The great .308 debate

[BUOPtimus Prime]

I do wish I at least waited to buy my receiver set until after Shot Show.

[Bang4Buck]

OP chiming back in. I just picked up my 308 today. Mega Maten matching upper/lower receivers with SSA-E and rainier arms match 308 barrel. I will post pics and a complete parts list n the next few days or so. Very happy and can't wait to shoot it.

[Biggy]

OP chiming back in. I just picked up my 308 today. Mega Maten matching upper/lower receivers with SSA-E and rainier arms match 308 barrel. I will post pics and a complete parts list n the next few days or so. Very happy and can't wait to shoot it.

As I am sure you know ammo has came down quite a bit, so stock up as much as possible and enjoy it.

[Bang4Buck]

As I am sure you know ammo has came down quite a bit, so stock up as much as possible and enjoy it.

Just ordered Federal Gold Medal Ammo, .308 Win, 168-gr., SMK BTHP. I am well stocked on 9mm and 5.56. This is THE time to buy right now.

Also buying my first SBR. I caught the bug.....

[hotrodder636]

OP chiming back in. I just picked up my 308 today. Mega Maten matching upper/lower receivers with SSA-E and rainier arms match 308 barrel. I will post pics and a complete parts list n the next few days or so. Very happy and can't wait to shoot it.

Very interested as I am delving into to big bore AR right now too. Thanks!

[LRRPF52]

Mega has a recommended parts source list for critical components.

You can use either an ArmaLite Inc. or DPMS BCG, but need to make sure the barrel extension is set up for the bolt geometry. They were the same as of 2010, but I think the market has varied in dims. due to no shared data package.

Bolt lug length, face depth, and barrel extension timing with the chamber will determine headspace. Gas guns need some slop anyway, so there can be forgiving dims, but I personally would not approach an AR10 with an after market parts solution when it comes to barrels. I personally have always gone custom, with someone that knows what they are doing with AR10's.

We have seen issues where some DPMS Bolts were headspaced too short or long, and where some JP bolts either solved or created failure to headspace, so all these barrels being cranked out are not indexed the same, or to an acceptable level of tolerance.

Looking to go cheap with AR10's will often result in failure to function at all, and accuracy is hit and miss. You have to pay to get it done right for sure, or gamble with the parts market and see where the dice land.

[Bang4Buck]

OP circling back on the final build. Here is the complete parts list I went with:

1 - MEGA ARMS MKM MATEN Keymod Upper / Lower Set - http://www.capitolarmory.com/mega-ar...lower-set.html I got this on sale for $720 including tax and shipping. And that was the extended rifle length set which is 14 inches. Also included 9 slot rail and charging handle.

2 - H3 Buffer and castle nut through Damage Industries - $40 including shipping and tax during Halloween sale

3 - Geissele Super Semi-Automatic Enhanced (SSA-E) - on sale for $194 through Trading Place Pawn. Price included shipping and no tax.

4 - DPMS LPK minus FCG - http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...07-111705.aspx $50

5 - A5 receiver extension - http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...56-111100.aspx $47.50

6 - STR stock - http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...26-102656.aspx $76

7 - Noveske QD end plate - http://www.brownells.com/shooting-ac...766-57871.aspx $27

8 - Magpul MIAD 1.1 grip - http://grabagun.com/magpul-mag520-bl...-1-1-grip.html $28

9 - BCM Low Profile Gas Block (steel with set screws) 750 - $45

10 - BCM mid length gas tube - $13

11 - Larue Tactical A2 flash hider for 308 - $20

12 - Aero Precision 308 complete BCG(follows DPMS pattern) http://aeroprecisionusa.com/aspx/sto...l.aspx?pid=175 - $195

13 - Rainier Arms 308 Match 16 inch Barrel DPMS pattern- https://www.rainierarms.com/rainier-...-308-barrel-21 - $315

FYI if you buy a barrel from Rainier, you don't have to buy the BCG through them to get free headspacing. Call and they'll tell you how to add this to your order

14 - AR 10 buffer spring - $10


That got me to right at $1,750 for the base setup I want for way less than the LMT, Larue, or FN. I could have gone much cheaper in a few areas to keep the cost down such as going with Aero Precision receiver set, use the trigger and grip that comes with the DPMS LPK, Rainier Select barrel instead of Match barrel, etc... That would have probably saved several hundred bucks, but I would not have been as happy. My pictures don't do it justice. This is a great looking setup and I'm excited to go break it in soon.

I will likely do a few other things, such as Raptor, BCM, or Mecharmor TacOps1 charging handle (would be interested to hear you opinions on which is better), a good light never hurts, etc.... But I have the foundation I want and I'm quite certain I'll save money vs. the LMT, Larue, or FN routes.

[BUOPtimus Prime]

Looks good. Thanks for sharing.

[nickdrak]

Has anyone confirmed or denied that the LMT LM308D complete bolt carrier group is compatible with DPMS/SR25 pattern receivers and barrels???

http://www.lmtstore.com/bolts-carrie...te/lm308d.html

[Bang4Buck]

Has anyone confirmed or denied that the LMT LM308D complete bolt carrier group is compatible with DPMS/SR25 pattern receivers and barrels???

http://www.lmtstore.com/bolts-carrie...te/lm308d.html

I called LMT a while back and the rep I spoke with said he thought they followed the sr25 pattern. He said he would call me back with an answer, but he never did.