So, I recently purchase an aero precision receiver set with their BCG. I don’t have it in my hands yet, but will have it soon. I have a pretty good idea of what I am going to do on the lower half. I will probably use the UBR stock I have on an AR-15 currently as I think it would be better suited on this rifle. Love the UBR, but it is a beast and is a little overkill on my the AR I have it on (16" BCM KMR ELW with a ta31 on top). I will probably add a SSA-E trigger and that will handle the lower end mostly.
On the upper half I will probably go with one of the few keymod rails available for the DPMS pattern. Not sure which one yet, but I am not to worried about that…if only BCM made a KMR for the 308. What I really am having a hard time choosing is the barrel and components. I am not sure who to get a barrel from, gas system length, barrel length, standard or adjustable gas block, and whether or not I need to use a brake/comp on it.
What do I want…A harder hitting precision gun, but not to much in the precision realm were it becomes to heavy for a fighting gun. That is why I am kind of leaning towards an 18" medium contour barrel, but I am unsure of the length.
Mid length gas system or rifle? Is an adjustable gas block suggested for both or either?
Barrels that I am considering are the blackhole weaponry, rainier arms select or match, fulton armory. Any pros or cons or experience with any of these.
I want to take my time and build this gun right so I am just looking for all the advice I can get.
I’ve got one planned out really similarly (if not outright identical). The UBR would require a particularly heavy buffer, but the Slash 308 units are still around.
For the handguard, at present if you want a lightweight keymod in the DPMS Gen1 LR308 pattern, then the Midwest Industries SS-KeyMod LR308 rail is the answer - it’s also cheap. It’s only got 3/6/9:00 keymod, but that’s all you necessarily need.
As far as barrels, there are tons of options, and none of them look bad. I’m still working out if I want to build (or hold out for BCM/DD/Noveske/LMT complete systems), if I build it’ll be a SS 16" unit and I’d be indexing off the Rainier Arms UltraMatch to see if I could get better performance for a comparable price.
If left to my own devices this would be my build:
Aero Precision M5-LR308 Receiver Set (+ LPK, BCG)
Rainier UltraMatch 16" SS Barrel, MI SS-KM 15" Handguard, whatever LP Gas Block and Tube RA can source, AXTS or BCM Ambi CH
BAD-CASS Selector, UBR (+ Slash Buffer), MIAD for the lower, Geissele SSA-E (because these things rock)
I plan to run it suppressed, hence the 16" setup. I’m also looking into having Craddock Precision build me up a complete barrel in a similar contour to the RA-UM (Basically a medium contour ~.750" stainless from a Bartlein blank setup).
Like you guys I just recently picked up an Aero Precision 308 receiver set, and I’m trying to put together a 308 rifle. So far I’ve got the receiver set, a Raptor CH, and a Geissele SD-E that I pillaged from another rifle. I have also bookmarked every semi 308 related thread on this forum, and I’m ticking them off one at a time. Fortunately, I saw this thread.
I’m not in a rush to finish this build, so I hope to pick up some good deals along the way. In general I want a portable and accurate rifle. Like Llama, I’m lookin at the Rainier (Ultra)Match 16" SS barrels, as well as the MEGA barrel. I’ll likely choose a Centurion CMR 14" rail, unless something else comes out in the meantime.
I’m not settled on a stock or buffer kit. I have a B5 SOPMOD lying around, and honestly I’m not up to speed on the buffer kit options for a 308. I still have a lot of reading to do. The UBR seems like a popular choice.
It does seem like the 308 market is changing rapidly. I think this is a very good thing, as long as everyone tries to stick to one setup, which most have stuck with the DPMS pattern, but they all still seem to have minor differences that may not allow you to use one part from one vendor on another vendors gun. Very annoying. I noticed on PSA sight that they are now listing PTAC 10 stuff. Not a fan of their ptac line, but the prices could drive the market down somewhat. I saw they had a stripped ptac 10 receiver for $99.
I just added a takedown and pivot pin to my order because I have an ar parts kit I can use on it and from what I can tell, those are the only proprietary parts on it.
Yes, the 308 specific lower parts that Aero Precision makes for the M5 are the pivot pin, takedown pin, and bolt catch.
Also, I called them to suggest that they put together an LPK offering that is minus the grip and trigger group. They said they liked that suggestion… we’ll see if they implement it.
Both are DPMS “High” so it should work, I haven’t actually mounted one, so…
I am doing a similar build to the OP. I decided to try the new Aero Precision M5 E1 keymod upper and BCG, MechArmor Tac-Ops charging handle, 18 in Medcon 416R SS midlength gas barrel, Aero Lower & LPK, SSA-E and either an STR or a B5 SopMod I have laying around. Like the OP and am still on the fence about using adjustable gas and which muzzle device although I am leaning toward AAC because I do plan on adding a suppressor. Now to figure out which Scope to get for under $1k!
That is strange because I have read of people using the standard one. I also notice they do not offer it on their sight individually. I guess I will give it a try, if it does not work I will probably have to order the LPK, which means I will have an extra ar-15LPK and a couple exter pins laying around. Just the name of the game in the 308 world it seems.
Honestly, I might just put the project in slow motion and take my time choosing every single piece to be exactly what I want. I also might wait for blackfriday/cybermonday and see if I cannot pick up any of the rest of the parts I need at a good price, although usually the stuff that goes on sale in the gun world is not what I am looking for at the time.
Fixed stock configurations are done all the time. Use an AR15 rifle extension tube, with an AR10 rifle buffer and spring, or the JP SCS AR10 with spacer.
I am still trying to figure out my barrel. I went with the UBR on my rifle for now, I liked this stock on the ar15 but felt it was a little too heavy but I think it will fit the ar10 better. I ended up going with a 14" fortis switch rail. I am definitely leaning towards an 18" barrel, but still trying to figure out which one. I am leaning towards the rainier arms select or match, but I have also been looking at the fulton lightweight chrome lined match barrel.
Fulton Armory has some very interesting barrel offerings in the realm of what you’re looking at, 18.5" med cont. w rifle length gas.
The more I look at this the more I like it.
EDIT - Ooops…looks like you found it already - had not seen that last post…
Interesting thought though after looking at specs - Rainier barrel is 2lb 10oz vs the Fulton at 2lb 4 oz - looking at profile I’d much more prefer the Rainier, with a weigh trade-off of 6 oz., plus I like the concept of modified chamber. Have no real world experience with it though.
Another option going with the 16" rainier will get you to 2lb.7 oz…choices choices.
Carry on
I have been thinking about that one also. The chrome lining would be nice for longevity and the countour seems nice as does the rifle gas system. I am just on the fence about the accuracy. I know they claim it is just as accurate as a SS barrel but I am skeptical
Well…it is said to be a Criterion barrel.
Again - can’t claim any hands on knowledge, but i’m pretty sure any of these tubes would get you sub-moa performance all day long, given right circumstances.
Well, I have everything built on the gun except for the barrel/ gas block. I have the aero M5 receiver set in FDE and their BCG. MOE pistol grip. Mils spec ar parts kit (the takedown pins are aero though), Magpul UBR stock, DPMS carbine buffer and sprinco spring. Fortis switchblock 14" rail.
What can I say, I still cannot decide on a barrel. I really wanted to go 18", but I see that rainier has their 20" match barrel on sale right now for 299. That is very tempting. I might be getting a promotion at work, so I may wait another week or so to find out if I get that and then pull the trigger.
