Thanks to all of you!

[Peachey]

So I kinda touched on this in my introduction, but THANK y'all! My husband and I both have been reading through this forum almost exclusively for the past two weeks.

          It all began when he decided he wants to start casting bullets and decided that my rifle (32 Tula Hex Mosin), a 30-30, and both of our .45's will be his subjects. He so graciously informed me that in doing so he wasn't going to worry about buying any more jacketed bullets for my rifle in the interim. So he says, "but don't worry babe, palmetto has a sale going on, why don't we build you a AR10!!" (Thanks to ya'll, I now remind him about his poor nomenclature since it's a PA10) .

        So since he's built multiple 15's from palmetto, we assumed (we all know what that means right?!?) that a 308 would be just as hassle free. Well, it has been, kinda, but only because we found this forum and read through just about every PA10 thread we could find prior to the parts arriving.

     The only serious issue so far is the typical problems with buffer/spring/tube. Caught it, and we're waiting on palmettos response. Secondly, the gas tube is indeed too short (or at least our opinion too short) on mine. It may function fine with the wide open gas block it has, but he suspects that it may not cycle reliably with the planned adj gas block and possibly heavier buffer. Not too worried about that at the moment regardless. Bolt catch is good to go, and Gen3 20rd pmags fit full or empty and realese well. Back on the gas tube, it isn't really squared in the upper either. It blatantly drags the carrier when they meet. We suspect it's hitting the barrel nut, however again, waiting on palmettos response before I take anything apart.

      If anyone is wondering, the buffer problem is that even with the short 2.5" buffer, the carrier still touches the lower at full rear travel. I don't recall the tube depth, but he thinks thats whats out of spec. Shouldn't be hard to fix regardless, just glad we learned from y'all and didn't shoot it right out of the box and beat up the lower. 

        Only other gripes so far are minor fit finish issues, and the fact that the rail came out of the box deeply scratched although it wasn't purchased as a blem. 

       Also, we are fully prepared for the extractor/ejector issues should they arise. 

      Please don't interpret any of this as bashing on palmetto. We've had exceptional experiences with them in all the other parts and builds we've purchased from them. They're just still learning this big AR stuff and haven't refined their processes I guess. 

       Just as a FYI, these are completed lower and upper Gen 2 assemblies purchased direct from them. The upper is the 18" stainless midlengh with floating Mlok rail, and the lower is the "enhanced" trigger with the ACS L (I think?? Magpul with a trap door). 

[Peachey]

Pics

[Belt Fed]

Awesome looking rifle and scope,

[Robocop1051]

Sounds like an AR-10 buffer tube with an LR-308 buffer, or did I read that wrong?

[Peachey]

3 minutes ago, Robocop1051 said:

Sounds like an AR-10 buffer tube with an LR-308 buffer, or did I read that wrong?

    Pretty close, I wish I could remember what he said the measurement was. Basically, it's in-between specs. If it was 1/8 shorter (the tube that is) it would work with a tiny bit of clearance. I read about people putting quarters in the tube as a field fix, but he's not having that. When we put a 15 buffer in it, it's way too long to even think about the bolt catch. He was mumbling something about it earlier lol. I'll find out and post though. 

[Peachey]

12 minutes ago, Belt Fed said:

Awesome looking rifle and scope,

Thank you! That's my Mosin scope. It's a old "World Class" Tasco. It held up to that abuse for years, so I hope it'll do ok with a .308. Time will tell I guess.

[unforgiven]

Mosin has a good push.

[Peachey]

13 minutes ago, unforgiven said:

Mosin has a good push.

Yeah lol, but not too bad. I claimed it as mine after a Appleseed we went to years back. The "big" range went to 800yds and we got to play on it a bit after the main portion was over. I got good hits on the metal gong at the 800, so it became a really special rifle to me.

