Please help with my new build

[jrtMA]

First up, forgive any rambling as this is my first post. I have a comfort level with AR-15 rifles from 8 years in the Army but have always wanted to build an AR-308. I recently got the hard part over by buying a Mega Arms Maten standard billet upper lower set (M308-0903-HA 28.8 oz).

This site has a great example of what I'm leaning towards for my build..."Build 1: .308 AR Tactical Sniper Rifle." This is close to what I want. Know up front that I have expensive but realistic taste. This will not solely be a bench AR so be realistic please but give it a "pair." I plan to build this over the next 14 months mainly because of potential spousal abuse by my wife if I finish it this year. In other words, I can be on a waiting list for parts in this buying hysteria time.

I want a quality 18 inch chrome lined type barrel like a Noveske. I like JP products like their JPLMOS BCG and their silent capture springs. Are these odd things worth the cost? Do they work well reliably? Will they take a beating? They are pricey afterall. I definately want a Magpul PRS but what are the top three triggers IYO that I should consider.

I also want to know are their problems with buying a BCG and a barrel from diffent manufacturers? Keep in mind I've never done headspacing and all that. Are there line up issues with say buying a Noveske barrel and JP BCG...? Lastly, what quad rails line up perfectly with a Mega upper? I want it to look like a single piece.

Thanks,

J

[Powerman]

Here is my limited knowledge from just finishing mine. Others will be along and you will get all the help you need.

DPMS pattern needs to stay DPMS pattern. So do not mix and match Bolt, carrier, or barrels. They do not need to be from the same manufacturer, but they do need to stay DPMS compatible. And I thought Noveseke was "Armalite",  but don't quote me on that.

BCG are going to be the hardest part to get. At least they are now. You will pay double, or sit on a waiting list. If a waiting list is good, you will be on a couple.

I spoke with JP a couple of times. They were pretty confident that limited numbers of retail parts were going to start making it out. Everyone right now is dedicating all their stuff to rifles out the door. I do know someone recently on another board got his BCG sent out and he ordered in mid December. Call anyone else and all you will get is a big laugh. I guess POF got some out and SI defense as well. Those are pricey as well.

You can use a Armalite BCG, but you can't mix and match bolts and carriers Armalite/DPMS. My limited understanding on head space is .308 should all be checked because nothing is "mil spec". Most manufactureres I spoke with said everything is usually fine, but it should always be checked. If you get a maufacturer to do both, then you can have them do it. Fulton Armory will do it if you send them your bolt, but with all that is going on, I did not try to coordinate that. I have not checked mine. I need to find somone local to put my mind at ease.

Pieces parts are pretty easy. You just usually have to hunt around and get from different places. That means more shipping. So getting on waiting lists now for stuff is not a bad idea. Magazines are going to cost you and there is no getting around that, and there are none available. Seems right now anyone that gets them from a store just throws them up on line for double or triple. I managed to get 4 local, and I am on back order for 5. Who knows if I will ever see them. They are everywhere on line. There is no shortage, you will just pay double at least... $60

[jrtMA]

Thanks, that helps a lot. My concern is buying and returning because I like the look so much that I didn't double check the compatibility...so I need to lock onto the whole DPMS thing. 

Looking at other builds has me leaning towards the Troy BattleRail TRX-308 13.8". I am biased because Troy works on my job...no I don't know where he finds the time to be a part of that business and still work full-time somewhere else.

I'm still confused over whether to get an adjustable gas block...or even if it's worth it.

[Powerman]

you have a very nice upper and lower... you will not be returning anything. :)

So I did not know the platform either. There was a DPMS lower local so I got it. Some friends have Rock River Arms and was sort of pushing them. Soooo, with building, DPMS pattern is most certainly where you want to be. The overwhelming pattern for building and the vast majority of parts. Armalite is a big company, lot's of rifles, lot of parts, not as much as DPMS. And there is some compatability between Armalite and DPMS stuff on some parts. I'm not saying Armalite isn't "as good" as DPMS, they have been doing the AR-10 longer than anyone else... just talking parts availability for builders. Just my limited opinion. RRA... people may have LAR-308s, but nobody "builds" RRA. Nothing major crosses over for pretty much anything.

