FaRKle!

I'd also look for a Mega MATEN since they're compatible with LaRue OBR-family uppers (and thus KAC SR-25, and LMT MWS too!). I believe the new AR-10A is also compatible, but no confirmation yet. Of course the MATEN is a fantastic platform to build off of too if you want to do that later. I'm also in CA and that's one thing I want to pick up before the year's over too. If you need some .308 AR DPMS pattern lowers to stash away, Brownell's has the Tactical Machining ones for pretty cheap, and available.

Nope, not the Rogers super-stoc. See post above. Tactical Intent are great folks. They have a good deal on a 7075 milspec receiver extension with spring and whatever buffer you want too, but you have to call for it.

Yup, ordered my two last night as well. Picked up one of those Anderson lowers from PSA and planning on trying out those new Tennessee Arms Co. hybrid polymer lowers soon too.

Definitely an official model. I read about it yesterday here.

Yeah, the ACT was a nice touch. I actually really like that trigger (no creep at all). The newer Mod 1 models definitely seem more refined with the ACT and adjustable gas block. I wish they included a heavier buffer though. The H3 I put into mine works great and my bolt locks back every time with the PPU M80 ball, CBC M80 ball, and match ammo I've run at the "slightly hotter, military load" gas setting. I've got a Leupy MK6 3-18x44 for glass. Plenty.

Geissele SD-E. Stock it came with an ALG ACT, which I didn't think was half bad, although you're right that it's just a mil-spec trigger with tighter tolerances.

While searching for some 175gr FGMM ammo I bought some HSM "M118LR equivalent" rounds to try from Sniper Central. The ammo is comparatively cheap at $1.06/rnd, but I hadn't really heard much about it. Yesterday at the range I zeroed my PWS MK216 at 100yds with 175gr FGMM, and then decided to shoot a group of FGMM and this HSM M118LR equivalent to see how they compared. The rifle was shot off of a bench with sand bags in the front and supported by my hand in the rear. The HSM M118LR equivalent grouped at 1.65MOA and the FGMM at 1.50MOA. Neither of these groups are particularly impressive, but they were both close in size and my guess is that both the HSM and FGMM are capable of better than I am at this point (I'm VERY new at shooting precision rifle). Unfortunately, I didn't have time to shoot more comparison groups due to a birthday dinner I had to get ready for, but I'll update my results here as I do more comparison groups. The one flier I had in the HSM group I knew would happen as soon as the trigger broke. Bubbasks taught me that you really need to follow through with your trigger pull on a .308 AR to get a good group and on that shot I knew I missed doing that.

Ideal weight will depend on your gas port size as well. Chances are your gun is over gassed, so a heavier buffer (at least H3 - 5.6oz) would be the area you'd start. I'd also go with an Armalite or VLTOR A5 receiver extension so you can use the longer Armalite spring and standard AR-15 carbine profile/sized buffers.

New Magpul K2 grip on its way! Hopefully this will finally end my search for the perfect fitting grip.

Those mags are so bad you need to rack the charging handle about 4-6 times just to release the round from the mag!

I have a Leupy MK6 with the H-58 and I agree that it's a great reticle. It does seem daunting at first (Bubbasks said, "Damn, you got enough lines in there?"), but makes holdovers easy.

They can be quite difficult to unload though... Case in point those ASC .308 mags.

Thanks for the clarification! BTW, the URX 4 I got from you is fantastic!

Heh, if you think those are tough, try the 10rnd .308 ASC mags! Don't actually buy those mags though, because they downright SUCK.

THIS is entirely your problem. CBC M80 ball (147gr btw) is TERRIBLE ammo. I had all of the same issues as you (FTE, FTF, popped primers) with CBC M80, and I could never get through 10rnds without a malfunction of some sort with my PWS MK216. CBC 168gr "Sniper" ammo has been reliable for me though, as has Prvi M80 ball.

I'm not impressed by the Colt 901 at all. Swapping from .308 to 5.56 requires you to change the mag block, which costs an additional $295, buffer, and action spring. Nothing fast about that. For the price of the mag block alone you can build yourself a pretty nice lower... The ONLY plus-side I can see to this thing is having one registered NFA lower and being able to make multiple caliber SBRs out of it with one tax stamp. Doesn't do me any good in CA though since we're not allowed to have NFA items...

Geissele makes a LR308/AR10 reaction rod, but it's $200... The KAC tool does work for AR10s according to Operations Parts:

Which DPMS barrel nut wrench do you have? You should have this one. Once you attach a breaker bar to it you may need to hit the end of the breaker bar with a rubber mallet till it loosens the barrel nut enough for you to finish it by hand. A propane torch will also work to heat up the barrel nut hot enough (250C for loc-tite) to weaken the loc-tite if you don't have a powerful enough heat gun. Please don't use loc-tite when you re-install the barrel nut either!

Loc-tite on a barrel nut? WTF? Not having faith that their armorers can torque to correct specs and thus have to rely on loc-tite is a baaaaaaaaaad sign... Grab yourself a KAC Barrel Extension Wrench to make holding onto the upper easier (yes it's AR-10 and SR-25 barrel compatible). Brownells has a similar tool, but I don't think it's as functional since it requires you put the barrel nut wrench in a vise.

Blast you, making me spend money! lol At least now I'll be able to compare HSM M118LR to this load.

How much magnification do you need? Would an Aimpoint Micro with detachable magnifier work? Or how bout just a QD scope that you take out of your bag when needed?

I doubt it. After all, if they banned things based on model numbers' default configurations we wouldn't be able to buy AR-15s or SCARs since standard out of the box they come with banned features. If they're modified to be CA-compliant before entering CA though, then they're fine.

The upper and lower don't have to match. You'll be fine with the DPMS upper. BCGs are agnostic to uppers, however the bolt should be matched/headspaced to the barrel. You'll need a set of gauges, or take your rifle to a gunsmith to check if the headspacing is within tolerance. SSA-E and SD-E are very similar. They have the same pull weight, but the only difference is the curved vs flat trigger. If you find yourself trying to grab your standard trigger at various heights (instead of the apex of the curvature) you'll probably want the SD-E. The HS-DMR is a whole other thing since you can adjust the pull of it. Personally, I use the SD-E on my rifles. The barrel should be based off of your needs. Will this be a benchrest/prone rifle always supported such that the weight of a heavy profile and longer barrel aren't a concern, or will you be shooting this standing unsupported as well? Also figure out what you want to achieve with the barrel accuracy-wise and set a budget limit.

I guess I'm late to the party. In for $20.

Also check Sniper Central. I ordered some HSM "M118LR Equivalent" from them last night.