Patrad

Well........ made it to the show. Minor score - 4 boxes of Privi .303 Brit, 174gr FMJ for $110.00, 3 boxes of PMC Bronze 380 FMJ (for a friend) for $90. Got to thinking (VERY dangerous for me!!!🤑) on the way home, told Jr that I made up my mind, and hit the "submit order" button for the new 308 16" upper as soon as I could get to the 'puter.🤪🙈🥃 AHHHH shiff, here we go again!🙃 16" parkerized, CMV heavy barrel, 1/10 twist, mid length gas. 15" free float MLOK split rail, M4 flat top, AR 10 ramps, gas block dia. 0.750", gas port dia. 0.086". Not even finished breakin' in the 1st one yet - Holy Sheep poop!😲 Next big thang before I start ordering more stuff is to pay off the car at the 1st of the month!!!! Finally - it'll be MY car instead of just my car payments - this makes Mikee VERY, VERY HAPPY!🥃🥃🥃 It'll still always be my better half's car (even though she's gone), but paid for now - been quite some time since there's been no car OR truck payment in this here fambly! Unfortunately (for my checkbook, anyway) that means more unspoken for $$ laying around to spend on parts. Dam - my checkbook is gonna hate me! Likely already does. Y'all take care, Mike.

Dam - I'm envious🍻. And here I am, just getting semi serious about a 2nd 308 (already have *several* AR's in 223 & 556)! These dam things are truly addictive, no matter the caliber. I salute you 98, Sir!!🥃🥃 On another note, my son and I are heading to the (somewhat small) show at the armory in about 1 1/2 hours. Kinda dangerous - last one we went to a couple months ago a new to me 45 followed me home. Jumped right in my back pocket, it did, and hid out till we got home🤪😲. Today - just wanting to find some goodies for me to put to use. Never can tell what will be there. Y'all take care, Mike.

Wut - ya mean ya don't have a 243AR??? Yer slacking!🙃

Dammit DNP - thanks a whoooole bunch! And yes, I'm aware.🙈

And y'all honestly expected anything different???? Dam, emoji's still not loading!!

Larger my aching ass! Got nowhere to put one - waitafrigginminute - that wall looks like it could be removed, dunnitt? I said when I joined that y'all (&^%$#@#^* were gonna cost me $$ (or at least facilitate the spending thereof) - looks like a premonition, eh?? Dammit man! Y'all take care, Mike.

Dang good thing I was already aware of the addictive nature of these beasties! Or else it woulda been a bit of a shock to realize it!! Anyway, I have so far gotten as far as 2 lowers (still to be machined), and 2 premium LPKs, and still hafta decide on an upper(s). It'll be a 16"er fer shure fer this one, other than that, I haven't gotten that far as yet. (Blew Saturday all to hell by spending most of the day shooting my new to me #1 markIII S,M, LE for the 1st time - whatta ton a fun a 1918 version, it is - bayonet also) - Mikee is a happy camper😎. I guess now that I've decided I hafta have a 16"er, I gotta get more mags, as I only have 10 gen3 Pmags for the 1st one - dammit man, is there no end (not a serious question, already know the answer)? I suppose 10 more of them are on the horizon. Decisions, decisions! Y'all take care, Mike.

Got 1 lower (plus 1 that I already have, haven't done any machining on it yet), and 2 CMMG LPK's (yes, I already have several extended mag release buttons for these LPK's) on the way from Commiefornia, shipping today. No uppers yet. Having a hard time finding just what I want (16" version, DPMS pattern) at a price point I can afford. I shall endeavor to persevere! If I can't find 1 to suit me, I'll go with a stripped upper and proceed from there. Kinda leaning thataway anyhooo, just 'cause. Dammit man - always with the decisions!🙃 Y'all take care, Mike.

I'll think positive thoughts for you and the bolt!!😁🙃 Y'all take care, Mike.

Good to know I made a good choice. That's what yer hammerin' on!😁 Y'all take care, Mike.

Many thanks! Y'all take care, Mike.

Can't thank ya enuff, 98. As I said before, I'm not worried about time - I'm not in the slightest bit of a hurry. Let the blasted thing soak as long as ya think it needs. I'm afraid I got more than a bit ham fisted with it as I got more pissed. That's a tight hole!🙃 Or (most likely), I fugged it up myself!! Might not be savable. Lesson learned!😠 The new NiB one wasn't anywhere near as tight a fit. Are the Snap On punches better quality?? My drift punches are Irwin. Yeah, I figured on doing that ejector face, too. It did leave some nice circles on some of the brass.🤪 Not familiar with JB-80 - hafta look into that - thanks. Y'all take care, Mike.

Mornin' 98. That's pretty much my thoughts as well. One other thing I want to do is to compare the function with the original BCG after I put some more rounds through it. I also want to see if the old bolt affects accuracy. That also gives me an excuse to go to the range more often - not that I need an excuse or anything.😎 Lookin' forward to giving this beast a workout! Y'all take care, Mike.

