New guy to the 308 AR world new guy looking for advice

[joao01]

Hello Gents and Ladies,

Looking to get into the 308AR world.  Been running across this forum a few times in my research.  Trying to buy (or maybe build) something that is about 8 pounds or less with modest recoil.  I've liked what I've seen on the DPMS GII, Adams Arms SF 308, and the looks of the Mega Arms SF-MATEN, but the DPMS and Adams seems to have mixed reviews, and the Mega is looking to be darn near in SCAR pricing (which then got me thinking about maybe a SCAR 17S instead).

I am in a Free state for the moment, although there are some rumblings that a state AWB may be on the horizon, so I've also thought about just packing away a few upper/lower sets for builds down the road.  If I end up with a SCAR, that would pretty much stretch my entire budget (maybe even go beyond it a bit) and I'd want to get a pretty good number of mags for it too (not to mention an after market lower that accepts DPMS/SR-25 type mags).

For those of you with a fair bit of experience in the 308 world, what route would you suggest to achieve the need for lightweight, reliable, and accurate?  I've also considered an M1A Scout, but the safety is a bit concerning on those to me.  If I did build, I'd go with the DPMS pattern over the Armalite type.  I live near Mega Arms and Aero Precision, so I'd probably be partial to receiver sets from those guys.

Thanks for any input.

[survivalshop]

  Nothing wrong with the DPMS  GII from what reviews we get here , only issue if you could call it one ,is what it does to the Primer upon firing , not dangerous , just cups them & is probably from over sized firing Pin hole in the Bolt . Another thing is not too many customizing components for them as of yet , but as more are owned , that will change .

 Building will always be more expensive then purchasing a complete rifle & changing what you want down the road . Mega , Areo & DPMS are all good Receivers to build with . Read up on builds here if you haven't already .

[joao01]

Thanks.  Seems like DPMS GII has decent reviews, but the Adams Arms is pretty universally panned from what I've seen.  I sure wish the DPMS GII Recon didn't have the silly quad rail and had an Mil Spec buffer tube instead of Commercial, and was an 18" bbl.  I definitely like the look of the kidney shaped ejector that Adams and Mega seem to have adopted.

Edited July 28, 2016 by joao01

[shepp]

Welcome from southern wi

[washguy]

Welcome aboard       Wash

[jtallen83]

Welcome from Iowa, via North Carolina!

[Quentin]

Welcome from another new guy from the Northwest (Idaho). I also recently bought my first 308 AR after dancing around the fire for years. I also wanted something around 8 pounds empty. I finally got drawn into the fire as prices got more attractive and there was a good chance that wouldn't last depending on the outcome of the election.

I was leaning toward a PSA build and eyeing the S&W. I love PSA for AR-15s but their PA10 stuff was hard to pull together (find in stock) for a build and I kept hearing reports the S&W is undergassed even though it comes with a lightweight buffer. The DPMS GII probably will be a winner but I got the ArmaLite DSR10, added some PMAGs and haven't been sorry. The under $1000 price was hard to ignore so I jumped all over one when I finally found one. Like you, a milspec diameter buffer tube is important to me since I went that route with my AR-15 builds. I like the way ArmaLite uses a slightly longer tube so you can use standard AR-15 carbine buffers and that the rifle comes with an H3 buffer which means you could drop to a lighter buffer if short stroking was a problem (hasn't been, even Tula steel case). I haven't found the 16" barrel to be too vicious but definitely can see your preference for 18". Anyway, a build probably is your best route to get exactly what you want.

Now on to the M1A Scout... I have one and love it for what it is (a greatly improved M1 Garand) but can't recommend it over a well designed 308 AR. The scout rail adds 8 ounces out front and I would pull it off except that it's good for a red dot. I like the 18.5" barrel over the standard 22" but my gamble with 16" on the AR-10A turned out fine. If I removed the scout rail the weight with no magazine would get closer to 8 pounds but a 308 AR has so many advantages it's not a contest. Still, the Scout Squad is a favorite with everyone when I take it to the range.

Good luck on whatever path you take!

Edited July 29, 2016 by Quentin

[joao01]

1 hour ago, Quentin said:

Welcome from another new guy from the Northwest (Idaho). I also recently bought my first 308 AR after dancing around the fire for years. I also wanted something around 8 pounds empty. I finally got drawn into the fire as prices got more attractive and there was a good chance that wouldn't last depending on the outcome of the election.

I was leaning toward a PSA build and eyeing the S&W. I love PSA for AR-15s but their PA10 stuff was hard to pull together (find in stock) for a build and I kept hearing reports the S&W is undergassed even though it comes with a lightweight buffer. The DPMS GII probably will be a winner but I got the ArmaLite DSR10, added some PMAGs and haven't been sorry. The under $1000 price was hard to ignore so I jumped all over one when I finally found one. Like you, a milspec diameter buffer tube is important to me since I went that route with my AR-15 builds. I like the way ArmaLite uses a slightly longer tube so you can use standard AR-15 carbine buffers and that the rifle comes with an H3 buffer which means you could drop to a lighter buffer if short stroking was a problem (hasn't been, even Tula steel case). I haven't found the 16" barrel to be too vicious but definitely can see your preference for 18". Anyway, a build probably is your best route to get exactly what you want.

Now on to the M1A Scout... I have one and love it for what it is (a greatly improved M1 Garand) but can't recommend it over a well designed 308 AR. The scout rail adds 8 ounces out front and I would pull it off except that it's good for a red dot. I like the 18.5" barrel over the standard 22" but my gamble with 16" on the AR-10A turned out fine. If I removed the scout rail the weight with no magazine would get closer to 8 pounds but a 308 AR has so many advantages it's not a contest. Still, the Scout Squad is a favorite with everyone when I take it to the range.

Good luck on whatever path you take!

Thanks for the reply.  Good things to think about.  Depending on how my budget works, I may only have enough cash for 308 Lowers or maybe a set, so I may end up going the build route.  We will have to see how things (budget and the election) play out.

[Quentin]

Well Mega Arms billet receivers look good, and it would be smart to have the "rifle" in your possession soon. No way of knowing what WA or Seattle might do later this year. Things are a bit more gun friendly on this side of the state line but who knows what's in store for us.