98Z5V

I am completely alright with this plan - you know it will be well cared for, just like one of my own children.

I've heard you tell stories about whirling your gun around, though. Waaaaaaaaait a minute... What "gun" were you talking about?...

Be careful on that port - the max you can go is 0.125". That the size of the gas port in the gas block. If you have to take the port diameter beyond that 0.125", then the port in the gas block will have to go up, too - you can get to it through the rearward set screw hole in the set screw gas blocks - you'd lose the threading in that set screw hole, so you'd have to up the size of the set screw, then recut some thread. Not a huge job, but more to do. Another limit you'll have it the hole in the end of the gas tube - that can't go up very far, because of the diameter of the tube... Gas tube material should be 303 stainless, so it's easy to rip it up. I'll get a pic of a gas tube port in a second, and upload it here. Pic coming up - not much to work with here... but there's a little...

I've got verified tracking on both parts, so I'm lucky!...

DAMN!!! That escalated quickly!!! BWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!!!

From what I understood about Thunder Guns, they certainly DON'T come from a QA Lab background - that was my main point. In my limited research on them previously, it's not just one thing - it could have been many things. From your original description of what you found, and what you proposed as the main idea of the fix, it sounded logical to me as explained. Glad it worked out.

Welcome aboard - when you're considering the major parts purchases, make sure you ask questions on compatibility before you buy. You're set very well with the Aero Precision upper and lower, which are based on the DPMS pattern - their rails are nice, as well. Be cautious of any vendor that states the part is for an AR-10 - it's probably really a DPMS patterned part, but you never know anymore... You might wind up with real Armalite AR-10 parts that you can't use...

This is what I'm going after - this rifle... I saw it a couple weeks ago from somebody in the Intro section. Searched for the brake, and DSG Arms had one. $149!!! Damn. So, I looked on Armalite for the barrel - they had it!!! $225 - good... So, I go back to DSG and log in, add that brake to my cart - my price on it was $78.84, which was WAY cool! You popped up the code on the Armalite stuff, and that saved me $33.75 on the barrel. Things are looking good... Ironically, after the brake shipped, it says they're now out of stock. Right after I ordered the barrel, it shows out of stock. Both these companies only had one in stock, of each?...

I ended up snatching this 13.5" .308 Win barrel...

Ironically, look what just hit the news... http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/05/30/isis-linked-terrorists-in-philippines-take-hundreds-hostages-most-christian-priest-says.html

Manual Antonio Noriega, dead at 83. Bye, PIneapple Face. http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/05/30/manuel-noriega-former-panama-dictator-dead-at-83.html

Damn! That's a 15% off coupon code!

Hey, I'm here for you, brother...

That looks like age, deteriorated brass, and a smashed shoulder - like old, and impact kinda stuff. Once can do it,on old stuff.

Alright, Wash, try the PA scope out, and don't be a pu$sy about it. I guarantee you won't go back - and if you don't like it, I'll buy it off you for full MSRP and your shipping. My PA 1~6 with ACSS reticle is on the .338 Fed - so it's in that thread on the build. That 1~8 PA should be around $380, and the reticle is worth every penny, brother. I did the 1~6 scope with a quickness, only for then-budget reasons, as it was about $100 lower at that time. Love it - LOVE IT. I see this as a win-win - if you don't like the 1~8, I finally get my 1~8... I've just been too lazy to order it!... Give it a shot, brother. I don't think you'll be asking me for money and sending it to me - you'll keep it...

Start smaller than the 0.099" here, just because it's easy to go up in size. I don't know squat about the .243, but it's looking alot like standard .308 Win gas port sizes. The 0.060" that was in this barrel (from the OP) was WAY too small, and that was very obvious. Big fuckup by the manufacturer, IMHO, with all their "secret gas port sizes." I'd start at 0.080" and see what you get, then go up from there, especially if you're cutting the barrel down. Try it longer, see if you like it with that length, and 0.080" starting. If you don't like the length, just cut it and leave the 0.080" and try again...etc. I wouldn't drill up until you find your preferred barrel length, then drill if needed at that length. My opinion doesn't mean shiit, though, with zero experience on the .243... Take it for what it's worth...

Great idea - he kills it. UnFuckingBelievable when he's done with it.

DAMN! Now THAT is a split neck!!!

That's not funny, brother...

Nathan, you are awesome, man - thank you for jumping in here, and enjoy what you get for a weekend, seriously. Your support is fantastic.

That is awesome.

Yep, start it low and check it. Do 5 of each and see what you get, at 41.2, 41.3, and 41.4. If you see them getting smaller towards 41.4, you can go up a tenth or two and see what you get - it'll still be safe at that.

My last load workup was Hornady 178gr BTHP in Hornady Match brass. CCI 200 primers and 41.4gr RL-15. You can up your 168gr charge a little, at 41.2 of RL-15 on yours - unless that's giving you some bitchin' accuracy. You can probably start your 175s at my 41.4gr, and work up a little. My 178s at 41.4gr/RL-15 are scary accurate on the 660 yard targets, man.

We started to get WAY into it in this thread right here - I have no idea how we're going to peel back the tech data out of that thread, and make a new tech thread from it. Shiit got way deep...

Not YOUR fault at all. Not even, in the least. We are seeing this more and more here. It's on the barrel manufacturers. @FaxonNathan - this is on you guys, man. What's going on with Armalite gas port lengths and DPMS-spec'd barrels?... That's comparing apples to hammers, and not telling customers about it... Needs fixed in the barrel description on the website, or the gas port length needs to be changed to a real DPMS-based gas port length, or customers are screwed. And WE are screwed, here, fixing shiit... I love you guys, but come on... in the Large Frame ARs, details are EVERYTHING. Like, ALL of it...