1911.COM : AR-10 General Discussion : AR-10 General Discussion : Hi, I'm new here

Posted: Oct 12th 2009, 12:35 PM

Hello all I am new around here. And new to the AR community in general. While I was active duty Marines for over five years and have two deployments to Iraq under my belt I am a complete novice when it come to the AR game.

What I mean is I have an itch for another "evil black gun" as the liberals would say and I am really interested in an AR-10 in .308. (I want the .308 just for ease of acquiring ammo, I have a m40 clone in .300 win mag and it sucks finding ammo for it) . I would like to build it so I can get a very high end weapon but not dole out 3k in a shot. I am finding squat online as far as AR-10 parts go. I am absolutly ignorant on the subject so any advice would be welcomed.

As an introduction here is my current home defense/big game/zombie killing collection.

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Posted: Oct 12th 2009, 01:06 PM

Welcome Joe!

I love the ball-bat with the camo grip and the corkscrew. Looks you will fit right in with this crowd.

AR10 is my next project too. Pretty easy to hit the 3k mark with good optics.

Some smart people on this board.

Have you thought about getting into reloading?

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Posted: Oct 12th 2009, 01:16 PM

Welcome to the forum,

Splat is correct on the 3K, I have currently about 3700 into mine, not counting ammo.
If you can give up some amounts, I may be able to help you get started.
I for the most part know where to find parts for the AR-10 and it's counter parts.
Here is a look at mine, to give you an idea.

http://www.ar-15.com/o.php?i=MKUp2H2BIJHYdYdJ

http://www.ar-15.com/o.php?i=VTqYwJRby97jGvTs

If I can be of any assistance, let me know.

E-1

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Posted: Oct 12th 2009, 01:16 PM

I am asking for re-loading stuff for X-mas. Again a n00b in that dpt too. I shoot a lot of hornaday, I am told they have excellent brass. So I have about 60 brass casings in the win mag and 200 in .223 to feed the mini 14.

My re-search into re-loading leads me to believe the major cost is a high end scale, any advice in this area would be much appreciated.

Never know when a cork screw will come in handy...

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Posted: Oct 12th 2009, 01:22 PM

I would not bat an eye at a total build price of $3K including optics. Just not all at once. I have the win mag for ranges in excess of 800 yards, and game larger than a good size deer. So I want a semi Auto to shoot three rounds in a 1 inch hole at 100 yards, Kill deer and plink off steel targets at 600 yards. With a M-16 I qualified expert twice and easily hit ten for ten at 500 yards in the prone so I don't think those parameters are too out of whack.

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Posted: Oct 12th 2009, 01:23 PM

BTW nice weapon. What kind of ammo do they seem to like?

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Posted: Oct 12th 2009, 01:35 PM

Fulton Armory has plenty of .308 stuff. I ordered a complete upper from them and had it in my hands in about 6 weeks.

Welcome aboard and welcome to the ranks of the AR community. Always good to have another member.

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Posted: Oct 12th 2009, 01:37 PM

Well I am, of course, going to suggest ArmaLite, the true AR-10. There are some others out there but this one has served me well and I know alot of others also that will testify to the reliability of the original
AR maker.
Here is the home page for the AR-10 rifles. Given what you described, I would suggest looking into the A4, the T or the NM, all have longer barrels than mine, and would be better equipped with the barrels to achieve that distance.

http://www.armalite.com/Categories.aspx?Category=f.....a0-49488ec48776

I personally have only gone to 400 yards so far, but I am planning to reach out to 500 and 700 when I can find somewhere to shoot that distance, I eventually want to try 1K, but I am not sure how my 16" barrel will preform.
Now if you really want to go all out, look at the SUPER SASS.

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Posted: Oct 12th 2009, 01:50 PM

Pyro I will look into them, and thank you.

