So as I embark on this endeavor to build my first .308 chambered AR style rifle it has become very much apparent that and ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure where these builds are concerned.
My original goal/intent for the rifle is to have a medium to long range hunting weapon that I can shoot reliably out to 600 yards. Deer season in Arizona it's not uncommon to take a 500 yd shot. This being a mountain gun that I will be schlepping around, my focus is also on keeping it relatively light weight but not so lightweight as to make it unstable. Specifically between 7-8 pounds before optics/ammo I've determined should be acceptable. I was aiming for 7.5 but I've already succumbed to myself that it may be a pipe dream and still have everything I want.
And of course I want everything for nothing just like any other Red Blooded American does so staying on a budget is always a concern....
I've put together a parts list over the past month or so that has seen more revisions than Michael Jackson's nose.
I think I've finally gotten it settled and I've already purchased the upper and lower as a combo set from Aero Precision to get it started. Here goes the rest of the build:
Barrel:
Fulton Armory - 18.5" Criterion Light Profile 1/10 Match - 38.4oz, $349.95
Barrel, 18.5", .308 AR, Light Weight, 1x10, Chrome Lined, Threaded, Match Quality, FA by Criterion
Compensator:
Kaw Valley Precision Linear Comp - 2.9oz, $43.95
Kaw Valley Precision 30cal Linear Comp-5/8x24-Black
Adj. Gas Block:
Syrac Ordinance .750 - 1.68oz, $96.00
Rainier Arms™ | Browse | Gas Blocks | Gas Block: Syrac Ordnance .750 Low Pro Adjustable Gas Block
Gas Tube:
Fulton Armory - Rifle Length, FAR-308AR - 1.6oz (est?), $14.95
Gas Tube, Rifle, FAR-308 AR
Hand Guard:
Midwest Industries - SS Free Float, High Profile, 12" - 12.4oz (incl. Barrel Nut), $159.95
Midwest Industries MI DPMS .308 7.62 SS12 SS15 Free Float Handguard
BCG:
Fulton Armory - .308 AR, Chrome - 20.5oz, $299.95
Bolt Carrier Group, .308 AR, Chrome with Staked Chrome Key, Includes Complete Bolt
Charging Handle:
Fulton Armory - Tital - 1.3oz (est.?), $59.95
Charging Handle Assembly, Titan
Upper Receiver:
Aero Precision - M5 .308 Assembled (DPMS) - 14oz, $139.50
M5 (.308) Upper and Lower combo - Combo Sets
Lower:
Aero Precision - M5 .308 Stripped (DPMS) - 12.5oz, $166.50
M5 (.308) Upper and Lower combo - Combo Sets
LPK:
Aero Precision - M5 Complete LPK - 7oz (est?), $89.00
Aero Precision, Complete Lower Parts Kit
Buffer Tube Assy:
DPMS - AR-Style .308, Commercial - 7.9oz (est?), $59.95
AR-STYLE .308 STOCK MOUNTING KITS | Brownells
Stock:
FAB Defense - GLShock GP - 14.1oz, $119.05
The Mako Group - Product Detail - Recoil-reducing M4/AR-15 Stock and adjustable cheekpiece
Gunsmithing:
Fulton Armory - Precision Barrel Install, Fit, Polish, Headspace - 0.0oz, $50.00 (well spent!)
Fulton Armory | FAR-308 Services
Total Weight: 8.39lbs
Total Cost: $1648.70
So that's it so far.... I missed the mark on the weight by nearly a pound and I realize there are ways I can trim that back. But all things considered I'm still lighter than a lot of off the shelf rifles and I feel like this will be a quality rifle that should run well and shoot very well.
I don't know... maybe there are some hidden gem parts and pieces out there in AR land that could do a better job of meeting my goals and maybe even saving some $$$. But this is the best I can come up with.
Cheap, Lightweight, and Accurate... pick two!
Thoughts?
-AdamO
My original goal/intent for the rifle is to have a medium to long range hunting weapon that I can shoot reliably out to 600 yards. Deer season in Arizona it's not uncommon to take a 500 yd shot. This being a mountain gun that I will be schlepping around, my focus is also on keeping it relatively light weight but not so lightweight as to make it unstable. Specifically between 7-8 pounds before optics/ammo I've determined should be acceptable. I was aiming for 7.5 but I've already succumbed to myself that it may be a pipe dream and still have everything I want.
And of course I want everything for nothing just like any other Red Blooded American does so staying on a budget is always a concern....
I've put together a parts list over the past month or so that has seen more revisions than Michael Jackson's nose.
I think I've finally gotten it settled and I've already purchased the upper and lower as a combo set from Aero Precision to get it started. Here goes the rest of the build:
Barrel:
Fulton Armory - 18.5" Criterion Light Profile 1/10 Match - 38.4oz, $349.95
Barrel, 18.5", .308 AR, Light Weight, 1x10, Chrome Lined, Threaded, Match Quality, FA by Criterion
Compensator:
Kaw Valley Precision Linear Comp - 2.9oz, $43.95
Kaw Valley Precision 30cal Linear Comp-5/8x24-Black
Adj. Gas Block:
Syrac Ordinance .750 - 1.68oz, $96.00
Rainier Arms™ | Browse | Gas Blocks | Gas Block: Syrac Ordnance .750 Low Pro Adjustable Gas Block
Gas Tube:
Fulton Armory - Rifle Length, FAR-308AR - 1.6oz (est?), $14.95
Gas Tube, Rifle, FAR-308 AR
Hand Guard:
Midwest Industries - SS Free Float, High Profile, 12" - 12.4oz (incl. Barrel Nut), $159.95
Midwest Industries MI DPMS .308 7.62 SS12 SS15 Free Float Handguard
BCG:
Fulton Armory - .308 AR, Chrome - 20.5oz, $299.95
Bolt Carrier Group, .308 AR, Chrome with Staked Chrome Key, Includes Complete Bolt
Charging Handle:
Fulton Armory - Tital - 1.3oz (est.?), $59.95
Charging Handle Assembly, Titan
Upper Receiver:
Aero Precision - M5 .308 Assembled (DPMS) - 14oz, $139.50
M5 (.308) Upper and Lower combo - Combo Sets
Lower:
Aero Precision - M5 .308 Stripped (DPMS) - 12.5oz, $166.50
M5 (.308) Upper and Lower combo - Combo Sets
LPK:
Aero Precision - M5 Complete LPK - 7oz (est?), $89.00
Aero Precision, Complete Lower Parts Kit
Buffer Tube Assy:
DPMS - AR-Style .308, Commercial - 7.9oz (est?), $59.95
AR-STYLE .308 STOCK MOUNTING KITS | Brownells
Stock:
FAB Defense - GLShock GP - 14.1oz, $119.05
The Mako Group - Product Detail - Recoil-reducing M4/AR-15 Stock and adjustable cheekpiece
Gunsmithing:
Fulton Armory - Precision Barrel Install, Fit, Polish, Headspace - 0.0oz, $50.00 (well spent!)
Fulton Armory | FAR-308 Services
Total Weight: 8.39lbs
Total Cost: $1648.70
So that's it so far.... I missed the mark on the weight by nearly a pound and I realize there are ways I can trim that back. But all things considered I'm still lighter than a lot of off the shelf rifles and I feel like this will be a quality rifle that should run well and shoot very well.
I don't know... maybe there are some hidden gem parts and pieces out there in AR land that could do a better job of meeting my goals and maybe even saving some $$$. But this is the best I can come up with.
Cheap, Lightweight, and Accurate... pick two!
Thoughts?
-AdamO
