Last Updated April 15th 2024
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Before the AR-15, all the way back in the 1950s, Eugene Stoner created the AR-10. Designed for the 7.62x51mm ammo, this was the first real Modern Sporting Rifle.
The company only made 10,000 Armalite AR10 rifles, retooling the semi-automatic rifle for the 223 Remington round to create the AR-15 along the way before selling the whole shooting match to Colt.
Armalite was brilliant at innovating, but awful on the business side back then…
The AR-10 went on to serve in wars around the world and these battle rifles have evolved to become hunting, home defense and recreational shooting legends.
It’s a bigger, stronger AR-15 that shoots a bone fide hunting round. There’s a lot to love here, but what is the best AR-10 rifle for sale in 2024?
1. Ruger SFAR
- Price: $999.99
- Barrel length: 16 inch
- Total Length: 36 inch
- Weight: 6.8lb
- Capacity: 20+1
Pros
- ✓ 308 Win in an AR-15 package
- ✓ Great price
- ✓ Low recoil
- ✓ New 2 stage trigger is excellent
- ✓ Adjustasble gas regulator with hex key stored in stock
Cons
- ✗ Occasional accuracy issues
- ✗ Need a good lubing to cycle reliably
- ✗ Some reliability issues, especially with the 20″ barrel
The Ruger SFAR Short Frame Autoloading Rifle is one of the lightest semi auto 308s you can buy today and it is also one of the cheapest.
It is only slightly larger and heavier than the AR-556 AR-15 rifle. Key features include a chrome lined BCG bolt carrier group CNC machined from stainless steel, a properly staked gas key and a DLC coated firing pin machined from Titanium.
This gun is so much lighter than the obvious competition that you’re almost giving it side eye when it comes to durability. But we’ve heard no reports, there’s nothing obvious and the Ruger SFAR just gets five stars in all the gun reviews time and time again…
The magic of mass manufacturing means Ruger can bring advanced material science and top notch construction to the entry level price. We like that a lot.
The receivers are forged aluminum, which contributes to a lightweight finish. the 308 Win Mag ammo has a serious kick, but we’re not hearing of any issues. Just a great rifle that might just be the best AR-10 on the market today, if value for money is a thing for you too.
If you’re looking for the nth degree of precision at the range, keep scrolling. But if you just want the best all round rifle you can carry, this is the one.
Some shooters have had issues with accuracy, but it’s a gas gun not a bolt action rifle and consistency isn’t necessarily guaranteed. But with the right ammunition, and the adjustable gas system set right, it’s easy to hit sub MOA groups with this gun. The latest gen two stage trigger is exceptional and it’s just good engineering, not a fancy drop in cassette type trigger set. The slimmed down, almost AR-15 style Bolt Carrier Group is interesting too.
Basically this is AR-10 power in an AR-15 package and that is a very good reason to buy one. Also, wer hear the shorter barrel version works better as a package than the 20 inch barrel option, which on the face of it seems like an upgrade. So honestly, save your money and shoulder and go for the cheaper, lighter 16 inch barrel AR-10. Because it’s amazing.
2. Daniel Defense DD5 V4
- Price: $2,891.99
- Barrel length: 18 inch
- Total: 35.3-39 inch
- Weight: 8.6lb
Pros
- ✓ Sub MOA with almost any brass bullet
- ✓ Proprietary parts ooze quality
- ✓ Lifetime warranty and legendary customer service
Cons
- ✗ Damn it’s expensive
- ✗ Reputation suffered with first gen gas port issues, now resolved.
The Daniel Defense DD5 V4 might just be the most complete AR10 rifle on the market.
It is not the lightest, or the cheapest, but it is a battle rifle you know you could trust with your life. That’s really the point with this layout and caliber after all.
There’s a click switch adjustable gas block for all grades of ammo and a suppressor. With the 18 inch barrel this Daniel Defense is the archetypal Designated Marksman Rifle and all the parts are precision engineered in a portable package.
Daniel Defense make great products that you don’t have to modify, fettle or even break in carefully. These rifles just work, from the 308 Semi automatic you see here through to the Delta 5 Pro sniper rifles.
Basically, this is all the battle rifle you will ever need and it should last as long as you do. Ok you might need a new charging handle some day, or a new muzzle brake. But really, maybe not.
The first gen suffered some serious gas porting issues and you’ll still read forum know it alls trotting out that line today. But it’s just not true anymore, the seciond gen fixed all the issues and Daniel Defense now produces the best AR-10 rifles in this price band.
3. Palmetto State Armory Gen3 PA10
- Price: $839.99
- Barrel length: 18 inch
- Total Length: 36 inch
- Weight: 8lb
- Capacity: 20+1
The Palmetto State Armory Gen3 PA10 might still be the best low budget AR-10 rifle for sale. But honestly it’s a much closer call than it used to be.
