Jgun

Almost all of my shooting friends that have built or had built for them, comp AR's to shoot the matches, use the Ace ARFX rifle length stocks. I think the rational is that the rifle length buffer/spring works marginally better than the carbine. They also like the rigidity of the fixed stocks. I'm not sure about the performance advantage of the rifle length or not but I prefer the adjustability of the CTR over the ARFX for when I'm shooting with heavier clothes in the winter and then in a tee shirt in the summer.

Yeah, I think I need to take the powder measure out of the equation. Although it's a Redding 3BR match grade measure, which I thought was supposed to be one of the best. I also may have been a little close to the chrono. I was shooting without the handguard so I could adjust the gas system, so I had no sights on the gun and didn't want to accidently hit the borrowed chrono. I'm wondering how long I could load the next batch, I was thinking that if I could load them longer I might be able to safely get some more powder in the cases.

I chrono'd some of my first batch of 300BLK bullets today. First of all, I post this for informational purposes only. This is my first involvement in loading rds where I'm not just copying someone else's proven load. I loaded 145 gr fmg bt bullets to 2.1 COL in brand new LC brass I cut to 1.36". I used 16.5 gr of Hogdon LIL'GUN powder. I found that my velocities varied widely. I used a borrowed Redding 3BR powder measure and measured the first 5 or 6 drops and then loaded my ammo with only one check in the middle. I'm not sure what to attribute the FPS variation to. I know that I got some bad readings with the borrowed chrono, so maybe my results are questionable. I got several readings with a low of 2020fps and a high of 2096 fps. I had some obviously false readings in the 3000's and some other readings in the 1600's. Don't really know what to make of it, but the majority of my readings were all in the 2000-2100 range so I'm guessing those are the good ones. I didn't see anything to indicate excessive pressure, but I have been told that the signs of over pressure can show up in as little as 1/2-1 gr increase in charge. I need to get 150 more fps using this bullet weight to achieve my desired goal. I'm thinking that I may need to load some heavier bullets. The only concern I have with that is that the heavier bullets may require large holdovers at longer range. I guess I have a lot of testing to do.

Got some range time with the 300 upper today. Although the lower's not together yet, I pinned it on an AR-15 lower. I didn't do any sighting in or shooting for groups. I just broke in the barrel, finction tested and chrono'd the rd's I made. Once I had adjusted the gas system properly and swapped out the heavy buffer for a lighter one, the gun worked 100%. I need to get some diferent types/weights of bullets to test out but so far I'm pretty excited about this gun.

Got back to the range today with the K7. It seems as though the problems I faced first time out with it were due to not enough oil and maybe needing break in. The gun ran 100% today and I was able to hit small items placed on the berm easily at 100yds off hand with BUIS (I didn't have the pleasure of using my friends Night Force this time). I really love how light and nimble this gun feels. I was also shooting my friends LWRC REPR. His gun is a Cadillac. It has a Night Force optic,PRS stock, bi pod and he had it set up with a stock bag under the PRS. the gun is very accurate, but it is a bench gun. I am beginning to think that it would be a mistake to weigh the Kaiser down with a high power (heavy) optic. I'm thinking that I have to come up with sometype of light weight medium range scope to complement the gun. That means that I could theoretically justify another 7.62X51 build if I went for a long range bench gun this time.

I just made a deal with someone to get some 175 and 210 MK's to test out, in my quest for major PF. I don't have them in my hands yet but am planning to order some Vhita Vhouri N110 as I've heard some good things about it.

Survivalshop, What magnification do you think you'd want ideally for this? I'm planning to try my 1-4X Trijicon on mine once I know I have a functioning gun.

The Fulton barrel has been sold. If anyone is interested, I still have the PRI stainless .936" Low pro gas block and A2 flash hider available.

Yes, very nice indeed. Those POF lowers are amoung the best looking out there, IMO. I'm hoping that one of these days I'll have something finished to post pics of. As I've said before, I always seem to be waiting for parts or funds (or both) to finish my builds. Don't know how you guys do it ! Good luck with it. Now that it's done, You'll be able to tell us how accurate the 300BLK is.

I don't make a habit of swapping parts between my AR's (except optics) so based on your greater experience, I think I'll skip the KNS pins, at least for the time being. Thanks for the input.

On a trigger related subject. I have heard about the reasons for using the anti rotation hammer and trigger pins. I like the KNS gen 2. But this is my question, I have not put enough rds through any of my AR's for pin hole wear in the lower to be an issue (yet) but I thought I'd see what the general consensus is. I have heard that on a FA gun there is a real potential for wear from the hammer. and have in the past installed them on my AR's that have triggers/hammers that actually pivot on these pins, and I have seen lowers that have steel inserts in the pin holes. Have any of you guys actually had lowers where these holes actually got sloppy over time? Just wondering if I should go to the trouble of getting a set to use with the Geissele SD3G I'm planning to buy?

You know your not fooling anyone here with that offer, Your just looking for an excuse to build another one. If not the trigger your going to find some other "logical" reason to justify it, LOL. Based on your endorsment I plan to try it out. Thanks for the input. I just got an email that my BCG should be here tomorrow, and JP says the spring will be here before the weekend, So, work, weather, and wife willing, I hope to be able to try out my 300 upper this coming weekend.

I wasn't sure if I should post this here or in reloading, but since it's 300BLK specific, I decided it would be better here. This might be of some use to us in the future. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=548891

survivalshop, can you tell me what OAL your loading them too, and do the Hornady's come to an actual point, or is there a small hollow point? I'm definitely looking forward to being able to crank them out on the progressive, but I'm probably going to spend my next gun money on a trigger so I can assemble the dedicated lower, so I guess I may be using the single stage to load 300 for a while. Hopefully it will give me time to work up an ideal load.