A most excellent question(s), Bro. Gotta get the cash stash built back up first.🤪 I believe the 'next one' will be paying off the car the 1st of the month, instead! Then, I'll be alookin' for the next project. Already considering that. I'm leanin' toward a 16" version of some type. I'm REALLY enjoyin' this here beast right now. Got another 200 rnds of 147gr FMJ being delivered today, and I'll be ordering more the end of the month (dammit man, this fixed income poop sux big time!). I'll just hafta 'settle' for more bangs instead of building another one right away.🙃 Looks like some semi serious scouring in the reloading forum in the very near future!🧐 So, between the scouring and the reloading manuals, I can see where I definitely ain't gonna get bored!😁 Got some brass already primed, and need to do a couple more preps before the rest is R.T.L. - just need to uniform the primer pockets and do the flash holes. Time consuming I know, but if I'm gonna do some serious load workup, I want 'em all uniform, including sorting the headstamps. After all, I AM kinda anal when it comes to reloading - even have a bit of good ole O.C.D. thrown in for good measure!😲 Oh yeah unforgiven - tell yer 'friend' howdy fer me, willya?🤪 As to the name for the next one, already considering "Kitty" (yeah, that one! Always did like red headed wimminz!😁). Many thanks for all the well wishes from y'all!🥃🍻🥃🍻 'Preciate it! Y'all take care, Mike.

So... The Lord was willing and the creek didn't rise - so I made it to the range on Monday. Only put 40 rounds through it, but got 40 bangs with no booms!! Most excellent Zero malfunctions of any kind. Had to call a break for myself, due to back and shoulder injuries. It is what it is. I'm posting the target - not for any bragging, but I believe it shows that there's a lot of potential here. Nothing fancy, just 147gr FMJ M80 7.62 ammo. it's only at 50yrds with open sights - which for my old ass eyes ain't bad at all. Still haven't set the sights, just got 'em close enuff for now for function testing and break in. Also, no Lead Sled or anything else, just using my range bag to rest the forend on. Those flyers are all me. That makes 80 rnds total, so I'll probably make 1 more range trip and do at least 40 more to wear in that NiB BCG as this was it's 1st use. After that, I'll start with setting the sights, then move to the scope, THEN start with some handloads. Haven't decided on what to start with yet. Likely to be IMR4895, in the neighborhood of 42gr. Got a good selection of boolits to use and plenty of primers and brass. Got a decent selection of powders as well. We shall see. REALLY like that Radian Raptor LT ambi charging handle, too - makes things much easier! BTW, I've christened her Audrey - in honor of Audrey Hepburn. After all I've read about the gas tube's location regarding the cutout in the upper, I halfway expected at least some trouble because this one is a bit on the short side. No problems there, either. Brass is about 3:00 on ejection, so no problem there. So, all in all, Mikee is a VERY happy camper!!🥃 Can't wait to get out there again and make some more once fired brass! Love doing that!!That's all for now. Y'all take care, Mike.

'Preciate that, Bro. This thing ain't gonna out-stubborn my a**!🤪🥃

Got my new goodies yesterday. That NiB BCG sure is purrrty!😁 Dissembled it, checked headspace, reassembled it, and put it in a nice overnight oil bath. Dunno fer shure, but might leave it in there longer. As long as I have the rifle back together and ready for some more bangs with the new BCG on Monday, Lord willing and the creek don't rise!! Y'all take care, Mike.

Headspace is good, bolt is reassembled and having a nice overnight oil bath! Unless the weather doesn't cooperate, Monday is a go!!😁 Woohoo! Y'all take care, Mike.

All arrived safely! All good. Held my breath and took the ejector out as practice for tomorrow when I check headspace. This one was downright easy in comparison to the original! Put it back together so I could check function - MOST excellent - the Brownells 1/16th roll pin punch worked like a charm (like it should). In the morning, back apart it comes for the headspace check, then for a dip in the Castrol Syn. motor earl at least overnight. Then back together, and to the range Monday to get the new bolt broke in. Dam, that NiB BCG is PURTY!😁 Yep, Mikee is definitely a happy camper!!🍻 Y'all take care, Mike.

So... just looked at all 3 of my deliveries, and all show as "on vehicle for delivery". Mikee is a happy camper!! Y'all take care, Mike.

Got a good bit of Wheeler tools meself. Had pretty dam good service outta them, too. Y'all take care, Mike.

Understand the Y/M's purpose, just didn't know if there's a right/wrong way to use it.😁 I suppose it's use varies somewhat with the particular bolt/ejector unit. Seemed like I had difficulty judging when the spring tension was relieved on the pin, though, and the pin seemed like it was extra tight. then again, maybe it was just plain dumbassery and operator error!🙃 'Preciate ya, Bro.🍻 Y'all take care, Mike.

Don't believe in cheap Schiff, 'specially tools, either. Been a gearhead since 1963, and NEVER buy 'em! Learned that lesson at an early age!!🙃 The roll pin punch is a Grace, so it's not a cheapie - maybe not top of the line, but not cheap. I was surprised when it broke like that. Then again, it IS just a 1/16th punch. I was surprised because I wasn't wailing away with a 32oz ball pein, just tapping with an 8oz plastic tipped hammer. 'Preciate yer 2 mags, Bro!😁 Y'all take care, Mike.

You da Man!!🍻🥃🥇

Well, just got confirmation... new boron nickel BCG will (hopefully) be here tomorrow (along with the new Forster set of headspace gages - 1st 308 I've built - even though Brownells is top notch, not about to take that kinda chance, thankyouverymuch☺️), so THE PLAN (provided it doesn't go to Schiff at 1st contact) is gonna be to disassemble the bolt(!) and after reassembly, give it a soak in the Castrol syn. motor oil at least overnight. Put the rifle back together, and head to the range on Monday - Lord willing and the creek don't rise!!😁 Report afterwards. Fingers crossed! Y'all take care, Mike. PS: Speaking of the ejector and Y/M tool - is there a CORRECT/INCORRECT way to use the Y/M ejector tool to disassemble it?? A certain number of turns or something?? Sheesh - some dam times I'm a PITA to myself!