.308 AR-based battle rifle?

[Rsquared]

I'd start with an Armalite 16" barrel. They're fair priced, chrome lined and mid-length gas. I've shot the hell out of my original (factory built) carbine.....with all types of ammo. Same barrel type was used on one of my carbine builds. And that one I use as my beater.

 

Or, you could go with a Noveske barrel. Ranier has a few, but not in the medium contour that you're thinking about. They're a little more on the cost side, but you can't go wrong with any of their barrels. I've got a couple of their barrels on different builds (including their 12.5" Leonidas barrel for my 10 SBR).

 

Here's the beater. She has a couple thousand rounds through her.

 

 

[Matt.Cross]

Yeah, but it's a light profile. I'm looking for a medium profile. :P

 

I don't want to be rude, but it's the appropriate profile all the way to the gas block. After you reduce the profile to .750 at the gas block, you've got to be @ that diameter or less all the way to the muzzle. Therefore, you will have difficulty locating a medium-profile barrel with a .750 gas block, unless you machine your own profile and use a two-piece gas block.

[ardrummer292]

I'd start with an Armalite 16" barrel. They're fair priced, chrome lined and mid-length gas. I've shot the hell out of my original (factory built) carbine.....with all types of ammo. Same barrel type was used on one of my carbine builds. And that one I use as my beater.

 

Or, you could go with a Noveske barrel. Ranier has a few, but not in the medium contour that you're thinking about. They're a little more on the cost side, but you can't go wrong with any of their barrels. I've got a couple of their barrels on different builds (including their 12.5" Leonidas barrel for my 10 SBR).

 

Here's the beater. She has a couple thousand rounds through her.

 

I'm worried about putting the stock Armalite light profile chrome lined barrel through a high sustained rate of fire. I'm afraid of severely degraded accuracy due to rapid overheating, or worse yet, permanent damage to the barrel due to rapid fire.

 

I saw the Noveske barrel. It isn't chrome lined, but it's a nice heavy contour and looks like it'll do the job. My main concern with it is the chamber, which appears to be optimized for a round I doubt I'll ever buy (M118 LR). Would the chamber screw up reliability with M80 ball?

 

Another thing I've been thinking about is installing a Syrac adjustable gas block. I figure that I could have the gas port slightly over-bored, then have the adjustable gas block there to regulate the amount of gas used to cycle the action. If the action gets gunked up and I need the rifle to keep running, I reckon I could open up the adjustable block a bit and get the rifle to power through the grime. On the flip side, I could close the block a bit for suppressed use. What do you think?

[ardrummer292]

I don't want to be rude, but it's the appropriate profile all the way to the gas block. After you reduce the profile to .750 at the gas block, you've got to be @ that diameter or less all the way to the muzzle. Therefore, you will have difficulty locating a medium-profile barrel with a .750 gas block, unless you machine your own profile and use a two-piece gas block.

 

No offense taken, my friend. I am very new to this whole thing and am most grateful for any knowledge you're willing to share. :)

 

It seems Syrac makes a .936 diameter block as well. That should broaden my options a bit, right?

 

Here's to hoping a medium/heavy barrel won't interfere with fitting a Troy Alpha rail to the thing. :P

Edited April 8, 2014 by ardrummer292

[Rsquared]

Noveske's are stainless. They'll eat (and take) anything you throw at it. No reason to open up the gas port just to install an adjustable block. These large AR's have more than enough gas flowing through them. I run adjustable blocks on most of mine (for running suppressed). Haven't tried a Syrac block yet. But I have them on the "future build" list.

[shepp]

Yeah, but it's a light profile. I'm looking for a medium profile. :P

Oh, now you're just messing with me. :D

Dude your worse then my gf lol think your just going to have to settle for somthing if these guys can't find you somthing to fit your need think you better take some machining classes;)

Not wearing out your welcome, just bust'n your balls

[shibiwan]

Your requirements are contradictory.

 

1. You're looking for a "lightweight" 308AR. 16" helps there.... and you mention going DI to save weight.

 

2. You want the barrel in medium contour. The barrel is where all the weight in a .308 goes.

 

If SHTF, it won't matter... .you'll want the easiest thing to grab, which is the lightest configuration.

[Sisco]

I'm worried about putting the stock Armalite light profile chrome lined barrel through a high sustained rate of fire. I'm afraid of severely degraded accuracy due to rapid overheating, or worse yet, permanent damage to the barrel due to rapid fire.

Are you going for a class three full auto license? Unless you fire at least three magazines as fast as you can pull the trigger and reloading as fast as you can, I don't think that will be an issue with a semi auto.That kind of torture you would have to start with at least a Bull barrel, and more likely a quick change barrel system to deal with the heat. I kinda think we have exhausted this thread. Other point: Check with Armalite's service department. Their engineers can tell you the rate of fire which could damage the standard AR10 chrome lined barrel. That is what I have and I have never had a issue, but I am not doing half hour long multiple mag dumps either.

[Matt.Cross]

No offense taken, my friend. I am very new to this whole thing and am most grateful for any knowledge you're willing to share. :)

 

It seems Syrac makes a .936 diameter block as well. That should broaden my options a bit, right?

 

Here's to hoping a medium/heavy barrel won't interfere with fitting a Troy Alpha rail to the thing. :P

 

If you're open to the idea of a .936 gas block size, your options are a little more open. My statement was based on your requirements for chrome-lined, med-weight contour, and .750" gas block. That my friend, is a unicorn. ;) The alpha rail shouldn't be an issue unless you're trying to fit a gas block under the rail, then you might have issues depending on what your GB size happens to be.

