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Aero’s Take on the .308 AR-10 Platform
The world of AR-10’s is a lot more confusing than AR-15’s since many manufacturers’ parts do not play nicely with each other. So I heavily recommend sticking with one maker…at least for the upper, lower, and lower parts kits. Without further ado… The full rifle I got was the M5E1 18″ Stainless Barrel ($1500-1800). I knew from the get-go that I would change a bunch of stuff so I opted out of the complete rifle set. But they have a pretty good setup with the Magpul PRS buttstock & grip.
- Aero .308 stripped lower (with lower parts kit), $185 or $210 Cerakoted
- Aero Rifle length buffer system ($65)
- Aero .308 BCG ($175)
- Aero Ambi Charging Handle ($90)
- VG6 Gamma 7.62 ($90)
- ALG ACT Trigger ($70)
- Luth MBA Buttstock ($140)
- Atlas Bipod ($280)
- Ergo Pistol Grip ($24)
Who Is It For?
The M5E1 .308 is for someone who is familiar with the AR-15 but wants something with a bit more oomph and range. But be ready for the added expenses to…everything. From ammo to scopes to rifle…you’re going to be paying a lot more than AR-15 prices.Fit & Feel
I don’t know what else to say…it is dead sexy.
How Does it Shoot?
My other .308’s have been temperamental with ammo so I made sure to get a wide variety…from surplus to expensive match ammo…and all the bullet weights I could find. I quickly wiped everything down, cleaned the barrel, and lubed all the important bits. And off to the range I went…3x in total.Accuracy Tests
- Lead Sled DFT ($200)
- Schmidt & Bender PMII 5-25x Scope with Larue Mount ($3500)
- ALG ACT Trigger ($70)
- NATO 7.62x51mm 147 gr MEN (cheapest milsurp I could find)
- PMC .308 147 gr (my go-to brand for .223 so I figured I’d try out their .308 variety)
- PPU .308 165 gr
- Federal Gold Medal .308 168 gr (the “gold” standard)
- Handloaded 190 gr (what worked best in my other .308 DPMS rifle, not shown)
- MEN 147 gr: 2.45 MOA
- PMC 147 gr: 5.42 MOA
- PPU 165 gr: 2.60 MOA
- Gold Medal 168 gr: 1.76 MOA (best of the day)
- 190 gr: 4.12 MOA
- Black Hills Match
- Remington Premier Match
- Hornady Match 168 gr HTHP (top rec)
- Hornady Match 168 gr ELD (top rec)
- Hornady 168 gr BTHP: 2.21 MOA
- Hornady 168 gr ELD: 1.51, 1.57, 1.73 MOA
Recoil/Shootability
You’re going to feel it a lot more than the AR-15. You’ve got to get good placement in your shoulder and make sure your ear protection would bite against your buttstock. But with the VG6 Gamma brake it’s not too bad. Once I took it off the lead sled and put on my final optic, my Nightforce NXS 2.5-10x ($1700), it was fun lying prone and ringing steel out to 600 yards (max for my range).
By the Numbers
Reliability: 5/5
No failures in the ~300 rounds I’ve fired. I’ve been using Magpul 10 rounders ($17).
Accuracy: 4/5
You’ll see up to 2.5 MOA with cheap ammo but once you start going Match…you’ll see it drop to 1.5 MOA. If you start reloading…you’ll likely see much better results. And you probably want to reload unless you’re a true baller and $2 match rounds don’t phase you.Ergonomics: 4.5/5
The handguard feels great and so does the new grip…I would have opted out of the Luth buttstock and go with the Magpul PRS that Aero installs on the complete rifle. They knew what they were doing.Looks: 5/5
It’s just so sexy!
