Help choosing which AR-10 style rifle to get

CVScanga

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Minuteman
Jan 19, 2012
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Pensacola FL
I am looking to buy a very accurate .308 semi-auto sniper rifle. By very accurate I mean sub-MOA @100yd and the ability to make target eliminating shots @800yd. I already have a great 16x leuplod scope, so I have the optics to take long range shots. I don't know that much about the AR-10 style rifles and there seems to be a lot of different choices ranging anywhere from $1,800 and up.
I've looked at the DPMS SASS, the Armalite, the GAP-10, the Les Baer, and they all seem to have this ability, but at that price I'd appreciate a little help before making a decision. Is there really any difference between the accuracy of the different brands or are there any suggestions for other rifles I should look at?
 
Re: Help choosing which AR-10 style rifle to get

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CVScanga</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am looking to buy a very accurate .308 semi-auto sniper rifle. By very accurate I mean sub-MOA @100yd and <span style="font-weight: bold">the ability to make target eliminating shots @800yd</span>. I already have a great 16x leuplod scope, so I have the optics to take long range shots. I don't know that much about the AR-10 style rifles and there seems to be a lot of different choices ranging anywhere from $1,800 and up.
I've looked at the DPMS SASS, the Armalite, the GAP-10, the Les Baer, and they all seem to have this ability, but at that price I'd appreciate a little help before making a decision. Is there really any difference between the accuracy of the different brands or are there any suggestions for other rifles I should look at?
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Target eliminating shots? What kind of target needs "eliminating"?

GAP-10...no doubt about it.
 
Re: Help choosing which AR-10 style rifle to get

If accuracy is what you desire, look at the heavier barreled outfits like the DPMS LR-308 with 20-24 inch bull barrel, or equivilant. They don't look as cool, but they can be very accurate.
 
Re: Help choosing which AR-10 style rifle to get

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KillShot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Target eliminating shots? What kind of target needs "eliminating"?

GAP-10...no doubt about it. </div></div>

Yea, what killshot asked, what are you eliminating????????^^^^^

......and the GAP-10 would probably be the first choice as far as a <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">known</span></span> sub-moa rifle. Most of those you listed should shoot sub-moa for most rifles out of box, but I think you can count on the GAP-10 to perform to your liking, period. The Armalite AR-10 I am working on SHOULD perform very very well, but the barrel was worked over by Adco and other tweeks and twist here and there to get it to that place. I probably could have come close to buying a GAP-10 by the time I am done but I like working a project and for me that is the fun in it.
 
Re: Help choosing which AR-10 style rifle to get

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KillShot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

GAP-10...no doubt about it. </div></div>

WTF Killshot, you are not preaching the virtues of the POF above all others anymore?
You just know I had to rib you on it.

Conrad
 
Re: Help choosing which AR-10 style rifle to get

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Conrad101st</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KillShot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

GAP-10...no doubt about it. </div></div>

WTF Killshot, you are not preaching the virtues of the POF above all others anymore?
You just know I had to rib you on it.

Conrad</div></div>

Ha ha ha! Well, I was giving him my choice out of those he mentioned. If he's open to other suggestions, he should definitely consider a POF.
wink.gif
 
Re: Help choosing which AR-10 style rifle to get

Thanks guys for the answers! I haven't seen the POF yet, I'll check it out. Target eliminating was just easier than trying to define accuracy at that range... I was trying to be brief. A buddy of mine has a bolt .308 and I've watched him consistently hit a soda can @800yd with it, thats the accuracy I'm looking for.
 
Re: Help choosing which AR-10 style rifle to get

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CVScanga</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is there really any difference between the accuracy of the different brands
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Not really maybe if you're splitting hairs. I've shot DPMS SASS/Bull, LMT, LWRC, POF, Armalite, (older model) GAP and the only one that I couldn't get to group under an inch was the LWRC. Many of them were capable of 1/2" groupings with good ammo as well.

The rifle I slapped together in my garage shoots like this:

targetpulled1751812.jpg


S5003211.jpg


And looks like this:

S5003275.jpg


I have about 1600 into it not counting the scope/mount. It shoots better with 168 grain TAP and FGMM but I'm happy enough with those groups for all around plinking + coyotes and besides I'm not a very good shot anyways.
 
