Fletch

Do yourself a favor and do NOT buy a 16" barrel with a carbine length gas system. 16" is a great 308AR barrel length, but gas port should be mid-length at the shortest IMO and get an adjustable gas block.

SLR Rifleworks makes handguards for DPMS low-profile receivers. You probably won't find one for $200 as they are a bit pricier, but they are excellent quality and well worth the extra money IMO. I have one of their handguards, (15" ION Lite MLOK) on a build of mine, although it is the high-profile version. They are running a spring sale right now also.

This one doesn't have machined windows in it, but it appears to be even lighter than the F1 set. http://2a-arms.com/collections/receivers/products/xanthos-lite-large-frame-receiver-set

Is this it? http://f-1firearms.com/bdr-10-3g-matched-receiver-set/

LOL...yep, got mine last week!

Yes, me too! I hadn't done that before so I called Mega and they told me to put the upper in the oven at about 200-220 degrees until it heats up then slip in the barrel (with the extension lubed/greased) and then let it cool before putting the barrel nut on. It worked perfectly. I also did the same thing with another Maten set that I built for myself using a Mega barrel. I'm not sure if they make their receivers undersized on purpose or if I just got "lucky" with those two but needless to say I was pleased to have been able to assemble it that way. I will say that tolerances for the Maten receivers (upper/lower fit as well as barrel fit) are the tightest I have ever seen. The set comes with port door installed, no forward assist (thankfully), a billet charging handle, takedown/pivot pins installed, and you can use any standard AR-15 lower parts kit to finish the rest. It may be a bit pricey but worth every cent IMO.

Nice pics! I think they're going to fly the one here on Sunday...I'm going to try and make it back if possible.

Wow...that's one hell of a nice restoration job..."Doc" looks almost brand new.

I was at the airport today and noticed a B-29 sitting out there so decided to take a closer look and it turned out they had an Air Power History Tour. They said it was the only remaining flyable B-29. It really was a treat to see. They even offer rides in it on the last day but the prices are very high...like $600 for a gunner seat (in the rear) and $1,500 for a cockpit seat...way too high for me. Figured I'd post a few of the pics...enjoy!

Recently finished this build for a buddy of mine. He is very pleased with it. He wanted a mid to longer range set-up for targets 200 to 800 yards and something he could take elk hunting out to about 400 max. During initial testing/zeroing I was getting 1/2" groups using Federal GMM 175's...it runs very smooth and has been trouble-free thus far. Also, due to super-tight tolerances I was able to thermally fit the barrel to the upper receiver. Specs: Mega Maten receiver set, Faxon 18" heavy-profile fluted barrel, RCA bolt carrier group, Slash's CAR-10 buffer & spring, SLR adjustable gas block, Fortis Switch 14 handrail, VG6 Gamma 762 muzzle brake, Geissele SSA-E trigger, LaRue/Harris QD bipod, Vortex PST 6-24 SFP scope, ADM Recon mount. Personally I think the rifle is "over-scoped" with the 6-24 but he had an extra one laying around and decided he wanted to use it so on it went.

Yes, looking for an all-in-one accuracy report for 308AR barrels will likely be impossible...your best bet is what you're doing...asking and hoping for a variety of responses. I think what you're going to find is that there are a handful of companies that offer what you seek...is Lothar-Walther better than Criterion? is Criterion better than JP? Is JP better than (whoever)? Etc. If you're looking for sub-MOA all of those (and some others) are good to go...if you're looking for "most accurate" I think you're going to have to take a chance and pick one...if you're happy with it, keep it, if not sell it and try another. I don't see that question as definitively answerable beforehand by anyone. For me, my choice ended up being between Mega, JP, and Criterion...all of which I felt would be very accurate based on what I read...the price steered me away from JP, and the Criterion was out of stock, so I went with the Mega. But my criteria was probably different from yours...I just wanted 16", mid-gas, black, and MOA or better...and for me the Mega has exceeded my expectations. If I had to guess I would say the Mega is not likely to be as accurate (on average) than some of those other choices and by no means am I trying to push the Mega barrel...just trying to illustrate one way of looking at the choices out there.

Are you against getting a Mega 16" barrel? I have one and it is easily capable of 3/4" groups with Federal GMM 168 grain factory ammo...probably even better if you took me out of the equation. I did shoot a sub 1/2" group with it but I'm thinking that was a bit of luck on my part. Also, have you considered JP Rifles? They have a 16" (mid-length gas) that comes with one of their High Pressure Enhanced Bolts which is matched/headspaced to the barrel. I almost bought one but the price was a bit steep for me. I think it's like $600 (+$50 if you want it coated black).

Totally not related to guns, politics, shootings, etc. but I came across this article last week (even though it's from last year)...in addition to making me laugh I also found it to be quite interesting and rather sensible IMO. Thought I'd share it with you all for a goof...hopefully someone else enjoys it too...if not...I don't give a fu.... ;) https://markmanson.net/not-giving-a-fornicate

LOL..I thought about that but decided against it. I have no desire to follow through on any legal threats so I figured I'd better not make any (threats) to start with. I chose to leave it entirely up to them...they'd either do right and I'd be happy or they wouldn't and I'd sell the rifle (and never ever buy anything Armalite again). I'm actually pleased it turned out this way...I get to build another rifle and now both of my 308AR's will be the same platform instead of having one DPMS-pattern and one Armalite. Lesson learned!

They do sell their OBR barrels, but according to their website the barrels will only work with their OBR rifles, which makes sense as I think their PredatOBR rifle is designed for quick break-down and barrel swap. http://www.larue.com/762-predatobr-barrel-cartridge