What are the best priced 7.62 ARs on the market today?

SSgt Timothy Prevost — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 13:33:51 -0500

I've been shooting ARs for years, especially when I was in the Marine Corps Infantry but not many that are 7.62 x51mm. I'm a machine gunner by trade so I've always loved larger caliber rounds because of the stoping power and increase in distance. I'm looking to purchase a new AR that fires 7.62 x 51mm / .308 Winchester but won't break the bank. Any suggestions?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2017 1:35 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 13:35:30 -0500

I guess that all really depends on how big your bank is...what is your budget and are you looking to go new or used?

Response by SGT William Howell made Mar 3 at 2017 1:46 PM

SGT William Howell — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 13:46:57 -0500

Anderson Arms. Little over a Grand. Good quality. Anderson has been making parts for people like Colt and DPMS for years. Chances are if you ever had a Colt manufactured M-4 in the Army the upper and lower were made by Anderson.

Response by SFC George Smith made Mar 3 at 2017 1:55 PM

SFC George Smith — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 13:55:35 -0500

I always Liked the M-1 A/ M-14 from the American side... and the FN/FAL from The Brit Side... had too many problems with the G-3/HK... 40 years...
Got an AR-10T Clone at Christmas and still getting used to it... but the recoil and shot Placement is much better than the Others...

https://www.slickguns.com/product/popular-ar10-rifles-under-1000

Most Affordable AR-10 Rifles 7.62x51mm

Best deals on guns and ammo posted by users

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Mar 3 at 2017 2:04 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 14:04:15 -0500

This will make you groan. Fairchild had 15% off everything guns. I had a scratch and sniff which hit the high number. They added the two discounts and I walked out with the Ruger SR-762 for $690, no tax of course, about 3 years ago. That said, there's a nice aspect to its gas piston system as I reload, hence create a variety of stuff to tinker with. Shooting is very therapeutic. So it's a matter of "features" that you think are the deal makers or breakers. In these times, the norm for not too fancy is in the $1400-1900 range. So if your bank is broke on the lower number, looks like a nonstarter. There are some new FNs out there for $1200. The M1As are in the AR range too. I'd avoid any of the Noreen product as every one I looked at had craftsmanship and design problems. BTW, the first thing you do if you get an AR/SR platform is to put a decent trigger group in it. That'll be $150-180 range. And yes, shooting a real 7.62 is more fun for me. Just like offloading my Desert Eagle 50 in favor of the 460. Much more impressive on dispersing targets over the countryside. Love it when you can taste watermelon from 50 yards away.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Mar 3 at 2017 2:22 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 14:22:39 -0500

None of the AR-10 variants use common parts, so I would stay away from a 7.62x51 AR.

The best option in 7.62x51mm is probably the PTR-91, a US built version of the HK-91 (which in turn is the semi-auto version of the German Army G3 battle rifle). The parts are interchangeable with the HK (except the full-auto stuff), and the G3 magazines are plentiful and cheap ($7 or so).

It is also available for about $1,000, +/-, which is considerably less than the AR-10s, the FN FALs, the M1A1s, and so on. It's a very accurate rifle and is difficult to jam. On the down side, it is a roller-delayed direct blowback, so the brass may not be reloadable.

I personally think it is the best 7.62/.308 option out there, but I'm biased towards HK products.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2017 2:39 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 14:39:05 -0500

Check out the DPMS .308s. They are reasonably priced at around $1,000. I have a DPMS Panther in 5.56 and its not a bad rifle for casual shooting. I also have an LMT MWS, and it is a fantastic rifle- but it was not cheap.

Response by PVT Christopher Giles made Mar 3 at 2017 2:44 PM

PVT Christopher Giles — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 14:44:09 -0500

For your money a Daniel Defense M5V1

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2017 3:02 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 15:02:11 -0500

SSgt Timothy Prevost Have you considered building one yourself? Then you get exactly what you want.

