AR-10 Break in report …

S

Scott Evans

Staff Alumnus
Today was a beautiful day here in Eastern Carolina with bright sunshine, very mild breeze and temperatures around 68 degrees. Awesome day! And … as I was feeling slightly down about something else I thought I would prescribe an appropriate measure of therapy :) and head out to the Edge-Works back 40 (actually it is only 20 acres) and fire my AR for only the second time. The first time out was 100 rounds several months back as per the break in instructions recommended by the manufacture (an all day affair).

This time out was with the specific intent of nailing down the zero… and to have some fun. :D

First was 3 sets of 3 shots from the 50 yard line to insure that I was relatively tight. I made one adjustment for windage and the elevation was (front sight adjusted last time out) where I thought it should be for 50 yards. I was firing from the prone no sling (I hate shooting with a sling).

Next; I picked up and moved back to 250. I fired the remaining 11 rounds (3 shots, 3 shots, 3shot, 2 shots) to finish out the box of 143gr PMP .308 FJBT . I was shooting standing but from a solid rest (the rifle fore stock supported as well as my strong arm elbow). I checked each group and made one more adjustment to the windage. Best group was just at 4.5” from 250 and on target. I was pleased as for me with iron sights that’s pretty good.

That was it as I did not have much time and I packed it in back to the shop.

Some things I have noticed so far: The AR-10 is fantastic! No feed or extraction problems, low recoil for .308 and more accurate then I can personally hold. I have the carbine in the A2 configuration and it is well balanced, compact and easy to control. As I am familiar with the AR-15 and M16 there are no new motor skills or immediate action drills to learn. Finally no other rifle reloads as fast as the AR types. Not that I’ll ever need it but I just like that feature.

Once (out of 120 rounds so far) with the bolt locked back upon inserting a magazine it slammed home chambering a round without me hitting the bolt release.

Also; the brass upon ejecting develops a ding on the side of the case. I don’t reload .308 right now (some day I will) but if I did I would not use brass that is dinged in this way.

Overall I am more then happy with it.
 
Yep. Those AR10s shoot well. Your 4.5" at 250 yards equates to 1.8 MOA.

I would like to see what it does when you shoot at a target that isn't real teeny and fuzzy. Let us know what it does at 100 yards. I'll bet your groups tigten up. Also, shoot from a solid bench rest and report.

Rick
 
I Bought an AR-10 A-4 rifle (.308) in November and put about 300 rounds through it before winter set in. I've got a 3-9x40 scope on it right now. I'd like to put a 10x44 on it this year. I've only been shooting for two years so I'm not very good, but this rifle will make a 10 shot group the size of an orange shooting off of a cheesy bipod at 100 yards. To me that is :)FUN:). The only thing I don't care for is the muzzle brake. It works, but it sure is LOUD!!
 
Boy, you guys are makin me sweat. I don't need another rifle right now.... What is the scoop on mags (capacity, price) is the muzzle brake the only option? (I hate the suckers) Being able to seat a loaded mag into an AR and slap the side of the receiver never fails to thrill me too.
 
Magazines are expensive. You are provided two 10rd. mags with the rifle. Twenty round mags are made by converting M-14 mags. Armalite offers several options for purchasing 20rd. mags. Regardless of how you get them they run between $70.00 to $90.00 apeice. The muzzle brake comes on all models except the target(AR-10T) configuration, I think.
 
Yep, these things are a ton of fun. On that brass issue, it sure does let you know it's been fired. I get a nice ding (vertical) right in the middle of the throat but reload them anyway. They shoot just fine, however, I don't think I will reload them more than a couple times. I have the AR10T and it's the most accurate semi-auto I have ever fired. 1 to 1 1/4 inch groups are the norm at 200 yards. It was a great feeling when I broke the AR10 down to clean it right after it arrived. That baseball bat of a bolt carrier group tells you there's a new game in town. Have fun.
 
Actually that mag price is a bit exaggerated. If you order the used USGI mags from Coles for $32 each shipped and send five of them to Armalite to get the 5 mag conversions for $100 deal, you've paid about $55 each.
There is NO reason to send Armalite new mags, as they refinish used ones you send anyway and you generally do NOT get the mags you sent back.
 
With mine I received two ten round mags. I will buy two more and then later-on hunt for the best deal on the 20 rounders. Tactical scenario the 20 round mags would be my choice but for range work and plinking the 10 round are just fine.

I am wondering myself now, just how well it will hold at 100 yards from a solid bench rest. It’s supposed to be nice next week, if it is I’ll give it my best and let you all know.

I would also like to see what can be done from 500 with the 16” barrel.

I really like this rifle !
 
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