Anyone brave enough to rank AR10s

[Tara-iti]

Here in NZ there are very few Ar10 rifles in anything other than the venerable 308. I am looking to purchase an AR10 in 6.5 Creedmore for PRS type matches (1000m Max) as an alternative to my 6.5x47 Lapua bolt rifle. Why? Its fun and makes you smile. The problem is the cost vs quality question. I cannot afford a JP or any other top quality weapon so will be looking at a mid price rifle. Even this will cost me here $4500NZ The Rock River Predator HP LAR-8M https://www.rockriverarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=1770 looks like it fits the bill. Are there any other weapons in this part of the market that are worth looking at?
Many thanks guys

 

[just browsing]

Maybe check out a Seekins SP-10 or even a Savage MSR? Not sure the ins and outs of getting them in NZ. And of course your other option would be building your own but again, not positive if that is a logical/feasible option.

Good luck.

 

[hlee]

Those that claim competency in building AR variant rifles generally recommend against building an AR10- at least for someone not experienced. There is no "mil spec" in the same sense that there is for ar15 rifles. Armalite vs DPMS/SR25 pattern, etc.

As to ranking, I'm sure someone will be along shortly to say that Knights Armament makes the only large frame ar variant rifle worth owning, and to "go be poor somewhere else..." In the US we (most of us anyway) have the great fortune that if a rifle- or some part of a rifle- is not up to snuff, we can easily change it. My poor understanding of NZ laws suggests you may be "married" to your purchase- at least relatively speaking. If you can swing it, I don't think anyone would have buyers remorse with a JP in their safe, or a SR25 for that matter.

There are a lot of factors to consider and "best" is so subjective as to not be a useful superlative.

Listed in no particular order...
Cost
Weight
Length
Ergonomics
Accuracy
Warranty
Factory suppprt
Reliability
Durability
"Hey look at my cool rifle" factor
How much will it cost to replace the OEM stuff that the rifle comes with but you don't like/want?

Hopefully you can get 20 people to give you a top 10. My guess is that 80% will be identical between all of them, with the only difference in the top 5 being the relative placement in that top 5.

Sorry that I can't be more help. I've only got a DPMS lr308 in my safe, and it won't make a top10 on anyone's list that has had these rifles flow through their fingers like beach sand. It does, however "punch well above its weight class" and would surprise the shit out of some gear snobs.

 

[Sniper260]

Id build one. Thats just me and my experience though. Then you get the best bang for your buck and quality.

 

[cattleman99]

If you have one in .308, then just buy a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel and put it on. They're like legos for adults.

 

[Steelhead]

I've got a LAR-8 Varmint model in .308 and can tell you it's a tack driver. I don't have experience with the 6.5 model, but would assume it won't disappoint.

One thing to think about is the LAR-8 uses FAL type magazines. You won't be able to buy Magpul's for instance and use them in this rifle. However, the new RRA polymer type magazines are cheap and work well in this rifle.

 

[eklarsen]

In the 6.5 Creedmoor, just make sure you get a high pressure bolt and a rifle length +2 gas tube and barrel to match.

 

[MK20]

Wyoming arms has some nice ar10 rifles. They are about 2200 US so I don’t know how that stacks up to NZ

 

[Jsp556]

Colt 901’s are offered in 6.5Creedmoor now. They are selling around $2000 US. Get an adapter and run your 5.56 upper on it.

 

[BCP]

Guys he is in NZ so he doesn't have every brand available to him.

Also I am unsure of importation rules but it's probably not very easy.

Plus the prices are very high. A Diamondback AR10 that sells for 800 bucks here is 4000 NZ over there.

The best thing would be to either build one or get a cheap AR10 in 308 and have it rebarreled. I'm sure there are smiths over there who can chamber AR10 barrels.

I mean this is the hill he is climbing price wise:

https://www.guncity.com/308-dpms-ar-10-gen2-compact-hunter-carbon-free-float-16-fluted-barrel-333547

kiwi dollars are something like 50-60cents on the dollar btw

 

[pmclaine]

Isnt New Zealand using LMT in their military?

Perhaps staying LMT some surplus or parts would be available in country.

Pretty sure they have a 6.5 barrel and change out is simple.

Only issue is cost.

 

[Mike_Honcho]

IMHO if your options are limited I’d find out three things

* Recommend gas port size for a 6.5 / what is the port size of the RRA
* Is RRA compatible with what parts are commonly available to you should you need to swap out or upgrade
* What parts commonly break or RRA users have issues with

Short of those, and assuming you can get a good deal - buy the RRA.

PLAN ON it being a shit show. Come back here and ask questions to get it running right.

The bottom line is as long as your gas port is not wildly out of step with the optimum port size, as long as you can get parts - the worst it can be is timing issue between unlocking, extracting, ejecting, striping, feeding and re-locking. Between adj gas blocks, spring and buffer combos, and powder - you can get it run. RRA typically makes an accurate weapon with pretty reasonable QC.

 

[Tara-iti]

Thanks for your helpful replies guys, thats good info. Exporting from the US is one drama that just plain costs money no way around it then there is the imoprt side here that is red tape but not expensive. The govt has clamped down on the import of Military style semi auto rifles so things are tough all around. Still a great country to live in. Far enough away from the Northern Hemisphere and all the issues you have up there. ALll the best.

 

[snarkscarbine]

Hit up Hardy Rifle Engineering. They do some AR10 stuff and may be able to fit you up without ordering it from the other side of the globe.

 

[Tara-iti]

Hi good idea except I have already tried them. I have a heap of their stuff so know them well. Unfortunately they have no uppers to put one of their barrels on so another strike out.