Customization: 5/5
It’s basically a bigger AR-15 with M-Lok and Picatinny rails so the sky’s the limit. Check out my list of the best AR-15 upgrades if you need help.Bang for the Buck: 4.5/5
I loved the Aero M4E1 and all their stripped uppers/lowers…the .308 M5E1 is no different. You get something that is great to look at, feels great in hand, shoots accurately, and is 100% reliable. If you’re looking to save…you can go down to a 16″ barrel which has always shot fine for me beforehand too.Overall Rating: 5/5
Conclusion
If you’ve made the jump from AR-15 to it’s big boy .308 brother…the Aero M5E1 ($1500-1800) is a great choice. Or if you’re like me and like to spec your other parts, the lower and complete upper are my top choices as well. Want more choices? Check out our Best AR-10s Guide.
36 Leave a Reply
So I have the m5E1 308 set up for about 2 years now .
I hand load as well but as for off the shelf ammo for someone who is needing or wanting time on the range that just wants to grab n go , or just dosnt have the time to reload their own
AAC 175 grain SMK or OTM out of my 1/10 twist 18in barrel which from my experience 175 grain was tailored specifically for 1/10 twist barrels . Iv managed to get 1MOA to sub-moa depending on condition consistently, with the AAC 175gr .
Now with hand loads and the powder I use. I’m pretty much 1.0 - .5 moa all day out to 800 yards
I have noticed that 168 gr bullets in a 1/10 twist barrel atleast 18in and up , don’t do nearly as good and I even have issues with tumbling out past 400 yards. 168gr was developed for 1/11 - 1/12 twist rates . The only other ammo I have had really good results outside of 175gr . Is 178gr eld match but even that was depending on the gun and what it preferred. But on average 9/10 times most of my ar10 with 18 in 1/10 twist rate barrel or longer up to 22in always preferred and got best results from 175 gr ammo .
I will say if your shooting less then 400 yards your probably not gonna see a huge issue with somthing else off the shelf. Unless your really looking get as close to silver dollar size groups .
Best tip I have ever received that helped my long range shooting was practice shooting at 100yrd , those little black or red target circle they give you to cover up the bullet holes on those shoot n see targets. The goal is to atleast have all your shots touching that little 1.5 in little circle at 100 yards. Untill you can get 7/10 shots hitting or touching. You shouldn’t shoot further than 300 yards. Of course most people think they are marksmen and can shoot 800 yard steel no problem. But are your shots accountable is the question. And you get that by fundamentals at 100 yards ammo selection and experience down range with the elements. Taking on all three at once before you mastered one is just going to develop bad habits.
Any comments regarding M5 Atlas vs M5E1 handguards? Pro's and con's?
I can tell the Author Erik Young is a Youtube guy. Since when is 1.5 inch moa score a 4/5 when spending $2,000 on a AR10 with a $3,500 scope. That is garbage. And who has the gull to write this article and use non-match ammo/cheap ammo? This tells you a lot about the credibility of the article. The manufacture was right; however, that is shooting 101 basics.
Thanks for the feedback, James. We tend to use basic ammo in our reviews because we want to see how guns will run with the bare-bones stuff. Not to mention, we also want to provide info to those that can't always afford match-grade ammo. That said, I will definitely pass your thoughts on to the author of this article, Eric Hung. Thanks so much.
I tend to agree. Aero owns Ballistic Advantage and I have had very good luck with BAs barrels. Even a 10.5 inch 300 BO that shoots 110 Barnes Black tips under moa at 100.
Curious witn your accuracy issues because I believe Aero uses Ballistic Advantage barrells and BA guarantees sub moa with match grade ammo.
ballisticadvantage com sub-moa
Did you try all the BA troubleshooting steps?
ACCURACY ISSUES
Group your rifle with multiple ammunition loads.
Test fire with the muzzle device removed.
Confirm barrel nut is properly torqued.
Confirm Scope and rings are tight and properly installed.
Confirm consistent body position and trigger pull.
Confirm stability of rifle rest.
Thank you for the great video, I am currently in the process of building a LR308 with DPMS components and was wondering if I should go with a fixed stock or adjustable. Basically this is going to be my big game rifle and I am going to add a bipod to it as well. I am not particularly concerned about weight since I am a very large male at 6' 6" tall and North of 300lbs. I am looking for performance, accuracy and durability and willing to have a little more weight to meet those targets. Thank you.
how do you ring steel at 600yds with a gun and ammo that has 2 moa at only 100 yds.
all that "error" just gets amplified
Eric's M5E1 settled at 1.5ish MOA with Hornady ELD Match. 1.5 MOA at 600 yards is a 9" circle. It's very easy to hit a 12"x12" steel plate at that range.