Response by A1C Cathy Valentine made Mar 3 at 2017 4:16 PM

A1C Cathy Valentine — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 16:16:01 -0500

I have an M-1 Garand that absolutely love, and it shouldn't be cost prohibitive.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Mar 3 at 2017 5:06 PM

SPC David Hannaman — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 17:06:15 -0500

"Semi-automatic, magazine fed .308/7.62" and "inexpensive" are concepts that just don't go together. Assuming you have a place to shoot it (pretty hard to find a mile long range) every time you send one downrange it's going to cost you about $.50.

.223/5.56 is a little cheaper at $.40 a round, BUT you can buy a replacement bolt that will allow you to fire .22 from the same barrel at $.09 a shot.

If you're talking about doing distance shooting, yes, the heavier the bullet the less it's going to be affected by wind, air resistance, etc. but if you're going down to your local range on a still day and putting holes in paper, you'll never see the difference between .223 and .22... but you'll sure feel it in your wallet, and the real difference in shooting is practice, practice, practice... get to where you're shooting something the size of pennies firing .22, and then change out the bolt and fire some .223 at distance to dial in your wind and trajectory skills. That alone will put you in an "elite" class of shooters (50% of the people who go to the range can't hit a car from 20 feet away).

I'm not opposed to heavy caliber rifles, I'd love to have a .50 BMG... but I don't have anyplace to shoot it, and at $2-$4 per shot it would be stupid for me to get one... it would just be something sitting in the safe, nowhere to shoot it, pretty hard to even zero it.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Mar 3 at 2017 5:10 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 17:10:26 -0500

DPMS in St. Cloud, MN manufactures the 7.62 AR and is a premier rifle manufacturer paying close attention to tolerance as they machine and build each rifle. Go to http://www.dpmsinc.com/ I don't build em, or sell em, I just shoot them and they are very accurate weapons. Good luck in your search!

DPMS Firearms

Response by SPC James Harsh made Mar 3 at 2017 6:28 PM

SPC James Harsh — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 18:28:49 -0500

I"m an AR15 person myself.. The AK which is my answer to your dilemma is something I see as a symbol so I have no real want for one, but I would say that could be a good purchase for the 7.62 although I'd prefer my basic training necklace the 240b haha.. I always joked that perhaps some Police would need them and just throw them on the roof of their cars haha

Response by SGM Billy Herrington made Mar 3 at 2017 7:13 PM

SGM Billy Herrington — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 19:13:58 -0500

My retirement gift will be a LaRue PredatOBR in 7.62. It's the only 7.62 AR platform I would own.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2017 9:13 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 21:13:28 -0500

DPMS makes a good rifle and it won't break the bank

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Mar 4 at 2017 5:33 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 17:33:06 -0500

TRY CHEAPER THAN DIRT THEY SELL AMMO BOTH 7.62 OR 308 SO GOOD LUCK.
SSG MARK FRANZEN
USA VET

Response by GySgt Bill Smith made Mar 6 at 2017 10:24 AM

GySgt Bill Smith — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 10:24:43 -0500

I have heard great things about this company. If you are ok with a 18 inch barrel I would go this route. Plus you can put what ever furniture on it to make it your own. http://www.brownells.com/firearms/rifles/semi-auto/308-ar-18-oem-rifle-prod83359.aspx?avs%7cPrice_1=800xzzx00%2bTO%2b*&avs%7cManufacturer_1=AERO%2bPRECISION

AERO PRECISION 308 AR 18" OEM RIFLE | Brownells

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Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2017 12:29 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 12:29:07 -0500

AR10's aren't as easy to cheaply build as an AR15, none of them use the same parts. A cheap AR10 is usually a crappy one, if you don't want to try out an off caliber AR15 (300blk, 6.8spc, 6.5, ETC..) go with the M1A (1500 new) or a rechambered M1 Garand in 308 (5-900). Both are incredibly reliable, and you can still make them look "tacticool" (yes m1g has tacticool stocks available). Also check out the PTR's, they're a US made G-3, although I've never found them to be very accurate compared to other options. Of course you could always just save up and buy an amazing AR10 *SASS or bust!*

