MtnMike

I've wondered if there would be more companies utilizing Japanese glass with Nikon abandoning the rifle scope market. Have to figure someone else has and is running the equipment now. Had a couple of Nikons I liked that I let get away not realizing they'd become collector pieces.

Which Arkens are you using? I looked at those a bit, but shied away from them on my "hunting" AR308 due to weight. I'm getting an inkling for another project and weight is less of a concern.

Brief follow-up on the Leupold scope covers. Pros - very nice quality. Perfect fit. Magnets keep the lids closed unless you want them open. Cons - expensive. Also, while Leupold scopes and mounts are made in USA. This lens cover is made in Malaysia.

As it appears you hail from Maine, I'd definitely recommend looking into Windham Weaponry. Great folks. Great Warranty. Great customer service. Not the lightest, but lighter than most. Rock solid reliable and accurate. Have not had a single FTF using about a dozen different types of ammo. Mine ended up coming in at just under 9# including optics. Photos below on scale w/everything installed, including optics and 10rnd magazine (no bullets). Could have made it about half lb. lighter if I'd gone with a 40mm scope instead of 50mm and a lighter buttstock. But I felt those particular upgrades were worth the added weight. Granted it is a 16.5" barrel. But, I'm consistently getting 1" 3-bullet groups at 100 yds with 180g Fed Nontypical Whitetail. Works for me. POF .308s are about the lightest options out there that I've seen. But I've read enough reviews with reliability issues and reports of poor customer service there to keep me away. (Hearsay-I know - take it for what its worth). Next to barrels, optics and mounts seem to be the biggest variables for weight. I really like Leupold non-illuminated scopes for their lightness, optic quality and durability. Keep us posted with what you decide! Love seeing what other folks do. More than one way to skin a cat as we say down here.

Karma. Serves me right. One of my plans with my last setup was that it be 100% made in the USA. So of course, the only thing f@cking up on the whole rig is the one thing that isn't made in America - the damn Butler Creek slip on scope lens covers just keep popping open. Actually tried 2 different versions, the regular and the clear "blizzard" - both are just garbage. Came to a head yesterday when I was giving it a thorough break down and cleaning - don't need a bunch of soot on my scope lenses. So I bit the bullet and bought the proper Leupold screw in, magnet latching lens covers for my scope. Can't believe I'm paying this much for a f@cking set of lens covers. But this should bring Shelly into 100% made in the USA compliance. https://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-alumina-flip-back-objective-and-eyepiece-lens-cover-sets.html

Took her to the range for the 3rd time this morning. First couple of times were more just getting to know the gun, break in and testing my mods. Had previously determined it seemed to prefer a bit heavier bullet. First dialed in the scope with Fed 175g Gold Medal Sierra MatchKing. Then tried multiple groupings of several flavors and weights of available hunting rounds. All rounds functioned fine. And, frankly they all performed acceptable for hunting at the ranges I shoot, which is less than 150 yards. All were sub 2" MOA at 100yds except for Federal Fusion 180g, which had a 2.5" group mixed in with a 1", and a sub 2" group. The winner in my gun turned out to be Fed 180g Nontypical Whitetail, all groups 1" or less. So, I ordered 200 rounds and figure that'll take care of deer season. In the meantime, I've got plenty of other freedom pills for practice.

I've been thinking about taking up reloading. I like the thought of having the option. But I also question whether I'd just be better off using the money it'd cost to get the equipment versus making the investment in a lot of factory loaded ammo. I guess I'm wondering if a good scale runs $250, what's the ballpark for solid equipment capable of accurately reloading 3 or 4 calibers? At this point, I don't even know what all equipment is needed. Something to punch out old primers, something to clean and check dimensions of old brass, something to measure powder, something to seat bullets. That's a helluva learning curve for a 55yo. I think it was easier to teach myself how to make beer and wine in my 20s ...

I have had Atlas V8 for quite a while now; much longer than I've owned my 308ar. At the time of purchase, what sold me were good reviews, made in USA and that you could get a variety of mounts that worked with it. So I could use it with with the sling swivel on my 30 y.o. .270 Rem 700bdl bolt action with one mount, and also with my AR15 with an MLOK hand guard. Now I also use it with my Windham 308ar. Solid piece of gear. Never failed to function or had anything come loose. Pans & tilts which is nice. I haven't priced one lately, but for me at least there was value in it working across multiple platforms. One bipod - I've used it on 3 rifles.

I'd set that down and lose it with my old eyes - nice camo!

