AR10... 6.5 or .308?

[Ace Quackhunter]

I prefer the 308 in an AR-10 platform, Stoner original design was 308 and it will work out to 600 yard and beyond. You can load for long distance paper punching or for you favorite game animal so overall a very good round.
I have a 338 Federal in an AR-10 while it's not going to out run most of my others firearms, it will sling 200 grain Nosler's into a 3/4 MOA group out to 300 yards.

Ace

 

[JuddL]

I don't think you'd go wrong with either a 6.5 or 308.

I just sold a 308 because I built a 7-08 and I quit shooting the 308. I really like that cartridge better than the other two but that's just personal preference.

Right now, 308 and 6.5 bullets are easier to find.

 

[ntsqd]

I built a 6.5CM upper for LR and then decided that I really didn't want to be reloading for an auto-loader. I need to dig up what parts I used and put it up FS.

By the time I'd bought parts and then re-thot my thinking and bought other parts I had enough extra parts laying around that with a barrel purchase I had a .308 upper. I've greatly enjoyed shooting that, but I haven't yet pushed out past 300 yards.

 

[Fedwell]

I've got an upper and a lower for an AR 10 build. Trying to make a decision on which direction to go, 6.5 Creedmor or .308. Looking for some help from someone that has experience with AR10s that could nudge me one way or the other with their experiences. I want to use it for long range applications. This will be my first build so any advice would be much appreciated!

You can Get a GOOD Lower Unit and change it out to a Multitude of Uppers.
Just a suggestion.

 

[DWier]

My personal preference is 6.5cm. I agree the 308 kick is not bad but after 200 rounds in a day your shoulder will know it. With the Creed your shoulder won't know it's been shooting. However I agree with Fedwell.

 

[diamonddave2]

I have an Armalite AR10 in 308 that goes half MOA with its favorite loads. It loves the Federal Gold Medal match 175 grain and Berger 185 grain Juggernaut loads. I need to put an adjustable gas block on it, as it's over gassed with my 110 grain lead free bullet load. I killed a pig at 125 yards with that load last year. Brain shot it.

 

[ntsqd]

Interesting, the place where I got my .308 out to 300 yds is ~19 miles south of you off Mines Road. The land owners there have had ferral pig problems, but they're getting it under control.

 

[lyle2231]

I've got an upper and a lower for an AR 10 build. Trying to make a decision on which direction to go, 6.5 Creedmor or .308. Looking for some help from someone that has experience with AR10s that could nudge me one way or the other with their experiences. I want to use it for long range applications. This will be my first build so any advice would be much appreciated!

Given the components available I'd go with the.308. My recent search revealed a moderate supply at POwder Valley of Sierra.308 bullets.
HTH

 

[bamban]

I prefer the 308 in an AR-10 platform, Stoner original design was 308 and it will work out to 600 yard and beyond. You can load for long distance paper punching or for you favorite game animal so overall a very good round.
I have a 338 Federal in an AR-10 while it's not going to out run most of my others firearms, it will sling 200 grain Nosler's into a 3/4 MOA group out to 300 yards.

Ace

I am with you on the 338 Federal, I just finished turning a 338 Federal M1A barrel from a blank. While it is a pain to do M14 barrel, it is worth it. Short range it will be a thumper on game.

 

[jshepherd61]

I've got an upper and a lower for an AR 10 build. Trying to make a decision on which direction to go, 6.5 Creedmor or .308. Looking for some help from someone that has experience with AR10s that could nudge me one way or the other with their experiences. I want to use it for long range applications. This will be my first build so any advice would be much appreciated!

I have both and have built both! Never use the 308 after building the 6.5 Creedmoor! I shoot my 6.5 out to 1K weekly. Takes money to make the gas gun a long range toy! Start with a barrel no shorter than 24", I used a Bartlien built by Craddock Precision (about $1,000.00) Aero Precision bullit matched pair (custom duel set screw about $800.00) Peak custom nitride BCG ($510.00) Silent Capture buffer ($300.00) Rifle length gas tube, Superlative Arms adjustable gas block with exhaust for use with a suppressor (about $165.00) magpul PRS stock, Vortex Razor HD 4x27x56 MRSD ($2,750.00) 1/4 MOA. Timney Calvin Elite set at 8oz ($300.00 with full 5 shoe set)

 

[NDAR15MAN]

I bought a 6.5 creedmoor AR10 Shaw gun. 24 inch barrel. S/N 68. For long range hunting we're I you don't have to walk far. It is very very accurate with every factory ammo. Shoots everything a true 7/8 100 yard group. No telling how it good it would shoot if I reloaded and a hyper fire trigger. I have a sightron 10-50x60 sightron scope on it. I have had both knees replaced and just cannot get out and shoot anymore. Shaw AR10 rifles best kept secret in the AR10 platform. Order one or buy mine. You cannot go wrong. Marty

 

[DWier]

I bought a 6.5 creedmoor AR10 Shaw gun. 24 inch barrel. S/N 68. For long range hunting we're I you don't have to walk far. It is very very accurate with every factory ammo. Shoots everything a true 7/8 100 yard group. No telling how it good it would shoot if I reloaded and a hyper fire trigger. I have a sightron 10-50x60 sightron scope on it. I have had both knees replaced and just cannot get out and shoot anymore. Shaw AR10 rifles best kept secret in the AR10 platform. Order one or buy mine. You cannot go wrong. Marty

How much?

 

[samcleod]

You have gotten some great information from those who have already replied to your question. But I'll add my thoughts since I'm fairly new to the AR10 platform so I was where you are not long ago. I did extensive research into both cartridges and was having a hard time deciding so I bought one of each! I decided not to do a build because I have too many hobbies as it is now and could not give one up or add another! So I bought a Daniel Defense DD5V5 6.5CM and a JP LRI20 308, both with 20" barrels. I put Vortex 4.5X27X56 MRAD Razor HD Gen II scopes on both guns. I've shot both on paper to 500 yards with factory ammo and they shoot very similar 1 MOA or less. I've hunted with both and killed whitetail and hogs out to 300 yards with each. Inside 300 yards the 308 does too much meat damage on the whitetail so going forward I will use the CM for shorter distances. In the CM I shoot Hornady and Nosler in 143 ELDX and 140 BT and both perform very well for paper and hunting. For the 308 I shoot mostly Hornady 150 SST which has been very accurate to date. I have had some younger smaller stature shooters shoot both guns on the range to 500 yards and they have no issues with the recoil on either gun. Some of them prefer the JP 308 for how smooth it shoots.

 

[P7M13]

I was 'meh' over my 308, gave it to my kid.
Missed a chance at a 260 Rem upper by a few seconds, so split the baby and built a 7mm-08. Me likey!
Were I to build another, I'd do 260 Rem or 243 Rem.
One note on adjustable gas blocks, if you develop loads for different weight bullets, in my example Hornady 139 Interlock and 162gr SST, if the block is tuned for one, it may not cycle well for another. I wound up replacing it with a standard gas block.
Wilson Arms and Wilson Combat are both great companies for AR barrels. Have barrels from both.