SgtDog0311

Welcome... from Oklahoma. Working on my first.

Thank you. AERO told me I voided warranty if I lapped the E1. Was my first clue, then I happened on the above statements in reverse order, time-wise. Question has been bugging me. btw, I recon a Criterion barrel is in the running. I mean why wouldn't I make this as difficult as I can. Jeeze, sometimes even I can't stand me!

Let me call a time-out on the 'parts' questions for a general reading on something altogether more technical related to the AERO receiver to barrel interface. I read this from Nathan with Faxon barrels on another forum: “On an AR, the barrel to receiver interface is critical for repeated accuracy. If the front of the receiver is not faced correctly (its at an angle compared to the threads), the nut will apply uneven pressure and thus groups will open up dues to inconsistency. While this was relatively rare, due to the glut of parts made in "The Panic" there are new parts that are not quite up to spec. Same with head-spacing. We have seen customers who have not actually checked it and just drop parts from the mail into guns and expect them to go bang. We manufacture and 100% test all our barrels to nominal SAAMI spec, but bolt manufacturers sometimes do not. Or, the bolt is made properly and the coating applied to it makes them too thick and it head-spaces tight. AIMs bolt carriers are great (we use them for testing ourselves since AIM is just up the road from us).” Then, on another Forum I read comments on a fella’s build where he said ‘he used the AERO Precision M5 Receiver rather than the M5E1 so he could lap the receiver face where the barrel mated’. Now, I’m committed to the M5E1 as opposed to the M5 since it’s already ordered and it’s at my FFL but I wonder just for managing expectations if the M5E1 is apt to have an issue not being faced optimally by lapping as described in the second comment? Or even if one is better than the other.

Thanks fellas. I’m slow but I’m learning. Been trying to read up on that Faxon. I like the rifle length gas but just from reading here I have a little more comfort with the BA. 98Z5V’s mention over on Crimsonboat’s “Which Faxon” thread of the 18” midlength gas barrel from BA is attractive. Both that and the Faxon’s 39oz is an attractive compromise. I’m not far from Crimsonboat’s desired end-state so 98’s 1,2,3 on attributes was good stuff.

I got lost and dropped this elsewhere last night. I think I am down to two Barrel choices. Have not researched this faxon yet, i.e., would like to know if they have a bolt to sell with it. https://faxonfirearms.com/faxon-18-big-gunner-profile-ar10-barrel-308-win-nitrided/#product-reviews The other is the AERO BA 20" CMV offering now back in stock (or was a minute ago). The Faxon would make a 9lb out of an otherwise 10lb rifle, no mag or scope. Just iron sights in that weight. Any observations... midweight? Anything. Even bolts/gas blocks available from Faxon.

geeze, did I get lost and plunk that down in the wrong thread!

Thanks JT. I think I am down to two. Have not researched this faxon yet, i.e., would like to know if they have a bolt to sell with it. https://faxonfirearms.com/faxon-18-big-gunner-profile-ar10-barrel-308-win-nitrided/#product-reviews The other is the AERO BA 20" CMV offering now back in stock (or was a minute ago). The Faxon would make a 9lb out of an otherwise 10lb rifle, no mag or scope. Just iron sights in that weight.

I was wondering if a guy had an adjustable gas block would he need it exposed for adjustments. I've not tackled a build yet so that is obviously a novice question. Could be they are adjustable through the access inherent with the HGs.

Got my first two packages tonight. The LaRue trigger and the Armalite 6 position Buffer tube. Starting to get real. Components (listed weight = 9lbs, but I've got a 20" barrel plugged in and still undecided there. Fulton's has an 18" lightweight that would drop a pound. Still having trouble with that decision. Been through all the "what's it for". Got to get serious answering that question. I hunt, but I enjoy long range. Decisions Decisions!

Thanks, good info on flutted barrels there applicable to me.

Also, AERO said they will not check headspace even if ordered together but would guarantee and correct if I found it to be an issue.

Well on AERO I'm looking at this https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/18-308-fluted-stainless-steel-barrel-rifle-length $319 stainless fluted. Don't know the pros and cons between stainless or fluted and simple round CMV. Any observations while I go poke around the web for pros and cons. This one is my other focus, cheaper but a few ounces heavier. https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/308-18-cmv-rifle-barrel I asked BA who makes their bolts but they declined to say.

Thank you both.

Try and break these up a little. I read this last night from some NRA on-line rag. "Mid-length direct impingment gas systems run far better than do carbine lengths in larger-caliber chamberings. Rifle-length systems are better still, even in 16-inch barrels. I am a firm believer in the use of adjustable gas systems, be they at the gas block, on the gas tube or in the bolt carrier". 1st Question: Is it true? 2nd Question: If true, how much weight should you give that consideration should that be in selecting barrel length and gas systems". 3rd Question: What are y'll recommendation on fixed vs adjustable gas blocks. Bonus Question: What's the plural of y'll. Answer: All y'll. Sorry couldn't resist. My brother-in-law who calls me a gravy-suckin-sooner was real proud of that question.

Ok, so I see I can go direct to BA and find a little larger selection on barrels than AERO shows. So question: Reading about headspace and ordering bolt & barrel together being a 'good thing' in that regard, I'm wondering who makes their bolt and if going that route vs an AERO bolt (on sale of course) would be advisable?

