DM15

Good info. I didn't think I was pushing limits with 43.5 gr. Lee starts at 43.0 gr and max 45.5. The fact is however that I am having problems. I have couple hundred loaded. I probably won't pull them yet. I tried some other powders yesterday and may load enough of them to hunt with. If problems cease them I will know. Leaning toward BL-C2 at 46.5 or 47.0gr. Just a one shot ladder got 2551 and 2599 respectively. May run a small ladder again in that range to confirm. Odd question. While testing yesterday I noticed most brass is almost too hot to hold for a few seconds after firing. That's expected and it cools very fast. However one shot in particular didn't eject. I ejected by hand immediately and picked up brass. It was as cool as when I loaded it and almost as shiny. It wasn't even warm. This was the top load of Varget at 46.0 gr. Is this a sign of delayed combustion or something wrong?

The Grendel is the rage here. I didn't bite. Ammo was cheap and available. I went with a 30 cal offshoot of the 6.8. Its very efficient and effective. Honestly if a guy doesn't handload or care about tinkering with guns, the most practical choice would have been the 7.62x39 preferably in AR platform. Cheap and effective for most practical situations.

There is plenty of opportunity for long shots. If there are several pigs I need to get closer. They scatter at the first shot.

I often get within 50 yds. As long as I see them first I go to them. I probably don't shoot much over 200 but want the ability for further.

In short, I have other options on hand. I just wanted to build a large frame and wanted a 308 for its versatility and available components.

Other than the satisfaction I get from building it and getting it perform to its potential, it pays its way controlling hogs with a thermal. I like to hunt but we farm/ranch. Hogs are expensive.

Sounds good. I arrived at that number by taking 200 fps off of load data to compensate for the short barrel. Maybe I have the bar set to high. Also, I just inspected the brass in the pics again and noticed they are different year model PPU. Most all that brass was 17 with a few 16 but those pics have a 16,17,18, and a 19. I don't think that has any bearing on the issue but just keeping my story straight. They all weighed very close.

My goal was to shoot 150 gr at 2700 fps out of 16" barrel. Is this unrealistic for the 308 is this platform? I have 30 cal in an AR platform that will do 125 gr at 2650. A couple of pounds lighter and about 2/3 powder usage. Surely the tried and true 308 can handily trump that.

I have the Vltor RE A5 tube, HSS tungsten buffer 3.25" and weighted 6.8 oz., and EA1095 spring. I did some load work today with different powders since H4895 hasn't surfaced again. In doing so I chronographed a few of these 4895 loads as a check for new loads. Today the 4895 were 2648 fps where they were 2700ish in February. It was about 70 degrees today and don't remember in Feb. but colder. I found it odd the velocity dropped but that is why I checked them so I wouldn't be chasing 2700 with the new loads. Also another caliber chronoed lower than previously with same loads. This is a Caldwell chrono but is usually consistent when in the shade. It seems that what should be isn't here lately. I am on board with working up loads w/o the suppressor. I haven't been doing that, but shall give it a try. Brass is PPU 17 7.62x51. Pretty sure its once fired when I bought it and this is the first firing for me. Average wt was 175.44 gr with a 1.60 gr spread. It was almost as consistant as the Lapua and beat the Hornady Match.

Here are a couple of pics of the worst of the brass. These were when I was opening up the AGB. The broken one was with the shorter gas tube. That was the only time that happened. BTW it was the first shot in a big group of hogs. This is a Toolcraft DLC BCG that I purchased new for this build. I probably have 150 rounds thru this gun. This is PPU 17 brass that I bought as 1X fired. It still had the red sealer around the primers so I believe it to be accurate. This is my first firing on them, so they are 2X fired total. I developed the load for this gun. It has been working well with a couple of exceptions. Now this is showing up. Nothing has changed except the different parts and a little warmer weather. Federal 150 Power Shok 2.1900 2.7195 H4895 43.0 PPU 2691 2/2/2021 Federal 150 Power Shok 2.2000 H4895 43.0 PPU 2682 4 2/8/2021 Federal 150 Power Shok 2.2000 H4895 43.5 PPU 2735 6 2/8/2021

I installed Armalite spring and carbine length gas tube. Now I am having more trouble than before. I am pulling the rim off of the brass or bending it. I have the AGB shut one click from off. This doesn't always lock the bolt on empty mag. Any more and the above issue worsens. This is when shooting suppressed. When unsuppressed I have to open the AGB much more to get it to just cycle (not lock bolt back) and it damaged the rims badly. This seems to me to clearly be a timing issue. The action is trying to open before the pressure is low enough right? It seems to be magnified with the longer gas tube. It now seems that my load isn't correct for barrel setup. I am shooting 150 gr flat base soft points with 43.5 gr 4895. This shouldn't be a hot load. To be fair I was having intermittent trouble with the mid length DPMS tube. Failure to cycle on the first shot and one rim damaged by the extractor. However, most all the other brass looked good and didn't show swipes or over pressure signs. Thoughts on this one?

Looks good. I have that Adaptive Tactical stock also. Really like the soft recoil pad and can't beat the price on them.

No sir. I certainly want to be safe and definitely don't want to encourage anyone else to try anything that might cause harm. Now please educate me as to where the problem lies assuming that HS is in spec. If the bolt locks up properly, doesn't disengage to early, where will the danger lye? Not arguing, just want to know what goes wrong.