Started this topic because there wasn't one yet for WW. I've been quite happy with my rifle. And my experience with their customer service has been absolutely excellent. I've customized mine a bit. But that's what we do!

The Windham Weaponry Story. A team of the finest firearms manufacturers in the U.S.A. has been re-assembled to bring to market the highest quality AR type rifle possible. These good Maine folks – most of whom are former employees of Bushmaster Firearms – offer many years of experience in the industry, and all look forward to working with you, to serving your needs, and to building you a great rifle. A team of the finest firearms manufacturers in the U.S.A. has been re-assembled to bring to market the highest quality AR type rifle possible. These good Maine folks – most of whom are former employees of Bushmaster Firearms – offer many years of experience in the industry, and all look forward to working with you, to serving your needs, and to building you a great rifle.

I've had sleep issues for decades. Best thing I ever did was lose a bunch of weight. That got rid of my sleep apnea. I too use a white noise machine. Basically a sound loop of crickets chirping. I also started using this supplement a while back. https://biotest.t-nation.com/products/z-12. It basically is a gaba supplement/enhancer. Increased my sleep by about an hour a night according to my fitness tracking watch. No "hangover" or grogginess the next morning. Works for me. Maybe it'll help someone else.

Recently went with this one. Not as good a price as the Durkin @britx303 found - $59 at Brownells. But I have managed to keep everything on my .308 made in the US (except the scope lens covers - that is).

Final tweaks complete. Totally rigged for hunting, including 10 round Pmag - everything but the bullets. I'll call it 9#.

It’s just another charging handle, but it’s ambi, gives me about an extra 1/4”of grip around my scope, light and it seems sturdy

When I was looking at the Plano cases, I noticed they have a premium line with what they call "Rustrictor" that allegedly helps if your stuff goes in the case a bit damp. Wonder what that might be.

2nd trip to range with new Windham was a mixed bag. Mostly positive. Another 100 rounds. Zero malfunctions. Upgraded trigger - LaRue MST 2 stage - big improvement, very nice trigger. Precision Armament Severe Duty - muzzle brake - works as advertised. Daniel Defense enhanced stock - meh. Felt a bit short so will switch out butt pads w/ thicker one (shown in photo) that came with it for next time. Groups were not near as tight at 100 yards as 1st trip. 2-3 MOA. Not sure if it was Serbian ammo, wind or just me. Rifle has already shown it is capable of better. Plan to take some 1st class ammo with me the next time and the shooting sled or bipod to really dial it in. Still plenty of time before hunting season.

I recently ordered this one. Decent price & made in US. https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/charging-handle-parts/charging-handles/ar-308-warhammer-mod2-ambidextrous-charging-handle-prod144956.aspx?avs|Make_3=AR%20xzzx308 Contacted Windham Weaponry to determine if it would fit my rifle beforehand. Their customer service called me back in less than a day. That's the second time those guys have promptly answered one of my questions. The first time was before I even bought one of their rifles. Just wanted to give a shout out for their excellent customer service.

Wondered if anyone had tried spraying Plastic Dip on their foam after cutting it out for their toys. Saw a fellow's video that had did that to prevent the foam from abrading & degrading over time. For about $5-6, for a spray can, I'm leaning towards trying it.

POF makes some relatively light complete 308ARs. But they are not cheap and a lot of the hardware is proprietary. The engineering is impressive, but I'm a bit unsure what the customer service experience is now like since the founder Frank DeSomma died in 2020.

I know I swore I wouldn't buy any black rifle toys in February, but I guess I'm weak. Thought this ambi charging handle would be a nice addition to my WW 308 ( I call her Shelly BTW). https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/bolt-parts/charging-handle-parts/charging-handles/ar-308-warhammer-mod2-ambidextrous-charging-handle-black-sku100043970-144956-262305.aspx I went a bit large with the scope. So, this should increase my grip real estate.

Got to love a company that ships their triggers w/ a copy of the Constitution

Welcome from Western NC!

LaRue MST 2 stage trigger due to arrive 2/3; Pelican desert tan, 1720 Protector case due to arrive 2/7; 4 Magpul 20 round magazines due to arrive 2/7; 200 rounds PPU 165g soft points due today (but doesn't look like they've left Midway yet); Daniel Defense butt stock got here yesterday. I'm declaring February No Purchasing Appreciation month. At least the range at Cold Mountain is free.

@Lonewolf McQuade Turns out the Pelican site itself was not a bad deal. Free shipping and I easily found a coupon code for 15% off ("birge15"). That gets you a 42" Protector case delivered for just under $230 - pretax.