Author Topic: Advice on 7.62x51 AR rifles (Read 8153 times)

Angel Eyes · « **on:** January 19, 2011, 05:43:58 PM »

A friend of mine is jonesing for an AR pattern rifle in 7.62x51, but doesn't know much on the subject. I've never owned such a thing (both my ARs are 5.56), so I'm looking for advice:

- I've heard some ARs in this caliber have reliability issues. Are these confined to specific makes/models?

- Is there a particular configuration that is considered optimal for reliability?

- Any opinions on the Rock River Arms rifles? Are there better choices in terms of accuracy and/or reliability without costing a whole lot more?

- What would be the advantage of a 7.62 AR vs. an FAL? Disadvantages vs the FAL?

Thanks for your input.

AZRedhawk44 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2011, 05:48:24 PM »

AR is more accurate than the FAL.

AR has better modern/new industry support than the FAL.

AR is a "kitchen gunsmith" compatible platform with very few tools.

AJ Dual · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2011, 05:54:01 PM »

The AR pattern, on average will be more accurate than a FAL.

Which AR-10/SR25 clone type has the "mojo" in terms of magazine cost, vs. accuracy, vs. prince etc. I'm unsure.

The very first AR pattern rifles were in 7.62x51 and did actually see some minor military acceptance too, such as with the Dutch, and a few other small nations. So the design is definitely up to it.

The FAL is a battle-proven rifle for sure, and AFAIK, has the widest adoption of any auto-loading military rifle save the AK/AKM. However it does have limited accuracy potential, unless you spend a LOT of money on getting it custom smithed up. Or maybe buy whatever DS Arms is selling these days as the DMR/Accuracy model.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2011, 05:55:22 PM »

You do not need accuracy when firing the 7.62. It is large enough to flatten pachyderms with a near miss.

BlueStarLizzard · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2011, 05:59:28 PM »

Can I ask why in 7.62? I don't get having oddball AR's, when there is always something else designed for the caliber.

Angel Eyes · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2011, 06:20:32 PM »

Quote from: bluestarlizzard on January 19, 2011, 05:59:28 PM

Can I ask why in 7.62? I don't get having oddball AR's, when there is always something else designed for the caliber.

There isn't a compelling reason, really. He likes the platform and considers the 5.56 round to be "too wimpy". He doesn't want an M14/M1A, for reasons not entirely clear to me.

Headless Thompson Gunner · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2011, 06:24:14 PM »

FALs are big and heavy. Built like a tank. They'll shrug off conditions that will have you screaming for mommy. Good ergonomics, all except the trigger pull.

ARs are more precise. Better sights and triggers, better options for mounting optics. Good ergonomics, all except the charging handle. Pricier magazines, though I believe 308 AR mags are coming down in price, 308 PMags are $20 a pop.

I owned both, sold both, kept a Garand. Sold the AR because the mags were too expensive (they were $80 at the time). Sold the FAL because it was too heavy, and because I couldn't get an acceptable trigger pull from it.

The AR was an Armalite, and it didn't run right when I first got it. Sent it back, they said the chamber was reamed too tight and corrected it. Worked fine after that.

Quote from: bluestarlizzard on January 19, 2011, 05:59:28 PM

Can I ask why in 7.62? I don't get having oddball AR's, when there is always something else designed for the caliber.

Why not? 308 is bigger and more powerful, and potentially more useful. Might be more convenient too, if you already have rifles in 308.

Angel Eyes · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2011, 06:27:24 PM »

Thanks to everyone who has answered so far.

Does anyone have experience with the Rock River Arms ARs?

Harold Tuttle · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2011, 06:30:32 PM »

308 ars were sketchy under the AWB as they had to use modified mags from other weapons

now that you can get a .308 pmag, things are much better

http://store.magpul.com/product/MAG243/11

charby · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2011, 06:35:39 PM »

Quote from: bluestarlizzard on January 19, 2011, 05:59:28 PM

Can I ask why in 7.62? I don't get having oddball AR's, when there is always something else designed for the caliber.

