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LIMA SEVEN Belt Fed 308 Official Build Thread (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 8/26/2026 12:50:08 PM EDT
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We received permission from arfcom admin to post this thread. The time is here! We are several weeks into development of the LIMA SEVEN belt fed 308, and progress is moving quickly! Here's where we are at with design considerations (subject to change): -Utilize DPMS pattern LR308 lower receivers -Belt feed only (no magazine feed) -Sold as a complete upper only (no kits, sorry) -Right side, NON-RECIPROCATING side charger (you're welcome  )-Downward eject through the magwell. Yes this means no nutsacks can be installed on the magwell. Queue the debates now, but we have a LOT of good reasons for this -Considering an all-steel receiver but not 100% decided on this -Will be available in three main variants: 1. heavy barrel, fixed barrel, with upgraded gas tube, 2. Red Right Hand version with heat sinks, and 3. QD barrel -No immediate plans for a piston system, because I'm not convinced that simply using a heavy-duty gas tube wont address the issues people have with DI systems. Although I'm sure the aftermarket will support future piston upgrades  |
https://www.limasix.com
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GREAT Hope this project proves highly successful. For inspiration, skip to the 3:00 mark, and a brief view of the original AR10 MG, belt fed LMG (not much info though):  AR 10 Prototypes And a short video of the belt fed AR10 in action:  Belt fed AR-10.mp4 |
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Originally Posted By Dominion21: GREAT Hope this project proves highly successful. For inspiration, skip to the 3:00 mark, and a brief view of the original AR10 MG, belt fed LMG (not much info though):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji24nl1BxH0And a short video of the belt fed AR10 in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chYYbRlsSToHaving accidentally bought some Portuguese 308 on DM-1 non-disintegrating links, having that capability would be a big plus. This is great. Tagscribed... |
I would like to remind everyone that disorganized violence is never the answer. - John Carter
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I'll probably end up with one of these. Definitely need an optimized FRT for it, or a design that lets it work with all the AR15 FRT's. Hopefully we'll see a dedicated lower sometime with lines that match up nicely. Will it need a special buffer tube for more bolt travel? |
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Originally Posted By jaqufrost: I'll probably end up with one of these. Definitely need an optimized FRT for it, or a design that lets it work with all the AR15 FRT's. Hopefully we'll see a dedicated lower sometime with lines that match up nicely. Will it need a special buffer tube for more bolt travel? It's going to have almost the exact same travel as an M240; it will use A5 buffer tubes and a standard carbine length buffer with the bumper pad shortened by around .200" |
https://www.limasix.com
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Originally Posted By jaqufrost: Still using a Sprinco orange buffer spring or will it need something stronger? ETA: If you find you need a shorter buffer, I bet Tromix could make something at a reasonable cost. I wont know the spring needed until we test fire, but I suspect it will be something like an MG3 spring, since that is the same caliber and feed mechanism as we are using. As for Tromix, yes Tony is great and we currently buy buffers from him. I don't want to box us into needing custom buffers, which is why I like the idea of just shortening the rubber bumper on a standard buffer. This way you still have room for 3 weights inside the buffer, and in a pinch you can modify just about anything on the market. |
https://www.limasix.com
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100% on board with this. With the down-eject, will the upper have provisions for ammo hangers? Either soft pouches or boxes to hang belts off the left side akin to "man portable" m240 and m60 models would be awesome to have access to, rather than fully static cans, naked belts, or a full cradle. |
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Originally Posted By ABabyEater: 100% on board with this. With the down-eject, will the upper have provisions for ammo hangers? Either soft pouches or boxes to hang belts off the left side akin to "man portable" m240 and m60 models would be awesome to have access to, rather than fully static cans, naked belts, or a full cradle. Yep, I'm thinking side mount like on the m240 |
https://www.limasix.com
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Originally Posted By LimaSix: We received permission from arfcom admin to post this thread. The time is here! We are several weeks into development of the LIMA SEVEN belt fed 308, and progress is moving quickly! Here's where we are at with design considerations (subject to change): -Utilize DPMS pattern LR308 lower receivers -Belt feed only (no magazine feed) -Sold as a complete upper only (no kits, sorry) -Right side, NON-RECIPROCATING side charger (you're welcome )-Downward eject through the magwell. Yes this means no nutsacks can be installed on the magwell. Queue the debates now, but we have a LOT of good reasons for this -Considering an all-steel receiver but not 100% decided on this -Will be available in three main variants: 1. heavy barrel, fixed barrel, with upgraded gas tube, 2. Red Right Hand version with heat sinks, and 3. QD barrel -No immediate plans for a piston system, because I'm not convinced that simply using a heavy-duty gas tube wont address the issues people have with DI systems. Although I'm sure the aftermarket will support future piston upgrades Attached File 
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Originally Posted By FlatlandBusa: Co-developing this with inoculum so a dedicated lower is available at launch would be nice for those of us who don't have an AR10 already. Came to say this. |
''Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.''