Re: Help choosing which AR-10 style rifle to get

I went with a custom from Robert at RWS gunsmithing. To be honest with you it has exceeded my every expectation. It is built using an SI defense upper and lower. Fit and finish is exactly what I was looking for, and the accuracy is really something I had never experienced in a gas gun before. I thought I would try some 168gr FGMM to break it in, but when it kept shooting better each time I just kept with it. While I cannot gurantee you will have exactly the same results I can say it worked out well for myself.

All groups fired @100yds.

Rifle and first group
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After rifle was broken in I shot these. One 7 shot and one 8 shot group (groups shot back to back same day)
400611403.jpg
 
Re: Help choosing which AR-10 style rifle to get

I have owned 2 Armalite AR-10's for about 4 years now. I know there are a lot of new flavor of the months now, but I have no reason to replace my AR10's with anything. I Love em both. I think the Armalite M14-type mags are some of the best mags out there, solid and they just plain work.

I am a big fan of DI guns, ever since I discovered to run them liberally with Mobil-1 they will function flawlessly without issues even without very little cleaning. The Mobil-1 keeps them clean, because it keeps the gun slick, and carbon buildup is minimal as long as the gun is liberally lubed. Most of the time a I just do a wipe down of the internals and relube, rarely do I do a heavy cleansing.

Here is my 16" AR10 with Light Barrel. Thing is a great offhand shooter. I can't really shoot for groups with this rifle because the Aimpoint that is on it, is a 4MOA dot and I can't consistently get a good POA. I did manage a 2-MOA 5-shot group one time with my reloads. The Giessele SSA-E trigger that is currently in it, is pretty awesome for a drop in non-adjustable trigger.
1AR10blacktan-vi.jpg


Here is my 20" AR-10 SuperSASS. It also has a Giessele trigger, but this one has the Hi-Speed Match, and the 2nd stage is tuned to 8 oz. I can shoot easily .60 MOA 4-shot groups with this gun with full sized reloads, sometimes it even does better. With Savage Fireform Brass reloads, I can consistently do .3 MOA. I discovered this by accident one day when I accidentally used the wrong box of ammo.
AR10blacktan-vi.jpg
 
Re: Help choosing which AR-10 style rifle to get

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hamr56</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I went with a custom from Robert at RWS gunsmithing. </div></div>

Looks great, shoots great, nothing wrong with that.

Cartman, what good did the vert grip for a mono pod do for you? Protect the finish during the photo shoot, or do you shoot with it on there? To be honest I could actually see it being handy gripped/elevated in the support hand if you didn't have a bag with you. Would rather use a bag though.
 
Re: Help choosing which AR-10 style rifle to get

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CVScanga</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I really like the Armalite SASS. What is the longest shot you've taken with it? </div></div>

At my local range we can set our targets to about 1050 yards. My loads are not too hot, but does get about 2550 fps out of the 20" barrel, which is more than plenty for the bullet to stay supersonic to 1100 yards.

At 1000 yards it takes between 38.5 and 40.5 MOA depending on the day. With the flat base, my Leupold only has 40 MOA of upward movement, so I have to holdover the last half MOA (which is about .1 mil since I have a mil reticle with this scope).
 
Re: Help choosing which AR-10 style rifle to get

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: redirt78</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hamr56</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I went with a custom from Robert at RWS gunsmithing. </div></div>

Looks great, shoots great, nothing wrong with that.

Cartman, what good did the vert grip for a mono pod do for you? Protect the finish during the photo shoot, or do you shoot with it on there? To be honest I could actually see it being handy gripped/elevated in the support hand if you didn't have a bag with you. Would rather use a bag though. </div></div>

It's an airsoft Quick-Detach tango down clone. I take it off, when I have a sandbag. But for the most part, I like to shoot without a sandbag, just for the sport of it.
 
Re: Help choosing which AR-10 style rifle to get

That's amazing! That's more than I would expect from a 20" barrel. I'll probably just go with the Armalite, it seems to be a great rifle and, with the accuracy you're getting, will be more accurate than I'm probably a