I'm going to build an AR-10 in 6.5mm (.260 Rem) because I really like how a 6.5mm bullet performs.

Headless Thompson Gunner · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2011, 06:36:00 PM »

Quote from: Angel Eyes on January 19, 2011, 06:27:24 PM

Thanks to everyone who has answered so far.

Does anyone have experience with the Rock River Arms ARs?

I can tell you that their 223 ARs are excellent. No experience with their 308s.

BlueStarLizzard · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2011, 06:38:55 PM »

Quote from: charby on January 19, 2011, 06:35:39 PM

I'm going to build an AR-10 in 6.5mm (.260 Rem) because I really like how a 6.5mm bullet performs.

Well, whatever floats your boat. I still don't really get it. I'm just gonna chalk it up to a guy thing and leave it be.

Headless Thompson Gunner · « **Reply #12 on:** January 19, 2011, 06:43:09 PM »

FWIW, the AR was originally designed to shoot 308. They scaled it down to 223 for the military.

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #13 on:** January 19, 2011, 07:00:59 PM »

Quote from: bluestarlizzard on January 19, 2011, 05:59:28 PM

Can I ask why in 7.62? I don't get having oddball AR's, when there is always something else designed for the caliber.

The replies above yours answered that pretty well. ARs are easier to customize than a lot of other platforms, and a lot of people like them for a lot of other reasons (judging by their ubiquity). One would expect people to desire that platform in more robust calibers.

sanglant · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2011, 07:24:26 PM »

what other auto loader can you buy one frame/receiver*, and have 4 or 5 different calibers of rifle?

or for that matter a crossbow.

*link just in case, someone wondered in not knowing what that is.

charby · « **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:10:50 PM »

Quote from: bluestarlizzard on January 19, 2011, 06:38:55 PM

Well, whatever floats your boat. I still don't really get it. I'm just gonna chalk it up to a guy thing and leave it be.

AR-10 is a .308 AR, the receiver had a bigger mag well for .308. A .260 rem is a necked down .308 case to 6.5mm.

Plus I don't know of any semi auto 260 rem except in a AR-10 platform.

GigaBuist · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:27:29 PM »

I've got next to no experience with AR-10's aside from firing a few shots from one the president of MSSA (Montana Shooting Sports Association) let me dink around with. I couldn't hit crap with it (user error) but he was quite capable with it out to 400 yards.

I think it was a DPMS. I see he posted some match results from 2009 and he was shooting a DPMS AR-10 in that so I guess my memory is correct. http://www.marbut.com/Rifle/Match%20Results%2005_16_2009.html

280plus · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2011, 08:45:27 PM »

I can probably get you a good deal on at least a special accurate barrel. I've had dibs on one or so for years but never took to building me one. PM me.

Harold Tuttle · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2011, 10:14:41 PM »

have you seen the new colt at shot show?

its a dual lower 223 & 308

Bogie · « **Reply #19 on:** January 19, 2011, 11:54:32 PM »

.308 magazines tend to be pretty expensive. We've considered making a run.

seeker_two · « **Reply #20 on:** January 20, 2011, 06:44:37 AM »

If you need super-long-range accuracy from a .308, go with a bolt-gun. If you want a super-reliable semi-auto, get a FAL from DSA.

Ruger's Scout Rifle might give you the best of both worlds....

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-Gunsite.htm

MechAg94 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 20, 2011, 09:14:47 AM »

My only experience with an AR-10 is a friends DPMS. I believe it shoots smoothly and accuracy is acceptable. It was the cheapest version available when he got it. One gripe at the time being picky on ammo. It would choke on SA surplus ammo. It does fine with new ammo and his reloads. If magazine prices have come down, that eliminates my other complaint.

280plus · « **Reply #22 on:** January 20, 2011, 02:01:39 PM »

BTW, anybody else that might want a special picked barrel right from the barrel factory, pm me.

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Author Topic: Advice on 7.62x51 AR rifles (Read 8153 times)