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If anything came out of the L6 adventure its how there is still a great sense of community of like minded folks working together to bring awesome new products to consumers. The fact that Harvey has pretty much kept the L6 open source and works directly with the smaller independent shops as well as the bigger ones speaks volumes to why the L6 and now this L7 will take over this market. One of the reasons I'm a proud L6 owner and share the story to everyone I interact with in the gun world. The success is much deserved. I guess that makes me a fan boy and happy to wear that hat. 
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Originally Posted By LimaSix: QD barrel L7 will add substantial cost. To do it right, you need a steel receiver. How much extra are you willing to spend for this? As a GPMG or MMG at $1/round or so... For a base model, 50+% increase in cost over L6 complete upper. For a built model (RRH, QD, etc.) I would value it at that same 50+% increase over current RRH complete upper cost. Tldr; Base: $3000 -> $4500-$5000 Built: $4300 -> $6500-$7000 |
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Originally Posted By LimaSix: How about just using a massive barrel (1.2" OD) with cooling fins built in? https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/490765/L7_open_top-3818025.jpg I could see paying $500 extra for a QD barrel system. |
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I disagree that a "proper belt fed needs a QD barrel." Plenty use one, but plenty don't, and to great effect, as well. For me personally, the L6 has always maintained a component of shoot and scoot portability, and a heatsink system does it better for the weight than a QD system, especially when considering the extra capability of a QD system to discard the saturated heat vs what is really needed in an LMG or SAW. The L7 takes the opposite approach, for me, and lives as a static, or semi-static system that weight is less of a negative on, and can benefit more from a QD system as a GPMG or MMG over that of a more man-portable use. If the options were a basic kit or a heatsinked kit, I would get a base L7 and aftermarket a QD barrel. |
| QD would be nice to be able to swap barrel lengths as a 12.5 -14" would be handy. If it could be set up where it only takes a couple minutes to swap but is not near the expense of a QD that could be a good middle ground? also the quad rail is nice but something with more space kinda like the RRH rails would be a better factory option IMO. |
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Originally Posted By LimaSix: How about just using a massive barrel (1.2" OD) with cooling fins built in? https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/490765/L7_open_top-3818025.jpg This is a far better option than a QD barrel. It is unlikely any of us have the necessary ammo fort (or inclination) to melt down a barrel that heavy. |
All my hate cannot be found
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I am in on this! My thoughts are; PSA PA10 compatibility Hardened steel receiver with a color case hardened finish available. DI with inconel or extreme duty gas tube, so 200 round belts can be ran through it in one continuous rip. Inoculum lower available at launch User serviceable barrel The heaviest barrel profile readily available, additional mass is more effective that cooling fins, no need for quick change. (Maybe make quick change an upcharge option) |
Middleofnowhere, Nebraska
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Thought I'd jump in here. In regard to a heat sink maybe I missed something. I have had a few Shrikes/MCR's since 2000 and whatever, probably 8 or so. At one time I picked up 2 Gen 5 with the heat sink. I understood Aries abandoned that when they supposedly discovered it held heat in on the removable barrel due to lack of heat transfer from barrel to aluminum heat sink. Heat paste like on a computer chip would help but not viable on a removable barrel. Any thoughts on this? Did I go down a rabbit hole? Anyhow I removed the heat sink from my systems. Love the Lima 6!!!! Picked up the builders kit and have had zero issues over 1000 rounds the first days. Only issue was mine, getting the gas porting to the place where I can run weak Tula Steel 55 gr up to SS109 62 gr. Using Hoffman's trigger kicker which by the way has perfect timing. Look up Lima6 video on timing and also Google M16 timing if you've been getting lit hits. Ive built and worked on, improved, HK Belt feds since the late 80's and am a big BeltFed lover! It's great Harold and his team are building systems that don't take 50 mods to run right like my experience with the Shrike/MCR. Plus he is keeping the cost of spares and parts down so you don't have to have the Military's budget to keep you belts pulling. This time we are in with all the great ideas is reminiscent of the 80's and 90's where people used their brain cells instead of simply copying others work verbatim. I'm beginning to like this era we're in! The Lima 6 is kicking the competition with their business model of affordability and soon, parts availability plus customer service is the best I've seen. |