Partly because I can spread 'the payments"out, and partly because I I can get the parts that I ultimately want, I have always built my ARs (I have 4 15s and 1 .308). When I started my .308 I did some research and decided that I would build it on a PSA receiver set, but that I would buy first the lower, build it, and then the upper and build it.
I was quite happy with the lower (I tested it with a friend's upper, though I don't remember which brand it was): 0 fsilure to feeds or to fire. The accuracy was just the same as he had experienced. So in short, I was satisfied.
The problem was that whenever they had the uppers in stock (far between) I was not able to order for a couple of days. by then, they were out of stock. They were often out of stock even later the same day that I received the notification. While waiting for their upper to appear, I bought everything else for the upper.
In short, I am not really happy with my experience with PSA.
The barrel came with a free-float hand guard, marked with the Aero "A". After about 2 1/2 years (yes, years), I decided that the Aero hand guard had been an omen, so I bought an Aero upper. I haven't looked back, except that I am strongly considering getting an Aero lower and getting rid of the PSA lower.
Interesting that I ended up building mine around 90% the same as your build. Main difference was I stuck with the CMV barrel and upgraded to the NB BCG. I did stay with a Carbine stock for now as I was aiming for a big bore AR15 at this time, as opposed to a "reach out and touch someone" build. Just finished it so I have not had it to the range yet, but if its as good as my ar15 build I'll be happy. Mounted a PA 1-8 w/ACSS. I figure that should make for a good 1st/general purpose build to get some experience behind the AR10 platform.
The MAIN reason the gun shoots so crappy is the barrel to upper fit. Mine has a .007 gap sloppy fit. The barrel will move back and forth near 1/3rd inch at front with no barrel nut. Aero flippin argued with me that it doesnt matter. YES IT DOES! Oh and the use ballistic advantage barrel (sub moa guarantee) so send it back and have them make it right. Also pull the barrel and either install a BAT oversized barrel extension or shim with stainless shim stock after taking a barrel/upper caliper measurement. Welcome to Aero-non-precision.
Eric, what adapter did you use to mount the Atlas bipod to the MLOK system? I have the same setup coming and was curious. Thank you!
Where did you find the magazines with the design you have? I’m pretty much mimicking your build and I would love to get my hands on a few of those mags.
Hey Taylon! They are regular Magpul 25 LR/SR magazines (blocked to 10 for CA) but painted using a sponge and Krylon camo colors.
Ah! I see it now. Thank you for the quick response. Loved your article
After I read some comments here I do recall reading everything that I could about putting together an AR-10 and problems with the AR-10 functioning. My AR-10 build about ninety percent AP parts other than the pistol grip and trigger; the trigger is Trigger Tech adjustable, the pistol grip I can't remember the company made by but the grip lower your grip where the trigger finger straight horizontal to the trigger guard the cost $ 35, I have two pistol grips two different ARs both having Trigger Tech triggers. AR-10 6.5 CM.
If you build your own AR-10 and go with a barrel combination where the barrel and the BCG are made by the same maker if decide to change to a different barrel, you going to need to change the BCG. I wanted a lighter AR-10 the present weight 14 pounds; the AERO Precision barrel very accurate but just too heavy for me. I went with a barrel from BSF carbon fiber that removed 3 pounds, total weight 11 pounds but with a 24” barrel over a 20” barrel. I have done some shooting but not enough to my liking, I can't wait for spring, we have 6/7 months of winter our summers are short, so make the most of the summer in Alaska. All parts are from AERO PRECISION and they are the best!
Thanks for the rundown Eric!
My experiences with Aero Precision have been mixed. Note I have only purchased different part of various rifles and assembled them, and not all of those parts were bought From AP. I am not a gunsmith, and thus my issues require/d a trip to a gunsmith to get fixed.
