5 Best AR-10 Options That You Can Afford (2023).

Updated 2/7/2023. The AR-10 is many things. It’s not always cheap. We’ve found the top AR-10 options that won’t cost you a fortune. The AR-15 is America’s favorite rifle. The rifle is not as versatile as it once was. It can shoot long distances and large cartridges. The 6.5 Grendel is a powerful rifle and cartridges aren’t much bigger than the.450 Bushmaster. Despite these allowances, there’s a more stalwart choice when it comes to hard-hitting, reach-out-and-get-them heavy metal.In this arena, few long-guns hold a candle to the AR-10.The older and truly bigger brother to the AR-15 in many respects defines semi-automatic rifle power, precision and versatility. The rifle is more adept at long-range precision than many other medium-bore cartridges, including.308 Win.,6.5 Creedmoor, and.260 Rem. The AR-10 can be used in nearly all chambers. If the rifle is well-built and operated by a steady shooter, it can reach 1,000 yards. Left side view of the “Hollywood” AR-10 prototype. The gas tube is located on the left side of the barrel. Photo by Imgur. The rifle can also engage larger targets. The AR-15’s ceiling is whitetails, while the AR-10 can engage larger targets. These rifles are no longer an afterthought. There’s a rifle that’s perfect for everything, from hunting to target shooting and home defense, so you don’t have to worry about the price. It’s relative. AR-10s are more expensive than AR-15s. The AR-10 is less in demand and more expensive than the AR-15. This makes them much more affordable and allows shooters to own a quality rifle. Keep in mind that power and range are not cheap. Lucky you. In a future post, we’ll explore top-of-the-line AR-10 options. The AR-15 and AR-10 have few similarities in their current iterations. This is something that many people already know. But it’s important to learn about the AR-10s. An upper designed for the top receiver will not work with the lower receiver. Many other components will not work with it. It is important to understand which components are compatible with each other. It might not work with other AR-10s, depending on the pattern. It’s worth it to build a knowledge base early on. This is also true for the 716i, its big brother. The.308 Winchester may be as plain as Kansas road trip, but its strengths are evident. The rifle’s 16-inch barrel is made of carbon-steel and has no space between the receivers. Although purists may be apprehensive about the 716i’s short shooting range, it makes it very agile even with a massive.30-caliber suppressor hanging off the muzzle. Sig also provides a solid system to attach the free-floating handguard around the barrel. Employing a clamping system at the rear, the unit has the extra backbone to remain rigid no matter how dolled up with accessories.Unlike Sig’s previous forays into the AR-10 sphere, the 716i is direct impingement–expected at this price point. This fits well into the gun’s compact configuration, which keeps it a fighting trim 8.5-pounds. But, Palmetto State Armory isn’t a poor choice when it comes to quality builds. The gunmaker is long considered one of the most valuable ARs. It offers a wide range of features that are rare for its price point. These budget shooters come standard with a forged receiver, a stainless steel heavy barrel, and an adjustable gas block (on some models). There are many options. The PA10 catalog offers a wide range of models. Palmetto State has the stock.308 Winchester PA10 and the lightweight PX10. Up the scale, the rifles run a bit more, but not so much as to prove exclusionary.Standard across all models is the choice of 18- or 20-inch barrel length and 6-position adjustable buttstock–both PSA and Magpul. Outside of the base PA10 mode, with a polymer handguard, the rifles come with either Keymod or M-Lok compatible free-floated handguards.MSRP: Starts At $839; palmettostatearmory.comDiamondback DB10Much like Palmetto State, Diamondback earns big marks not only for quality, but also options. The Florida gunmaker currently has 15 AR-10 rifles as well as four pistols in its inventory. The company offers a choice between.308 Winchester or 6.5 Creedmoor chamberings. We prefer the latter. The guns are available at a reasonable price, similar to PSA. The gun is a simple, but not ungainly, and runs well in everyday use. The gun’s 16-inch chromemoly barrel is a major factor in this. This can be a problem for long-range shooters who aren’t used to it. Hunters and other hard-hitters who need a fast-handling gun will appreciate its versatility. It is not the best AR-10, but it does have one drawback: the mil-spec trigger. This trigger is gritty and creepy, and is generally not worth the extra money. Stainless steel barrels and CMC single-stage triggers are the reward for opening your wallet further.MSRP: Starts At $1,146; diamondbackfirearms.comSmith & Wesson M&P10 SportSavvy gun-buyers have been wise to the M&P15 Sport for some time. The M&P10 Sport is not as popular, or at least it doesn’t seem that way. Gun shows don’t seem to be overflowing with them, nor do the reviews sections of gun magazines. Both are a loss. Smith & Wesson is an expert on AR-style rifles and this shows in the AR-10, which is undoubtedly the best AR-10 option on the market, regardless of its price. That’s right. The.308 Winchester is built like a tank and can achieve pin-point accuracy. It’s able to compete with the big boys. The trigger and furniture are not included in the price, but you would want to upgrade them anyway. The rifle is both unassuming and impressive once you see it printed. The 16-inch barreled M&P10 is a reliable MOA-producing machine and likely the only weapon most shooters will ever need besides the more powerful ARs. S&W also offers a Performance Center6.5 Creedmoor version for those who need it. It is not affordable, but it is still a great option. But for those who put a premium on long-range accuracy still proves a value.MSRP: Starts At $1,129; smith-wesson.comSprinfield Armory SAINT VictorSpringfield Armory offers shooters a top-notch selection of AR-style rifles, but its SAINT Victory AR-10 really shines through.Lightweight, great fit and finish and everything else that goes in to making a quality rifle certainly places it among the best in this class of firearms. The price tag is the only thing that can be faulted about the rifle. It’s the most expensive entry-level rifle. It not only frees the barrel from a float, but also makes it easier to store all your stuff. But the trigger is what really stands out. A nickel-boron-coated switch is superior to most other out-of-the box triggers. This, generally speaking, is worth the price of admission alone.MSRP: $1,497; springfield-armory.comNEXT STEP: Download Your Free Storm Tactical Printable Target Pack62 Printable MOA Targets with DOT Drills – Rifle Range in YARDSThis impressive target pack from our friends at Storm Tactical contains62 printable targetsfor rifle and handgun range use. Target grids and bullseye sizes can be downloaded in MOA. This is a great option for long-range shooting. Enter your email address below.