2024 308 Carbine options?

[JediGuy]

A pencil-ish weight 308 barrel is a beautiful thing. After building an aero M5 receiver set around a Brownells (Faxon) 20” retro pencil barrel and Troy carbon fiber handguard, the darn thing was easier to flick around than a poorly designed 16” 5.56 barrel.

But finding parts like that are impossible now without spending a ton of money, as far as I can tell.

Two options I would consider:

1) Ruger SFAR - Seems inconsistent and typically overgassed. But a hybrid frame that can use standard AR free float handguards. If they got this right, it seems like a great choice. If. And it’s cheap.

2) Colt M7 - Because it’s Colt. They are on sale for $2200, and also “hybrid.”

[markm]

2) Colt M7 - Because it’s Colt. They are on sale for $2200, and also “hybrid.”

I forgot about that one. Not a bad option.

We've actually had a few guys out who built Aero precision creations that actually were functional.

[sidewaysil80]

I forgot about that one. Not a bad option.

We've actually had a few guys out who built Aero precision creations that actually were functional.

I think their bcg and buffer setup is the achilles heel to their complete. I recommend doing the AR-10 buffer tube and Toolcraft 6.5cm bcg (smaller diameter firing pin hole) regardless of .308 vs 6.5 when building your own.

[markm]

I think their bcg and buffer setup is the achilles heel to their complete. I recommend doing the AR-10 buffer tube and Toolcraft 6.5cm bcg (smaller diameter firing pin hole) regardless of .308 vs 6.5 when building your own.

You know? The buffer set up is the thing that we (Pappabear and I) just don't have a good grasp of.

[HKGuns]

I vote build as well, however, I have the LMT on my list of future buys.

I built a 6.5C AR10, using mostly all Wilson Combat components, 100% reliable and shoots like a laser beam.

It isn't a carbine, it has a 22" barrel, but if you build, you can buy the barrel that meets your needs.

[fedupflyer]

I vote build as well, however, I have the LMT on my list of future buys.

I built a 6.5C AR10, using mostly all Wilson Combat components, 100% reliable and shoots like a laser beam.

It isn't a carbine, it has a 22" barrel, but if you build, you can buy the barrel that meets your needs.

Did you use a Wilson Combat handguard?
If so, what brand crowsfoot did you use for the barrel nut? The one that I have a too thick and need to be machined down to fit on the flats.

[HKGuns]

Did you use a Wilson Combat handguard?
If so, what brand crowsfoot did you use for the barrel nut? The one that I have a too thick and need to be machined down to fit on the flats.

Yes, I did and if memory serves, I had to buy a second one. I think the crowfoot I used was an amazon special "Mentium USA" "Crowfoot Nut Wrench 1-3/8" opening." It has a little Spartan head logo. No machining was required. I only own two such crowfoot wrenches, so if it wasn't that one, it was the generic one of the same size I bought at Lowes.

[sidewaysil80]

You know? The buffer set up is the thing that we (Pappabear and I) just don't have a good grasp of.

IMO that is the most confusing part. Essentially you have three, let's say, "mainstream" options for buffer tubes...

1. Standard AR-15 Buffer Tube
-requires specific "Ar-10 carbine" buffer (they're very short, heavy)

2. AR-10 Specific Carbine Buffer Tube/Ar-15 Vltor A5 Buffer Tube
-requires standard Ar-15 buffers...think of this setup as the Vltor A5 for .308
(Because tube is slightly longer it allows the use of standard ar-15 buffers like the H-H3, allowing flexibility)

3. AR-10 Rifle Length Buffer Tube
-Requires AR-10 rifle length buffer, works with fixed stocks.

I intentionally left out springs because unlike the ar-15, ar-10 has springs that work in either carbine or rifle length, specific carbine OR rifle length springs, and one offs like tubbs or sprinco. Personally I use the armalite carbine/rifle buffer spring but MAY begin experimenting with Sprinco. I'm hesitant because the noticeable difference in recoil is already there, not sure if I want to run risk inducing malfunctions chasing recoil nirvana with tuning springs.

[markm]

2. AR-10 Specific Carbine Buffer Tube/Ar-15 Vltor A5 Buffer Tube
-requires standard Ar-15 buffers...think of this setup as the Vltor A5 for .308
(Because tube is slightly longer it allows the use of standard ar-15 buffers like the H-H3, allowing flexibility)

For clarification... the Vltro A5 RE is the same thing (dimensionally) as what would be called an AR-10 Carbine RE?

If yes, would you not have to use A5 sized buffers? Regular AR buffers would be too short and wouldn't "bottom out" in the rear of the tube right?

[sidewaysil80]

For clarification... the Vltro A5 RE is the same thing (dimensionally) as what would be called an AR-10 Carbine RE?

If yes, would you not have to use A5 sized buffers? Regular AR buffers would be too short and wouldn't "bottom out" in the rear of the tube right?

Yes they’re dimensionally the same. As far as buffers, you would use a standard AR15 buffers NOT A5 buffers. The bcg is longer so the A5 buffers would be too long/not enough travel.

If you buy the Armalite Ar-10 Carbine Buffer kit, it’s an ar15 buffer, a5 length buffer tube, and their carbine spring. But plenty of other spring options for the same setup.