ArmaLite AR-30 First Generation .338 Lapua Bolt-Action Rifle – Geneseo Production, 26 in Free-Floated Barrel, Adjustable Chassis
This early-run AR-30 pairs ArmaLite’s rigid aluminum chassis with a free-floated 26-inch chrome-moly barrel chambered in .338 Lapua. Built at the Geneseo, Illinois facility between 2003 and 2012, first-generation examples like this one carry collector interest thanks to their original production pedigree, integral 20-MOA scope rail, and distinctive two-chamber rectangular muzzle brake that noticeably tames recoil.
Condition
Overall Condition: Very good condition, showing only light, superficial signs of prior handling or use.
Bore Condition: Excellent – Clean, mirror finish, no signs of wear.
Bore Rifling: Excellent Rifling – Sharp lands and grooves.
Specific Condition Notes: Light handling marks are present on the chassis and barrel. The bore remains bright and clean.
What’s Included
- 1 × 5-round ArmaLite steel box magazine
- Harris-style adjustable bipod
The AR-30’s three-piece 6061-T6 aluminum chassis delivers bench-rest rigidity while keeping weight manageable. An extruded-aluminum forend with full-length rail slots allows solid bipod and accessory mounting without affecting barrel harmonics.
The 26-inch chrome-moly barrel is free-floated and threaded, capped with ArmaLite’s proprietary two-chamber rectangular muzzle brake. Combined with the 1:10 twist rate, it maximizes the .338 Lapua’s long-range performance while reducing felt recoil and muzzle rise.
An integral 20-MOA Picatinny rail is machined into the receiver, giving long-range shooters ample elevation adjustment for high-power optics. The action cycles smoothly through a 5-round detachable magazine, and the steel receiver is finished in a durable matte black/gray phosphate.
Shooter ergonomics are handled by an adjustable cheekpiece and 13.5-inch length-of-pull system, paired with a Hogue over-molded pistol grip. A Shilen single-stage trigger, factory-set at roughly 5 pounds, breaks cleanly for precise shot control.
Built in the United States and now out of production, this first-generation AR-30 offers collectors and precision shooters a well-cared-for example of ArmaLite’s original .338 Lapua chassis rifle.