Or like I mentioned stick to an AR15 platform and use a different caliber. Realistically if you aren't shooting past 700 yards you don't need anything bigger than an AR15 offers. National match AR15's with proper 77gr loads shoot MOA or better at 600y, plenty have pushed them to 1000 (my 77gr 5.56 has a flatter trajectory than most 308s to 600y) . If you want to be able to hunt deer or other 4 legged creatures past 300 yards but want a familiar platform, check out an AR15 in 6.8 SPC. You can build a very nice AR15 for $1000 if you shop around, or buy a not so good AR10 for $1000.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Mar 6 at 2017 4:28 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 16:28:37 -0500

If it is an AR you are hooked on nothing I say would make a difference, but I am partial to PTR, and or VEPR platforms. If you are looking to save some cash a bolt action is great alternative, and a lot easier to take with you in some countries that don't allow those weapons in the front door.

Both the VEPR and PTR are made on tried and true platforms, and are very reliable weapons. The best part of these two is that they don't expel carbon fouling gas into the firing chamber, like our gas impinged system does. Clean up is far easier. As someone who shoots a VEPR in 7.62x54R I can tell you it is a blast, and not like what everyone else is shooting. I also shoot Mosins, Finnish M39's Mosins as well. The 54R is stout compared to the Nato round. Here is an image of an M44 I threaded a muzzle brake on. Before someone goes hell bent on it being a collectors rifle, this thing was a field pick up, and beat to death. I cleaned it thoroughly. the Brake helps the recoil of this rifle. The Finnish Mosins are vastly superior to the Russians, but like all things Russian, it is built like a tank.

Response by Alan K. made Apr 10 at 2017 7:11 PM

Alan K. — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 19:11:44 -0400

I went with the original....Armalite AR-10. Found some 25 round mags from Armalite, you can't use anything but factory. I will have to take a picture, I have added a few things. I have an older Bushy as well (AR-15) from Windham Maine before they sold out.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Apr 25 at 2017 1:01 PM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 13:01:35 -0400

Hard to beat the DPMS. Pretty durable and reliable weapon

Response by LCpl Danial Hahn made Jul 4 at 2017 12:30 AM

LCpl Danial Hahn — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 00:30:04 -0400

North or South Carolina, Palmetto Armory had the AR 10's for 595 base. Cheapest I've seen. Semper Fi....

Response by Sgt John H. made Jun 14 at 2018 12:44 PM

Sgt John H. — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 12:44:28 -0400

CMMG Rifle, Mk3, 308 WIN is nice. S&W makes a workhorse .308...

Response by TSgt David L. made Jun 14 at 2018 3:05 PM

TSgt David L. — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 15:05:03 -0400

Noreen Firearms (onlylongrange.com) makes some great AR platforms. Up to and including .416 CheyTac and .50 BMG, if you want to really shoot some large caliber. High quality stuff made in Montana.

Daniel Defense and Aero Precision are also good quality ARs.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jun 14 at 2018 6:38 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 18:38:15 -0400

If you heart dead set on an AR platform then so be it. But consider some of the bolt actions out there that are really hell a cheap in comparison. Check out Brownells for a Howa 1500, what's that never heard of them well if you have heard of Weatherby Vanguard rifles you have heard of Howa. You can by a barreld action with a bolt for less than $300, now go find a chassis or stock and go crazy.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2018 5:53 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 05:53:40 -0400

I bought a Ruger SR-10, for pretty much the same reason you stated you're looking for one. I was a tech MOS but when we went to the woods the M60 was mine. I have in excess of 15 different calibers and gages in different locations in and around the house. The 10 stays in the bedroom where I can have quick access, with 3 loaded mags. I'm no gun expert like some of these other people, I just know what I like. In all those different calibers what you won't find is a 5.56/.223. The Ruger is chambered 7.62. Although the 7.62 and .308 are very very similar they are not the same. &.62 can fire .308 with no problems, a weapon chambered .308 has a chance of catastrophic malfunction firing 7.62.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2018 12:59 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 00:59:15 -0400

If you build one yourself, just buy the individual parts and assemblies and customize your own, you can build your own ar10 to match exactly what you want without going over your budget. Just do some good research. 7.62 is pretty easy to get done at a reasonable price and still get a badass setup