This is my review of the Mega Arms MA-TEN.
This is my review of the Mega Arms MA-TEN.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">INTRO:</span></span>
The MA-TEN will be sold only in sets (upper and lower) including a charging handle, threaded bolt catch pin, take down pins, tensioning screw, and door. This was done to guarantee the best possible upper to lower fit and finish. Using the MA-TEN platform also allows you the most options on your next build.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">BOLTS & BARRELS:</span></span>
Designed to accept any AR style .308 barrels and bolts*. This means you can use your AR10/Noveske or SR25/DPMS components.
*We recommend using the same manufacture for your barrel and bolt. As always assembly should be done by a qualified gunsmith, using the proper head spacing gages.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">HAND GUARDS:</span></span>
Any handguard with a barrel nut designed to fit the Knight SR25 or DPMS will fit the MA-TEN upper. The MA-TEN shares a common rail height with the SR25 and the Armalite AR10. The necessary cuts have also been included on the upper to use a Samson handguard.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">MAGAZINES:</span></span>
Magazines… take your pick. Any SR25/DPMS compatible magazine such as Magpul, Knight, DPMS, CMMG, and C products.
* MA-TEN not compatible with Armalite bolt catch.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">TRIGGERS:</span></span>
Do you like to bench shoot? Or maybe your next build is going to be for hunting, or just target shooting. Well you can choose to use whatever trigger best suites your shooting needs. The MA-TEN lower will accept any AR compatible trigger*.
(*When using an Armalite or Knight carrier a narrower then mil-spec hammer is required. Check with carrier manufacturer.).
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">STOCKS:</span></span>
By incorporating the Mil-Spec buffer thread on the MA-TEN lower you have the ability to choose any stock you want. Adjustable Magpul, Mil-Spec A2 and everything in between.
After testing here are some buffer combinations we found work well:
*When using the Vltor AR10 5 position buffer tube an H3 buffer should be used with an Armalite AR10 buffer spring.
*When using a standard AR-15 carbine buffer tube an AR10 carbine buffer should be used with an Armalite AR10 buffer spring.
*When using an A2 stock, the Armalite AR10 buffer and buffer spring should be used.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">FIRST IMPRESSION:</span></span>
When I received it at work, I showed it around to my co-workers and the first thing they all said was that it was absolutely beautiful. When I picked it up, I asked myself, “is this a .308?” I thought it would be heavier, even with the PRS Stock.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">SPECS:</span></span>
My MA-TEN came with a Noveske 16″ barrel, DD 12″ AR-10 Lite Rail, Timney Trigger, and PRS Stock.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">FIT & FINISH:</span></span>
Fit and finish was perfect. That is the reason these are sold as a combo instead of separate. Personally I like the idea of an upper/lower combo, especially after I’ve seen how some mixed and matched AR15 uppers and lowers fit, such as my LMT upper with Bushmaster lower. For testing, I used a 20 round PMAG and as I already stated, I had zero malfunctions. The magazine fit perfect in the magazine well and it dropped free.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">WEIGHT:</span></span>
I compared the weight of the Mega MA-TEN to my 16″ LMT Piston AR. My LMT Piston weighed 7.5 LB while the Mega .308 weighed 9.5 LB, which honestly didn’t feel like 9.5 LB at all. Definitely balances very well. I knew some of the weight came from the PRS Stock, which are very heavy. I happen to have an A2 stock lying around, so I decided to check the difference. With the A2 stock, the weight dropped to 9 LB, which is more reasonable. While I like the PRS Stock on a 20" Precision build, I think a Vltor EMod, or similar stock, would be absolutely perfect for a 16" MA-TEN. I’d use the Magpul PRS on a 18-24" Precision build.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">RECOIL:</span></span>
One of the biggest questions about shooting a .308 AR is the recoil. After shooting 220 rounds, I can honestly say the Noveske barrel is overgassed. With the Hornady 168 GR TAP and my handloads using 168 GR BTHP bullets with H4895 and Varget, the brass was ejecting at the 1 O’Clock position. With the Benchmark powders, the recoil was much better, but the brass still ejected at the 2 O’Clock position. So what was the recoil like? Here is where I would rank the .308 on a scale of 1-10 using weapons that I have personal experience with:
1. .22 rifle.