[unforgiven]

Damn good shooting sister 

[Peachey]

6 minutes ago, unforgiven said:

Damn good shooting sister 

🤗

[98Z5V]

2 hours ago, Peachey said:

    Pretty close, I wish I could remember what he said the measurement was. Basically, it's in-between specs. If it was 1/8 shorter (the tube that is) it would work with a tiny bit of clearance. I read about people putting quarters in the tube as a field fix, but he's not having that. When we put a 15 buffer in it, it's way too long to even think about the bolt catch. He was mumbling something about it earlier lol. I'll find out and post though. 

For a 2.500" buffer in a .308AR, you need to verify that the buffer is really 2.500", and verify that the internal depth of the receiver extension is 7.000". Armalite AR-15 spec is actually 6 15/16".  At any rate,7.000" internal (measured at the top, not bottom) is the internal depth number that you need to keep the BCG from slamming into the ears on the lower receiver.

I see you mentioned the 18" barrel from them.  I'm sure you've found the post on that, its gas port size, and the gas system that they send to run that config - I know you found the gas tube situation already.   If not, on the barrel gas port info, I'll point it out.

Welcome aboard. 

[Peachey]

16 minutes ago, 98Z5V said:

For a 2.500" buffer in a .308AR, you need to verify that the buffer is really 2.500", and verify that the internal depth of the receiver extension is 7.000". Armalite AR-15 spec is actually 6 15/16".  At any rate,7.000" internal (measured at the top, not bottom) is the internal depth number that you need to keep the BCG from slamming into the ears on the lower receiver.

I see you mentioned the 18" barrel from them.  I'm sure you've found the post on that, its gas port size, and the gas system that they send to run that config - I know you found the gas tube situation already.   If not, on the barrel gas port info, I'll point it out.

Welcome aboard. 

Yep, that's it!! I remember now what he said. He said the tube was longer than 7 but not to the next standard spec either. He specifically said it's between two published specs. As for the port, yes that's another heads up we gathered from y'all. We're awaiting palmettos response before we dig into the upper so we don't ruin any warranty or replacement or whatever they want to do. Once we know where they stand, then warranty is no concern. We won't really make any decisions on the block/port/tube until then. 

[98Z5V]

The only two Carbine Receiver Extension internal-depth specs you're ever going to see are 7.000" internal and 7 5/8" internal.  Armalite still does 6 15/16" on their AR-15 carbine extensions, but 7.000" works fine.  On a rifle recoil system, there is only one depth to keep track of, and that's 9 11/16", doesn't matter if it's AR-15 or .308AR.

You go to a long-action cartridge (30-06 and above) in the AR Platform, and all that info ^^^ might be out the window - it's up to the manufacturer of that platform to "figure it all out..."

***  Info is NOT Rock River Arms (RRA) LAR-8. They do their own thing.

[Peachey]

I think that's what it was, it is between 7 and 7 5/8. If I can find his tape measure I'll open it up and measure just to clarify exactly.

[shooterrex]

If you open it up to measure take a pic

 The tube might just need to go in a turn or two more.

[98Z5V]

3 hours ago, Peachey said:

Yeah lol, but not too bad. I claimed it as mine after a Appleseed we went to years back. The "big" range went to 800yds and we got to play on it a bit after the main portion was over. I got good hits on the metal gong at the 800, so it became a really special rifle to me.

Where was the Appleseed that you went to that went to 800 afterwards?  What range was it held at?

[Cliff R]

I've assembled 3 Palmetto PA-10's and helped a few folks out with them.  That was before I was a member here.  I converted all of mine to the A-2 stock and purchased rifle buffers/springs for them.  Pretty sure I used DPMS rifle buffer/springs.  They are all flawless to date.  My PA-10 is a 14.7" barrel they released briefly a few years ago.  Haven't seen any on their website since.

I've built quite a few AR-15's using Palmetto uppers and not overly fond of their stainless steel barrels, at least in the accuracy department. 

The do make higher end hammer forged chrome lined barrels but you don't see them advertised nearly as often these days.  Most are the lower end standard barrels or stainless. 

For sure it's difficult to beat their price on PA-10 stuff.  I dabbled around in the dark with the first couple of 308-AR's I built and very quickly found out that there are some parts interchange/compatibility issues between the different platforms.  I've got a nice bag of left over parts to remind me of it.

