Range report. PSA PA-10.

[American_Fusilier]

Well guys, I finally got out to shoot my PSA AR-10 (in .308). I've had the gun for a year and a half, and just haven't had the time to go to the range.

I forgot to lube/oil it up before I went. And the buffer spring is very stout.

First few rounds didn't cycle, but I had my brass catcher on it and thought that maybe that was causing the problem. After taking the catcher off however, the problem persisted. So I messed with the adjustable gas block and finally got it running.

I zeroed it in no problem, as it was luckily on paper at 100 yards without bore sighting it. I didn't do any accuracy testing, but from what I saw after getting it running was probably about 3 moa with 147gr reman ammo from freedom munitions. I bet I can half that with handloads and a rear bag (which I didn't have with me).

Overall I am pleased with the gun. It was my first time shooting an AR 10. I look forward to crafting a load for it and seeing what kind of accuracy I can get out of it.

 

[small town life]

I haven't bought much anything from PSA as some swear by them and others swear at them. Was it a build or a complete rifle? Strange you need an adjustable gas block as I've never needed 1 on any of my AR308's. I have 2 AR308's with an AGB, but use a lite weight bcg and buffer so recoil is extremely mild/soft. If you want a 308 barrel that is great get it chambered in m118. Best shooting AR you'll find!

 

[DMW1116]

Mine had an issue when I bought it with the gas block. I bought an upper and lower, not a complete rifle. It wouldn’t cycle no matter how I tried to adjust it. I took it back and they fixed it. After that it’s been fine. It came with an AGB from the start and I haven’t changed it. If you plan to hand load for it, you’ll appreciate the adjustable block.

Accuracy is about what you had with 147-150 grain FMJ. One exception is the Winchester 7.62 NATO. For whatever reason it loves that stuff. M80 style 7.62 NATO is pretty hot so I found and wrote down the minimum gas block setting for it.

Hand loading gave very good results. Unfortunately the best overall powder I found is IMR 4064. I think I have the only pound left in SC. I’m currently looking for alternatives. SW AR Plus seems a good choice so far for 150 grain FMJ loads though I’m in the middle of testing that combo. AA 2495 is a powder I want to try, as is AA 4064. Lots of people like TAC as well, though I’ve only done one test load.

 

[American_Fusilier]

Was it a build or a complete rifle?

It was a complete rifle. Actually, the only complete firearm I've ever purchased from PSA, literally everything else has been builds.

They're a great company, and I like to support them whenever possible.

Hand loading gave very good results. Unfortunately the best overall powder I found is IMR 4064

I plan to craft a load for this rifle. I even have a pound of IMR 4064! I'll try that first!

The adjustable gas block felt weird to me. I thought there were only a few positions, but I couldn't feel the detents. I hope it doesn't walk out on me...

 

[drobs]

One of these days I'll break down and get a PSA AR-10.

Question were you using bipod on a bench? I find bipods work best off the ground and a sandbag works best to the support the forearm of a rifle on a bench.

 

[American_Fusilier]

One of these days I'll break down and get a PSA AR-10.

Question were you using bipod on a bench? I find bipods work best off the ground and a sandbag works best to the support the forearm of a rifle on a bench.

I was using the bipod on the bench. The only other alternative was to use a block of wood with carpet stapled to it. I had left my bags at home. I'll remember that, the next time I take her out!

 

[12Bravo20]

Accuracy is about what you had with 147-150 grain FMJ. One exception is the Winchester 7.62 NATO. For whatever reason it loves that stuff.

My Gen 1 PA10 does well with the Winchester White Box ammo too. The only other ammo I have tried is some Norma Tac 150Gr FMJ. The PA10 shot horribly with the Norma ammo which surprised me since that mamma shoot excellent out of my Savage Model 12.

I haven't shot my PA10 since injuring both shoulders a couple of years ago due to recoil. I need a good muzzle brake for it or switch it to a lighter recoiling caliber. The Gen 1 and early Gen 2 PA10s did not have an adjustable gas block and they really would benefit from having one.

 

[DMW1116]

My gas block is click adjustable and is PSA's in-house model. Who the OEM is I couldn't guess. It works pretty well. I had some overgassing issues and closed it off, the opened it 2 clicks and worked up to bolt lock. The gassing issues went away for that load. I also closed it completely for trying some TiteGroup subsonic loads. For what it's worth, mine has the stainless 20" barrel. It's a great shooting rifle, as long as you don't have to carry it very far.

In my rifle, the only bullet I've had trouble with using IMR 4064 was the Hornady 168 grain Amax. It showed pressure way earlier than I thought it should have, not that I push things very hard in the first place. Anything else vaguely bullet shaped shoots accurately with IMR 4064. Speer 168 grain match bullets in 7.62 NATO cases, Hornady 180 grain SST, and Sierra 175 grain Match Kings shoot particularly well, running 1.25" or less so far in test groups. The Sierra reputation appears to be valid. I can take that load out of the storage box and shoot them from a clean, cold bore and hit a 1" circle from 100 yards, unless I've been monkeying around with my zero. My scope dials stay zeroed for that load now. I have been using CCI #34 primers, but I'm nearly out. I've used some Winchester LRP with success too.

