Gunsmithing Want to build an AR10 and need help and lots of advice

[mugsie]

I have always wanted an AR10 and enjoy doing things myself, so I thought I'd start out with a stripped lower. What I don't know is do I go with an 80% lower and do the milling, with a dremmel, myself or just purchase a stripped lower and parts then assemble from there?

Then what lower do you recommend? I see they're not all interchangeable, so compatable with what pattern and upper?

What advice do you have for me? What do I need to know, what should I watch out for? What say ye?

Thanks

 

[jasonfaz]

Mugsie, try throwing this out there under the Semi-Autos section. You should get some good advice as long as you get specific around what you're trying to build and what applications will likely be associated.

 

[sakobob]

dremmel...... don't forget a claw hammer and vice grips.

 

[mugsie]

Mods, if you feel as Jason does, could you move this over for me please?
Thanks

 

[jasonfaz]

....and I'd highly recommend using a stripped lower over an 80% if a Dremel is the only tooling you have available. Certainly not something that would be anywhere near effective in milling out an 80% lower.

Those vice grips and that claw hammer though....

 

[Rancid Coolaid]

Without knowing what you wish to do with the 308 AR, no one can offer very helpful insight - other than to recommend, with varying degrees of sarcasm and humor, that you NOT dremel an AR lower to completion. "Precision" and "dremel" don't go together.

There are various formats. Be aware that AR10 means it is an Armalite, technically; other 308-based AR patterns are not AR10s. It ain't like AR15, at all.

 

[HOOFER]

Definitely recommend a adjustable gas block. I usethe syrac. Gun runs like a top now.

 

[mugsie]

Well I already have a claw hammer, a large screw driver and some vice grips....

Seriously though, since I'm retired and have some time on my hands I wanted to build something that I could use for 600 yards + shooting. Nothing super accurate, although I want to achieve the smallest grouping I could if possible.

I guess it's a stripped lower then. I'm also wondering if it's not better to purchase something already assembled vs building it myself? Which is more cost effective?

I already shoot my bolt guns out to 600 yards now, but would like to try something different. Any suggestions are always appreciated.

Thanks....

 

[copterdrvr]

I hear ya-almost retired and practicing already! ;-)

Went to Academy to pick up a fishing reel and unfortunately the "fishing reel guy" was busy with a customer. Started to look at guns to kill time and saw a deal I couldn't pass up. In the "close-out" section they had a Remington R25, all black .308 for $1050.00 and dang it, I couldn't pass up the price. It's a DPMS made LR308 based lower. There are differences between it and the AR10 style rifles.

I love piddlin' with things (don't own a single firearm that's still in the condition it was when I purchased it!) and after building up three .223 AR's, I decided to put some money into this .308 as a summer project because I felt I could do better-accuracy wise. The factory upper isn't bad but the best I can get out of it is 1.25-1.5 m.o.a. at 100 yards and my 3 .223 AR's and a tricked out Win Mod 70 .308 HBV do WAY better than that.

Here's a list of stuff I ended up putting together and the prices at the time of purchase. I still have the complete factory upper that I'm going to sell and even at a reasonable price for it, I feel I'm coming out way ahead with the project. A stripped .308 lower is around 240 bucks so I feel pretty good about my initial investment.

Remington R25 (DPMS) lower (ENTIRE RIFLE $1050.00)

BUFFER TECHNOLOGIES kynSHOT BUFFER $115.00
JP INDUSTRIES JPS-OSR.308 centerless ground and polished operating spring $23.00
JP low mass bolt carrier $270.00
JP Standard profile compensator $90.00
JP 20 inch medium contour stainless steel barrel WITH JP Enhanced bolt $600.00
JP long Thermal Dissipator $75.00
JP JPGS-3 adjustable gas block $80.00
DPMS upper $194.00
DPMS floating handguard (rifle length) $73.00
GEISSELE SSA-E trigger $230.00
JP AR-15 Reduced Weight Trigger/Hammer Spring Set JPS3.5T $10.95

$1761.00 for add-ons

The rifle I've put together is awesome and a joy to shoot. My shootin' buddy has a factory AR 10 20 inch bull .308 non-threaded barrel and he shot mine during my first trip to the range. The muzzle brake and buffer difference is pretty obvious because he said it recoils HALF as much as his rifle.

Still breaking it in and working up loads and enjoying the heck out of it.

 

[Toast]

Check out Sun Devil Manufacturing. They have a couple web sites. I got two of theirs and I am very satisfied with their work product. They are finished, coated and rock solid. Check out Black Hole Weaponry barrels.

 

[JB02]

I looked into build vs buy and realized that unless I was willing to build multiple 308 style ARs, it wasn't cost effective to buy the parts and assemble everything myself. Nearly all the parts, especially premium parts that you would want to use in a custom build, are right at MSRP.

IMO, a great buy is the DPMS GII line. There are a couple of warts with all of them, but a pretty good value overall.

 

[kyle528]

Like Rancid Coolaid said, ar-10's are not at all like the 15's. The parts are scarce and expensive. Not many options are available. And I also agree with the above statements about the Dremel. To finish an 80% lower, you should at least have a drill press with correct tooling, a good vise and a jig. A dremel should be used to finish up or better yet not at all. A dremel is not a gunsmithing tool. A good $350 drill press and a mill vise is a good investment anyway

 

[BillyGoatMachine]

I've done a few and in hindsight, your better off buying a complete rifle. Take the whole thing apart and put it back together again. Then you will have the satisfaction of knowing how everything works. Your not going to save any $$ if you plan on building a precision semi.

 

[buckshizzo]

Agreed. I did not save any money building mine myself. It cost me the same as buying a complete rifle. You also won't have the headaches associated with building one. I had to work out the bugs on mine until it shot perfectly.