Need considerations for an AR in .308/7.62 NATO

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Departed402

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I'll cut right to the chase. I'm looking for different options when it comes to an AR chambered in .308 or 7.62x51. I want a tactiCOOL gun that I can use for hunting. I realize building one piece-by-piece would give me what I want, but I'm looking for a good starting point.

Here are a few things I want:
Designed for 7.62 NATO and .308 Winchester Interchangability - I know there can be some issues with interchanging these rounds if the gun isn't built for the pressure and headspace. I figure if manufacturers make guns that can shoot both .223 and 5.56mm, surely someone has done this for the .308 and 7.62 NATO in an AR platform. This is the biggest issue for me.

Accessory Rail - It's something I think no AR should be without.

No front sight post - I don't like them, I prefer put low-profile fold-up sights.

Dust Cover - I dont understand this, but some manufacturers don't put dust covers on their .308 rifles, but they do on their 7.62mm. Also I prefer to shoot left handed so a brass deflector is a must.
 
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People love a certain brand, and that's usually all you'll here about. Armalight's the original, so you really cant go wrong with them. There is also a lot of rock river guys on here, which is fine too. I prefer a panther over RR personally though

http://www.dpmsinc.com/store/?cat=1940 I like the Mark 12 for the money....
 
Larue, Fulton Armory, Noveske and LMT all have some nice 308 ar's too. The LMT was adopted by the Brits if I remeber correctly.
 
I applaud the fact you already researched what you want.

Now, how much do you have to spend? That drives a lot of the answer.

Also, for your hunting, do you mind a heavy gun or would you prefer a lighter one? Realize in the 7.62/.308 format, they are all heavier than an AR-15.

Answers to these will drive recommendations.
 
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A .308 rifle can shoot 7.62N but not the other way around.
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Well, let a manufacturer say what to shoot. DPMS cuts their 308 chambers a bit tight and some NATO ammo might be a bit sticky. But they say to shoot both from their 7.62x51 chamber.
 
.308 and 7.62x51 ammo is interchangeable. I wouldn't worry about shooting ammo marked either way regardless pof how the barrel is marked. The only real difference is that a barrel reamed to the. 308 chamber spec will have a chamber that is a bit tighter than one reamed for 7.62x51 - but they are otherwise identical. Ignore any comments you might hear about one being loaded "hotter" than the other. It just isn't so.
 
CHECK OUT page 35 of the CDNN sales mag for the CMMG custom .308 at 1399.99. You will not do better at the price . Mine groups .59moa at 100 yards with my own hand loads and Fed GMM 168 SMK ammo .
.308 FLUTED
NEW ULTRALIGHT XTRA COMFORTABLE QUAD RAIL DESIGN
2-20RD HI-CAP
MAGPUL MAGS
WASP-WEAPONS ARMORED SURFACE PROTECTION
WASP COATED CHAMBER & BORE
MORE DURABLE THAN CHROME LINING
18” FLUTED BARREL
FULL LENGTH TOP RAIL A2 FLASH HIDER
FREE FLOATING HANDGUARD
CUSTOM
2-STAGE
TARGET
TRIGGE
 
Really depends what you want it for. Are you using it as a MBR or for hunting or paper punching or even as a anti sniper. If weight is a concer dpms makes one that i believe is right around 9lbs. Thats lighter then some people m4 once they hang all the tacti-cool crap on it
 
Thanks for the input!

Thanks for the suggestions. I have a while to save up, and research this some more before I invest any money in one.

I emailed DPMS about their .308/7.62 rifles, and they said their 7.62 NATOs would fire .308 just fine. Not that I don't trust DPMS, I have a few friends that swear by their Panthers, but I'm sure if I asked DPMS if bullets fired their rifles could cure cancer they'll give me whatever answer will sell their guns. So I asked a guy I work with and he said he's been putting .308 through his 7.62 Panther for a while now.

My purpose for this rifle would be pretty broad and would include but is not limited to: deer hunting, home defense, zombies, target shooting, Russian/Chinese invasions, and anti-sniper. I have to admit, I don't foresee two of those uses being entirely necessary ;). I know what I want in the rifle, the hard part will be deciding what optic to put on it.
 
joneeman said:
Thanks for the suggestions. I have a while to save up, and research this some more before I invest any money in one.

I emailed DPMS about their .308/7.62 rifles, and they said their 7.62 NATOs would fire .308 just fine. Not that I don't trust DPMS, I have a few friends that swear by their Panthers, but I'm sure if I asked DPMS if bullets fired their rifles could cure cancer they'll give me whatever answer will sell their guns. So I asked a guy I work with and he said he's been putting .308 through his 7.62 Panther for a while now.

My purpose for this rifle would be pretty broad and would include but is not limited to: deer hunting, home defense, zombies, target shooting, Russian/Chinese invasions, and anti-sniper. I have to admit, I don't foresee two of those uses being entirely necessary . I know what I want in the rifle, the hard part will be deciding what optic to put on it.
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There is a very minor difference in the head space specs with 7.62/.308. Every M1A or AR10 should headspace correct with either round.

There are some good reviews on the CMMG AR but it's still very new on the market. DPMS is the lowest cost but they cut corners to get there. ArmaLite are very well made with a life time warranty but do not accept the plastic P mags. Noveske are going to be very accurate but cost is high. The LMT is very nice and and it well cost more than a similar ArmaLite. RRA and Bushmaster I haven't shot so I have no comment.
 
See if you have a Sportsmans Warehouse close by. Last year I picked up a Bushmaster ORC .308 for $899 NIB + tax. Didn't come with rails though.
 
joneeman, it seems you want kinda a 1 rifle, does all version.

Some things to consider:

Barrel Length: Your 24" tubes are going to weigh in the neighbrohood of 13+ pounds when you add scope, magazine, and ammo, plus make for a looonger weapon. That might not fit your bill for some home defense scenarios, but would be better for some kinds of hunting and target shooting. Probably 18" would be a good compromise between utility, weight, etc.

Magazines: DPMS and a couple others use a similar mag. Rock River uses the FAL magazines.

Do you want/need forward assist or dust cover? There are lots of opinions on those, but if you are leaning towards "tacticool", then you probably want them, but price will increase.

Really nail down your desires and what really matters, then let that define the rifle choice. Then compare rilfles built to that specification from the different manufacturers to get the price point you can afford. Otherwise, you are walking around the showroom looking at everything and might walk away with something you really didn't need. Which, isn't necessarily a bad thing;)!
 
Personally i like the LMT MWS. But the most accurate AR-10 that i've seen is hands down the GAP AR-10.

Choices would be between:

LMT MWS
Larue OBR
GAP AR-10
LWRC REPR
KAC SR-25
 
Go with a Cetme or hk91 g3. Based on nazi firearm ingenuity, the stg and spanish prototypes designed by HK firearms guys out of work after ww2 in spain with cetme.

Very nice, feels amazing.

When it comes down to it, guys will say the psl, cetme, fal dont fit well in their hands...I say bullsht.

Cetme and fal cant go wrong, me personally i like the g3 because im a fan of the german design for rifles only.

also...consider a nagant or psl or svd (depending on cash value.) when it comes to a druganov and armour piercing 76254 you cant go wrong.
 
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