You've got to really pay attention with Palmetto, I've had a few issues, but if you bring it to their attention they will have parts out to you so fast they'll be there shortly after you hang up the phone with them!.....Cliff

[unforgiven]

9 hours ago, Peachey said:

I think that's what it was, it is between 7 and 7 5/8. If I can find his tape measure I'll open it up and measure just to clarify exactly.

Is your husband also a member here?

[survivalshop]

It may also be helpful to measure the relaxed Buffer spring length & count how many coils , & we just love photo's .

Good to see you here , nice Rifle .

[Peachey]

10 hours ago, 98Z5V said:

Where was the Appleseed that you went to that went to 800 afterwards?  What range was it held at?

It was on the other side of Athens GA (east of Athens) from us. I apologize if I came across as it being part of the Appleseed, it was after the event was over and done. There just happened to be a gong way out there and and the range guy was just humoring us. Also, please don't think I was hitting it every time either lol. I got a total of 3 hits over maybe 2 hours of trying on and off. It was super fun regardless, and if anyone is interested in a Appleseed I strongly recommend it.

[Peachey]

3 hours ago, unforgiven said:

Is your husband also a member here?

Not yet lol, he mostly Google's for answers and just lurks around. I'm on a International Harvester forum as well for my Scout, same kinda deal as here, found some great info so I decided to reach out.

[Peachey]

More details and pics😀. Tape measure won't fit in the tube so I replicated, with his help, what he did yesterday. I rolled a piece of printer paper and put it in the tube. I then marked the spot that it met the open end of the tube itself. I laid everything out and measured the tube mark, plus put a true 7" mark above it. With the carrier and buffer laid on the paper you can see the clearance issue even with my non precise sharpie marks. Again, I promise I'm not bashing palmetto or even that upset about this. We knew to look out for it ahead of time and it's a simple easy fix.  

    First pic is the relationship between the tube and buffer retainer as was asked about earlier. You can also see the bare spots on the lower just from hand cycling and confirming the issue.

    Second is just the paper rolled up inside the tube. 

    Third is the paper laid out flat with the parts on it for reference. I didn't make a mark for it, but including the lower threads and "curve" at the rear, the total depth of the whole thing is 7 1/4. 

    Hope this clarifies what I was trying to explain.

[shooterrex]

That tube needs to go in another turn. You will need to notch the bottom of the tube just a bit to clear the buffer retaining pin. It might clear the retaining pin without a notch.

[Peachey]

I heard back from customer service today. I'm happy with the blem solution (store credit). As far as the buffer tube, they said that it's covered under warranty if anything goes wrong. I take that to mean just shoot it as is and then we'll deal with it afterwards. However modifying in any way does void the warranty, so...... We just texted about it a bit and he's got a plan to not "modify" the tube or buffer as is, but he's going to make a longer buffer from a spare 15 buffer to offset the issue. On the up side, I'll get to shoot it this weekend and so long as that goes well, we're going to modify and forget the warranty regardless.

[98Z5V]

7 hours ago, Peachey said:

    Third is the paper laid out flat with the parts on it for reference. I didn't make a mark for it, but including the lower threads and "curve" at the rear, the total depth of the whole thing is 7 1/4. 

 

 

Even taking it in another turn and notching the bottom to clear the buffer retainer pin isn't gonna give you 1/4"that you need, or even the 1/8" to prevent contact.

Smart pic, on the bottom-good thought process.  You can see that the BCG body steps up in size at 7 1/8" from the end of the buffer bumper - which will compress, slightly.  They don't move much, but they move a little bit.  That just tears up lower receivers...

Quarters are 0.069" thick, and one inch in diameter. They fit perfect inside the receiver extension.  You'd need a minimum of 3, probably 4, inside that receiver extension to get it closer to a 7.000"internal that it should be at. 3 slightly under, 4 slightly over, that 1/4" that you need to take away in BCG travel.

I've seen 7 1/4" extensions from them before, as well as 8.000"internal, 7 5/8" internal, and 7.000" internal. I've seen some 7.100" internal on the Aero Precision M5 carbine recoil kits, and that even causes weird function issues.