True that! I've shot BPCR for three years now and discovering things all the time. Used to wonder about my groups (ten shot in most cases) having flyers out 3/4" or more from the core and one day I sat down with my spotting scope within easy access and started numbering my shots after each one on a target in front of me. I discovered the mental picture I had of my sight-picture with each pull showed. That mental snapshot of my hold explained every flyer and I started scrutinizing my own fundamentals a lot more. Now, that's with iron sights but my scores sure took a jump. Before that I'd been blaming those flyers on everything but myself. There is a few more factors to consider when you are casting your own bullets and shooting centerfire Black Powder cartridges but the fundamentals of shooting are the same.

Roger that, thanks! Been keeping track of the weights of components, have them captured except for the Armalite buffer/tube/spring and LaRue trigger but can weigh them myself. Should arrive any day. Receivers ought to be at the FFL. After reading the 'build threads' here and elsewhere I got more interested in tracking the weight.

Thanks Matt. What is the estimation here of BA barrels compared to the others I see in the many "post your build" threads on all the forums?

I see if I drop down from the BA CMV 20" to their 18" I only drop 3oz of so. 16" drops a bunch. Think I'll look at some other manufacturers that might have a lighter profile albeit I'm not ready to go 16" or to a pencil profile yet. I'll post questions a lot shorter than my tome above once I have them.

This could wind up being the longest new build thread on 308ar. Hope I don't wear out the experts. Been through this in other venues but dang its frustrating to start over. This one is like a big circle where barrel choices drives gas choices, drives buffer choices, drives stock choices and the question is where do you grab hold of the merrygoround. For instance, really like the Atlas handguard and find the proprietary barrel nut with the free float anti-rotation tabs are not a player with the M5E1 upper I already ordered. Entered the circle without looking both ways. Additionally I'm backing up the truck on the barrel length... and weight. Especially after reading some of the build threads here. Right now I’m trying to determine if I want a Carbine vs Rifle configuration, weight and accuracy being the tradeoffs. The .308 vs the 6.5 was already a decision point I gave way on in favor the .308 simply because of my M1A and ammo compatibility. But still, shooting these cast bullet guns out to long ranges leaves a guy prejudice - if he is going to build a flat-trajectory rifle it stands to reason it should at least do what his low-velocity 140 year old rifles do. Everyone asks what are you going to use this rifle for and now I know why you better frigging answer that question. If you want a battle rifle that will serve you well in a zombie-invasion (read “political unrest”) then do you really need something heavy as an anchor to shoot 1000 yds or do you want something that can put down rabid dogs coming down your cul-de-sac or kill an elk standing on a distant finger or outcropping. I carried my Ballard the entire elk season without a sling and I think I can live with a 10lb rifle especially if it had a sling. But I’m beginning to ask myself, do I really want a 20” or 22” barrel for picking off bad guys a 1000 yds away. I’m not ready to go to a 16” barrel but I might. Could be an 18” would be a good compromise but that seems (just from my reading) to be about where my indecision is falling. Then there is the balance of your build. Lets say I started off wanted a long range set up, which I did... Well then, it would follow that I want a precision fixed rifle stock. Those add weight and arguably add some balance to the stick. I found myself compromising right off the bat, preferring the carbine stocks I saw. That got right into the gas system and buffer set-up real fast. That made me think, dude, you better listen to that question you keep reading and decide what you want this for before going further. That sort of has me taking another run at the barrel length and weight. That’s where I’m at right now.

Thanks fellas. Not sure which model I'll go with but I think that's my direction.

Thanks for the responses. Was just ordering parts for my first build (babe-in-the-woods-here); ordered an AERO upper and lower last weekend. Dang, you could get a PHD in this stuff. The buffer got to be an issue (right or wrong) in that with a 20" barrel and rifle gas system the teck said go with their 'rifle' buffer/tube, limiting me to one of two Magpul stocks. Just didn't like the affordable rifle stock! Anyway, went with the ArmaLite buffer instead based on some advice here and when on the phone with with ArmaLite the gent said they were seeing/buying a lot of Luth-AR, so I had a look. The "5" was mentioned for it's affordability. Saw a lot of others I liked but they were back in the price range of the OTHER rifle stock AERO had from Magpul. Was just over on Snipershide looking at a six page thread of 308 builds. A handful had Luth-AR.

Be interested if anyone on here has had one or handled a rifle with one on it. Any impressions at all after looking it over? https://www.luth-ar.com/product/mba-5-buttstock/

Obe'd jt. Ordered the ArmaLite today. For anyone else peeking in here, have a look at this unless you are already familiar. Tell me what you think. https://www.luth-ar.com/product/mba-5-buttstock/ Considering this or the Magpul CTR but hope to get out and visit some shops tomorrow to get hands-on.

98ZV, thanks for link. Got the trigger ordered. Got a message from AERO that the Upper and Lower had shipped too. Guess I'll need some tools before long. jtallen83, that thread was really only about 14 lines. The rest was just fluff I wanted to capture... sort of prove I was doing my homework to you guys. Anyway, not to worry. I think I'm gonna get that Armalite ordered before I spend any more brain power on it. I did get the thread count from AERO when pressing them on why they said only that 'one' of theirs was good from their selection. Then called Armalite just to confirm. Can't see the harm in opening up the options on the stocks. Talked about that a little and he said one of Magpul's options had a lock on it that further snugged the movement. I'll be looking to put my hands one of those soon as I get around to the shops.