308 AR

J

Jim Harris

New member
I am looking for a 308 in AR config. Any recommendations or stay away from?

Jim Harris
Gorilla Motors

"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid". Sgt Stryker
 
I love my ar15, but the ar10's are too heavy to suit me, I let a fnh get away a few months ago that I really liked. It is much lighter and handled nicer. I held back because the barrel was only 18" long. Wish I could remember the model number it wasn't a 93.
 
Stick with the DPMS pattern rather than RRA/Armalite. There are more accessories available and you can use Magpul Pmag 20LR magazines. Lightweight would be the way to go, but that can also get expensive. Check out DPMS Lite or Compact Hunter rifles or the newer Smith & Wesson M&P 10.
 
Depends on what you are looking for really; I have `off the shelf` DPMS Rifles and they work fine for me.
You could spend a little (or a lot..)more and get just about any configuration of parts you want.
DPMS AP4, very basic .308 less than a grand...not sure about current prices
 
Lewis Machine and Tool, expensive but are definetly worth the money. Later down the road you can buy a barrel from them and change to like 7mm, 243, 260,6.5creedmore etc. so its really a rifle for multiple purposes. Just my 2 cents.
 
The LMTs are nice, but i like my LWRC better.... Now that i have it mostly sorted out. The new ruger is getting pretty decent reviews too.

The LWRC and LMTs will come at a premium over your other 308s. Piston guns will be a little heavier and sometimes they will lose a little accuracy because of the size of the gas port to run the piston, but they are a cleaner running system with very good reliability in all conditions.
 
I picked up a Bushmaster BR308-ORC ($975) earlier this year and just yesterday picked up a DPMS at Walmart for $907. DPMS is slick side, (no FA or DC), the Bushy has both.

I've only shot the Bushy and was able to sight in with 3 rounds and put another 22 rds inside about 1.25" at 100yds. They are both heavy and don't see myself lugging it coyote hunting too often.

These are the only 2 modular rifles I've bought instead of built myself. They are both made by the same company I think anyway so if the Bushy is an example, I think I'll be happy with the DPMS.

Check out snipershide for more on this topic.
 
My take on the S&W M&P-10 http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p10-rifles/329660-m-p-10-a.html
DSC_0024_zps7559c666.jpg
 
If you are looking for a heavy bench gun look for a DPMS LR-308, that's what I shoot. Trigger replacement is the first thing ( I went with a Timney ); with good ammo it will shoot Sub MOA!
 
Well as you can see, everybodies got their own ideas. Remember that ar 308s are not milspec like ar15's, not all parts interchange between brands.

I would start with going to ar15.com and ar10.com to learn about fits where before spending any money. My choice is the cmmg mk3 #38A20FB, it is right at 7lbs right out of the box. I am on my third one now and when broken in all of them have made clover leaf 3 out of 5 shot groups from a open rest at 100yds.

My current one weighs in at 9 lbs 4 ozs scoped, (3-9x40 bdc) with five rds in a metal ten rd mag and arp vortex comp. This is the same weight as my savage 22-250 bolt gun. Hope that helps.
 
one word of caution that I should of mentioned before.

as long as you stick with an "AR308" you should be fine to shoot full 308win loads. However, not all 7.62x51 guns are certified for the higher pressure 308loads. so before you put your money down on a gun, verify the manufacturer has certified it for 308win as well as 7.62x51.
 
Originally Posted By: captninsanoone word of caution that I should of mentioned before.

as long as you stick with an "AR308" you should be fine to shoot full 308win loads. However, not all 7.62x51 guns are certified for the higher pressure 308loads. so before you put your money down on a gun, verify the manufacturer has certified it for 308win as well as 7.62x51.


X2 Amen 7,63x51 are loaded 25% less than 308win.
When, you reload you have to keep this in mind.
That is why a bought a DPMS LR-308 and then a LR-243 upper.
 
wow i learned something new. i never did research into it since i do not own any 762 rifles but i would have assumed (which i never do with reloading) that 762 was like 556 in terms of pressures. Glad i learned something new! May one day help me not blow myself up.
 
Jim...I won a DPMS .308 at the DPMS 3-gun match back in '05 that was totally tricked out (optic, bipod, etc.)...Pic below..and was very surprised at the accuracy of the weapon with quality factory ammo...



This is the first five rounds fired using Federal Gold Match ammo at 100 yards...



As others have said...Watch what you go for and stick with known items and combinations...
 
Originally Posted By: captninsanoone word of caution that I should of mentioned before.

as long as you stick with an "AR308" you should be fine to shoot full 308win loads. However, not all 7.62x51 guns are certified for the higher pressure 308loads. so before you put your money down on a gun, verify the manufacturer has certified it for 308win as well as 7.62x51.


The 7.62 NATO chamber has a longer headspace requirement and I believe a longer throat. Both will reduce the pressure a commercial round will generate
 
I have an ArmaLite AR10A4CBF. It's the 16" carbine that accepts the Pmags instead of the proprietary waffle mags that the B models take.
It weighs in at 7lbs empty and with scope and ammo i'm guessing around 8.25-8.5lbs. I can keep 5 round groups under an inch and 3rd groups are smaller. It does have a lighter profile barrel so it will heat up quicker. Kind of a trade off I guess. I looked at a couple of the DPMS models and thought they were both heavier than what I wanted. Not knocking them just saying they were heavier than what I wanted.

I would recommend ArmaLite to anyone looking for a .308/7.62x51 rifle.
 
Originally Posted By: MistWolfOriginally Posted By: captninsanoone word of caution that I should of mentioned before.

as long as you stick with an "AR308" you should be fine to shoot full 308win loads. However, not all 7.62x51 guns are certified for the higher pressure 308loads. so before you put your money down on a gun, verify the manufacturer has certified it for 308win as well as 7.62x51.


The 7.62 NATO chamber has a longer headspace requirement and I believe a longer throat. Both will reduce the pressure a commercial round will generate

They may reduce it some, I don't think its a chance I would take. I realize with today's metallurgy and standards, there is a lot of wiggle room, but this is what I follow.

Quote:
The SAMMI/CIP maximum pressure for the .308 Win cartridge is 62,000 psi, while the 7.62×51 max is 50,000 psi. Also, the headspace is slightly different. The .308 Win “Go Gauge” is 1.630" vs. 1.635" for the 7.62×51. The .308's “No-Go” dimension is 1.634" vs. 1.6405" for a 7.62×51 “No Go” gauge. That said, it is normally fine to shoot quality 7.62×51 NATO ammo in a gun chambered for the .308 Winchester (though not all NATO ammo is identical). A commercial .308 Win round can exceed the max rated pressure for the 7.62×51. So, you should avoid putting full-power .308 Win rounds into military surplus rifles that have been designed for 50,000 psi max.
 
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