Building a 1,000 yard AR 308 – what do I need?

[Rorge Retson]

[Spaceghost]

I would highly suggest you just go and watch a competition or two and actually talk with the people that shoot and ask them for advice. I am afraid you would be sorely disappointed with how your 308 AR would help you become a proficient long range shooter. Do more homework before you buy.

[Munny$hot]

You need to go with a 7mm-08 or 6.5 Creedmoor/.260 Remington upper with a match barrel instead.

[TKM]

The 308 will get there, but it's not the best way to get there. Time for a rethink.

[sigstroker]

Yeah, wrong choice for an engine. It's like saying you want to build a dragster, starting with a Pinto engine.

[kris smith]

Seen a few pinto blocks go to 600 hp.

[2shotjoe]

I had a 100" drop at 1000 yards when I did the 1000 yard clinic with 308. My groups were big as the target. 308 wasn't meant for that distance.

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[russ69]

...I recently realized that the only way this will happen (i.e. the only way I can justify the build to myself) is to purpose-build it for competition...

A 308 AR10 based rifle really doesn't fit into any of the common competition games. I would suggest that you give NRA/CMP highpower competition a try. A good starting gun for that would be a National Match AR15 in 223/5.56. After a couple of years of that you could build a Match rifle class AR10 based rifle in 6XC or one of the other popular cartridges.
A 308 AR10 could be used for NRA mid-range shooting (600 yards) but you'll want something else in a short period of time. The problem being the 308 starts to loose it's velocity at around 900 yards so there are better choices for 1000 yards.

[Marinos]

308 is a great overal round especially if you are just getting into long range shooting. It can reach 1000 yards but like mentioned, there are better rounds to get you there. They also cost more and are not readily available like 308. Most of these keyboard warriors don't even shoot past 100 yards so don't let them alter your decision. At the same time, don't build an AR-308 if you are shooting for competition.

For most ranges, the 308 is more than adequate. I regularly take my AR-308 out to 700 yards (max range I can shoot here) on a 12" gong with an 18" barrel. Obviously you will want a longer barrel if you are building a bench rest, long range AR-308. I wanted mine to be more mobile for hunting so I opted for the 18" barrel. If you are going to shoot at those ranges somewhat accurately, you will need to hand load can expect to hit a human size silhouette.

[XD40Kyle]

save your money and go 6.5 creedmoor

[edgerly779]

Get an M1A and accurize it.

[Fjold]

Get a long barrel, the AR10 is handicapped enough, don't make it worse with a 20" barrel. 20" barreled bolt guns will make it to 1,000 yards as long as you don't have heavy air and it's not too hot. The gas guns bleed pressure off to operate the action and this will give you fits in a 308.

There's a reason why the Palma shooters use 30" barrels, they need them.

I have a 26" barrel on my 260 Rem, DPMS LR308 and I should have bought a 26" one to make life easier at 1,000 yards.

[Rorge Retson]

Get an M1A and accurize it.

You mean a Springfield? Which one, and what all does 'accurizing' it entail??

save your money and go 6.5 creedmoor

Okay, I'll check that out!

308 is a great overal round especially if you are just getting into long range shooting. It can reach 1000 yards but like mentioned, there are better rounds to get you there. They also cost more and are not readily available like 308. Most of these keyboard warriors don't even shoot past 100 yards so don't let them alter your decision. At the same time, don't build an AR-308 if you are shooting for competition.

That's part of why I am thinking 308, my roommate reloads and I was thinking that there is a wide range of projectiles out there that I can play with when I start reloading - in effect, getting a lot of my learning done on the 308 platform.

For most ranges, the 308 is more than adequate. I regularly take my AR-308 out to 700 yards (max range I can shoot here) on a 12" gong with an 18" barrel. Obviously you will want a longer barrel if you are building a bench rest, long range AR-308. I wanted mine to be more mobile for hunting so I opted for the 18" barrel. If you are going to shoot at those ranges somewhat accurately, you will need to hand load can expect to hit a human size silhouette.

Maybe rather than thinking 1,000 yards on the first throw, I can work my way up on the 308, then when I get to 1/2 mile plus, I'll be ready for a more specialized round. What do you think?

A 308 AR10 based rifle really doesn't fit into any of the common competition games. I would suggest that you give NRA/CMP highpower competition a try. A good starting gun for that would be a National Match AR15 in 223/5.56. After a couple of years of that you could build a Match rifle class AR10 based rifle in 6XC or one of the other popular cartridges.
A 308 AR10 could be used for NRA mid-range shooting (600 yards) but you'll want something else in a short period of time. The problem being the 308 starts to loose it's velocity at around 900 yards so there are better choices for 1000 yards.

What do you think about learning on the 308 platform, then going bolt action for 500-600 yds+?

Get a long barrel, the AR10 is handicapped enough, don't make it worse with a 20" barrel. 20" barreled bolt guns will make it to 1,000 yards as long as you don't have heavy air and it's not too hot. The gas guns bleed pressure off to operate the action and this will give you fits in a 308.

Is that why most everyone uses bolts for competition?

I had a 100" drop at 1000 yards when I did the 1000 yard clinic with 308. My groups were big as the target. 308 wasn't meant for that distance.

Wow, that's crazy. What loads and barrel were you using?

Yeah, wrong choice for an engine. It's like saying you want to build a dragster, starting with a Pinto engine.

Seen a few pinto blocks go to 600 hp.

I'm from Michigan - and I'm not a kid anymore - so I've seen some strange things. You know they had a factory V-8 Vega-based Chevy Monza, right?

The 308 will get there, but it's not the best way to get there. Time for a rethink.

Which is why I am asking you guys for input.

You need to go with a 7mm-08 or 6.5 Creedmoor/.260 Remington upper with a match barrel instead.

I'll check those out, thanks.

I would highly suggest you just go and watch a competition or two and actually talk with the people that shoot and ask them for advice. I am afraid you would be sorely disappointed with how your 308 AR would help you become a proficient long range shooter. Do more homework before you buy.

That's a great idea. I'll start monitoring the forums and find out when the next comp is.

[kris smith]

Yes Rorge I do know that. My buddy is a vega nut and tells me about how they used to come from the factory.

[CarlB]

Bolt action rifle would be light years better for 1000 yard work.