A little input please...

[GreyGoose]

Okay, was thinking 338 Fed build but seeing how wonky things can go with all this stuff, better to take baby steps.

I have a LWRC M6A2, a tricked out Rem 700 300 Win Mag long range set up, a Wilson Combat Bill Wilson Carry 1911, and a multitude of other higher end guns, but for this I think I will avoid the Noveske's and LMT's if possible and just go middle of the road as I am unsure what I am doing here and wanna manage my "oh poop" exposure... Haha.

So my Q for you guys is this, will the following work;

• Aero Precision M5 .308 receiver set (Possible Matrix Aerospace receiver set) ?
• D. Wilson BCG
• X-Caliber 18" or 20" Free Floated barrel
• YHM Handguard Chris from Matrix for handguard
• Gas system (Syrac or SLR adjustable gas block) ?
• Standard LPK
• KNS pin set Standard pin set
• Geissele Trigger
• Buffer tube and buffer (7.75" buffer tube (Vltor A5 length), and any 3.25" standard length ar15 buffer, 308 rifle springs from Slash's heavy buffers) ?
• Magpul PRS stock

Thoughts? Open to any reasoning for the need for changes, nothing is exempt from being changed.

Are the AP receivers working well, obviously the PSA stuff is prone to being problematic.

Let me know, anxious to get started! ;-)

Thanks in advance for your input!

Edited August 25, 2015 by GreyGoose

[98Z5V]

KNS pin set and Geissele triggers don't mix.  That's Bill Geissele's call, and he knows what's best for his triggers. The only thing I run KNS pin sets on are the two blowback-operated pistol-caliber ARs, and the Can Cannon.  Nothing else has them.

Rifle recoil system - any A1 receiver extension will do.  Don't waste the money on stuff marketed as "A2" and end up throwing parts away. Standard AR15 Rifle Receiver Extension for the PRS.  That stock comes with it's own screw.  Buffer - pick a 308AR buffer.  Or, get one from HeavyBuffers, for the 308ARs.

Any DPMS-high compatible handguard will work on the AP receiver set.  Don't limit yourself.  Chris, same guy that sells the Matrix Aerospace receiver sets, has some really nice, inexpensive handguards that will do the trick, without alot of money out of pocket - I bought one with my Matrix set, and I like it enough that I'll be picking up another one for another AP set build.  It's good. 

330 Fed build, and you're asking about gas system - but you haven't stated what length of barrel you'll be having made by X-Caliber.  Barrel length will be the factor.  I WAS doing a 14.5" 338 Fed barrel, but switched it to a 16" for now.  Bought a brake that I thought I'd like, but it's SHORT.  14.5" barrel still won't make minimum-legal with it.  In light of that, I'll go 16" for now, find a permanent brake I like later, then send the barrel to ADCO to get cut down for that specific brake, and still get 16.1" overall.  I went midlength gas on that barrel.

Edited August 25, 2015 by 98Z5V

[GreyGoose]

Thx, added some additional info in orig post.

I saw the Matrix, just unfamiliar with them, saw you did a build with them, maybe that's a route to consider.

Thanks again!

[ChaseFan9]

There's a lot of people here now that've built on Matrix sets, and Chris is a great guy to deal with, not to mention you can get pretty much everything you need from him if you want to. 

[98Z5V]

Here's who to hit for the Matrix stuff - it's not Matrix themselves.  Chris is the main dealer for them:

http://www.centralfloridafirearms.com/

You'll find his handguards there. 

As far as Matrix over Aero - both being aerospace machinists - you can't go wrong with either.  I have two AP sets and the Matrix set.  The basic question comes down to "do I like the DPMS-cut better, or do I like the AR-10-cut better?"  Really, it comes to that.  I can't even tell you how many AP 5.56 sets I have - I'd literally have to count them all.  "Many" would be the appropriate description as of right now, and there's MANY.  The two 308 sets I have are flawless, because that's how they do it.  The Matrix set equals those AP sets in every single way, I like mine, and I'll probably try to find another .308AR variant to built, just to buy another Matrix set.  Both are really, really good, so it honestly comes down to "what cut is better..."  No kidding.

[98Z5V]

Matrix Aerospace is who makes the upper and lower receivers for the Ruger SR762...

[98Z5V]

With 18" or 20" on the barrel, you can go rifle gas, and it's gonna run.  Don't do midlength gas if going that length.  Why 18" of 20" though, on this cartridge?

[GreyGoose]

So... being a noob and no real way to distinguish that, which is better?

My guts tells me AR-10 just because I don't read the horror stories associated with the DPMS builds, its all patterned off the stoner design I guess, and the DPMS stuff seems to be a little more unpredictable.

But I am liking the 308AR idea, it's kinda like; I am an Android guy as opposed to Apple. ;-)

Edited August 25, 2015 by GreyGoose

[98Z5V]

I'm lost on your post.  You're building a rifle, so you're only gonna have glitches in it if you build them in - you won't have to deal with any crazy effed-up factory stuff, because it's all on you.  Don't buy a DPMS .338 Fed full rifle - DPMS chambers are too unpredictable, with tight and not-tight chambers.  You're not going through them for the barrel anyway, so that's a non-issue. Very few other manufacturers make a full .338 Fed complete gun, so that's out, too.

For DPMS pattern or AR-10 pattern rifles, on a self-build - with these two receiver sets as the examples - you're only talking about which receiver set you're gonna buy.  Nothing more.  Which one is more aesthetically appealing to you?  Go with that one...

The barrel length choice is still unanswered, for this cartridge - why 18" or 20", on .338 Fed?  What are you using this for, and at what distance?