I WISH I could move that fast with a build! I always seem to be waiting on funds or parts to become available, or both. Can't wait to see the finished product.

I picked up a lower to build so that I don't have to swap my 300 BLK upper onto the lower of one of my other AR's. I don't know if it will end up that being used for that purpose but I have built the upper with 3 gun matches in mind. It has a light weight barrel, longer than I would usually go for, and I have ordered a Young mfg super light weight BCG. So, I'm trying to decide on a trigger for the dedicated 300 comp lower. I have a number of the ATC triggers in other AR's and can say nothing bad about them (except price). I also have a light pull, adjustable Jard single stage that I bought from a member (thanks bandit 10-4) that I really like, especially the price. But I've never put a Geissele in any AR I've built. I have tried them, but not the Super dynamic 3 gun (what an obnoxious name) I always feel cramped with the trigger location on an AR and thought the straight trigger might help that. I'm thinking about trying one and was wondering if anyone has installed one or tried it? I think they have the combat and the enhanced. I was thinking about the enhanced. Any info is appreciated.

Yeah, Really nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I saw it on their site the other day but it was pretty pricey. I wish they were offering it stripped. I see that they are also offering the stripped forged lowers at a pretty good price.

I loaded 100 rds of 300 BLK last night. I've got 16.5 grs of Lil Gun behind a 145gr FMJ BT bullet. Not too bad for my first attempt at forming and loading rifle rds on a single stage press, or any press for that matter. If I have any complaint with them it's the sharp edge at the front of the case, I didn't chamfer the outside of the case at all. The lake City brass is just as I cut it off in the lathe. I loaded them to 2.1" OAL. They feed and chamber with no problem, I'll just have to see how they cycle once I get to try them at the range. I also picked up a lower for it (but don't know when I'll get around to putting that together) As soon as the bolt carrier group and buffer spring get here, I'll be all set to head out to the range and function test. If I can borrow a chrono, I'll be able to see how close I am to major PF.

VERY NICE!!!!!!!!!!, Which length is that?

That REALLY IS a beautiful build!!!! I was wondering, Do you find the powder coat to be very durable? Scratch resistant? Compared to the Hard coat, would you say it's close to as strong? And finally, What it anything did you do to prep the components before you powdercoated them?

I guess I must have been living under a rock or something, because I had never heard anything ,aside from the name, about 300 Whisper before my buddy started telling me he was planning to build the 300 BLK. One of the things he said, which I have heard from a number of people since, is that it's like the whisper, but better. I'm not really sure that it's all that different. One thing I do believe is that the popularity and factory support is bound to make shooting it an easier proposition than the whisper, ammo and barrel wise. And as you point out, the more popular it becomes the more load and performance info there will be available on it. I, also had a feeling about it. The Idea of shooting a .30 cal bullet from an AR-15 platform with just a barrel change, sounded to good not to try it for myself.

I read an article about the Army Marksmanship unit competeing in the Nationals last year using a cartridge that they developed in house. They called it the .30 Gremlin. The cartridge is (I think) basically a 6.5 Grendal case necked up to take a .30 cal bullet. In order to do this, they had to make a chamber reamer so that they could make the barrel, they had to extend 6.5 mags to get the needed rd capacity, and they had to make loading dies in order to load the ammo. The thing that caught my eye was that they did it because the rd (with 125 gr bullets) has similsr characteristics to 77 gr 5.56 rds (flat shooting), which may not be the case with the 300 BLK. For me the 300 is a natural progression in my education to more advanced reloading, and all things AR related. It also has the advantage of being very doable financially for those of hs that don't have the resources, mfg wise and dollar wise of the Army guys. I figure, even if I determine it doesn't meet my needs, I'll only be out the cost of the barrel and loading dies. the rest will all be usable for .223 or 7.62 X 51. Come to think of it, I guess the same thing would apply to the 7.62 X 40 as well, with the exception of the mags.

My MA TEN receiver took a .154" precision pin. I ordered the oversize KNS anti rotation pins because I thought the Jard hammer and trigger felt a little sloppy on the .154 pin and liked the way a .155" check pin fit in them better. Besides which the pins weren't includes with the trigger. If I hadn't been trying to get the better fit on my hammer and trigger, I could have used .154" pins in my receiver with no fitting. Maybe he got a "tight" receiver.

I don't know if the gen 1 or gen 2 Lancer 20 or 30 rd mags differ from the extended Lancer 48 round competition mags I have, but those mags have the identical inside front to back measurement as my 30 rd Pmags. I measure them both at around 2.275-2.280" which is plus .2" over the length of the loaded rds I have. Granted, you might pick up a little space with a diferent bullet type than the fmg, but based on whay I'm seeing it may be more work than it's worth.

My buddy loaded some 300 for me, using 150 gr FMJ bullets. I have no idea how deep he seated the bullets but the OA cartridge length is 2.08". When I load them in my Pmags or Lancer mags, I have .180" from the front of the rd to the inside front of the mag. I assume that the 7.62 X 40 has a cartridge length .197" (5mm) longer than the 300. What I'm getting at is that I think it may not be possible to get as much extra powder in the case as the 5mm longer case would allow, based on the limitations of OAL created by the mags, especially if you wanted to use bullets heavier than 150 gr. I also think it's good that Wilson is honest in stateing that their rd is not the best choice for subsonic, but am wondering if the extra usable.100 case length will really make that much difference in performace over the 300. If you decide to try it at some point after you build the 300 it will be very interesting to see just how the two compare, side by side.