Building a .308 AR versus buying one?

[fox3091]

I am looking for a .308 AR that meets the following requirements.
Stainless 16 in barrel
Free float hand guard
Collapsable stock
DPMS mags
Weatherproof finish
Lightweight (is 8 pounds bare a reasonable goal?)

The question I pose is: should I hunt around for one that fits my needs closely and customize it to fit, or am I better off to build from the ground up?

Price is an issue, as it always is in life, but as this is something I am working towards it is kind of a liquid restriction. Let's say 2100 without optics.

Recommendations for either option are appreciated.

I'll check back frequently to discuss. I'm excited to jump in to the 308 experience.


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[WoodenPlank]

If you stretch your budget a bit more, you can get a LaRue PredatAR in .308 - one of the best .308 ARs on the market.

[fox3091]

That is definitely a consideration. Any idea what dealer cost on one is?

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[WoodenPlank]

That is definitely a consideration. Any idea what dealer cost on one is?

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Not offhand, but I can check. I'd bet somewhere between $2k and $2250.

[fox3091]

Not offhand, but I can check. I'd bet somewhere between $2k and $2250.

That would be awesome to find out.

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[Navitimer]

You may be aware of this, but building an AR-10-type rifle can be more difficult than a mil-spec AR-15. This is because there are variances between certain different manufacturers. For example, some brands' uppers are not compatiable with other brands' lowers, magazines, etc. I went through a similar search as you, and ended up deciding on the DPMS SASS. I love it and it's substantially more accurate than am I. DPMS has a bit of a rocky reception with some folks in the AR-15 world; however their .308s IMHO are exceptional rifles for the price point. The .308s have won multiple awards, including NRA rifle of the year, and also placed second in the military competition for the SASS M110 contract (Semi-Auto Sniper System), second only to the Knight's SR-25 which costs substantially more. Have fun with your search! Hope this helps.

[WoodenPlank]

That would be awesome to find out.

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Called the only dealer I have close contact with that gets LaRue rifles, and he said he thought it was $2200-2300 for dealer cost, but wasn't 100% sure offhand. Also said a couple month wait on them right now.

You may be aware of this, but building an AR-10-type rifle can be more difficult than a mil-spec AR-15. This is because there are variances between certain different manufacturers. For example, some brands' uppers are not compatiable with other brands' lowers, magazines, etc.

This exact headache is why I always suggest buying a complete rifle.

I also want to point out that the OBR and now PredatAR have been winning a lot of friends in the military. The top two teams at the 2010 International Sniper Competition at Fort Benning had 3 OBRs between them out of 4 rifles total. The overall winning team used two OBRs in .308, and beat all the Open class shooters - many of whom were using .338 rifles, including the second rifle of the second place overall team.

[fox3091]

Navtimer: the parts thing was a primary concern with building, but I think I found a site awhile back that catalogued the compatibility. Also, the DPMS and Bushmaster route as a base to build from has been considered. Maybe a rebarrel, new furniture, refinish and a chrome bolt on one of the cheaper base models.

Plank: I had no idea that the PredatAR had such a great reception. How does the handguard on that compare to the Troy TRX in diameter?

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[WoodenPlank]

Navtimer: the parts thing was a primary concern with building, but I think I found a site awhile back that catalogued the compatibility. Also, the DPMS and Bushmaster route as a base to build from has been considered. Maybe a rebarrel, new furniture, refinish and a chrome bolt on one of the cheaper base models.

Plank: I had no idea that the PredatAR had such a great reception. How does the handguard on that compare to the Troy TRX in diameter?

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The OBR and PredatAR handguards are pretty darn skinny - the PredatAR handguard is even smaller than the OBR one. I'm pretty sure they are thinner than the Troy rails, but I don't have a PredatAR handy to compare to. I actually really like the PredatAR rail, especially with the new textured panels that come on the rifle by default.

[fox3091]

Awesome. I think I'm going to be doing some more research on those.
I am still open to other ideas too.