 

[drobs]

I was using the bipod on the bench. The only other alternative was to use a block of wood with carpet stapled to it. I had left my bags at home. I'll remember that, the next time I take her out!

All good, I find bipods want to bounce off the bench from recoil. Which makes getting consistency between shots more difficult. I use my range bag if sandbags aren't available.

 

[bfoosh006]

It was a complete rifle. Actually, the only complete firearm I've ever purchased from PSA, literally everything else has been builds.

They're a great company, and I like to support them whenever possible.



I plan to craft a load for this rifle. I even have a pound of IMR 4064! I'll try that first!

The adjustable gas block felt weird to me. I thought there were only a few positions, but I couldn't feel the detents. I hope it doesn't walk out on me...

PSA has used different styles of Adj. GB's... is your's the click detent ? Or the one with a setting screw and a locking screw ?

Oops... it appears there is a locking screw on the detent version as well. Blue is the adjustment screw.... yellow is the locking screw.

 

[DMW1116]

I "think" the "locking screw" holds the spring and detent in place? There is a second screw on mine, but I haven't messed with it.

 

[small town life]

True, the NOT screw is a plug with a spring and detent so you can remove if parts go bad or need cleaning. All of the SET screw type I have ARE NOT click type.

 

[American_Fusilier]

Mine looks exactly like the picture above. Does that mean the adjustable screw can't back all the way out?

 

[small town life]

Mine looks exactly like the picture above. Does that mean the adjustable screw can't back all the way out?

Most will if you unscrew it enough. It'll go past the detents and just keep unscrewing.

 

[Lennyjoe]

My PA10 is shooting great with CFE223 and 168 gr BTHP Hornady bullets. I did have to reduce the gas by 1 click since the CFE223 is performing its best right at the max load.

 

[American_Fusilier]

Good to know! I think I backed out my gas block too much... I have both CFE223 and 168gr Hornady bullets. I'll have to put together a ladder load.

 

[gbw]

Mine has been excellent both reliable and accurate, but it is heavy!

Only real gripe is a .035” gap between upper and lower at rear. It has no practical effect, just doesn’t look right.

Btw just curious, how can a lighter bcg and/or buffer reduce recoil? (Post #2). Lighter bullets or loads?

 

[small town life]

Mine has been excellent both reliable and accurate, but it is heavy!

Only real gripe is a .035” gap between upper and lower at rear. It has no practical effect, just doesn’t look right.

Btw just curious, how can a lighter bcg and/or buffer reduce recoil? (Post #2). Lighter bullets?

Reciprocating mass and the amount of gas it takes to drive it. Forget about a 556 cartridge and thing about the weights (buffer and bcg) as it being softer than a 308 due to more weight of mass (16-18ozs for bcg + 4-5ozs for the buffer). A light weight/low mass bcg only saves about 4-6ozs (bcg only) and requires less gas/force to move it.

 

[DMW1116]

Be careful with the CFE 223 and Hornady 168 combo. That’s the one that gave me gas issues, like bent rims and such.

 

[American_Fusilier]

Mine has been excellent both reliable and accurate, but it is heavy!

Yeah, mine is pretty heavy too. I've got the 18" barrel on it with a heavy primary arms scope...

Be careful with the CFE 223 and Hornady 168 combo. That’s the one that gave me gas issues, like bent rims and such.

Will do. I'll definitely start with the starting load data

 

[DMW1116]

I try to stay with 308 service rifle data for mine but I have a bunch of CFE 223. I’m up near Hornady’s max, at 46 grains. I turned the gas down to just two clicks from closed and opened it 2 clicks at a time until it ejected, then one more and it locked the bolt open. I’m using the 168 grain Amax and CCI #34 primers.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Started in the low 40’s and went up to 47.1 where I got the best groups @100yds but I had to back down the gas to keep the cycle rate from damaging brass. Since CFE 223 is readily available and groups were right at 1” I marked it in my book as a load to save.

Now if I can find some Varget or 4064 for the 168’s.

Also thinking of a service rifle load with 155’s next depending on powder availability

 

[DMW1116]

I urge caution with the 168 grain Hornady bullets and IMR 4064. I had alarming pressure signs much earlier than I expected when I tried it. It didn’t shoot very well either.

Your experience and results with CFE 223 and Hornady 168 grain bullets are so close to mine it’s like you were using my rifle.

 

[Lennyjoe]

If I find some 4064 I’m gonna go down to 155’s using the service rifle data. Appreciate the heads up on 4064 and 168’s

 

[DMW1116]

My load for the 175 grain SMK uses 42.5 grains of IMR 4064. When I tried it with the 168 grain Amax, I had a relief sculpture of my bolt face in the case head at a lower charge. I was quite alarmed.