Palmetto State is no longer the default choice if you’re shopping for the best budget friendly rifle. Or even the obvious choice. The Diamondback DB10, Savage MSR and Smith & Wesson have all entered that chat.
Palmetto State Armory made its name with cheap AR-15s and it has consistently found a way to make low budget rifles and pistols that exceed all expectations.
Of course those expectations need to be tempered accordingly. This Palmetto State Armory is a sub $900 AR-10 and they are few and far between.
The fit and finish won’t be the same here as you get on the Daniel Defense. Also the pistol grip is no Wilson Combat and the charging handle might not be as sexy as the LWRC.
But Palmetto State Armory knows its place in the world and is just looking to give you the best semi-auto rifle it can at the right price.
Look out for BLEM Palmetto State Armory rifles and parts, too, which come with the same stopping power, but are blemished and sold at a hefty discount. With gun deals like those, you can overlook a slight patina on your Palmetto State lower receiver or a mark on your new heavy barrel or Bolt Carrier Group…
4. Springfield Armory Saint Victor
- Price: $1299.99
- Barrel length: 16 inch
- Total: 37.75 inch
- Weight: 7.11lb
The Springfield Armory Saint Victor is another lightweight rifle that manages to give the 308 Win punch in an AR-15 frame.
Now the fact that the likes of the Springfield Armory and Ruger have managed to achieve this lightweight finish at this price point, without carbon fiber or too many precious metals on their AR style rifle, is kind of amazing.
It’s a mid-length gas system and a pinned adjustable gas block that means you can skip between ammo grades and you can run suppressed with the Saint Victor.
This classic Eugene Stoner style direct impingement rifle comes with a shorter barrel, so it’s not going to be the best for long range target shooting.
For self defense or basic hunting distances, though, this is more than enough rifle, and stopping power. And the short barrel means this is light enough to shoulder all day.
In a SHTF situation, it could be worth more than your most expensive 308 just because it’s so cheap and light. So even though it isn’t trying to be, this could end up being among the best AR-10 rifles here.
5. LWRCI REPR MKII
- Price: $4.090.99
- Barrel length: 16 inch
- Total Length: 34 inch
- Capacity: 20+1
- Weight: 9.2lb
The LWRCI REPR MKII, or Rapid Engagement Precision Rifle, is gas piston driven that is marginally less portable than the Ruger or Daniel Defense, but is generally considered more reliable and a cleaner firing system. And that really matters in a military sniper set-up.
External short stroke gas piston systems are actually pretty rare and they tend to be insanely expensive. Check the HK MR762A1 Long Range Precision if you want to breathe deep from the Crack pipe prices out there for a gas piston driven system.
I mean the LWRCI REPR MkII is still expensive, but this is probably the second or third stage of your long range shooting or hunting adventure.
At 9.2lb this is a much less versatile rifle and is really designed for long range shooting precision. it’s a sniper rifle that is brilliant on the bench, and horrible on your shoulder.
The fluted barrel is more about cooling and repeatability than weight saving here, while the Magpul PRS stock is an elegant solution to keep things compact while providing an adjustable length of pull and a cheek riser.
Now this is a specific tool that gives up some of the all round skills for precision at long distance. That’s why law enforcement and military units love this gun, though, and why it has achieved its outsized reputation.
Plenty of you are looking for a gas impingement rifle and the LWRCI is one of our favorites. Also look out for the Patriot Ordnance Factory Revolution sniper rifle.
6. Smith & Wesson M&P10
- Price: $1,050.00
- Barrel: 16 inch
- Total Length: 34 inch
- Capacity: 20+1
- Weight: 8lb
This is the classic matte black rifle with a polymer handguard. It’s the Colt M4 clone and could be the best AR-10 if you like an all round tactical rifle.
Now the Smith and Wesson is a good, solid rifle. It’s a mid-length gas system aimed at the mid-range, and pretty much lands there.
Standout features are few and far between, that’s kind of the point. You do get 5R rifling on the 416R stainless steel barrel, which competition shooters tend to prefer.
Now this Smith & Wessonb M&P10 is a Jack of all Trades and master of none, in no small part due to that 16 inch barrel cold hammer forged from 416R stainless steel that gives it the portability. For the Military & Police operations in the name, that’s important..
Inevitably you give up some long range precision, but that’s the compromise and this is totally functional at shorter distances with iron sights or red dot sights.
But for hiking and big game hunting, general shooting and swinging a gun round stairwells for home defense, that shorter rifle length can be a real lifesaver.
Heavy Pull
Now the factory trigger pull of 7lb has lots of room for improvement and a lot of folks drop an aftermarket single stage trigger in there. A drop in trigger like the Geissele Automatics Super Dynamics enhanced trigger is a great option.