E-1

1K out a 16inch tube, must say I have my doubts. Of course I've seen someone walk a soda can out to 50 yards with a 1911. In any case I'd love to see it. Me I am lucky. My Fiance's family owns a 70 acre farm with a clear field of view out to 850 yards (where I shot a large ground hug who stuck his head up just long enough for me to draw a bead. wasn't much left for the birds)

The super sass is number 1 on my wish list to be sure but it's big $$$$. I wouldn't mind doing a lay-a-way but finding a place I trust and will to do a 12 month lay-a-way isnt going to be difficult. Course I could always re-fi my car .

In anycase, the old lady and I have a diner date, and I have to convince her I NEED a new gun.

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Posted: Oct 12th 2009, 02:06 PM

welcome joe and thanks for your service. i know nothing about ar-10s or i would chime in. nice collection you got there

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Posted: Oct 12th 2009, 03:37 PM

The best way to get started reloading is to get a reloading kit. I got this and it comes with a nice digital scale

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/P.....5005000_425-5-4

I dont use the powder thrower, I measure each charge. I also don't use the primer feed, I didn't like the tube.

I really want one of these:

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/P.....5005000_425-5-4

All you need is the kit and your dies and a caliper. A bullet puller is nice as well. Watch videos on youtube and read the book that comes with the kit and your good to go.

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Posted: Oct 12th 2009, 03:53 PM

Hi Joe, welcome. Nice collection. Is the cork-screw for plucking their eyes out or getting them drunk if all else fails?

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Posted: Oct 12th 2009, 04:04 PM

Welcome Joe and thank you for your service

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Posted: Oct 12th 2009, 05:33 PM

I prefer the DPMS SASS. I have 3k in mine as well. With match ammo it will shoot 1 in groups easily so, might be an avenue. You can start out with an lr308T, and add to it as you go, building them is alot of fun, and then you will know what you have and how it works. If you need any help, lemme know. Thanks for your service Marine. Rangers Lead The Way!!!!!!!!!!!ABN

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Posted: Oct 12th 2009, 06:47 PM

Splat, whose re-load data do you use? I bought the book from hornaday and it seems to be very informative.

Subvert, the corkscrew is what we referred to in the marines as a weapon of opportunity, couge out the bad guys eyes then clean it off and use it to toast the death of a bad guy.

ABDN Rangers are great men, yeah I cant wait to build one. I have a buddy who has several and is forever swaaping parts between guns.

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Posted: Oct 13th 2009, 03:18 AM

Welcome Joe, and another thanks for your service. I trying to get into the reloading game myself and recently purchased a RCBS RC Supreme. Good luck on finding powder and primers, although I haven't looked in the last 3 weeks they have been the hardest components to come by. I have had the the best luck with Sinclaire International on the powder and primers, its something you have to check daily. If you can find it locally its better. The hazmat and shipping fees drives up the cost a bit.

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Posted: Oct 13th 2009, 03:59 AM

Welcome Aboard Joe! Thanks for your service! These guys are really helpful. I learn something new nearly every time I log on. Opinions abound and few are shy to make their own made known to all. Don't be afraid to defend yours. Humor flows in every direction too. Hang around. You will be rewarded.

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Posted: Oct 13th 2009, 08:51 AM

On the ammo I use, Hornady 168 gr........TAP, A-Max, and BTHP match, I also use Ultramax 168 gr BTHP for plinking, and the federal 150, and Remington 150 SP for rapid fire Play time, the fed and rem are cheaper to use than the hornady for just going nuts. LOL.
Not knocking the DPMS SASS, the one advantage that the SUPER SASS has, is the factory adjustable gas block for use with a can.
I always wanted to keep my carbine upper for shorter range and buy a SASS upper for the longer ranges, may be some day. For now, the way I have it set up works great for both CRE and mid to long range shooting. If I were to get serious about long range completions I would get a different upper for it. Have two for one, something else to consider.

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Posted: Oct 13th 2009, 10:18 AM

Joe,

Reloading is an expirement. I have the Hornady book, the Sierra book, and the VihtaVouri book. I use the VV powders for my match .308 loads. But I have found that the muzzle velocities don't always add up. I personally load for muzzle velocity because without knowing your actual velocity, balistics aren't going to help you much.

Remember, always start at the lowest recommended powder charge and go up from there. buy a Chrony too.

