Dont rule out DPMS "Panther Arm's, they make some outstanding products, I use one of their bull barrel 20" uppers for cyote hunting, groups sub-moa at 100yds, a dime covers three shots, cant ask for anything better " off a shooting rest", offhand I can keep it at an 1 1/2" on my good days, " age is catching up"!. They have a complete line of AR-15s, AR-10s and several caliber choises, from entry to competition. Tell the JAR-HEAD U-RAA from me!!!.

agreed , mine is a fine shooter as well . both of them .223 & 7.62X39

I too did months of research and ended up doing a kit gun. I got a del ton mid length A3 flat top rifle with the non chromed heavy barrel. I put it on a DPMS lower and now I have an AR-15 that cost me less that 600 bucks that digests everything ive put in it including wolf and maintains 1 MOA with optics out to 200 yards. with irons im doing 1.5 to 2 inches at a 100 yards which has been decent enough to hold a good standing in the local NRA hi power matches.

Anybody on here shoot the AR-10's in .308? My buddy has a Armalitefor sale for $1500 with a 2nd generation Springfield Armory 4 x 14 x 56 scope. The trigger has been lightened up and the gun shoots really well. We've shot pigs at 400 yards with it no problem.

There's alot of good companies out there to choose from,I went with CMMG for my 16" flattop,with some minor changes in buffer,bc,and sites I love it,the 1/7 twist lets the heavy bullets fly well.

I agree with everybody here. Any of the known name brands will do fine. Rock River, DPMS, Armalite are all excellent choices. I have shot all of them. I personally own a DPMS. I have replaced the upper with a Double star free floated Match Barrell. I liked the upper so much, I brought it wiht me to Iraq.
Sir, your son really won't be wrong to buy any of them. For the most part, with maybe some minor customised parts or company specific parts, they are all about the same. Until you move to some of the custom AR-15's like Les Baer, that is just how it is going to be. So buy one from any of the companies. Nice thing about them is that you can always upgrade different parts. You can customize it. It is super versitile.
Somebody asked about the AR-10. It is a super Rifle. Check on the price 0f 1500, but a great rifle. I went to Sniper School inthe Army with a guy who competes with one and has done very well. I have no doubt about kiling pigs at 400 yds with it, and I would be you could do it almost twice that far with one.