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Posted: 12/1/2013 7:51:36 PM EDT
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Finishing up my build as soon as my front sight arrives and I test fire and tune the gas system.
Mcgowan said the barrel was AR10 spec, but an Armalite midlength tube was maybe 3/32" too long to allow the BCG to go into full battery, so I used an AR15 midlength tube (like the SR25/LR308 rifles) and there was a good 3/16" of BCG gas key clearance. I also dimpled the barrel under the gas block and drilled and pinned the muzzle brake myself because I didn't want to wait to send it out. I had to use an endmill because that AAC Brake was HARD. Now all I'm waiting on is the DD front sight, check the headspace, and get out to shoot. I gotta say, while the Troy rail is light and looks/feels great I don't like the mounting scheme. It really needs more than just the clamping of those two small screws. It doesn't feel very robust and has a good amount of flex with decent force. I even feel like it doesn't always return to the exact same spot after flexing. I could see putting any significant force moving the front sight too much. I'm pretty sure I'll have to either mount a sling close to the barrel nut or just use a single point at the rear. If I could do it again, I'd try the DD Lite. 
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If you ever decide to change handguards check out the Apex - probably the lightest one out there for the .308 and has a much better mounting system:
https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2612 |
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Quoted:
That is a slick looking little carbine. Did you get the gas tube worked out? What receivers did you use? What buffer did you use? I'm not sure if 3/16" or so is too much tube & carrier key clearance, but the AR10 tube wouldn't go into battery, so the choice was easy, lol. If it short strokes with teh gas block all the way open, I'll try a custom modified rifle length gas tube cut to the perfect length. And if it still short strokes, I'll open up the barrel port. It's got a matched set of Black Rain Ordinance receivers, LR308 carbine buffer, JP AR10 Carbine Spring, custom McGowen 14.5" Lightweight midlength and Syrac adjustable gas block. Quoted:
If you ever decide to change handguards check out the Apex - probably the lightest one out there for the .308 and has a much better mounting system: https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2612 Pinned muzzle device (14.5" barrel) so that's a no-go. The nut wont go over the gas block and the gas block won't go over the muzzle device. The Troy isn't unuseably bad, I just wish it seems a tad more robust. I wouldn't try to sling up with the Troy forearm or shoot it off sandbags or a bipod. It should work fine for what this rifle is - sub 300yd light rifle. |
The digital scale says 8.00 LBS unloaded without a front sight and it's a tad shorter than a 16" AR15. Midway says the DD fixed front sight will be 1.1oz so the final weight of the rifle should clock in at 8.07 LBS unloaded with all optics (as pictured)... when the front sight arrives, of course  . My goal was to be around 8LB or less, so I'm pretty happy with the result. I could definitely be in the 7LB range if I ditch the red dot, but I'd rather have the red dot than not.
I'm not too worried about the perm attached muzzle device. If it short strokes I'll try a slightly longer gas tube or opening up the gas port. Both can be done on without removing the brake. 
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So I got a look at my new build next to a DPMS factory LR308 (20" rifle gas length). My gas tube protrudes into the carrier key much more than the factory DPMS and that DPMS has been nothing but reliable, so I'm not really worried about the gas tube length anymore. The only problems at this point I could see arising is the gas port size or playing around with buffer weights - neither is a big deal.
Black Rain build on top, dirty DPMS LR308 on bottom. The top gas tube has alot more engagement than the bottom setup: 
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| It is my understanding that the Apex HG mounting system clamps over the stock barrel nut. I have never heard of anyone who wasn't impressed with the craftsmanship of that HG. I am going to use it on a similar build. Nice stick, though! Do you think any weight could be shed by changing out to a buffer tube and say a B5 bravo? |
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Quoted:
It is my understanding that the Apex HG mounting system clamps over the stock barrel nut. I have never heard of anyone who wasn't impressed with the craftsmanship of that HG. I am going to use it on a similar build. Nice stick, though! Do you think any weight could be shed by changing out to a buffer tube and say a B5 bravo? TRUE The APEX system uses the stock barrel nut. I have them on several rifles. I like then better than anything I have used!! Very stable. I have one on a pinned barrel also.
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