Hooz

So it's been quite a while since my last update. I have made some progress, but I changed the plan a bit so there is more waiting to do. I decided to build the gun in 6.5 Creedmoor instead of .308 as I orginally planned. So I sold my .308 barrel and I'm in line (6-8 weeks) for a Kreiger 6.5 Creedmoor barrel. But here is how everything sits right now. McMillan Tan Cerakote is done and all the parts (sans barrel) are here. I'm just not in a hurry since the barrel is still more than a month out. Also... I finally took delivery of my Spike's Tactical MRS-2 suppressor yesterday (after 7 months of waiting for the stamp). Since I mentioned it in this thread, here is a picture of it on my 300 Blackout SBR. Sorry for the crappy cellphone pics. It's all I had handy.

I guess when my MRS-2 stamp comes back I'll have to do a build thread in the 300 BLK forum. ;D I also have another 300 BLK build in progress, but I need to finish this 308 first.

So that I could do this... I really like the way the reflex cans suppress without adding as much to the overall length of the gun. The MRS-2 is about 7" long, but it only adds ~4" to the overall length. I have an 11.3" barrel and a 10" rail on my 300 BLK SBR, so it'll look a lot like the Compressor (pictured above), just a couple inches longer (I think they use an 8" barrel and 9" rail). I also have a McGowen Precision built CZ 527 chambered in 300 BLK, two 6.5 Grendel ARs and a couple 5.56 ARs that I'll be setting-up with the MRS/LRS mounts so that I can use the can(s) on multiple hosts. It just made sense to have this build done now instead of redoing it later. Once the two stamps I have pending now (MRS-2 and 9mm Multimount) are back, I also plan on getting the titanium LRS-2 which is more ideally suited to a .308 build. The LRS-2 uses the same mounting system, so either way I'm good-to-go.

I have paperwork in proccess to pick-up my Spike's MRS-2 that should be back any time now (5 months in on the wait). http://www.spikestactical.com/new/z/suppressor-mrs2-30-cal-p-787.html I bought the MRS-2 to use mainly on my 300 BLK SBR but it's rated for .308, so I figured I'd get this gun setup for it too. Once the MRS-2 stamp and another stamp I am waiting on (9mm Multimount) come back I'll start the proccess of buying a Spike's LRS-2 which will be a bit more appropriate for this gun. It also uses the same mounting system as the MRS-2, so I'll already be good-to-go there. Spike's worked with OPS Inc to develop the MRS/LRS suppressors, so they use the same sort of muzzle device/alignment collar mounting system.

Heh. Yeah. He is going to lap the receiver, shorten (from 20" to 18") and rethread the barrel, reprofile the barrel for my suppressor mount, Cerakote and assemble the whole upper.

My quest for a reputable Cerakote outfit somewhere in Ohio has led me to Mark Gordon over at Short Action Customs. I contacted him via email to discuss options and pricing, and things kind of snowballed out of control. Now I'm looking at "a few" modifications in addition to the Cerakote... This is going to cost me, but I figured I might as well do it the way I want to out of the gate. :)

People who run lightweight carriers and buffers in their ARs typically run extra power action springs. Since there is less mass slamming the bolt home, the spring helps, and it also mitigates bolt bounce. The JP captured spring is designed to run with their carrier, so you'll be fine. But like I said earlier, you adjust the gas to your operating system. There is no "over gassing" or accelerated carrier velocity because you tune it to your setup... Stuff only moves as fast as it needs to. I have low mass systems in two ARs, and I'm putting one in my LR308 build too. I like them a lot.

Well, you could. But, the other benefit of using the LMOS system is that it reduces the reciprocating mass and reduces the "felt" recoil when shooting the rifle. The lower the reciprocating mass also keeps the gun flatter during recoil. That's why 3-gun guys almost all run low mass systems (and adjustable gas blocks)... Less recoil and less muzzle rise lead to faster follow-up shots. There was a great thread on this subject over at Sniper's Hide. One post there does a better job of explaining than I do.

The whole point of the LMOS systems revolves around having an adjustable gas block. If you adjust the gas correctly, the carrier won't have any more velocity suppressed than it will unsupressed... Because you're restricting the gas to the point that it only cycles the action, regardless of the setup. If you're running unsuppressed, you adjust the gas so that the bolt just locks back on an empty magazine. If you're running suppressed, you turn the gas down until the bolt just locks back on an empty magazine. Either way, the end result is the same bolt velocity. In a nutshell - You'll be fine shooting suppressed with a LMOS system as long as you tune the gas block correctly. That's exactly what they designed the system to do.

Well. It turns out that the health issues are worse than I knew. I got the full scoop today from the guy's wife... as she was returning my unpainted parts. Turns out he is going to be laid-up for a while. :( Anybody know any decent Cerakote guys? Mid-Ohio area would be nice.

The nurses busted me for trying to smuggle in the blast cabinet disguised as a food cart. <dontknow>

Yeah. So... I got all my parts out to my Cerakote guy a few weeks ago and he ordered the color I decided on. Then he proceeded to get sick to the point that he was admitted to the hospital. :o I've got boxes full of parts waiting to be painted and assembled. Still in a holding pattern. In the meantime I got in on the preorder for the Rainier Arms AXTS 7.62 Raptor charging handle. I have a few of them on 5.56 guns, so it was a no-brainer for me when they announced the 7.62 version.

I pre-ordered mine! I've got 3 of the 5.56 version handles. They're seriously stout. I'll probably (eventually) replace all my Gunfighters with Raptors since I'm trying to make sure all of my ARs are as ambidextrous as they can be.

Yep. Same Hooz. ;)

I am hoping this barrel likes bullets in the 155-168gr weight. My 1:10" twist bolt guns like the heavier stuff, but my 1:11" guns seem to like the lighter bullets. I won't know for sure until it's done and I get a chance to shoot it, though. As for the "how long is long" question: A couple ranges that I go to regularly have 300-400 yard rafle ranges (not very "long"), but there is a place a little further out where you can shoot out to 1200 yards. A few of my buddies have been making the 2 hour roundtrip recently to watch (and eventually participate in) some informal long range matches. We're getting a group together to try to make that a regular thing. For the Cerakote... I took all my stuff out to the painter's last week and went through the entire Cerakote sample ring, trying to pick out a color that matched one of the colors in the Multicam. The two closest were Desert Sage (light green) and McMillan Tan (medium brown). I think the light green would stand out more in my AO, so I opted for the McMillan Tan. He didn't have the color in stock, so it'll probably arrive this week and he'll spray my upper, lower, receiver extension (buffer tube) and barrel as soon as he gets it.