Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Lightest AR 10?

Do not, never have owned an AR. I want to buy one now, or build in 308. Don’t want it to weigh too much. Closer to 8# the better.

Is that an unreasonable expectation? I once looked at a DPMS that I thought was pretty light. Don’t remember anything else about it.

POF advertises theirs as being lightest, I believe.

I've got a Daniel Defense dd5v1 and it's anything but light. Awesome rifle but not something I'd want to carry much.

I have the Remington version of the DPMS G2 Hunter. It’s under 8lbs naked.

DPMS was the lightest, but recently I saw an add for one with a polymer lower that came in even lighter. Sorry but I'm having a brain fluff right now and can't remember the name. The price was cheaper too.

A total scoped weight of 8 lb is a very reasonable goal if you're willing to build the rifle with an eye toward saving weight.

My PSA 18" is 8 lb without a scope (measured on a postal scale), but it's not all stock. I have a lightweight barrel and lightweight bolt carrier in it. However, it could be lightened further with a lighter handguard and stock; it would be easy to shave off 1 lb, more if you want.

It's the top rifle in this pic, 9lb 4oz as pictured with the scope and empty mag. You can see the areas to save more weight - that full length handguard isn't super light, and the ACS-L stock is nice but heavier than some other options.

I have had 5 308 semi auto's, they all seemed like a great idea and they all went down the road as a full mag full of 20 cartridges weights about a pound then the gun with a scope is at 9 or so. Where I live I don't think there is much that I cannot do with the 5.56 and good bullets. At some point you have to become practical in what you do and buy.

Totally agree with you. I thought I wanted an AR10 until I had to remove a 20 rd mag from one for the guy next to me at the range on Tuesday. The thing was heavy.

Understand they’re heavy. But, doesn’t the balance mitigate weight? I would only be packing a 5 round magazine for hunting purposes. It’s not the capacity I like as much as the format.

I really wanted an AR10 back when I was buying my first semi.
The price was a bit steep.
When I picked several up, I changed my mind.
Bought a RRA with a quad rail instead.
Scope, mounts, full mag...still have a pig.
Now I have a PSA pencil barrel, mloc lightweight handguard.
Nice balance, light enough, shoots good enough.

They aren't as bad as some guys say. The weight really isn't that big of a deal; a lot of guys here have 5.56 AR15s that weigh just as much but either don't know or don't admit it. In my pic above, the bottom rifle is a 5.56, and only weighs 4 oz less than that 308. Granted that includes the TLR-1 light and the sling, but still, the difference is fairly small for rifles that are set up very similarly.

You are completely right about balance being more important than the weight (within reason of course). And, don't believe the nonsense some guys say about how 308 ARs are always heavy. If you want to set up a 308 AR to weigh only 6 lb for a walking rifle, you can certainly do that without going to extremes on crazy light components.

I think the biggest perception of 308 ARs being "heavy" is just the larger form factor. They feel bigger in the hands, and that bulk makes them feel like a lot more rifle compared to an AR15 of the same weight. It's just a perception, but it seems to have a big effect on a lot of owners.

https://www.springfield-armory.com/products/saint-victor-ar-10-308/

Check out the SA Saint Victor in 308. Specs say 7lb 11oz. Not in the Kimber Montana weight class, but the one I have seems well balanced.

I plan on using mine for close up, 50 yard or less, pig hunting. Going after them in the thick brush they like to hang out in. Added a red dot sight and a 10 round mag to keep light and handy. The muzzle brake is very effective, but I plan to wear electronic muffs while hunting.

I'm not much of an AR guy, but the price was right. I had thought of getting something like this many times and recently got lucky and won this one!

Here are the 308 POF's:

https://pof-usa.com/firearms/revolution/

Not cheap, but as light as 7.1 lbs.

I'm not fond of the 20rnd magazines for hunting purposes. A 10-round magazine is a much better fit, and still plenty of capacity for anything I've ever needed.

I second the 10 rounder.

Yep. Damn tough to get off more than 10 rounds on a sounder of hogs if your actually trying to hit em.

Five is the most I’ve ever killed in a group once they start running.

I thank you guys for the input. Several options have been presented & I will look them all over.

I've got a Windham Weaponry .308 that weighs 7 1/2 # and 10 1/4 # with a Nikon P308 scope and heavy Burris AR15 scope mount. Be careful buying your AR10, they aren't mil-spec and everyone's parts don't interchange. Make sure you get what you want upfront. My Windham has never missed a beat with anything I've shot thru it. Very well put together. I think an AR10 is a good investment for something a little more punch than an AR15. Love all my AR15s and do shoot them quite a lot more for more practical purposes and cheaper ammo though.

Tennessee Arms makes polymer lowers. I have a 308 lower but I have never assembled it. I have several AR15 lowers and I shoot them on a regular basis. I have one with a 14.5 inch barrel and an A1 upper that is well under 6 lbs with a Magpul rear sight and an A2 front. The only issue with the light rifles is the recoil with hot loads.
https://www.tnarmsco.com/ar-308/

I have the Saint Victory and its great!