2.
3. 5.56 AR15.
4. Overgassed 5.56 AR15.
5. Remington 6.8 SPC.
6. Overgassed Remington 6.8 SPC.
7. .308 AR.
8. Overgassed .308 AR.
9. Shotgun.
10. Shotgun with slugs.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">ACCURACY RESULTS:</span></span>
Support Used: Front and Rear sandbag.
Optic: Leupold 1.5×4.5x scope set on 4.5x.
Trigger: Timney Trigger.
Range: 100 Yards.
Shot Groups: 3 5 round shot groups.
168 GR BTHP.
Brass: Winchester.
Primer: CCI #200.
OAL: 2.800"
Temp: 70.
42 Gr. of H4895: HI: 2398 fps, LO: 2322 fps, AVE: 2365 fps, ES: 76, SD: 20
ACCURACY: 2.78"
42.5 Gr. of H4895: HI: 2442 fps, LO: 2376 fps, AVE: 2413 fps, ES: 66, SD: 17
ACCURACY: 1.30"
43 Gr. of H4895: HI: 2473 fps, LO: 2398 fps, AVE: 2432 fps, ES: 75, SD: 19
ACCURACY: 1.61"
44 Gr. of Varget: HI: 2478 fps, LO: 2406 fps, AVE: 2443 fps, ES: 72, SD: 19
ACCURACY: 1.38"
44.5 Gr. of Varget: HI: 2482 fps, LO: 2398 fps, AVE: 2450 fps, ES: 84, SD: 24
ACCURACY: 1.31"
45 Gr. of Varget: HI: 2510 fps, LO: 2455 fps, AVE: 2473 fps, ES: 55, SD: 13
ACCURACY: 1.39"
41 Gr. of Benchmark: HI: 2464 fps, LO: 2402 fps, AVE: 2419 fps, ES: 62, SD: 18
ACCURACY: 1.72"
<span style="color: #FF0000">*</span>41.5 Gr. of Benchmark: HI: 2482 fps, LO: 2428 fps, AVE: 2462 fps, ES: 54, SD: 17
ACCURACY: 1.56"
<span style="color: #FF0000">*</span>42 Gr. of Benchmark: HI: 2530 fps, LO: 2469 fps, AVE: 2499 fps, ES: 61, SD: 15
ACCURACY: 1.46"
<span style="color: #FF0000">*</span> = hot load (41.5 GR had very light ejector marks. 42 GR had ejector marks. According to Hodgdon, 42 GR should be at 49K PSI).
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">CONCLUSION:</span></span>
One of the main reasons I have never really considered a .308 was mainly due to the weight and I had always thought that the .308 was best with a 20-26" barrel. With some of the recent .308's like the LMT and KAC, I have begun to look at these smaller .308's a little different. Up until now, I thought that the Remington 6.8 SPC and the 6.5 Grendel were the best options, especially for hunting applications. I’m definitely reconsidering my previous thinking. Premium .308 ammo is the same as 6.8 and 6.5 ammo and the .308 has much cheaper plinking ammo available. Plus we are talking full power cartridge compared to medium power cartridge. I think something like a .308 Hunter Model with a light barrel and a lightweight handguard would be a great seller in the hunting sector.
The Mega MA-TEN makes a great upper/lower in which to build a full-power platform such as a .243/.260/6.5 Creedmoor/.308. I like the fact that it uses the SR25/DPMS compatible magazine such as Magpul, Knight, DPMS, CMMG, and C products, and you can use any style barrel such as the AR10/Noveske or SR25/DPMS barrels.