[washguy]

Ard    you should be thinking of what optics you are gonna put on this weapon, because that will be in the mix....what are your thoughts on the optics you are gonna use?   If you need guidence on this...the guys will help im sure....98Z is our optics Guru    :)  Wash

[shibiwan]

Ard    you should be thinking of what optics you are gonna put on this weapon, because that will be in the mix....what are your thoughts on the optics you are gonna use?   If you need guidence on this...the guys will help im sure....98Z is our optics Guru    :)  Wash

 

Nooooo!!!!! Don't get him started on another "what should I get" thread....  <lmao>  <laughs>

[Sisco]

This is taken from FAQ on the Armalite website:

Maximum Sustained Rate of Fire for the AR10

ANSWER: It is the same as that of the M-14 rifle in rounds per minute for a maximum period of:

-- 2 minutes...............................40 rounds per minute

-- 10 minutes.............................30 rounds per minute

-- 20 minutes.............................20 rounds per minute

-- 30 minutes or more...............13 rounds per minute

See your owner’s manual for more information

You can shoot up to 300 rounds in a ten minute period. Or more than you can carry.

[ardrummer292]

I run adjustable blocks on most of mine (for running suppressed).

 

My main reason for getting an adjustable gas block would be to open it all the way and overgas the crap out the system for really terrible conditions. Suppressed use would be a bonus. :)

 

 

 

Your requirements are contradictory.

 

A bit, yes. I would like the lightest weight rifle possible without sacrificing rapid fire capability. In my mind, this kinda mandates something more than a lightweight barrel.

 

 

 

The alpha rail shouldn't be an issue unless you're trying to fit a gas block under the rail, then you might have issues depending on what your GB size happens to be.

 

I do plan on fitting the gas block under the rail.

 

 

 

Ard    you should be thinking of what optics you are gonna put on this weapon, because that will be in the mix....what are your thoughts on the optics you are gonna use?   If you need guidence on this...the guys will help im sure....98Z is our optics Guru    :)  Wash

 

I'm already set on the Trijicon VCOG 1-6x with a custom BDC. I'll have a RMR on top. The ACOG/RMR has been my favorite optics setup for a long time, but I can't justify the weight penalty associated with the TA648 or TA55 ACOGs. Hence, the VCOG seems to be a suitable solution. :)

 

 

 

This is taken from FAQ on the Armalite website:

Maximum Sustained Rate of Fire for the AR10

[...]

 

Absolute worst case scenario? I can see dumping 100 rounds in 2 minutes, followed by a sustained rate of fire of about 20 rounds a minute. Ammo expenditure while breaking contact, dismounted, in open terrain, is pretty high. I reckon a medium contour barrel would offer "good enough" accuracy after that much shooting, or at least better accuracy than a lightweight barrel.

Edited April 9, 2014 by ardrummer292

[BLKSHEEP]

I think I found the perfect AR for you!
:P

 

http://tinyurl.com/bb47uyt

[survivalshop]

<lmao>

[ardrummer292]

Well, on that note, I think I'll go sit in a corner. :banana:

[unforgiven]

<lmao>  <laughs>  :yup:

[Microgunner]

No, wait for the unobtaniun version.

[Matt.Cross]

This.

 

 

</thread>

[shibiwan]

^^^ fail. He wants a forward assist and it's missing the hello kitty stickers.

[sketch]

I think I found the perfect AR for you!

:P

 

http://tinyurl.com/bb47uyt

What if we all go in on this and share it a week at a time! 52 guys for 2k$ one week!!

[Microgunner]

What if we all go in on this and share it a week at a time! 52 guys for 2k$ one week!!

I'm in, but it's gonna be sticky when the next guy gets it.

Just sayin.

[Magwa]

even empty and no glass it weighs the same as a stock DPMS carbine there is no light weight version with a med contour barrel  S&W makes the lightest AR308 I have held in my hands and it is just 10 oz lighter than mine....you hang all the crap on it and then you will be asking yourself if I have to run and gun how the hell am I going to carry this thing... I carry mine on a vickers 2 point combat sling hanging in front, or I carry it by the scope use it like a carry handle when in thick brush. after a 10 mile hike I am asking myself the same questions.....

[EasyEJL]

Absolute worst case scenario? I can see dumping 100 rounds in 2 minutes, followed by a sustained rate of fire of about 20 rounds a minute. Ammo expenditure while breaking contact, dismounted, in open terrain, is pretty high. I reckon a medium contour barrel would offer "good enough" accuracy after that much shooting, or at least better accuracy than a lightweight barrel.

you understand that the weight of the ammo in that scenario makes the weight of the rifle irrelevant?

Average magazine loaded with 20 rounds is in the 1.5-1.6lbs range. to carry your 100 rounds for the first 2 minutes alone is 7.5-8lbs, to carry another 100 rounds for the next 5 minutes doubles that to 15-16. A 1-2lb difference in the rifle is inconsequential if your plan is to carry over 200 rounds so you can do sustained sort of rapid fire.

You'd be better off with a .223 as at least the loaded mags are lighter, and you can get magnesium uppers + lowers for weight savings.

[ardrummer292]

This.

 

[removed pink... thing]

 

Sweet African space Christ.

 

 

 

I'm going to start a build thread since I have some of the specifics down. I think we're done here, gentlemen. Thank you for the ball busting, but mostly for the help. :D