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Long-Range AR-10 Setup: What You Need for Precision Shooting
Building a precision AR-10 for long-range shooting requires careful consideration of multiple components working together as a cohesive system. Recent forensic ballistics research demonstrates that accuracy and reproducibility depend on consistent microscopic characteristics. These characteristics transfer from firearm components to fired ammunition, making component selection critical for achieving reliable precision. At Beal Rifle Company, we understand that successful long-range shooting starts with purpose-built platforms engineered for consistency.
Our Fort Worth, TX, facility specializes in custom AR-10 builds designed specifically for precision applications beyond 600 yards. When you buy an AR-10 from us, you’re investing in a rifle system optimized for the demanding requirements of long-range precision shooting. We’ve spent years perfecting custom AR-10 configurations that deliver the accuracy serious shooters demand.
Essential Components for Long-Range AR-10 Performance
Barrel Selection: The Foundation of Accuracy
The barrel represents the single most important component in any long-range AR-10 setup. Premium barrels with proper specifications determine whether your rifle achieves sub-MOA accuracy or struggles with 2+ MOA groups.
Longer barrels allow complete powder burn and provide higher muzzle velocities. This translates to flatter trajectories and better wind resistance at extended ranges. Heavy contour profiles help with heat dissipation during extended shooting sessions, while stainless steel construction provides the consistency required for precision applications.
At Beal Rifle Company, our custom AR-10 rifles feature premium barrel systems selected specifically for long-range performance. We match barrel characteristics to your intended shooting distances and ammunition preferences, ensuring each rifle delivers the accuracy potential you need.
Caliber Considerations: .308 Winchester vs 6.5 Creedmoor
Two primary cartridge options dominate the long-range AR-10 market. Each offers distinct advantages depending on your specific shooting requirements. The 6.5 Creedmoor launches high-BC bullets at moderate velocities for exceptional long-range performance, while .308 Winchester provides versatility and widespread ammunition availability.
| Cartridge | Effective Range | Bullet Options | Availability | Best Use |
| .308 Winchester | 800+ yards | 110-220 grains | Excellent | Hunting/General |
| 6.5 Creedmoor | 1000+ yards | 120-147 grains | Good | Competition/Precision |
The 6.5 Creedmoor has taken the precision shooting world by storm since its development by Hornady in 2007. It’s a necked-down .308 case that launches high-BC bullets at moderate velocities for exceptional long-range performance. A 140-grain 6.5 Creedmoor bullet leaves a 22-inch barrel at approximately 2,710 fps with about 2,280 ft-lbs of energy.
For maximum long-range performance, 6.5 Creedmoor offers superior ballistic coefficients and wind resistance. However, .308 Winchester remains the more versatile choice for varied applications. Our precision AR-10 builds accommodate both cartridges with appropriate barrel and chamber specifications tailored to your specific needs.
Optics: Variable Power Scopes for Long-Range
Quality optics become increasingly critical as shooting distances extend beyond conventional ranges. Variable power scopes capable of both close- and long-range applications provide the flexibility required for precision AR-10 platforms. High-magnification variable scopes with reliable tracking systems enable precise shot placement beyond 800 yards.
Modern variable scopes in the 4-16x or 5-25x magnification ranges offer the versatility needed for precision shooting. First focal plane reticles maintain proportional measurements at all magnification levels, while quality glass provides clarity even in challenging lighting conditions. Precise turret adjustments with positive clicks allow accurate compensation for bullet drop and wind drift.
When you buy an AR-10 from Beal Rifle Company, we help you select optics that complement your rifle’s capabilities and your shooting objectives. Our team understands how scope selection affects overall system performance and accuracy potential.
Trigger Systems: Precision Control
Quality trigger systems reduce human error and improve shot consistency. Two-stage match triggers deliver smooth and deliberate trigger pulls for enhanced control during precision shooting. Recommended trigger weights typically range from 2-4 pounds with minimal creep and overtravel.
Consistency in trigger break characteristics allows shooters to develop reliable shooting techniques. Adjustable trigger options provide customization for individual preferences and shooting styles. Our custom AR-10 builds incorporate precision trigger systems matched to each rifle’s intended purpose and the shooter’s specific requirements.
Building Your Long-Range AR-10: Component Integration
Stock and Chassis Systems
Adjustable stock systems allow proper scope alignment and consistent shooting positions. Precision shooting demands repeatable positioning, making stock selection critical for accuracy development. Quality stocks feature length of pull adjustability, cheek riser systems, and stable shooting platforms with modular attachment points.
At our Fort Worth, TX, facility, we fit each custom AR-10 with stocks that complement the shooter’s physical dimensions and shooting style preferences. Proper stock selection guarantees comfortable shooting positions that can be repeated consistently during extended range sessions.
Gas System Optimization
Proper gas system tuning reduces bolt velocity and improves accuracy. Adjustable gas blocks allow fine-tuning for different ammunition loads and shooting conditions. This optimization reduces bolt carrier velocity, improves brass life, and enhances follow-up shot accuracy while providing suppressor compatibility.
Our precision AR-10 rifles include properly tuned gas systems optimized for your chosen ammunition and accessories. This attention to gas system details separates custom builds from factory rifles that use standard gas port sizes.
Handguard Selection and Mounting
Free-floating handguards eliminate barrel contact that can affect accuracy. Modern M-LOK systems provide accessory mounting while maintaining barrel stability throughout the shooting process. Quality handguards feature a full-length free-float design with rigid aluminum construction that dissipates heat effectively.
