308 AR Buffer Length

[madd556]

My first build on a DPMS .308 compatible lower and wanted to know which is preferred a rifle length or carbine length buffer tube assembly? Will rifle length diminish felt recoil better? Is function better with one over the other? I'm looking to use either a 16" or 18" upper.

[Nathan Krynn]

The DPMS bolt carrier is so heavy that it really doesn't matter if you use rifle or carbine.

An AR platform .308 is lighter recoil then any other .308 platform that I have used, including the M-14 platform (used a M-21 for a long time)

If you really want to maximize low recoil then use a JP light carrier and have the barrels gas port way undersized. Then drill out the gas port to match the ammo you will use (then don't change the ammo) so it just cycles. Which requires shooting it and seeing it doesn't cycle, then taking apart drilling a little larger (special drills), then putting it back together. Rinse and repeat.

I made one that the perceived recoil was nothing, fast follow up, and accurate as heck. However I have the tools to do it.

[IsaacGlass]

What's your intended purpose for the gun? I didnt notice any recoil difference between Rifle (Magpul PRS Stock) and Carbine (Magpul ACS Stock) length. However, I did find the rifle length cycle smoother. By the way, JP MB truly helps reduce felt recoil, but it's loud.

[madd556]

Thanks for the help guys. I was asking mainly because most of the 308 ARs I've seen had fixed stocks and I wasn't sure if it was because rifle length was better for the functioning of the rifle. Mine's going to be for plinking and a
"just in case" rifle. Thanks again for the info.