I’m looking to add my first .308 AR to the stable and haven’t found a whole lot of info on the RRA .308 line-up. What I have found browsing the web is mostly positive, but figured I’d ask the experts here, as I’ve learned much from this site regarding AR-15’s.
My intended use of the rifle will be mostly fun at the range, with max distance being 600 yards, however I would like to take a deer with it eventually.
Is the RRA a contender, or would I be better served purchasing a DPMS/BM? I have trouble believing what I’ve read about the quality/performance of their rifles. I’ve read so many negatives about both companies AR-15’s, as well as seen issues with them at the range. RRA on the other hand makes a fine AR-15, and being in IL and shooting with many of our local law enforcement I’ve got to fire many, and haven’t seen any issues yet. Thanks!
Have you tried the search feature? There are a few threads on the RRA .308, and even more on the DPMS (which finds a little more favor). In any event, you won’t find much RRA, or DPMS, love at M4C.
Being an LEO from IL., and having 25 RRA 16" AR’s in our armory that were purchased a few years back by a boss who didnt know any better, I would never recommend anyone purchase a RRA rifle as a first choice over another quality option such as the LMT or LaRue.
We had 25 RRA 16" middy AR’s delivered to my PD a few years back on a department purchase directly from the RRA factory and 15 of those were non-functional. They all had faulty FCG’s which would not allow the trigger to reset. They did replace the FCG’s and correct the issue promptly, but there is no reason more than half of the delivered rifles to a PD should be DOA.
While RRA may be a bit cheaper than other quality options available on the market, you get what you pay for.
That being said, if you absolutely have to have one of the lower priced .308 options that are available on the market, I would say go with the DPMS. It is compatible with all of the KAC patterned magazines (7.62 Pmag compatible) and parts, and the other accessories that are available on the market for that platform. The RRA uses many proprietary parts.
If a company can’t make quality AR15’s I have even less confidence in them making a working 308 AR which tends to magnify problems and everything else.
I would also stick with the SR25 pattern mag guns since there are the most choices there, and you’re not stuck with single source mags.
These are nice ,and with decent glass you are up and running under $1900.00 with 6 mags,a decent scope,and an Armalite mount . Mine with an Armalite free float tube ,6 - 20 round 2nd gen mags ,Armalite mount,Weaver Classic Extream 2.5-10x50 ,30mm tube and NM trigger gets .75 inch groups at 100 yards 5 shot groups,with Fedral GM 168 smk . I’m in mine $1600.00 . The best part is it is 100 % relieable ,no FTF’s no FTE’s,and the real surprise is it gets 1.5 inch groups at 100 with Port ,Dag,Hirt,and Ausi surpluss ammo with no malfunctions what so ever with over 550 rounds fired so far .http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36_135/products_id/58345
For your application, I would have no problems with the rra…every one I have shot has been really tight on the paper. If it’s not gonna be a primary defense gun then it will get you there.
I have killed several deer with an armalite 308 but the varmint ar-10 platform is just too bulky and heavy for hunting when the turnbolt is superior for one shot / one kill. It would be a perfect gun for the larger nilgai down here along the coast & know guys who get them on the run!!
They say the dpms has more interchangeable and/or common parts but for hunting and paper, any will get what you want. If money wer no object, then I would build one from scratch w/ a 16" countour of my choice but not sure how that would get you @ 600 & am thinking of my own hunting application. If 600 was my main goal then a longer bbl would be in order & turns into a boat anchor so you gotta prioritize there fore sure.
The top shelf as mentioned are sweet and should be considered if your wallet is fat as well.
YES I A’M ,and that is in a 14 month time frame .I clean and inspect and lube my weapons after every range trip .If you can’t depend on a rifle after 500 rounds ,just how many rounds are enough ? I a’m 60 years old and have built Ar15"s and AK’s ,Fals, H&K G3/91’s and know my way around an AR and what to look for when cleaning and inspecting . FYI my DPMS 308 (circa 2009) that I have since sold was never near as good in any way shape or form as this AR10 . This Ar 10 is a lot of Semi auto gun for the money .Next month I will be shooting it a good bit with my 175 grain SMK hand loads and will see what it can do at 300+ yards . This rifle is nothing special ,but for the money is a real hoot to shoot . I’m sure a custom build with a Kreiger or Rock barrel with $2000.00+ Nightforce glass and a 1.5 Lb math trigger would be a better for accuracy.But i set a budget and kept to it . I trust it and I don’t plan on going into battle with it any time soon,I had enough of that kind of fun in 1971 .;)I never have hunted with a semi auto and see no need to . I fill my tags every year with a bolt gun or pistol ( Freedom Arms 454 Casul )hunting elk with a pistol gives me major wood . . QUOTE=Belmont31R;1008274]So you’re on here recommending guns and equipment you have a grand total of 550 rounds through?[/QUOTE]
Well I would not buy one, a junior NCO in my buddys company asked my advice on what to buy a few months ago I told him. Long story short he bought the RRA 308 anyhow and he never fired a round in fact the rounds would not even chamber in the rifle as the chamber was never finished reamed. He returned it and got a SA SOCOM boy they just will not listen will they.
I’m a’m not saying DPMS or RRA are Bad,just that my DPMS was not so hot . I’m shure there are pleanty of folks that have had good luck with them . All I’m saying is I a’m thrilled with the preformance of my Armalite rifle and it fit my needs and budget .
yeah…but the whole ar-10 is kinda jacked up compared to the AR-15.
I’ve thought about going a step larger but think the 6.8 & blackout will get me where I want to go. That armalite was just a pain to carry around and I’ll go with a 6BR for 600yds @ paper.
Heck, I still want to lighten up my 12.5 sbr…only reason for me to get a AR-10 would be for nilgai and hitting them on the run off airboats or high lifts. They are turning into the next wild hog problem for some areas down here.
Go to gunbroker and see if you can find a nice used LMT MWS. There might be one or two on there occaisionally. My local fun shop has a BN LMT MWS for sale…$2600. If you go with the LMT, you will be very proud at the range or out in the field. Save up if you have to, you will get a quality piece in the LMT.
Thanks for the info - I think I’m going to hold off on the AR route at this point and go with a M1A SOCOM. Between optics and mags it’s more in the price range I’m willing to spend, and I know its a quality rifle.
I think it will be helpful if you search on other websites for information regarding these two guns. The DPMS .308 actually has a better reputation than DPMS AR15s.
I’m hesitant to recommend the LAR-8 due to parts compatibility issues (stocks, charging handles, and quad-rails will not easily install without some prior research and usually require purchasing additional parts), but the LAR-8 is a tack driver.
The magazine argument is relatively moot–although I like PMags, FAL mags are also relatively easy to source for ~$20/mag.
I wrote up a range report in the precision semi forum:
Compared to everything else the AR-10 is better than average for compatibility and accessories. The AR-15 is fabulous and wonderful for compatibility, accessories and a huge diversity of guns available. By that standard everything else sux.
I tried out an LAR-8 and an AR-10. Compared to my FAL and my M1A I did not like the rifles at all. Way to big, recoil greater, and seemed to torque in my shoulder when firing.
The guy who owned both said rifles tried my M1A and FAL in a side-by-side comparison and agreed with my subjective findings.
