Best way to lighten up a .260 AR10?

[JacFlasche]

Firstly: Hey and Yo to one and all,

I've been researching building a .60 Remington -- something like the DPMS lightweight panther hunter, however in my research into that caliber, it seems that the length of barrel used in their gun is not optimal for .260. Most experts seem to agree that it should be more like the length of their target rifle, but that thing is way heavy. In my various searches I kept ending up reading the forums here, so I guess this is the place to ask.
Am I obsessing about something that will be meaningless? Maybe, but I am really interested in studied opinions as to what would be the best way to build a rifle that could deliver both optimal terminal effect at 1k and still be a joy to tote. Is a carbon fiber barrel a viable option or are there better ways to save weight on a build? I would like to build it myself and like to keep the price of components below 1500 total without optics or sights.
Think this would be possible?
TIA,
Jack

 

[rchman]

Re: Best way to lighten up a .260 AR10?

How light would you like it to be and what barrel size are you looking for? The Troy TRX Extreme is one of the lightest rails you can get right now, which can shave off up to half a pound over quad rails. Samson is also coming out with the Evolution rail for AR10 & DPMS 308 platforms. DPMS is due about now with AR10 several months out.

If you can find how much the barrel weighs, I can tell you the approx weight based on different configs.

 

[overkill]

Re: Best way to lighten up a .260 AR10?

if you want to goto 1000 with it you will prolly want the longer bbl's. if you have the long(24"ish) bbl you are GOING to have some heft to it. but if you balance the rifle well and use a good sling it is still pretty handy.
my .260 is a DPMS REPR with a custom 24" Kreiger bull bbl.
it weights about 17 lbs loaded. but with the skeletenised handguard, light weight upper and heavy PRS stock it FEELS lighter then my .308SASS at 15 lbs

I have deer hunted with it the last two seasons. its a 1/4 mile walk to the stand and i have taken several deer with it, a couple of them offhand without support(on running targets).

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Best way to lighten up a .260 AR10?

Terminal effect on what at 1000yds?

 

[aggiesig]

Re: Best way to lighten up a .260 AR10?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JacFlasche</div><div class="ubbcode-body">what would be the best way to build a rifle that could deliver both optimal terminal effect at 1k and still be a joy to tote. </div></div>

Hunting at 1K is generally frowned upon around here, even if you are so badass that you can keep your rounds to 1/2 MOA at 1000, you are looking at a 5" group. Not something that lends itself to clean ethical shots.

 

[overkill]

Re: Best way to lighten up a .260 AR10?

prolly wouldnt want to hunt deer with .260 at 1000yds. my best load would only have 675lbs of energy left at that range. paper would be fine.
but 5-700yds is doable for deer. most of the deer i take are between 400-500yards, but I have taken a couple at 600 DRT.

 

[BCP]

Re: Best way to lighten up a .260 AR10?

Well, with your budget the dpms one with 20" barrel will meet your price requirements and not weigh a ton. However you aren't going to be able to make one that is a "joy to tote" in comparison to a hunting bolt gun. The best you can hope for is 10 lbs unloaded give or take.

 

[Blasst]

Re: Best way to lighten up a .260 AR10?

the paradigm used in JR rifles 308 and 260 is about as good as it gets. Lighter than anything other than carbon fiber sticks from what I have seen. I use their parts and smaller diameter handguards....I hate the big fat ones. They have done all the research and production.....buy a few parts and follow their lead.

 

[Rovieairto]

Re: Best way to lighten up a .260 AR10?

20" barrel can get you a SS range of over 1200 yards.
Are you serious about the "optimal terminal effect at 1k" criteria?
That sounds a little gay.

The DPMS LR-260 (L-H) is the only rifle that fits the bill that I'm aware of.