AR10 VS AR15
In the silent, crisp morning, you wait. Leaning up against a crusty oak, the damp leaves beneath you, muffling the sounds of your movement, you watch the birds and squirrels blissfully scamper, but that’s not what will peak your interest. You are waiting for a monster buck or hog that will make you forget about the countless hours spent preparing and waiting. There’s nothing like seeing the prey creep into view, but do you have the right weapon for the job?
Let’s answer the question: What is best? AR10 VS AR15?. The AR platform is becoming more popular for hunting as it provides power, capacity and customization that are not available in other platforms.
AR15:
The AR 15, the smaller framed version of the original AR10, is arguably the most popular rifle in the recent past. It provides many options in caliber, price point and customization.
CALIBERS:
There are so many calibers to choose from, it’s hard to know where to start. Here is a list of the popular ones that will are ever increasing.
17HMR, 22LR, .22NOSLER, 223/5.56, 224VAL, 6.5GRENDEL, 6.8SPC, 7.62×39, 300BLK, 350LEGEND, 458SOCOM, 50BEOWOLF, a host of pistol calibers and a number of exotic rounds.
It all depends what the rifles purpose will be. Match the caliber to your needs then build the rifle around that. The AR15 platform can be a multipurpose tool also. Being able to swap complete uppers onto a lower allows the user to customize the rifle to the given purpose of the day. If you want a rifle for medium to long range target shooting or even small to medium size game hunting, you can go with the 6.5 Grendel or 6.8SPC. If you want one to plink or hone your skills cheaply, you could choose 22LR or 5.56. Again, it all depends on your requirements, but it’s hard not to find a caliber that will work for you. My personal favorites are the 6.5 Grendel and the 7.62×39, both pack a punch at their designed distance, have readily available, economical ammo and are reliable.
Customization:
You can spend anywhere from $300 for a bare bones AR15 to $3000 for a completely custom, tack driving machine and anywhere in between. Building one yourself is completely within the realm of most people, which provides even more options to match the rifle to your task. If you plan on building one, choosing parts is a snap! Most AR15 parts follow the MILSPEC guidelines and tolerances, so choosing parts from various manufacturer’s to create the perfect rifle won’t be a problem.
AR15 SUMMARY:
Lighter (6.5LBS AVG Depending on Configuration)
Large number of calibers
MILSPEC Guidelines/Tolerances for building case and ability to use various manufacturers’ parts
Lower priced, cheaper to Shoot in some calibers
Greater availability
AR10
The AR10 is a formidable weapon embracing the larger calibers. The AR10 holds one advantage over its little brother, the capacity for large calibers. If you need a rifle that will have more terminal velocity down range or need a true long distance cartridge, the AR10 is your platform.
CALIBERS:
Available calibers are many, including 308WIN, 6MM CR, 6.5MM CR, 243WIN, 270WSM, 338FED and 358WIN to name a few with various other, uncommon rounds out there.
All of the rounds listed above are solid performers with the 308WIN and 6.5 Creedmore being the two most popular and for good reason. Both are proven hunting cartridges and good for long distance shooting, although the 6.5 Creedmore has the edge in the long distance game. Again, match the caliber to your purpose.
CUSTOMIZATION:
The AR10 platform has almost as many options available for customization as the AR15, with some interchangeable parts between the two.
INTERCHANGEABLE PARTS:
Buttstock assemblies
Triggers and trigger springs
Bolt catch roll pin (Armalite Style only)
Hammers and hammer springs
Pistol grips (a spacer may be needed for certain versions)
Buffer tube
Disconnector and disconnector spring
Buffer detent
Magazine release buttons and springs
Everything else is platform specific and is trickier with the AR10 if you plan to build one yourself. In the AR15 world, most parts are MILSPEC, which means that in general, components from one manufacturer to another will fit with each other. The AR10 has no MILSPEC. So, the market is very fragmented in terms of parts. There are two different patterns that manufacturers use, Armalite and DPMS, with each manufacturer adding their own twist to the exact design. If you want to build your own, it might take some trial and error if you choose various manufacturers’ parts instead of a complete rifle. What I recommend is to choose the pattern to base your parts on, then at the very least choose the same manufacturer for the barrel, bolt carrier group, upper and lower stripped receivers.
AR10 SUMMARY:
Heavier than AR15 (8LB AVG)
Larger calibers more suited for longer distance and bigger game
Fewer customization options
Incompatibility issues between manufacturers and patterns
Higher cost for rifle and ammo (generally)
AR10 VS AR15 Conclusion
So the question remains, which one is best?
Unless you require the larger caliber, the AR15 is the clear winner. For most people, the AR15 platform will handle 99% of the situations encountered and the ease of swapping uppers makes it a multipurpose tool.
That’s it for now, thanks for reading the article, AR10 VS AR15!. If you have questions, comments or concerns, let me know below.
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