The handguard is almost a placeholder, too.
The oversized trigger guard and magwell make this easy to shoot and reloading is a breeze. Ambidextrous controls also switch easily for left handed shooters, which is nice.
The Smith & Wesson M&P10 is also known for its low recoil, soft shooting character. In a caliber that is known to kick, a lot of folks are drawn to those calm traits.
7. Sig Sauer 716i Tread Snakebite
- Price: $1.818.99
- Barrel: 16 inch
- Total: 39.5 inch
- Weight: 8.5lb
The Sig Sauer 716i Tread is the grown up version of the smaller AR-15 that is one of our stars of the $1000 and under in the 5.56 NATO semi-automatic rifles class. And this is the big brother.
It’s a simple direct impingement gas system rifle chambered in 7.62x51mm, or 308 Winchester Magnum, however you want to say it.
Now the Sig Sauer 716i Tread is on the heavy side considering the shorter barrel, but it is s sturdy and reliable complete rifle because of that simple engineering. It is a high-quality rifle that gives up just a touch of portability for durability and stability.
That can pay off when it comes to your grouping, so the Sig Sauer Tread is ideal for the mid-range target shooter that also wants to use their rifle for defensive duties and the occasional hunt.
Premium touches include a Matchlite flat blade 2 stage trigger, a rifle length gas system, a triple port muzzle brake, a free float MLOK Handguard and a pinned gas block that is tuned but not adjustable. These are complete rifles, minus one or two of the high-end touches
8. Rock River Arms LAR-8 X-1
- Price: $1,762.99
- Barrel Length: 18 inch
- Total Length: 35.3-39 inch
- Weight: 9lb
At 9lb, this is another heavyweight AR and the direct gas impingement system means you can’t really blame a gas piston driven system. So where the hell does all the weight go?
Simply put the Rock River Arms LAR-8 is a beefy, strong AR at every step, from the heavy barrel though to the Custom Operator carbine stock. and that all adds up
There’s an unusual T-shaped bolt release sits at the bottom of the lower receiver between the magazine well and the trigger. Releasing the bolt takes a firm push on both sides, which is kinda weird…
Now that lower receiver was built around beefy FN magazines, although you can use FAL-8 Metric Mags too.
That aside, it feels very much like a 223 AR-15 on steroids. Which is pretty much the point.
Now the company is a supplier to LEOs and military units and they have established a reputation as one of the best suppliers of complete rifles on the market.
9. Savage MSR-10
- Price: $1.350.99
- Barrel: 16 inch
- Total: 39.5 inch
- Weight: 7.8lb
The Savage MSR 10 goes to war with the likes of the Smith & Wesson and comes with Savage Arm’s hard won reputation for accuracy at range.
Aside from that this is a straightforward AR-10 that is pretty light, and pretty good.
We think the Savage MSR is a solid choice, and we do like the pistol grip. But there are sexier options at this price point and more complete rifle choices for target shooting and big game hunting.
10. Aero Precision M5E1
- Price: $1.818.99
- Barrel: 16 inch
- Total: 39.5 inch
- Weight: 8.5lb
The Aero Precision M5E1 is one of those rifles that has to be here, but we’re damned if we’ve seen one you can actually buy for a while.
If you do see one, let us know. Until then the Aero Precision M5E1 is like Schroedinger’s AR-10. That is to say it is both here and not here are the same time.
So yeah, that’s the Aero Precision M5E1. For now, buy something else…
Alternatively you probably can buy all the separate Aerro Precision parts and build your own high quality semi automatic rifle. But that might take longer.
They will sell you upgrades, as well as complete rifles, including a click switch adjustable gas block, a charging handle, a pistol grip or a nice muzzle brake.
And the quality is clear, this is a sub MOA accuracy rifle out the box.
Is Mil Spec Good?
You see adverts everywhere for mil spec triggers and mil spc handguards to a gas tube and BCG Bolt Carrier Group. But what does it mean?
Not very much, is the honest answer.
Mil spec is just a very basic set of standards that the military demands from its suppliers. Honestly meeting those is no claim to fame and if people are using it as a big deal probably haven’t got much else to shout about.
Most commercial grade triggers are better these days.
What About a 308 Bolt Action Rifle?
You have lots more options if you’re willing to sacrifice the semi auto and go with a traditional bolt action rifle. Look here for some great options:
And an AR-10 Pistol for Concealed Carry?
If you want a 308 Concealed Carry pistol, and you may have your reasons, there are a few options out there.
The POF Revolution, PTR Industries 91 PDWR, Diamondback DB10 and Adams Arms P2 are the favorites. But you can even get a bolt action 308 pistol from Christensen Arms and Q to use as hunting handguns.
