AR-10 upgrades

M

Matno

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 10, 2012
232
4
#1
Got an Armalite AR-10 as a gift. Great gun but could be a little more accurate. Without question, it's gonna get a Geissele trigger (probably SSA-E like on my AR-15). The stock "4-stage" trigger has gotta go. So far seems to shoot slightly better than the 1.5-2 MOA that Armalite says it should shoot, even with cheap stuff. But I'd like something I could shoot out to 800+ yards accurately. Gonna start with working up some handloads, then go from there.

If that doesn't do it, I'm thinking of the following (in order):

Barrel - match grade. I like the current size (20" heavy profile). I like the idea of melonite but haven't seen an Armalite 308 compatible version. Any recommendations?

Free float hand guard - previous owner upgraded to a quad rail but not free float, which seems kind of pointless to me since the gun is way too big for cqb. I just need something I can mount a bipod on. Using the rail on the gas block probably isn't the best solution for long range accuracy. I think Armalite has some pretty decent low priced ones but I'm open to other suggestions.

I'm pretty sure that should do it, but any other thoughts would appreciated. Also, my budget is limited to about $1500, and I'm trying to save as much that as I can for a scope.
 
#2
I've built two 308 AR10s using Armalite complete uppers (one 20", one 24") and both were under 1-MOA shooters with handloads. Before you go spending any money on a barrel I'd switch the handguard and try some load development.

The AR10T handguards are free floating, pretty nice, and quite inexpensive at $80 complete.
 
#6
What's the difference? I've never considered myself a great long range shooter, but with the SSA-E, I'm suddenly shooting 1/3" groups at 100 yards with my .223 Wylde... In what way is the SDE better?

I guess I'll try the foreend first. Easier to start with the cheap things first!
One other thing I forgot it's that I'm thinking of adding a brake/compensator. Shot my dad's Les Baer and the difference in recoil was substantial. Not that the Armalite is bad, but I'd like to minimize it if possible. I'm thinking there's probably not a huge performance difference between some of the $40 ones and the $200 ones.
 
#10
Yeah whats the difference between the SSA-E and SDE? I have the SSA-E in my REPR and love it but would consider changing to another Geissele and then throwing the SSA-E into one of my other builds.
 
#11
Matno said:
Got an Armalite AR-10 as a gift. Great gun but could be a little more accurate. Without question, it's gonna get a Geissele trigger (probably SSA-E like on my AR-15). The stock "4-stage" trigger has gotta go. So far seems to shoot slightly better than the 1.5-2 MOA that Armalite says it should shoot, even with cheap stuff. But I'd like something I could shoot out to 800+ yards accurately. Gonna start with working up some handloads, then go from there.

If that doesn't do it, I'm thinking of the following (in order):

Barrel - match grade. I like the current size (20" heavy profile). I like the idea of melonite but haven't seen an Armalite 308 compatible version. Any recommendations?

Free float hand guard - previous owner upgraded to a quad rail but not free float, which seems kind of pointless to me since the gun is way too big for cqb. I just need something I can mount a bipod on. Using the rail on the gas block probably isn't the best solution for long range accuracy. I think Armalite has some pretty decent low priced ones but I'm open to other suggestions.

I'm pretty sure that should do it, but any other thoughts would appreciated. Also, my budget is limited to about $1500, and I'm trying to save as much that as I can for a scope.
Click to expand...

I dont know how well the community is receiving Proof Research barrels but three issues (Recoil magazine) ago they took an Armalite SASS I believe and put on one of the Proof Research barrels and saved some weight. Then they put on a Magpul UBR stock to balance out the weight.
 
#12
30calDeath said:
Yeah whats the difference between the SSA-E and SDE?
Click to expand...
K, a quick search reveals they're the same but the SDE has a flat trigger. I've heard people talk about the "feel" of the flat trigger, but it seems like finger placement on the trigger could make it different from shot to shot. However, I've rarely heard negatives about them.
 
#14
I own a SASS and the only changes I made were to the grip and dropped a SSA trigger in it. Before spending the money on a barrel, change out to a free float hand guard. Look at Rainier Arms website they sell various free float hand guards for the Armalite platform.
 
#15
Geissele National Match DMR or Match trigger, Apex Machine free float handguard and PWS FSC30 brake. About $675 all in, maybe a bit less, and you're GTG. Have 'em on two AR10's-no need to look back.
 
#16
AR-10 upgrades

Unless you're setting the rifle up for a CQB role, the FSC30 is a bad choice because it has major ground signature when prone. The PRC provides the same benefits without the ground signature of the FSC30.
 
#18
Kiba said:
The AR10T handguards are free floating, pretty nice, and quite inexpensive at $80 complete.
Click to expand...
Ugh. They are a good deal and look like exactly what I want. What kills me is that they charge FORTY BUCKS to add a rail the bottom of it. An additional 50% seems really over priced for that little add-on. I wonder if anyone else makes a compatible bolt on rail for cheaper. My AR-15 rail came with 3 of them. Probably not...
 
#19
Matno said:
Ugh. They are a good deal and look like exactly what I want. What kills me is that they charge FORTY BUCKS to add a rail the bottom of it. An additional 50% seems really over priced for that little add-on. I wonder if anyone else makes a compatible bolt on rail for cheaper. My AR-15 rail came with 3 of them. Probably not...
Click to expand...
There is a new 5" armalite ar10 rail section on ebay right now for $10
 
#25
Armalite AR10s are the easiest to work with and get accurate. There is really no need to go "high end" when you can "high end" it yourself. Also there is really no point in getting any AR except DI. Best of all about DI AR's are the parts are plentiful, and you get your choices of awesome barrels (not proprietary).