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Originally Posted By CaveCreek: Thought I'd jump in here. In regard to a heat sink maybe I missed something. I have had a few Shrikes/MCR's since 2000 and whatever, probably 8 or so. At one time I picked up 2 Gen 5 with the heat sink. I understood Aries abandoned that when they supposedly discovered it held heat in on the removable barrel due to lack of heat transfer from barrel to aluminum heat sink. Heat paste like on a computer chip would help but not viable on a removable barrel. Any thoughts on this? Did I go down a rabbit hole? Anyhow I removed the heat sink from my systems. Love the Lima 6!!!! Picked up the builders kit and have had zero issues over 1000 rounds the first days. Only issue was mine, getting the gas porting to the place where I can run weak Tula Steel 55 gr up to SS109 62 gr. Using Hoffman's trigger kicker which by the way has perfect timing. Look up Lima6 video on timing and also Google M16 timing if you've been getting lit hits. Ive built and worked on, improved, HK Belt feds since the late 80's and am a big BeltFed lover! It's great Harold and his team are building systems that don't take 50 mods to run right like my experience with the Shrike/MCR. Plus he is keeping the cost of spares and parts down so you don't have to have the Military's budget to keep you belts pulling. This time we are in with all the great ideas is reminiscent of the 80's and 90's where people used their brain cells instead of simply copying others work verbatim. I'm beginning to like this era we're in! The Lima 6 is kicking the competition with their business model of affordability and soon, parts availability plus customer service is the best I've seen. First of all, great first post after 5 years of lurking!  And thanks for the kind words! And yes, the trigger kicker has better timing than just about anything we've found, Hoffman absolutely nailed that! |
https://www.limasix.com
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Originally Posted By yakrat101: I'd rather not go QD barrel. My use case doesn't need the extra cost, or complexity. I would like a short barrel option though if there isn't a build kit. Looking forward to this as much as my L6's. This is my initial thought, although I am open to being convinced otherwise. |
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Originally Posted By LimaSix: How about just using a massive barrel (1.2" OD) with cooling fins built in? https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/490765/L7_open_top-3818025.jpg This is where id be at. I'd likely never QD swap a barrel anyway, but a heavy finned, or heat sink would be great. |
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So.... From everything I've read about DPMS pattern LR308 lowers or any 7.62 firearms that are based (somewhat) on the AR15 platform it would indicate an RDIAS will not work with this system. I there even a small glimmer of hope I can use my RDIAS in a LIMA 7? Even a small glimmer?? Work with me here lol! |
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Originally Posted By marks: So.... From everything I've read about DPMS pattern LR308 lowers or any 7.62 firearms that are based (somewhat) on the AR15 platform it would indicate an RDIAS will not work with this system. I there even a small glimmer of hope I can use my RDIAS in a LIMA 7? Even a small glimmer?? Work with me here lol! |
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Originally Posted By marks: So.... From everything I've read about DPMS pattern LR308 lowers or any 7.62 firearms that are based (somewhat) on the AR15 platform it would indicate an RDIAS will not work with this system. I there even a small glimmer of hope I can use my RDIAS in a LIMA 7? Even a small glimmer?? Work with me here lol! Can you provide some links? If SR25 pattern is easier to convert, that is very relevant information. |
https://www.limasix.com
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Originally Posted By LimaSix: Can you provide some links? If SR25 pattern is easier to convert, that is very relevant information. Originally Posted By LimaSix: Originally Posted By marks: So.... From everything I've read about DPMS pattern LR308 lowers or any 7.62 firearms that are based (somewhat) on the AR15 platform it would indicate an RDIAS will not work with this system. I there even a small glimmer of hope I can use my RDIAS in a LIMA 7? Even a small glimmer?? Work with me here lol! Can you provide some links? If SR25 pattern is easier to convert, that is very relevant information. Unfortunately, I cannot provide any links. I'm going off memory from posts when I was more active with M16's back in the 1990's and just for fun since I was wondering today I asked a search engine "Will a RDIAS work in a DPMS pattern LR308 lower?" and the answer I got was no which re-affirmed what I remembered from years ago. I really, really wish I am wrong here and a Lima 7 with run with a RDIAS. Really wish like I'm hitching my wagon to the Lima 7 right dang now kind of wish. |
LIMA SEVEN Belt Fed 308 Official Build Thread (Page 1 of 3)
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