All but one of my AP lowers and uppers and completed uppers work flawlessly from top to bottom. I even picked up the “I’m your huckleberry, and the Texas Star lowers among others.
The one exception I had was while assembling an AP upper. I had a problem installing the forward assist roll pin. When I pulled out the hammer in frustration I knew I was going too far ;-)
The two M5E1 I own, well they both gave me problems. Again the parts where bought over time.
The first one had a BCG issue with ejecting spent brass, I was unable to fix – hello gunsmith, though it might have been cheaper to just buy a new one and keep working on the borken one.
The second one: my GF bought me a complete upper for Christmas and again I had ejecting issues. This time I am unable to eject an chambered (unfired) round without detaching the lower. It seems to get stuck in the barrel itself. Hopefully the barrel will not have to be re-bored. Thus when I have the time and desire, it is off to the gunsmith I go.
Given the two issues with AP M5’s, and that I will have two .308 rifles once the second is fixed, I would have to question buying another one M5 from AP.
How well did the Aero M5 cycle milsurp ammo? Ive been told by aero precision that using military surplus 308 won't supply enough power to reliably cycle the gun.
Federal M80 ball rounds and MEN work fine for me.
how much does it weigh?
It's listed at ~82 oz so just a tad over 5 lbs with 12" M-LOK handguards.
Anyone get sub moa with handloads??
I’ve gone out to the range 3 times with hand loads and have found a consistent 1 MOA load with Varget and 168gr ELD. I contacted Ballistic Advantage for recommendations. I’m going to try some of the heavier bullets as a lot of ppl say that 175gr SMK are the best for precision and long range shooting.
I have a very similar setup except I use a LaRue MBT two stage. It’s my first AR-10 build. These were my results (at ASR) all on the same day.
PMC X-TAC Match 168 GR 0.75 MOA,
Federal Premium 168 GR 0.75 MOA,
PPU Match 168 GR - 0.75??? MOA,
Freedom 168 GR A-MAX® REMAN - 1.0 MOA x3 (2" high),
Freedom 155 GR A-MAX® REMAN - 1.1 MOA x2 (2" high),
Freedom 150 GR SPBT REMAN - 1.5 MOA x3 (1.5" high),
Hirtenberger 147 GR - 1.5 MOA,
Freedom 168 GR HPBT REMAN - 1.75 to 3.0 MOA,
Freedom 155 GR HPBT REMAN - 2.0 MOA to 3.5 MOA,
Freedom 175 GR HPBT REMAN - 3.0 MOA,
PMC Bronze 147 GR - 3.0 MOA,
Freedom 147 GR FMJ - 4.0 MOA flyers,
PPU 147 GR - 5.0 MOA
I have had great luck with the PMC XTAC MATCH. I wish I had bought cases and cases. I think they were 18.99 per 20 when I bought them.
FWIW,...if an AR-10 is out of someone's budget but you're still looking for that something extra that a 5.56 doesn't give you, move up to 6.5 Grendel. You can keep the same lower. Need new mags, BCG and upper assembly. Less than 1/2 the cost of a complete AR-10.
Good tip, Howard! I haven't gotten a 6.5 yet but hope to soon.
Nice rig. You should do a comparo with the Aero vs PWS. PWS was my AR-10 of choice in pretty close to this same price point $1800-$2000 out of the box. I need to put decent glass on top, otherwise I will run it as is. For that 600yd+ shot I will go with custom bolt guns, then we can get out to at least 10 football fields. Great article.
Thanks AP...would love to try out the PWS sometime in the future.
Great article Eric!!! I am now tasked with the decision of do I want to build this in 308 or the 6.5 Creedmoor
Thanks Ben! I made a quick detour into 30-06 but 6.5 creed might be my next one!
Another home run. Great read, my friend.
Real nice. Also who did the great dipping job on the gun?
Thanks Bill! The Aero came cerakoted while the other rifle at the end of the article I did myself with some camo rattlecan colors and sponge.
Thanks again Brian!