Barrel: I recommend Rainer-Arms Ultra Match or Noveske. I have Noveske on my 20" AR10 and the Ultra-Match on my 16". The Ultra-Match is just as accurate as the Noveske but $150 cheaper.

Trigger: Gisessele Hi-Speed Match! Get the best! This thing breaks like glass, and no other 2-stage trigger out there breaks cleaner. The SSA-E is good and you probably won't notice much of a difference even side by side with the HS-Match, and the HS-match will not not help you be more accurate over the SSA-E, but if you shoot the HS-Match enough, you do notice the clean break. also why not pay $80 more to get the absolute best?

Free Float Handguards: They all do their jobs, so this one boils down to looks and no looks better than SWS.

My AR10s:
IMG_2010-vi.jpg
 
#30
Finally finished upgrading my Armalite AR10 A4. It has a Noveske SWS quad rail and 16" SS barrel. Magpul PRS stock with DPMS AR 10 receiver extension and buffer, Harris 6'-9" bipod,YHM Flash Hider, Houge pistol grip, Magpul BUIS a Vortex Viper PST FFP 4-16X50 scope. But the most important and change was the Geiselle SSA-E trigger. Cant say enough good things about the trigger upgrade. The AR went from about 1 moa to averaging 100 yard 5 shot groups averaging to 0.75 moa sometimes much better. The hardest thing is getting use to the superb light trigger pull. Sometimes it goes off before I am ready but I getting better as I shoot it more.







p
 
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#31
Argh. Started to buy the Armalite handguard a couple of days ago, but hesitated because I didn't want to spend an extra $48 for a barrel nut wrench (especially since the exact same one for the AR-15 is currently on sale for $16). However, I'mpretty sure it's not included with the handguard, even though the description says "includes everything needed to replace the standard handguard." Now the handguard is out of stock! GRRRR.
 
#32
The stock Armalite (AR10T) handguard is really worth the wait. It's super light and strong with room to bolt on a couple attachments if you're into that.

Check Brownells or Midway for a cheaper wrench. Sometimes handguards do come with a wrench but not sure on this. Again check some other sites and check their descriptions.
 
#33
I asked, it doesn't come with the wrench. Darn. Have to keep my eyes open... Pretty sure that's the one I'm getting. Want to be able to mount my atlas bipod (QR) to a picatinny rail...
 
#35
Accuracy items:
1) Remove the standard handguards and replace with a free float tube. Cheap works. As much as some people diss on them, the DPMS round tube handguards will still be an improvement.
2) While you are doing this, make sure to inspect the upper receiver to barrel extension fit. The perpendicularity of the shoulder on the barrel extension to the face of the upper receiver is very important to accuracy. Make sure the undercut on the barrel extension to shoulder has a fillet that runs out before the major diameter of the barrel extension. Otherwise, you may get line contact from the tool cutter radius that encroaches on the upper receiver before the perpendicular shoulder does. These are even more important than the fit of the barrel extension OD to the ID of the upper receiver.
3) Follow the torque specs for mounting the barrel nut and make sure the gas tube moves freely in the barrel nut notch/hole through into the upper receiver.
4) Check the crown for a nice, small chamfer leading out from the rifling. While you are at it, shoot some 10 shot groups with and without the muzzle brake. A good muzzle brake does not affect the accuracy. A bad one affects it greatly.
5) + again for the Geissele SDE - Bill really got it right on that one. I have it in both of my accuracy .308s.
6) Really spend time determining the ideal scope ring height for your face and hold.

Good luck!
 
#36
Great advice! Thanks. I'll have to think about #2 to understand exactly what you mean, but I'm sure I'll figure it out! Good advice on the muzzle brake too. Wouldn't have thought about that. Still torn between the SDE and SSA-E triggers. Basically the same but I can't convince myself to like the look of the straight trigger...
I have a PRS stock, so I should be able to get a good cheek weld dialed in.
 
#38
Matno said:
Gat. Still torn between the SDE and SSA-E triggers. Basically the same but I can't convince myself to like the look of the straight trigger...
Click to expand...

Forget about the looks, its the functionality that counts. I just recently purchased the SDE over the SSA-E for my POF P308. Consistent trigger position/feel shot after shot really improved my accuracy.
 
#39
Pardon my ignorance since I've never actually tried one, but I don't understand how trigger position is more consistent with a straight trigger. It seems to me that having a curve in the trigger would allow you to feel the same trigger position more consistently.
 
#40
Matno said:
Pardon my ignorance since I've never actually tried one, but I don't understand how trigger position is more consistent with a straight trigger. It seems to me that having a curve in the trigger would allow you to feel the same trigger position more consistently.
Click to expand...

No worries. I didn't understand either until I tried it. The trigger is straight down so especially when you have gloves on your able to find the same trigger position repeatedly which keeps things consistent shot after shot. With a bowed trigger I found it wasn't easy to find the same trigger position repeatedly which didn't help accuracy. While the SSA-E is a great trigger (I kept it for my Recce 5.56 in case I dont like the Timney 3# that came with it) I just feel the SDE allows for easier, repeated finger placement. Finding the same place on the bow is not as easy as putting your flat finger on the flat trigger time after time.
 
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#41
Well, since I've pretty much only heard opinions that sounds like yours, I'm gonna have to guess there must be something to the hype. Price isn't really different so maybe I'll have to try one...
On the other hand, who shoots for long range accuracy with gloves on?!
 
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