

i only wish I had some sort of input on this topic

i like your idea though it seems difficult to pull off from what little i do know.
I would go 16" free float though. I just hate heavy rifles, and the 20" isn't really needed unless long range is the plan. 20" might reduce the recoil a tad however.

[ThreeFingerPete]

i only wish I had some sort of input on this topic

i like your idea though it seems difficult to pull off from what little i do know.
I would go 16" free float though. I just hate heavy rifles, and the 20" isn't really needed unless long range is the plan. 20" might reduce the recoil a tad however.

More velocity at the cost of a lot of barrel weight.

[BlackGT]

BlackGT, any particular reason for you preferring RRA over DPMS? My preference was because I knew RRA put out a decent product with other things and I was not aware of the DPMS option at the time

Having owned RRA (still do) and been exposed to/shot DPMS rifles, I believe the RRA's are better quality, fit & finish, with a way better trigger.

DPMS are ok as entry level rifles, and if that is what you are wanting then I say go for it. If you want a little better quality go with RRA or Armalite or the King of AR's: Knights Armament!

[ceyko]

Just to mention it, I prefer heavy rifles as I was used to lugging them around when enlisted. One day I'll build a simple 16" AR-15, but I enjoy the feel of a hefty rifle. My current AR-15 is a 18" bull barrel and I made no attempt to use anything that was lightweight.

My choice on 20" was just based off the barrel in the M-16A2 that I am familiar with. The 18-20" barrels are nice in my opinion, although admittedly I've not researched anything as far as performance with different length barrels. So, I chose it for personal preference - not performance.

[bulldog896]

I would recommend this rifle DMPMS REPR

I like mine