These handguard systems allow mounting of bipods, lights, and other accessories without affecting barrel harmonics. The rigid construction maintains a consistent point of impact even when accessories are attached or removed from the system.
Ammunition Selection and Load Development
Match-Grade Ammunition Requirements
Consistent ammunition produces consistent results at long-range. Quality ammunition with consistent powder charges and bullet seating depths enables sub-MOA accuracy potential that precision shooters demand. Match-grade bullets manufactured to tight tolerances provide the consistency required for long-range accuracy.
Temperature-stable powders maintain consistent velocities across varying environmental conditions. Uniform brass preparation and optimum bullet seating depths contribute to shot-to-shot consistency that becomes increasingly important as range increases. We recommend specific ammunition that works well with our custom AR-10 builds, helping you achieve maximum accuracy potential.
Ballistic Coefficient Considerations
High ballistic coefficient bullets maintain velocity better at extended ranges. This characteristic becomes increasingly important as shooting distances increase beyond 600 yards. Bullets with BC values above 0.450 typically perform better at long-range, resisting wind drift and maintaining energy downrange.
According to research from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), ballistic performance consistency depends on multiple factors, including bullet construction, barrel characteristics, and environmental conditions. Understanding these relationships helps shooters make ideal decisions about ammunition selection for their specific applications.
Advanced Precision Modifications
Receiver and Action Improvements
Consistent receiver alignment improves the accuracy potential considerably. Precise tolerances keep components fitting and functioning properly in the rifle system. At Beal Rifle Company, our custom AR-10 rifles feature precision-machined receivers with quality component tolerances that exceed standard manufacturing specifications.
Proper barrel extension fit and consistent assembly procedures contribute to the accuracy potential of each rifle we build. These details separate custom builds from mass-produced rifles and contribute to the reliability our customers expect from their precision instruments.
Muzzle Device Selection
Effective muzzle brakes reduce felt recoil and muzzle rise for faster follow-up shots. Quality compensators help maintain target visibility during rapid shot sequences, allowing shooters to observe bullet impact and make quick corrections when necessary.
Modern muzzle devices provide recoil reduction capabilities while controlling muzzle rise effectively. Suppressor compatibility has become increasingly important as more shooters adopt sound suppression for hearing protection and tactical applications.
Setting Up Your Long-Range AR-10
Scope Mounting and Initial Setup
Proper scope mounting keeps the point of impact consistent for the life of the rifle. Quality rings and bases provide the foundation for reliable scope performance under field conditions. Professional mounting includes proper ring alignment, appropriate torque specifications, and scope-level installation for accurate long-range shooting.
Our team at Beal Rifle Company makes sure that each precision AR-10 leaves our Fort Worth facility with properly mounted and zeroed optics. Initial zero procedures establish baseline accuracy that customers can build upon during their own shooting development.
Load Development and Testing Process
Systematic load development identifies your rifle’s accuracy potential. Professional shooting techniques require consistent ammunition testing to establish reliable ballistic data for various shooting conditions. This process includes initial accuracy testing, velocity measurement, and environmental factor recording.
Ballistic data collection allows shooters to develop accurate range cards and ballistic solutions for their specific rifle and ammunition combinations. We provide guidance on load development processes that maximize your custom AR-10’s accuracy potential.
Maintenance for Long-Range Performance
Cleaning and Care Procedures
Regular maintenance preserves accuracy and extends barrel life greatly. Quality cleaning procedures prevent accuracy degradation over time while maintaining the rifle’s reliability under field conditions. Regular bore cleaning, bolt carrier group maintenance, and gas system inspection keep the rifle performing at its best.
Component lubrication using appropriate products ensures smooth operation and prevents premature wear. Systematic record-keeping helps identify when components require attention or replacement, maintaining the rifle’s accuracy potential over its service life.
Choosing Your Long-Range AR-10 Platform
When you’re ready to buy an AR-10 for precision shooting, component selection determines your long-term success. Quality is built with properly matched components that deliver the consistency required for long-range accuracy. Mass-produced rifles often compromise on component quality to meet price points, while custom builds optimize every component for performance.
At Beal Rifle Company, we specialize in custom AR-10 builds designed specifically for precision applications. Our Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business combines technical expertise with hands-on experience to create rifles that perform when accuracy matters most.
Every Beal Rifle Company precision AR-10 includes our Limited Lifetime Warranty; our commitment to standing behind the quality we build into every rifle. Whether you need a competition-ready platform or a precision hunting rifle, we create custom solutions that meet your specific requirements and performance expectations.
Build Your Custom AR-10 for Long-Range Success
Building an effective long-range AR-10 requires careful attention to component selection and system integration. Quality components properly assembled create platforms capable of consistent sub-MOA accuracy at extended ranges. The investment in a properly built precision rifle pays dividends in accuracy and reliability over the rifle’s service life.
From our Fort Worth, TX facility, Beal Rifle Company delivers custom AR-10 rifles engineered for precision shooting success. When you buy an AR-10 from us, you’re investing in a rifle system built by American craftsmen who understand the requirements of serious precision shooting.
Contact us today at [email protected] or (817) 888-3000 to discuss your custom AR-10 requirements. Our team will help you configure a precision AR-10 that delivers the accuracy and reliability you need for successful long-range shooting applications.