Armalite AR-10 opinions

[csmoot26]

I am looking for some opinions on a specific Armalite rifle.
AR-10 BLACK TARGET CARBINE IN 7.62
My plans for the rifle will be for hunting with a little range time mixed in. My current 308 setup is a FN SPR that is great at the range but a beast to carry around. I can shoot MOA or slightly below with my SPR. The max range this rifle will ever see at the range is 600 yards.
Are you seeing MOA accuracy with your 16" AR-10, if so what ammo?
How has reliability been for you with this specific rifle?
Thanks

 

[ORD]

Any of the "(T)" series rifles from Armalite, including the AR-10TC you are looking at, are consistently sub-MOA capable rifles with proper ammo and in the hands of a competent semi-auto shooter. Armalite has ALWAYS under-guaranteed the accuracy of their production rifles (you'll note...it "only" has a MOA guarantee), but my experience with both the 10T rifles and carbines is that they will perform considerably better, especially with reloads or match fodder, including but not limited to both 168gr and 175gr FGMM, Hornady TAP, and the like. For hunting purposes, unless you plan on running the match ammo for game as well as paper/steel, I have had great results on factory rifles with WV Whitetails and like game using Corbon's 168gr TTSX loads for a "true" hunting bullet, as well as any match fodder using AMAX bullets like the Hornady TAP, etc. You'll get wildly varying opinions on the use of "match" ammo for game, but for me...AMAX bullets get the job done VERY well as long as you do your part in putting the round where it needs to be on target.

As for reliability with the AR-10TC...its not an issue in any way, shape or form. They are excellent rifles/carbines in every respect.

Now...I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that once you get the rifle completely setup (assuming a quality optic, mount/rings, loaded 5-round mag for hunting purposes, bipod, etc.), you will quickly find yourself hauling around a ~11l-12b rifle (maybe more...maybe a little less depending on your final setup). Depending on how much your current SPR weighs, you may or may not actually get a lot of weight savings. Certainly...you'll save some overall length and increase portability with the AR-10TC, but don't let Armalite's "published" weight for the carbine fool you...they get heavy in a hurry once you start getting them field ready.

 

[KULT]

Armalite makes great guns, I would get an Amodel because it takes SR-25 / Pmags.

 

[LRRPF52]

My experience mirrors ORD's. My first AR10T shot 1/3 MOA, at 300yds with 168gr FGMM.

If you're interested in this as a hunting carbine, it will be heavy, even with their lightweight handguard. Here's what makes the AR10 heavy:

* Large mass BCG
* Barrel shank
* Larger 7000 series aluminum receivers

Everything else is basically the same as an AR15, sans a few minor parts, but from a weight perspective, the BCG and barrel profile at the shank kill you.

This is why I love the 6.5 Grendel so much, as I can have a total system weight that is less than an AR10 upper alone. My 16" Grendel with scope and bipod weighs less than my AR10 upper receiver group.

Without the bipod, I'm at 8.6 lbs, and I haven't even tried to make the little carbine lightweight. If I installed a Carbon Fiber handguard, an upper without forward assist, a pencil barrel, and a lighter scope, I could break 7lbs easily for overall weight.

 

[sinister]

Armalite's two 16-inchers (standard and Target) handle very nicely and with a five-shot magazine would be decent for hunting, but they aren't light compared to an FN or 700 Varmint.

The Standard barrel does about minute-and-a-half while the 10T does about or slightly better than a minute.

Both will handle 135, 155, 168, 175, and 180-grain ammo.

 

[BCP]

They're good I think a little bit better on average than DPMS 308s quality speaking. It'll shoot MOA or near that with either the chromoly or stainless barrel and mild loads with decent bullets. The way SINISTER has his rifles set up is about ideal for a 308 AR carbine. You'll want a scope that isn't particularly large or heavy, handguards that are free floating and allow you to mount bipods etc easily, and a collapsible stock of decent quality.

As far as carrying it goes it will be heavier than your bolt rifle. If you want to hunt with an AR I'd get an AR15 in 6.8.

 

[GhostFace]

Great rifles and very accurate too! When I was having my bolt gun built I decided against the .308 since I have the AR-10, it's that damn accurate. I am fond of the B model but if you like plastic mags then the A model is your only choice. Also Armalite stands behind their products. I called to order small parts like springs, pins and gas rings and they wouldn't take my money (2 different occasions) and sent them out free of charge. My only complaint about the company is their products have changed very little over the years. I think a handguard change and barrel length is about it for the T.

This...

Will do this on a regular basis...

 

[LRRPF52]

This is a great bullet to go with. It has a .510 BC, expands well, and retains most of its weight. 123gr SST



About half of the available projectiles for 6.5mm:



Here are a few of the hunting pills for the 6.5mm:

 

[bobke]

+1 on 123 SST-it's even a touch more accurate in my Grendels than the 123 AMax, both using CFE. Anxious to try in Creedmoor and 6.5x47 Lapua.

 

[EL34]

I have that exact rifle, though I've changed a few things on it. It is fairly heavy, compared to most (factory) bolt action hunting rifles. The only factory ammo that I've ever shot through it is surplus Radway Green, no problems hitting a B27 sized steel at 600. Shoots much better with 168, or 175 SMK handloads (MOA or better), if your limited to something like FGMM I'm sure you'll be fine though.

 

[csmoot26]

Thanks for all of the input. I have thought about a 6.8 upper. I just really like the 308 as a caliber.(Availability of factory rounds and I have dies, brass, bullets etc for this caliber already).
My current Ar15 is a Mini SASS from DPMS. With scope it weights about 11.5lbs and I can carry that around with no problem. The problem with my FN SPR is that it has a 24" barrel and I am guessing it is in the 13-14lb range and it is long(front heavy) and next to impossible to keep steady freehand. I can keep my 223 SASS stable off hand but it is short and compact.
The reason I bought the SPR is to ring steel at 0-600 yards but if I could do that with a 16" slightly lighter, semi auto gun that would be awesome, and still be able to hunt with it. Best of both worlds.
The scope I have ready to slap on the AR10 is a Bushnell 3-12x44 FFP Mil/Mil, it is not to terribly heavy and has enough mag and adjustability to reach out far enough for me.
[MENTION=433]sinister[/MENTION]-What hand guards are you running on your Ar-10s? Looks good with the quad rail.

 

[ORD]

@sinister-What hand guards are you running on your Ar-10s? Looks good with the quad rail.

Not to jump on sinister's toes, but to answer your question...those are BOTH from Larue Tactical.

 

[samnev]

How does the accuracy of the AR 10A4 compare to the AR 10T?

 

[jdr724]

Their standard pencil barrel carbines say 2-2.5MOA but with 168 FGM 1-1.5 is easily achieved,

With the target model the OP is referring to with the same ammo .5-.75

Using 5 round mags for hunting will do you alot of favor in the weight department.

Replace the trigger and put a surefire brake in it and you are good to go.

The free float tube it comes with is pretty light. If you switch to a FF quad you only asking for more added weight.

The target model the OP asked about is a highly underrated and widely overlooked option for a fine accurate rifle and can be had for ~$1550

Based on your stated use, you wouldn't need iron back up sights which means you could loose the Pic rail gas block for a LowPro which will shave weight.

3-9 x 32 scope in a light set of low rings......