For my "bulk" .223 loads, I don't use the chrony but then again, I'm just stock piling. I use an RCBS powder throw and weigh every 10th charge. Seems to work just fine for me. Then,I take30 round every 1000 or so and put them throuh a full mag down range on'quick fire" trying to hit a man size target at 100, 150, 200, &250 yards. Just to make sure that my SHTF ammo is functioning nicely.

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Posted: Oct 16th 2009, 09:44 PM

Hey Joe

Couple quick thoughts. If your in no hurry to load your cartridges, an RCBS 1010 scale is under $150
They are quite precise, just slow to work with. Depends on how many bullets you intend on loading up.
Also, there is a lot of good brass that can be had without shooting the expensive Hornady brand
Hornady makes some great ammo but you can make your own that would be equivalent, but much
cheaper. I would say the powder measure and press, and dies are the place to spend the most for quality.
Redding, RCBS, Hornady, Lyman all make quality presses and powder measures and dies You need a tumbler for the brass, a tool to trim the brass, a method to prime the brass, and several reloading
manuals. And of course the components brass,powder,primers and heads. A chronograph will
quickly tell you whether your reloads are safe and effective. Reloading is the equivalent to
childbirth for the reloader! Welcome to the site

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Posted: Oct 19th 2009, 08:09 PM

Hey joe,

I'm new here too. I have been reloading for a while and just wanted to throw an idea out there for you. If I had to buy all of my reloading equipment again. I would start with a Corbin Press. That is just because I love swaging jacketed projectiles. The cost of buying projectiles for reloading is the biggest expense once you have everything you need to reload. I never thought I would get into swaging, but I did. The corbin press is very expensive, but it has an adapter so you can reload (single stage only). I have broke my RCBS rock chucker a few times trying to swage jacketed bullets with my CH4 dies.

I would also buy the digital scale and dispenser. The manual pan scale is soooo slow to use and you have to constantly calibrate it!I am using the Charge Master 1500. There are several different models by different manufacturers, I just picked this one because it dispenses and weighs. It is very accurate, but it is very expensive too. It costs about $300.00.Still, I would get it because I know I would eventually get it anyway somewhere down the road. It saves time, and easier to use (paying for convenience). There is a lot of different opinions about which manufacturer to buy, the best thing to do is try and guess what your focus will be when you reload (accuracy, speed, cost, hand-loads, reloads, cast projectiles, swaged projectiles) and try and buy your equipment for you needs.

Lone Ranger covered it all!

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Posted: Oct 19th 2009, 10:20 PM

Welcome aboard Joe. I'm glad you're here and I too thank you for your service and wearing the uniform. I wish you the best on finding your AR10 and reloading.

I have a quick question though: Did the camo tape interfere with the harmonics of your Magnum rifle? I taped mine up once and it added 1/2" (negatively) to my groups. I removed the tape, the rifle went back to shooting pancake stacks.

Again, glad to have you here. Stick around, you've found a great home.

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Posted: Nov 6th 2009, 10:19 PM

To my knowledge it seemed to open up the groups about .3 inches. I was careful not too have the tape touch any of the stock, but the tape on the does come into contact due to the design of the scope. in reality spray painting would be a better option and if i ever do any shooting out past 700 yards i would likely take it off.

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Posted: Nov 7th 2009, 03:00 AM

Thanks for the follow up. That camo tape job I did was cool looking, but it definitely caused a stink in my groups. My shooting mentor told me the day I arrived at his house to remove it or suffer the consequences of bad harmonics. I had never even heard of anything like that until he told me and I witnessed it first hand.

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Posted: Dec 21st 2009, 08:33 AM

At the moment I'm not too worried about it I am quickly coming up on 5000 rounds down the tube So I am expecting the groups to start opening up soon. I am getting married in April so a new barrel wont be in the cards any time soon. It has a kreiger on it now which has been outstand but it took me over a year to get the barrel on the gun so I am looking for other options in that DPT im just worried becuase I dont know how fit and finish will be with another manufacturers tube on there.

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