I’ve been thinking about building an AR10. I know my LGS has a Noveske upper / lower in stock …Mega…
What are the big watchouts or decisions one must make? Robert the Texan and others have built their own here. I’m just in research mode
What barrel do you go for?
What mfg make good barrels ?
Adjustable gas blocks for AR10’s?
What rail or who makes AR10 rails ?
PB
This rail 
If you stick to standard manufacturers, it’s only a bit more complex than assembling an AR15. Using a 308 parts kit from the receiver manufacturer is an easy way to ensure that it’s got the right…parts.
I personally chose a Faxon Big Gunner for a lighter weight upper and a Ballistic Advantage Government one cause I found it cheap.
Without knowing the purpose of the rifle, I can’t exactly make recommendations for a barrel, but Criterion is an option I’ve considered a few times.
My three uppers run fine with standard gas blocks, but a good adjustable one shouldn’t cause any issues.
Handguard options is one area where the 308 is a bit lacking, but you should be able to come up with one you like. A quick visit to Rainier arms will show you most of what’s available, with the exception of Aero.
Along with BA and Faxon, Criterion and Rainier make accurate ar10 barrels as well.
No experience with the BA barrels but I know Robert the Texan had had some really good success with them
JP High Pressure bolt is a must… Well in my opinion it is 
When searching for a lower to base a build off. and you’re not made of money, are there any options out there that are reliable without being LMT pricey? I was looking at an Aero Precision M5 lower.
Both Mega and Aero are solid lower receiver options.
I was initially going to get a Mega, and hadn’t really thought too much about Aero’s receivers. Finding an Aero lower/M5 upper set for a ridiculous price changed that plan quickly. I’ve been completely satisfied with them, and assembled the M5E1 upper not too long after.
Hey PB,
You are probably on the right track with the Noveske upper Mega lower as they both have the same upper receiver/lower receiver angle cut. Same as the SR25 and LMT MWS. The big question will be fit. So make sure you check fitment with pivot pin and take down pins installed.
The Mega Lowe will come with bolt catch installed (using a threaded hex bolt with is so much nicer than hammering a pin in, and if you get the Mega Ambi lower it will have the ambi bolt catch. No real gotchas with the LPK, , just remove the bolt catch before you install mag catch/button.
I’ve ran mine both with rifle gas and A5 system. My current AR-10 uses the UBR Gen 2 stock which uses the same length buffer as the A5.
So as far as pitfalls. Realizing that Noveske, LMT, KAC, Mega and LaRue are compatible (for the most part) and Aero, DPMS, PSA, CMT are the other standard. You’ll need to make sure that your upper and lower receiver profiles match (DPMS High and DPMS Low). This will not impact your Noveske upper.
Gas blocks:
On my Aero 308 I ran an adjustable gas block. My MWS does not. I prefer standard GB, sure you can tweak out some recoil impulse, but you are putting a lot more strain on that GB than an AR-15. Not sure if that’s why my first adjustable GB failed on me. Bottom line for me? Adjustable gas blocks introduce another point of failure that a mil spec GB does not have, so I don’t run any adjustable GB on any rifle I own.
Rails… yes as mentioned not the same selection as AR-15, but CMT, SLR, Mega all have really sharp options along with the the other mainstays - Troy, Midwest, Noveske and even your favorite - KAC. Although when I looked st the price I literally laughed and muttered words my mom would be ashamed to hear me speak. But it was a nice looking rail.
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Without hesitation Aero is an excellent choice. If I wanted to build and save a few bucks, I would pick up an Aero M5 upper and lower whenever and then on Veterans Day, or another holiday, jump onto Ballistic Advantage’s website and buy my barrel - one of their 416R barrel. I say wait because BA is one of those rare companies that will give you their military discount in conjunction with whatever sales they have going on. That means sometimes you can get 30-35% or more off their already decent prices. That’s how I got my tack driving. 308 barrel (416R SS) for $202 shipped to my door. You could pick up a BA BCG while you’re at it
That would give you an very accurate and very solid foundation to build upon. You would not be disappointed.