I too have been on the same trail as you. I'm probably on many watchlists now with all the searching I've done. I've about concluded that if 1) the headspace is in spec and 2) you overcome the difference in gas tube length, then it will work. I think it is wise to not intentionally seek to mismatch components from the two different styles, but if that is what you have in todays climate then its worth investigating. I haven't found evidence that the bolt and extension lugs will damage each other, or any other damage to the rifle. Once again it seems to be safety first and that is verified/denied by checking headspace. This is my opinion for now and not intended to guaranty success or safety for others.

I'll try and track down a no go gauge. Rare in theses parts except buying one. I really want to know now if it passes now. I agree for the most part, however it was never properly HS tested. Ignorance was bliss but now I just want to know for sure. Also, I don't want to prematurely wear out any parts due to any ill fitting pieces.

Yes, I'm in the process of acquiring an Armalite carbine length tube. My concern is that I may have an Armalite barrel extension. How can I determine if I have the correct extension for my DPMS bolt?

After building my first 308 AR I have a few more questions. The rifle is working fine as stated in other posts. I am now concerned (after reading a post below this one) that I may have mixed parts. The BCG is from Toolcraft so I know its DPMS. The barrel is not stamped but was sold new as "DPMS style". So far I'm very pleased with it's accuracy and function. However, the standard 11 3/4" midlength gas tube comes up short with the cam cutout. Now that I know this I am wondering if I have a Armalite barrel and extension. I do not have access to "no go" gauges. Factory ammo chambers fine. I handload so I adjust the case to fit the chamber. So far all is good. I've searched for a direct answer but end up chasing rabbits. Is there any way to determine if the extension is Armalite or DPMS?

That is my kind of price! I got on the email list. Thanks.

I am searching for a EA1095 spring. It seems Armalite doesn't sell just the spring. May be better off buying the whole buffer kit and have for a future build. Also, I'm still looking for the elusive 12 1/8" gas tube. Are they an obsolete item? I did buy a sprinco green spring with the A5 tube. It is too long to lock the bolt back with the charging handle. This combo is highly touted so I'm curious why my experience is different. Possibly the HSS buffer is thicker/longer at the "head". That is between the spring and where the bcg makes contact. Anyway I may have a green spring for sale or trade.

Thanks for the clarification on the A5. In retrospect I would buy the Armalite buffer kit. In fact maybe have that one on the shelf as a backup. However, since I have limped into my current setup I'll run it for now and see. That is A5 tube, Heavybuffers HSS at 3.25" and 6.8 oz, and Aero carbine 308 spring. Might consider another spring option though. Good stuff. Glad to have this resource.

Edit from above post: My quick research finds that Armalite carbine buffer tube is 8" internal depth. Is that correct? If so your saying the extra 3/8" internal length will benefit over the A5? I'm now finding that both A5 and Armalite carbine buffer tubes are the same internal length and should function the same.

Thanks to all for chiming in. 98Z5V I have read several of you threads. I can't find one on your opinion on A5, specifically why A5 won't work in 308 LR. If you would direct me to a thread on the subject. I do find that you are a fan of Armalite recoil systems and I assume you are saying that is the preferred choice for my application? My quick research finds that Armalite carbine buffer tube is 8" internal depth. Is that correct? If so your saying the extra 3/8" internal length will benefit over the A5? A few more details that may have been left out above. This has a Toolcraft DLC BCG. CMT upper/lower receiver. The barrel is unbranded, but has the odd length gas port. The 11 3/4 tube doesn't reach the middle of the cam cutout. I have searched for a Armalite carbine length tube to purchase, but they are non existent. Also, this will be/is shot with a suppressor. Once again the rifle seems to function fine as is. I guess I'm just looking to dial it in better or head off a future problem.

I understood that the A5 needed a rifle spring even though its not as long as a rifle length tube. However, the green spring was too long when compressed and didn't allow bolt lockback by hand. Is there a better spring option than my Aero 308 carbine spring?

I just joined the forum myself, so welcome. My first thoughts are does the bolt lock back by hand using the same empty magazine? If so about how much space is between the bolt and the bolt stop when held back with the charging handle?

I just built a 16" mid-length gas 308. I installed a Aero M5 carbine buffer kit. I also believe in adjustable gas blocks as I shoot suppressed almost exclusively. I used an Oden detent AGB and have it set 1 click from closed. Even closed it allows some gas thru. The rifle cycled great from the get go and threw brass at 4:00. Now I am experimenting with heavier buffers/springs to mitigate recoil (mainly seeing bullet hit target). I purchased an A5 and green spring. Planned on using these with my HSS buffer. Mine weighs 6.8 oz. It seemed the .75" longer buffer should work in the A5 as it too is about that much longer. So the Green spring will not work with A5 and HSS. It likes just a little locking the bolt back by hand. I now have the Aero spring, HSS, and A5 combination. It stopped the BCG from touching the back of the lower receiver about .100? The bolt pulled back past the bolt stop more that I liked, so I installed 50 cents worth of shims (2 quarters). Now its about .175" behind bolt stop and that much further from hitting the back of the receiver. The rifle cycles well and locks bolt back with the gas block shut down as before. I've only tested it for cycling and can't say if this improved recoil noticeably. It wasn't too bad before, but wanted better. I know this may not be a recommended setup. Is there anything that I should measure or be aware of that isn't mentioned above?