If you go with JP low mass bolt and spring/buffer, then get their adjustable block because you do not need as much gas. Unless you have plans to supress, or expect to do a lot of hand loading and special stuff, you do not need an adjustable block. I am curious how a JP tuned rifle feels with all their parts, but that was not going to work for me right now.

I like all the Troy stuff.

[unforgiven]

Welcome from Indiana brother jrtmasp,the guys are using an adj. gas block if you are going to use a suppressor.One of the guys were able to use a DPMS barrel on a LAR-8.You can also change the handguard,selector,and trigger if you so chose.You can't change alot on a LAR-8 uses FN-FAL mags only but it's a damn good rifle. <thumbsup>

[Powerman]

Welcome from Indiana brother jrtmasp,the guys are using an adj. gas block if you are going to use a suppressor.One of the guys were able to use a DPMS barrel on a LAR-8.You can also change the handguard,selector,and trigger if you so chose.You can't change alot on a LAR-8 uses FN-FAL mags only but it's a damn good rifle. <thumbsup>

And ya, I did not mean to imply anything towards RRA, or Armalite. I considered ordering a RRA because I could get it how I wanted... but I went down the build it rabbit hole instead and here I am. I certainly would not have anyproblem having a AR-10 either, just not he route I went. Scrambling for parts these days, the majority is DPMS pattern stuff. And this is all the major components... recievers/mags, BCGs, and barrels and how they fit together. All the minor stuff can be worked out.

[EasyEJL]

I'm not sure I'd consider an 18" a sniper build, but it should be plenty for out to 600-700 yards. The low mass carrier is nice, but for reliability nickel boron coated is a better bet. Definitely stick to dpms based components. I'm pretty sure noveske is available in both armalite and dpms versions. Get ready to spend a ludicrous amount of money :)

[Powerman]

Get ready to spend a ludicrous amount of money :)

Well there is the first indisputable fact of the thread. <lmao>

[unforgiven]

No worries brother,Being a lefty it has all the ambi controls I need selector,mag release and bolt release not alot of rifles have those features.For the money. I was as green as a head of lettuce when I came here.I have and continue to learn alot here everyday.There are SO MANY great rifles out there,it's all in what you can afford. <thumbsup>

[EasyEJL]

Well there is the first indisputable fact of the thread. <lmao>

I need someone to help me find a $60 scope, because I'm already $900 over the budget I told my wife up front ;)

[unforgiven]

Don't stop now brother she's already pissed. <lmao> <laughs>  When in doubt deny,deny,deny. <thumbsup>

[jrtMA]

I've been continuing my search for barrels...very tough nowadays.  The suppressed rifle route is unfortunately a no-go for me. My dark secret is that I live in MA. I had to get that out.

I am lucky to even have a gun I guess and not a slingshot.

The DPMS barrels seem to still be floating around. If I go in that direction, there are a decent amount of options but I looked up one of their top tier rifles and couldn't even find that barrel sold seperately...very frustrating. Ideally, I'd like to get a good 18 inch barrel and gas block for under $600. What treatments or coatings, etc..., do I want for something good and accurate?

Am I on the right path with this from the DPMS site...

18" .308 SASS Barrel Fluted w/Gas Block

Part Number 308-BL-SASSGB

Your Price:  $409.95

Used on the LRT-SASS

18" Fluted Bull Barrel .936 Dia

Chambered In 7.62x51mm

416 Stainless Steel

Teflon Coated Black

1-10 Twist

Button Rifled

Compatible With Mid-Length Gas System

Includes Low Profile Gas Block

Seems good to me but barrel specs are like Chinese when I go onto more customized barrel sites like Kreiger, Obermeyer, or Satern

Also, why do some barrels not mention being chambered in 7.62x51 nato, only in "308"? Is it go without saying that it is? My understanding is go with the nato chambering.

[jrtMA]

I couldn't agree with you more, EasyEJL. 18 is not a "sniper" barrel length but that was just what the article/post named it. 600-700 range is more than sufficient for me. I don't want to lug around some monstrosity out at the range...Someday I bet I'll have one though like a 24 inch barrel and than some. I want 18 but would not go more than 20 on this gun.

[98Z5V]

Ideally, I'd like to get a good 18 inch barrel and gas block for under $600. What treatments or coatings, etc..., do I want for something good and accurate?

