bbush44 Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Hello all, 308 AR newbie here. I have done a lot of reading, but this is my first post. I am building my first 308 AR and decided to give PSA a try on components so far. Here is what I have so far PTAC10 .308 Complete lower PSA Upper PSA Nitride BCG I will be using this rifle for long distance plinking and the occasional hunt here in there when I decide I don’t want to use my bolt gun. I am not concerned about weight since I will be in a stand. I am trying to decide between an 18 or 20 inch barrel? Mid or rifle gas block? I would like to find something in the middle of the road regarding quality and price. Thank you in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Get you an 18" rainier arms barrel off the shelf ...middy length gas....pick a select or match...they all shoot great...all of my 16" shoot moa out to 500 :) Wash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbush44 Posted January 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Get you an 18" rainier arms barrel off the shelf ...middy length gas....pick a select or match...they all shoot great...all of my 16" shoot moa out to 500 :) Wash Thanks Wash for the quick reply. I actually have browsed through all of their selection, and wasn't sure what the difference between the select and the match as far as good/better/best. As far as specs all I can tell is the select has Polygonal Rifling, 1x11 twist, but cheaper price tag? What's the $40 difference? Will they still headspace your BCG to the barrel if you send it to them? What is the usual lead time? Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 Thanks Wash for the quick reply. I actually have browsed through all of their selection, and wasn't sure what the difference between the select and the match as far as good/better/best. As far as specs all I can tell is the select has Polygonal Rifling, 1x11 twist, but cheaper price tag? What's the $40 difference? Will they still headspace your BCG to the barrel if you send it to them? What is the usual lead time? Thanks again Yes they will headspace......I always buy the select...shoots sub moa at 100/200/300 at 500 im lucky to be at moa....lol faaaast shipping spend the 40 and lets see :) Wash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelDeVille Posted January 30, 2015 Report Share Posted January 30, 2015 I'm in the same boat, new 308 builder. The Rainer has been suggested to me as well, but I am also looking a a MaTen? I think it's called. I'm looking at 18" mid or rifle length gas system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 That would work too :) Wash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survivalshop Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Fulton Armory's Kreiger Criterion Barrels are very good & have the rifle length gas system. I have two of them. I have a Shadow Ops Weaponry ,Nitrated ,18" mid gas system barrel on order & waiting to get an eye on it & shoot it .I bought it because of the price & wanted to test a Nitrated Barrel . It is getting harder to chose a Barrel , a lot of different ones popping up . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCannicalBob Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 I've had good luck with my Lothar Walther 18" rifle length gas. It arrived surprisingly fast and comes with a bolt. If you order a stock, off-the-shelf barrel and avoid talking to the guy who answers the phone, but doesn't answer questions, the barrel is a good one. Just this morning I shot a 5-shot, 1" group with $58/box of 100 Ventura 150g reloads at 100 yards, and a .73" 5-shot group with better factory ammo, also at 100 yds. That one was one hole, .383" until I pulled the last shot. I'm not seeing the "attach" button or I'd attach the photo of the group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survivalshop Posted January 31, 2015 Report Share Posted January 31, 2015 Click on the " More Reply Options " , the "Choose File " & "Attach files " is below . I think everyone can see it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbush44 Posted February 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Thanks for the replies. So what are the benefits of mid or rifle gas? Personal preference or how does it affect the function of the rifle. Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I’m a newbie. ::) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 The longer the gas system, the softer the cycling of the action. This can reduce recoil and smooth out the firing. More gas is expanding inside the barrel vs exhausting through the gas port. The .308 AR is notoriously OVER gassed and the carbine gas systems (on the 16"+ barrels) tend to have some cycling issues, creating failure to feed problems. In some cases the action cycles so fast, the carrier ejects the casing so fast that it returns to battery faster than the next cartridge can be lifted in the magazine. The .308 cartridge has a LOT of powder in it. I honestly believe a rifle length gas system would work on a 14.5" barrel... maybe even a 13.7"... with the right gas block. Piston operated systems, when timed and tuned properly, don't have the same issues. In fact, when made properly, the piston can be significantly shorter (even pistol length) as the gas system regulates the amount of pressure it wants to use. A baffle system prevent excess gas exhaust. An extra long piston set-up can get be significantly heavier than a direct impingement system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbush44 Posted February 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Thank you Robocop for the information. To avoid any cycling issues with .308 AR is it best to go with rifle gas over mid? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgecrusher Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Mid will be fine. It is carbine gas that "may" cause those issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbush44 Posted February 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Mid will be fine. It is carbine gas that "may" cause those issues. Thank you Edge for the reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted February 2, 2015 Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 You can always invest in an adjustable gas block. They can assist in regulating gas in an over gassed rifle. They are most appropriate with a carbine gas system... if you have longer gas and want to use an adj GB, you can invest into a low mass BCG and buffer system (See JP Rifles LMOS for more info on that) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaRKle! Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Thank you Robocop for the information. To avoid any cycling issues with .308 AR is it best to go with rifle gas over mid? Rifle gas lengths generally have a smoother recoil feel with a softer impulse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbush44 Posted February 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 I was originally looking at a mid gas length, because most of the barrels I found that is what was available. I don’t have a preference of mid vs rifle, either one will be a low profile and covered by the handguard. I just didn’t know what would be better for the 308. I like the sound of smoother recoil and softer impulse though. :sniper: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 All of mine are middy's you can tune with buffers and adj gas block,but ive never had to...they are right on :) Wash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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