Matt in TN Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 It seems like everybody and their brother are suddenly jumping on the 308 AR bandwagon lately, and I'm tempted to finally give up my old FAL and buy a "modern" rifle. I've seen a bunch of old threads on this topic over the years, but thought a newer one with updated info might be useful. So far in my comparison I have five in the running: JP Rifles - the gold standard, but you pay for it Armalite's 18" 3-Gun model (AR103GN18) Doublestar's 18" STAR-10B DPMS of various flavors - the Gen2 seems to be especially interesting on paper, but would take some upgrades? Custom Build And not an AR, but a SCAR17 is tempting too. Who else am I forgetting? Which rifles are winning the Heavy Metal matches around the country? And finally, I saw one report that the Magpul mags should be replaced every 500 rounds or so, because the recoil of the 308 drives the bullets into the front of the mags and deforms the plastic to the point it can cause nosedives. Has anyone else had this problem? Or can anyone debunk the report with better/newer data on high roundcount 308 PMAGS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul-the new guy Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 I feel like everyone is jumping to PCC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostholycerebus Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 (edited) The biggest problem with the DPMS GII pattern is the lack of aftermarket barrels, and to some extent handguards. It will accept all AR15 stocks, grips, triggers, latch handles (not full charging handles), optics and mounts. There are 3 or 4 hanguards on the market, including Midwest Industries. But if you want a particular barrel profile, best current option is having an original DPMS GII barrel cut down. Luckily the DPMS barrels have been pretty good for accuracy. That said, it starts from a position of lighter weight than the large-frame options and being smaller, its easier to manipulate. Edited November 8, 2016 by mostholycerebus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt in TN Posted November 8, 2016 Author Share Posted November 8, 2016 4 hours ago, Paul-the new guy said: I feel like everyone is jumping to PCC Now you're just poking the bear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1chota Posted November 8, 2016 Share Posted November 8, 2016 buy once, cry once. buy the JP and don't look back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonytheTiger Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 308 is cool again? Must be a regional thing, it's dead around here. But no one cares about PCC in the 3 gun either... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Sierpina Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 35 minutes ago, TonytheTiger said: 308 is cool again? Must be a regional thing, it's dead around here. But no one cares about PCC in the 3 gun either... It depends on the matches you plan on shooting. Obviously the He Man Nationals needs a .308 unless you want to wear a tiara. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt in TN Posted November 9, 2016 Author Share Posted November 9, 2016 2 hours ago, TonytheTiger said: 308 is cool again? Must be a regional thing, it's dead around here. But no one cares about PCC in the 3 gun either... 308 has always been cool. If there's no one there shooting it, that means there's no one cool there. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonytheTiger Posted November 9, 2016 Share Posted November 9, 2016 9 minutes ago, Matt in TN said: 308 has always been cool. If there's no one there shooting it, that means there's no one cool there. ;-) That burns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentsight Posted November 10, 2016 Share Posted November 10, 2016 Replaced my FAL with the GII lightweight Hunter model for HM. Upgrades: Threaded barrel for a brake, an adjustable gas block, added Nordic hand guard that was a direct replacement using factory barrel nut, dropped in an AR gold trigger and added an ACE stock with a grind to fit Limbsaver recoil pad to match my T/O division rifle configuration. Gun is very accurate, fun to shoot and it just flat runs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt in TN Posted November 10, 2016 Author Share Posted November 10, 2016 (edited) Thank you sir! How heavy is that Hunter barrel, and how much does the zero wander as it warms up (or does it)? How many rounds do you have through it so far, and have you seen any of the PMAG issues reported above? I'm awfully tempted by that same rifle... Edit: Did you thread the barrel at 20", or cut it down and thread it? I'd love to cut it down to 18" and thread it, but I'm worried it won't run right. Edited November 10, 2016 by Matt in TN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thermobollocks Posted November 12, 2016 Share Posted November 12, 2016 I'm cautiously optimistic about the Aero. I managed to scoop up a small pile of uppers and lowers and associated parts last month for obvious reasons, and I finally get to function-fire an entire rifle tomorrow. I'll have to report back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEP44 Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 I "abandoned" my FALs for competition this year and went with Aero upper/lower and JP 18" barrel and a bunch of other JP stuff. I figure since I'd swap a bunch of parts on any factory rifle I might as well assemble it from scratch. Picked one of them fancy Geissele triggers. I have a sentimental (draft) weak spot for the FAL, but there's no going back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentsight Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 To the OP, Sorry I don't know the exact weight of the barrel other than it is a much smaller diameter than their "heavy" barreled model. As far as zero shift, my longest string of fire has only been 20 rounds at a time and there was no noticeable shift in the POI. Also my intentions were to cut and thread down to 18" but the barrel shot so well that I decided not to chance compromising that so I only threaded the barrel at 20" and haven't looked back. No experience with mag problems you referred to but my mags are only I the 300-400 round range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rigs Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 I picked up a DPMS LR-GII 16" Recon model a few weeks ago, put on a Leupold VX-R 2-7. First group after zeroing was 9/16" with Freedom Munitions 168gr HPBT loads. Only gripe so far is the handguard, but I have a Midwest industries on orders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowSpeedHighDrag Posted November 15, 2016 Share Posted November 15, 2016 17 hours ago, DEP44 said: I "abandoned" my FALs for competition this year and went with Aero upper/lower and JP 18" barrel and a bunch of other JP stuff. I figure since I'd swap a bunch of parts on any factory rifle I might as well assemble it from scratch. Picked one of them fancy Geissele triggers. I have a sentimental (draft) weak spot for the FAL, but there's no going back. I've been running a JP LRP-07 for a while now, and it's great. Relatively light recoil with the gas block turned own, and accurate as hell with an 18" barrel. Good luck with your new rifle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landshark45 Posted November 29, 2016 Share Posted November 29, 2016 Knights sr25 ACC Gold Medal Match shoots at least MOA in the ACC's 16in CL pencil barrel. I'm running a SiCo harvestor big bore break. Makes the felt recoil similar to a bird cage AR carbine Runs all ammo I've tried & doesn't blow up when freedom munitions sells crappie 308 filled to the top with powder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72stick Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 I sure wish they'd bring back heavy metal around here. I miss running my Armalite/JP barreled AR10. Last time I ran it was at the Mo 3Gun Championship in Mach. It really rings that steel at 500 yards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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