Buy a Fulton Armory 20" stainless match barrel, send it to ADCO and have it cut down to 18" and rethreaded, and call it a day.  You don't have to coat it or treat it with anything.

There's a bunch of info in this thread, so far, that's not really accurate, just so you know.

[unforgiven]

.308 is a little higher pressure than 7.62 there are also demensional differences.There are threads here on that topic.In a nut shell you can shoot a 7.62 in a .308 but you shouldn't shoot a .308 in a 7.62 espacially if it's older 7.62.Like no 5.56 in a .223 but you can shoot a .223 in a 5.56 because of pressure differences.Hope I didn't fuk that up.And THANK YOU for you'r service brother. <thumbsup> looks like a sound starting point with parts.Others may differ <dontknow>

[texas30cal]

Don't stop now brother she's already pissed. <lmao> <laughs>  When in doubt deny,deny,deny. <thumbsup>

It is always easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission! ;D

[Powerman]

I got my barrel from Fulton, all they had left was 1:12... which I am perfectly fine with since I'm not shooting heavy stuff. That's good to 175 gr.

Here is the really frustrating thing... everthing you are looking at right now MAY, or MAY NOT be up to date. Everything Fulton Armory has is up to date. you can flat out forget getting anything from DPMS themselves. Last I talked to them, they were just telling everyone a year wait.... which basically means they have no idea when you will ever see anything. Fulton won't let you back order. WYSIWYG.

Going to a barrel maker obviously you can order anything you want and you get it when they say. Krieger, Lilias, Noveseke?

When you look at other vendor sites... it's hit and miss if their inventory is actually up to date. The vast majority of everything you see these days is "Out of stock". If it says it's in stock, call first. I thought this was due to the "recent" scare, but asking around here things were scarce every since the election. .308 availability isn't even close to .223, even if it is the next popular caliber. You are coming to the party really late if you have any intention of having a rifle soon for less than double going rate. Since you have time, best to do your research, make your orders, hop on some waiting lists, and have a rifle at some point.

[unforgiven]

You'r in Ma. and the bros in Cali. and N.Y. if you'r building now I hope the politicos let you get a shot off you'r build. <dontknow> :(

[98Z5V]

Going to a barrel maker obviously you can order anything you want and you get it when they say. Krieger, Lilias, Noveseke?

Lilja, dude, Lilja.  Slow down a little on your data dump, especially with the technical info, until you know a little more about it. 

Rene - you didn't fcuk that up, brother.  You got it.  <thumbsup>

[Powerman]

Lilja, dude, Lilja.  Slow down a little on your data dump, especially with the technical info, until you know a little more about it. 

Rene - you didn't fcuk that up, brother.  You got it.  <thumbsup>

I actually looked it up, and I still managed a typo. Don't shoot me.

[98Z5V]

Don't worry - ammo is too expensive right now.  <thumbsup> <lmao>

[unforgiven]

<lmao> :hunter: <laughs>

[Powerman]

That's a fact.  ;D

[jrtMA]

This site is such a great resource and I thank you for all the info. You all were more kind than I thought when I mentioned that I'm from MA....I have enough pity parties for myself in that regard. MA is bad but NY, CA, and DC are worse now.  The problem is with my nutcase overly liberal governor, "Do-Nothing Deval." I honestly don't see that big of a shakeup here because many of the laws that the federal gov is pushing for already exist here.

I have a lot of LE friends and once something comes into the state legally it's legal to own...like glocks. I have a S&W M&P 9 mm compact with LE trigger and tritium sights for example. The average person can't just walk into a store here and buy that but I have it legally.

If things get hairy enough I'll just move up to ME near family...the land where high cap mags are still growing on trees for retail...lol.

I may just slow it down and take the advise to have a more custom barrel done. A one year wait is not ideal but it won't kill me. I already have the receiver group after all.

[edgecrusher]

This site is such a great resource and I thank you for all the info. You all were more kind than I thought when I mentioned that I'm from MA....

I am in western Mass, and I will be more than happy to help you in anyway I can. This barrel here is a sweet one by a reputable maker, sold by an awesome guy…. Can't go wrong. Just remember you need a comp or a brake on the end of it pinned to comply