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[WoodenPlank]

Awesome. I think I'm going to be doing some more research on those.
I am still open to other ideas too.

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If you can save a little MORE cash, look at the PredatOBR, as well. PredatAR handguards and other configuration, with the heavier OBR barrel instead of the PredatAR's pencil barrel. If you're not shooting long or rapid fire strings with a need for severe accuracy, it's probably not a huge deal for you, though.

IMO, there's no other .308 AR on the market that can beat a LaRue - not from LMT, KAC, or anyone else.

[Matthew Courtney]

You are not likely to find a .308 with a FF tube come in much under 9 pounds. A 16 inch lightweight barreled rifle with a mattel handguard can be made at about 7 3/4 pounds, but FF tubes tend to weigh about a pound more than regular handguards.

[Matthew Courtney]

If you stretch your budget a bit more, you can get a LaRue PredatAR in .308 - one of the best .308 ARs on the market.

That's a 10 pound rifle.

[faawrenchbndr]

Armalite AR10,.......the only choice, under $2k

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c341/faawrenchbndr/ArmaliteAR10withNoveskepic1.jpg

[fox3091]

Isn't the Larue less than 8 bare?

And a true AR10 is a no go. A friend of mine had way too many magazine issues in the long term, and the CS at Armalite told him that they knew about the issues and he would just have to call them everytime it came up.

The AR10A platform isn't available in a A4 with stainless barrel. If it was, add the cost of a low pro gas block and a Troy forearm and I think I am almost at the cost of the Larue. Still an option should the stainless AR10A A4 become an option. Though.

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[2240]

If you're willing to spend that kind of dough get the LaRue. 308 bolt carrier groups and parts are hard to find right now. They're back logged on complete rifles so they're not selling the parts. Go to the AR forum and see postings about guys looking for BCG and it's not going to get better if that guy get re-elected. Heck even 308 Pmags are out of stock at a lot of places. You have better act now!

[faawrenchbndr]

And a true AR10 is a no go. A friend of mine had way too many magazine issues in the long term, and the CS at Armalite told him that they knew about the issues and he would just have to call them everytime it came up.




Never had any issues,.........Armalite does have a B model that accepts
PMags. I would avaoid a DPMS at all costs. LMT, Larue or Armalite would be my suggestions.

[humanguerrilla]

That's a 10 pound rifle.

7.75. Maybe 10 with a hunk of scope and mount.

http://www.laruetactical.com/16”-larue-tactical-predatar-762

I built a lightweight 18" 308 with a "light profile" barrel and dd lite rail. Scoped it is the same weight as my heavy bbl dpms 308 scoped. 308s get heavy and awkward for an ar quick. Larue does it right.

I love my 556 predatar and intend to get the 308. I should have already.

[MrMurphy]

Unless something major has changed, there is no dealer price for a LaRue. They have a few dealers they've had forever, and no others.

But that info is 2 years old, this may have changed.

[WoodenPlank]

Unless something major has changed, there is no dealer price for a LaRue. They have a few dealers they've had forever, and no others.

But that info is 2 years old, this may have changed.

It has. I know a dealer in NC that does a lot of OBR sales, and they get them for about 250 below retail.

Sent from the USS Sulaco, while nuking the site from orbit.

[FatBoy]

Never had any issues,.........Armalite does have a B model that accepts
PMags. I would avaoid a DPMS at all costs. LMT, Larue or Armalite would be my suggestions.

I believe it's the "A" model that accepts the MagPuls.

[fox3091]

Never had any issues,.........Armalite does have a B model that accepts
PMags. I would avaoid a DPMS at all costs. LMT, Larue or Armalite would be my suggestions.

Just called Armalite, they don't have anything currently that would be a suitable base for my build.

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[faawrenchbndr]

I believe it's the "A" model that accepts the MagPuls.



Apologies,........you are correct. A models use PMags,
B models use the Armalite & M14 conversion mags