This is my review of the Mega Arms MA-TEN.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">INTRO:</span></span>
The MA-TEN will be sold only in sets (upper and lower) including a charging handle, threaded bolt catch pin, take down pins, tensioning screw, and door. This was done to guarantee the best possible upper to lower fit and finish. Using the MA-TEN platform also allows you the most options on your next build.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">BOLTS & BARRELS:</span></span>
Designed to accept any AR style .308 barrels and bolts*. This means you can use your AR10/Noveske or SR25/DPMS components.
*We recommend using the same manufacture for your barrel and bolt. As always assembly should be done by a qualified gunsmith, using the proper head spacing gages.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">HAND GUARDS:</span></span>
Any handguard with a barrel nut designed to fit the Knight SR25 or DPMS will fit the MA-TEN upper. The MA-TEN shares a common rail height with the SR25 and the Armalite AR10. The necessary cuts have also been included on the upper to use a Samson handguard.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">MAGAZINES:</span></span>
Magazines… take your pick. Any SR25/DPMS compatible magazine such as Magpul, Knight, DPMS, CMMG, and C products.
* MA-TEN not compatible with Armalite bolt catch.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">TRIGGERS:</span></span>
Do you like to bench shoot? Or maybe your next build is going to be for hunting, or just target shooting. Well you can choose to use whatever trigger best suites your shooting needs. The MA-TEN lower will accept any AR compatible trigger*.
(*When using an Armalite or Knight carrier a narrower then mil-spec hammer is required. Check with carrier manufacturer.).
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">STOCKS:</span></span>
By incorporating the Mil-Spec buffer thread on the MA-TEN lower you have the ability to choose any stock you want. Adjustable Magpul, Mil-Spec A2 and everything in between.
After testing here are some buffer combinations we found work well:
*When using the Vltor AR10 5 position buffer tube an H3 buffer should be used with an Armalite AR10 buffer spring.
*When using a standard AR-15 carbine buffer tube an AR10 carbine buffer should be used with an Armalite AR10 buffer spring.
*When using an A2 stock, the Armalite AR10 buffer and buffer spring should be used.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">FIRST IMPRESSION:</span></span>
When I received it at work, I showed it around to my co-workers and the first thing they all said was that it was absolutely beautiful. When I picked it up, I asked myself, “is this a .308?” I thought it would be heavier, even with the PRS Stock.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">SPECS:</span></span>
My MA-TEN came with a Noveske 16″ barrel, DD 12″ AR-10 Lite Rail, Timney Trigger, and PRS Stock.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">FIT & FINISH:</span></span>
Fit and finish was perfect. That is the reason these are sold as a combo instead of separate. Personally I like the idea of an upper/lower combo, especially after I’ve seen how some mixed and matched AR15 uppers and lowers fit, such as my LMT upper with Bushmaster lower. For testing, I used a 20 round PMAG and as I already stated, I had zero malfunctions. The magazine fit perfect in the magazine well and it dropped free.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">WEIGHT:</span></span>
I compared the weight of the Mega MA-TEN to my 16″ LMT Piston AR. My LMT Piston weighed 7.5 LB while the Mega .308 weighed 9.5 LB, which honestly didn’t feel like 9.5 LB at all. Definitely balances very well. I knew some of the weight came from the PRS Stock, which are very heavy. I happen to have an A2 stock lying around, so I decided to check the difference. With the A2 stock, the weight dropped to 9 LB, which is more reasonable. While I like the PRS Stock on a 20" Precision build, I think a Vltor EMod, or similar stock, would be absolutely perfect for a 16" MA-TEN. I’d use the Magpul PRS on a 18-24" Precision build.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">RECOIL:</span></span>
One of the biggest questions about shooting a .308 AR is the recoil. After shooting 220 rounds, I can honestly say the Noveske barrel is overgassed. With the Hornady 168 GR TAP and my handloads using 168 GR BTHP bullets with H4895 and Varget, the brass was ejecting at the 1 O’Clock position. With the Benchmark powders, the recoil was much better, but the brass still ejected at the 2 O’Clock position. So what was the recoil like? Here is where I would rank the .308 on a scale of 1-10 using weapons that I have personal experience with:
1. .22 rifle.
