Im looking to buy a AR-10 in the next few months and would like some opinions. Id like to be able to use it as a HD / Hunting Gun and have a few questions. Would i be able to change uppers to calibers like i can on an AR-15? Would i be able to take the AR-10 Lower and put a AR-15 upper on it? Also right now im looking at DPMS in the 243win and would at a later date get a 308 upper to swap in. Would that be a reliable company to deal with?
No the magwell on a AR10 lower is too large to accept AR15 magazines. If you are looking to use it as a HD/hunting gun but wish to be able to retrofit uppers in the future then getting a AR15 lower, and either a upper chamberd in 6.8spc or 6.5 Grendel would be a better idea.
what i meant with the first two questions was, would i be able to swap a 308 upper with a 243 or 260 upper? sorry that the first try was a little vague
If Armalite makes an upper that will fit their AR-10 lower, and they will tell you, then yes you could do that. You will have to use cartridges that are designed for the AR-10 magazine. Because of the way that the upper is cut, you can only use Armalite AR-10 uppers with their lowers (in whatever caliber). For an all around hunting HD weapon, get the 16" flattop carbine. It will spit them darn good out to 400 easily, and it is still short enough for the home/vehicle. If you are looking at more of an AR-15, then I would suggest that you look at getting a AR-15 in .223 for home, and then getting a 6.5/6.8 upper for it to go hunting. FWIW, I have the AR-15 and an AR-10. I love my 10 and it puts an 15 to shame in size.. I may make a different choice now, and get the 6.5/6.8 upper instead, but at the time I had lots of .308 supplies, and adding another caliber just offended me. -Bidah
i have an AR-15 from olympic in 223 i was thinking of finding a used AR-10 in 308 and then buying a new upper in 243 from DPMS from what your saying i need to get a DPMS lower to match the upper? I like the 6.8 but i already have 243 and 308 so id rather have new guns in current calibers.
A DPMS Upper will not fit an AR-10 lower. The profiles are different on the receivers. They also use different magazines, which while moot anyway, may put the mag higher or lower. You can get a .243 in the Armalite as well, you would just have to build it, or have it built. There are other calibers that have been done as well. There is an AR-10 section on ARFcom where they talk about it. Heck, I have seen .243 FAL's.. -Bidah