If you want a lighter barrel on a budget I think Faxon has a barrel that would fit hat description, but when I built my first 308, I wanted accuracy without stretching out past 18”. BA delivered like nobodies business.
Thanks. I checked out their web page. They also have uppers and lowers. Any insight on the BA receivers? Are they as good/better that the Aero? It says they are DPMS pattern, but doesn’t specify high or low.
I am betting that Aero is the OEM for the BA receivers. Aero owns BA so i would think they make these for them. Go with what is better priced or what rollmark you like better. All the Aero barrels in their rifles/uppers are all BA
So really it’s up to you. When I built my LR308, BA didn’t offer 308/AR10 receivers.
Also the upper is where the DPMS High and DPMS Low come into play. I’ll post a pic that should clear that up (if it isn’t already). The lip (or called tang) that is the top part of the upper just above where the charging handle seats is where the different patterns are distinguished. With the DPMS high, that lip or tang is 3/16ths of an inch thick. DPMS low, the tang is 1/8ths of an inch thick. So if you look at the BA10 upper receiver, you’ll see it’s a DPMS High. Most uppers that I would use today - DPMS patterned uppers anyway - are high. Aero, BA, CMT.
I snapped a pic of my house gun. It AR-15, but the pic will say it much better. The thickness of the area between the teeezers is what’s measured.
You probably knew this, but maybe it will help someone else.
So I’m short - if tr BA products are better priced I would jump on that. The Aero and now BA lower receivers are different from some others because their safe/semi markings are for short throw 45/60 selector switches. Like the Battle Arms, or Radian selector switches. I use those don’t works great. So if you use a stand 90 degree selector switch your forge marks and selector will not align. Just as an FYI. Those other selector switches will work just fine functionally, so don’t worry about that.
Pic below:
Thanks guys, so is it mil spec?
Just joshing!
PB
^This.
The factory Aero uppers (M5/“AR10”) come with BA barrels. This per a guy I spoke to at Aero.
I have an Aero upper (with SS BA barrel) on a 6.5 CM build that has been 100% and is <MOA gun to 600 yds (Hornady ELD-M), which is the furthest I’ve shot it.
I do not run a suppressor.
Centurion Arms has .308 handguards now, too: https://www.centurionarms.com/category-s/1816.htm
I jumped… Local gun shop was giving a discount for Veterans Day so I snapped up an Aero Precision M5 Lower, and a parts kit. Probably should have just got the lower, but this way I can start in on it… Even with the discount, still cost me more for the parts kit than it would with shipping from Aero’s website. Oh well, support your local gun shop. I got the lower. Most of the rest will come in the mail. Besides, “local” is relevant They are a 40 minute drive.
I’m going for the BA Hanson barrel. How do I do the thing where I get the discount for being retired Army? Didn’t see anything on their web page for veteran discounts…
Also, any recommendations for a good quality BCG? I’d rather a chrome, or coated one that cleans easily. I have chrome ones in my 5.56 and .300 Blackout ARs, and love them.
Look around. There are places that will give you a discount for having served, some only do active duty. Be ready for big sales like BF, Christmas, etc. I just scored an entire M5 builder set for $340 back on Labor Day.
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Figured it out… I sent an email to Ballistic Advantage with my DD214 last night. Hope I’ll get approved for their military discount in time for the black Friday deals…
Without starting a new thread, have home built AR-10/LR 308’s reached a point of being as reliable and durable as an AR-15 built at home with quality components? Or are known makers like KAC and LMT still the only “duty dependable” options?
I’m not mil/LE but durable and dependable are musts.
The new Centurion receivers look good and come from a company that doesn’t put out junk. The Aero Precision receivers have been out for a while. Cross Machine and Tool seems to be well thought of too. Could a “bet your life on it” 308 be built off one of these sets? I have an MWS, but would like to pick up a couple receiver sets to build for my boys.