2.
3. 5.56 AR15.
4. Overgassed 5.56 AR15.
5. Remington 6.8 SPC.
6. Overgassed Remington 6.8 SPC.
7. .308 AR.
8. Overgassed .308 AR.
9. Shotgun.
10. Shotgun with slugs.
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">ACCURACY RESULTS:</span></span>
Support Used: Front and Rear sandbag.
Optic: Leupold 1.5×4.5x scope set on 4.5x.
Trigger: Timney Trigger.
Range: 100 Yards.
Shot Groups: 3 5 round shot groups.
168 GR BTHP.
Brass: Winchester.
Primer: CCI #200.
OAL: 2.800"
Temp: 70.
42 Gr. of H4895: HI: 2398 fps, LO: 2322 fps, AVE: 2365 fps, ES: 76, SD: 20
ACCURACY: 2.78"
42.5 Gr. of H4895: HI: 2442 fps, LO: 2376 fps, AVE: 2413 fps, ES: 66, SD: 17
ACCURACY: 1.30"
43 Gr. of H4895: HI: 2473 fps, LO: 2398 fps, AVE: 2432 fps, ES: 75, SD: 19
ACCURACY: 1.61"
44 Gr. of Varget: HI: 2478 fps, LO: 2406 fps, AVE: 2443 fps, ES: 72, SD: 19
ACCURACY: 1.38"
44.5 Gr. of Varget: HI: 2482 fps, LO: 2398 fps, AVE: 2450 fps, ES: 84, SD: 24
ACCURACY: 1.31"
45 Gr. of Varget: HI: 2510 fps, LO: 2455 fps, AVE: 2473 fps, ES: 55, SD: 13
ACCURACY: 1.39"
41 Gr. of Benchmark: HI: 2464 fps, LO: 2402 fps, AVE: 2419 fps, ES: 62, SD: 18
ACCURACY: 1.72"
<span style="color: #FF0000">*</span>41.5 Gr. of Benchmark: HI: 2482 fps, LO: 2428 fps, AVE: 2462 fps, ES: 54, SD: 17
ACCURACY: 1.56"
<span style="color: #FF0000">*</span>42 Gr. of Benchmark: HI: 2530 fps, LO: 2469 fps, AVE: 2499 fps, ES: 61, SD: 15
ACCURACY: 1.46"
<span style="color: #FF0000">*</span> = hot load (41.5 GR had very light ejector marks. 42 GR had ejector marks. According to Hodgdon, 42 GR should be at 49K PSI).
<span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">CONCLUSION:</span></span>
One of the main reasons I have never really considered a .308 was mainly due to the weight and I had always thought that the .308 was best with a 20-26" barrel. With some of the recent .308's like the LMT and KAC, I have begun to look at these smaller .308's a little different. Up until now, I thought that the Remington 6.8 SPC and the 6.5 Grendel were the best options, especially for hunting applications. I’m definitely reconsidering my previous thinking. Premium .308 ammo is the same as 6.8 and 6.5 ammo and the .308 has much cheaper plinking ammo available. Plus we are talking full power cartridge compared to medium power cartridge. I think something like a .308 Hunter Model with a light barrel and a lightweight handguard would be a great seller in the hunting sector.
The Mega MA-TEN makes a great upper/lower in which to build a full-power platform such as a .243/.260/6.5 Creedmoor/.308. I like the fact that it uses the SR25/DPMS compatible magazine such as Magpul, Knight, DPMS, CMMG, and C products, and you can use any style barrel such as the AR10/Noveske or SR25/DPMS barrels.
