.308 cheeper to build or buy?

[jrl5678]

I built a AR-15 5.56 as a first build (sold it no photos(sorry.))
I want a long barrel .308 semi-auto. For a good 600 yd+ rifle cheeper to build or buy?

 

[Falar]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

building is always cheaper because at the very least you will not be paying the federal excise tax.

 

[Anchor Zero Six]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

I can easily build a more expensive rifle than the cheapest one I can find. Garbage in= garbage out and an AR is the sum of the components.

IMO a factory LMT is a quality and highly accurate rifle and is much less than what I was going to end up paying if I built from parts based on the specs I had in mind.

Excise tax can easily be offset by not paying sales tax if you go through a private (ie non retail) FFL and buy from an out of state retailer via Gun Broker.

Also you need to factor in any tools you may need such as action blocks and AR-10 sized ff tube wrenches. You could probably borrow these but if not count on having to buy them as not all AR tool will work with the 308 big brothers.

 

[Jer]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

Or buy one already built using good parts like this one.

 

[littlerascal56]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

I could have easily built an AR .308 from parts and pieces, and could have saved some cash. The thing that concerned me most is the accuracy that my "built" gun would be capable of.

I opted to buy an Armalite AR-10T..lifetime guarantee and 1-MOA accuracy promise. If you can't get it to shoot 1MOA w/quality ammo, they will take it back and make it SHOOT!

That alone is worth it vs assembling a parts gun..where you are taking the risk for how it performs. Just depends what your expectations are in the end. Mine are VERY HIGH when it comes to my AR-10T...and it performs!

 

[scotharr]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jrl5678</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I built a AR-15 5.56 as a first build (sold it no photos(sorry.))
I want a long barrel .308 semi-auto. For a good 600 yd+ rifle cheeper to build or buy? </div></div>

AR10/308s are very quirky. You will be well-advised to find an EXPERIENCED builder who knows what needs to be done to make a reliable and accurate rifle.
GAP
Scott Medesha
WOA

 

[Todds69]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

Sometimes it is better to try and fail, than never try at all. However it can also be costly to do so.

 

[Bugs Bunny]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigBore56</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I could have easily built an AR .308 from parts and pieces, and could have saved some cash. The thing that concerned me most is the accuracy that my "built" gun would be capable of.

I opted to buy an Armalite AR-10T..lifetime guarantee and 1-MOA accuracy promise. If you can't get it to shoot 1MOA w/quality ammo, they will take it back and make it SHOOT!

That alone is worth it vs assembling a parts gun..where you are taking the risk for how it performs. Just depends what your expectations are in the end. Mine are VERY HIGH when it comes to my AR-10T...and it performs! </div></div>

Looking at prices I don't think it would be easy to build a decent AR for what I see AR10's advertised for - going to get me an AR10a2 carbine for a blaster, not concerned with anything over 200yds as I have bolt guns for that.

 

[M25BeastShooter]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

Question for yourself: Do you want to build a rifle because you like and REALLY want to do the work yourself, or is money the ONLY factor? If the answer is yeas to part 1 invest in the tools; minimum .308 headspace gages go no-go, the appropriate barrel nut wrench, the .308 AR receiver block, a strap wrench depending on the handguard type. Most of the other tools will be dual use for the AR build. Then go and find your parts. The key to good shooting AR is a good barrel, Free floated handguard, a quality bolt and finally a good quality trigger. From there its up to you what else you want to put into it.

If money in the sole motivation. Buy a quality DPMS, Rock River or Armalite or what ever brand you desire. Use the routes described above saving the money on taxes or dealer costs.

 

[dlxcupid]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

http://www.nelsontactical.com/products/dpms-762-lrtsass-p-380.html

Good people there. Put some good optics on there and you should be set.

 

[9mmkungfu]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

It depends on what you want out of it. Cheap blaster, buy one premade.

 

[Mark L]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 9mmkungfu</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It depends on what you want out of it. Cheap blaster, buy one premade. </div></div>

I agree. If you just want an inexpensive plinker complete is the way to go. If you are looking for upgrade options i say building it would be the way to go

 

[zinny]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

a good alternative to all the suggestions is to buy already assembled uppers and lowers. you get the haves pre assembled by a smith with warranty, while still saving on the 11% fed tax. this applies to armalite, if you compare the price of one of their complete rifles compared to the price total of the lower and upper that would make the exact complete rifle, you'll definitely save at least a 100.

 

[GRIM]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

DPMS LR308 - inexpensive as it gets but shoots great.

 

[steelcomp]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Scooter-PIE</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jrl5678</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I built a AR-15 5.56 as a first build (sold it no photos(sorry.))
I want a long barrel .308 semi-auto. For a good 600 yd+ rifle cheeper to build or buy? </div></div>

AR10/308s are very quirky. You will be well-advised to find an EXPERIENCED builder who knows what needs to be done to make a reliable and accurate rifle.
GAP
Scott Medesha
WOA </div></div>I've built a half a dozen AR10's and found them no more complicated or quirky than any AR platform rifle. I saved some money on some, but never lost money on any. I still have two for myself, both of which cost me far less to build than what I would have had to pay for a comparable already built rifle. That's just my experience...YMMV.

 

[jrl5678]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

I just want to shoot. I built a 5.56 AR type. I had fun bought some tools etc. Would do it again but, not really my thing I really just want to shoot.
I like the DPMS one a lot. How has it been any of you guys shoot one with a longer (24"+) barrell.

 

[GRIM]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

It's a bit heavy for slogging around a course of fire but I don't mind the weight. My barrel is 24" and fluted so I can't cut it down to 18-20". Does DPMS offer a non-fluted LR model that you can cut down in length if you don't like it at 24".

 

[BigSoundRacing]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

600+ distance is an easy answer - build your own and weigh each powder charge.

 

[jrl5678]

Re: .308 cheeper to build or buy?

No More Racing
What do you think about buying a RRA or DPMS and later having a good builder work it over?
Like Ed Vandenberg