 

[GreyGoose]

I'm lost on your post.  You're building a rifle, so you're only gonna have glitches in it if you build them in - you won't have to deal with any crazy effed-up factory stuff, because it's all on you.  Don't buy a DPMS .338 Fed full rifle - DPMS chambers are too unpredictable, with tight and not-tight chambers.  You're not going through them for the barrel anyway, so that's a non-issue. Very few other manufacturers make a full .338 Fed complete gun, so that's out, too.

For DPMS pattern or AR-10 pattern rifles, on a self-build - with these two receiver sets as the examples - you're only talking about which receiver set you're gonna buy.  Nothing more.  Which one is more aesthetically appealing to you?  Go with that one...

The barrel length choice is still unanswered, for this cartridge - why 18" or 20", on .338 Fed?  What are you using this for, and at what distance?

 

Sorry if I was vague in some way.

Ok, let me answer that;

I mentioned in the opening thread, I was willing to settle for a 308 build to forgo some of the foibles one might encounter at least in so much as I read about around the forum.

However if it is as simple as you say, then great, but as was brought up in a thread we both commented on things with all this 308AR stuff is not easily interpreted, I've read all sorts of incompatibilities, I didn't even know the Geissele trigger was incompatible with the KNS pins... so you get the idea.

One more thing, do I go on Matrix website and buy the receivers, or do I contact Chris via a reference from 308AR, how is that best addressed? Thx. ;-)

So great I will go with the Matrix, and the x-caliber, and do it in 338 Fed. Awesome.

I was saying 18" for the default position of 308, but for a 338 build, again I haven't built one and not much good info to draw from, so I guess I am left to rely on Dustin at x-caliber as I mentioned in our PM exchanges, or you, or whoever is experienced enough with that caliber and is willing to share to give me good advice.

You guys who have been messing with this stuff for a while have to recall how messy the learning curve is with all this given how inconsistent the info of spot on info is... ;-)

You BTW have been great and I would be on square one if it weren't for you hitting me up with the right nod here and there, so thank you Sir!

How do I get in touch with Chris with Matrix, just thru their website or...? Thx! ;-)

Edited August 25, 2015 by GreyGoose

[98Z5V]

The barrel length choice is still unanswered, for this cartridge - why 18" or 20", on .338 Fed?  What are you using this for, and at what distance?

It still comes down to this, for this cartridge - that might have been overlooked in my long post.

What's the intention for this rifle, and at what range, man?

That will definitely guide the recommendations on what you should order.  Over anything else.

My rifle is gonna be a Fatass Texas pig-gun.  I don't see myself taking any fatass hog shot beyond 300 yards, at all.  That drives my build, right there, and my barrel selection and build criteria.

[GreyGoose]

It still comes down to this, for this cartridge - that might have been overlooked in my long post.

What's the intention for this rifle, and at what range, man?

That will definitely guide the recommendations on what you should order.  Over anything else.

My rifle is gonna be a Fatass Texas pig-gun.  I don't see myself taking any fatass hog shot beyond 300 yards, at all.  That drives my build, right there, and my barrel selection and build criteria.

Missed the meaning on the first line of your post.

Still not sure...thought we determined these things in PM's.

Range as I explained will be on the property we live on, big acreage, usual suspects  needing culling. :-)

I would say 3-600 meters would be a stretch, under that from day to day.

Hope I answered your blanks so you can help me, thx!

Edited August 25, 2015 by GreyGoose

[MikedaddyH]

I am going to jump in on this thread. Lance and I are doing one at work for a customer ,18" barrel rifle length gas tube. Quentin Defense set. Green Mountain barrel which Lance will chamber.

[GreyGoose]

Thx Mike,

Am a huge fan of the Grn Mtn barrel on our bad ass 10-22 we drill extraordinarily tight groups with!

That is now on the list.

Thx.

-GG

[98Z5V]

Well, barrel length will always be personal preference, but with that (your) criteria, I don't know if I'd go 20" on it.  300~600, you can probably do with a 16" barrel, rather easily.  The .338 Fed isn't going to have the distance that a heavy .308 Win load would - you're using the same case, necked up and using heavier projectiles...  less case capacity, pushing a heavier projo.  I can't see the .338 Fed keeping up with the .308 Win at longer distances.  You'll still be pushing a 200~225gr projectile at 2,200~2,400 fps.  But, 300~600 should be easy for it.  18" would be as long as I'd wanna go, for sure, if it were me.  .30-cal muzzle devices usually add around 2" to the barrel length, too. Something to keep in mind.  There are newer (lots of!) muzzle devices out there that are shorter, as well. 

The reasons for me going 16" on the barrel - for now, until I can cut it down more - are because I'll be carrying it, shooting it to 300, max of 400, and I don't want it to be a super-heavy rifle. Needs to be maneuverable. 

[GreyGoose]

Bought the Aero Precision M5 completed upper and a stripped M5 lower today.... ;-)

And away we go!

[GreyGoose]

Okay so this is how things are shaping up:

• Aero Precision M5 upper and lower receiver.
• Aero Precision LPK
• X-Caliber SR-25 Pattern Stainless (18" or 20") Barrel w/ R5 Rifling 11.25 & Heavy Palma contour
• Surefire Muzzle Break SFMB-762-5/8-24
• LMT Enhanced Bolt Carrier Group
• AGL ACT trigger. (Upgrade later to Geissele Hi-Speed National Match DMR 2 stage trigger).
• Full length hand-guard (TBD).
• Big Handle CH with Badger Ordnance Tac-Latch.
• Badger 20 MOA one piece scope mount.
• Badger 34mm Rings
• SLR Rifleworks Sentry 8 adjustable gas block.
• Ambidextrous Bolt Release.
• Ambidextrous safety.
• Magpul PRS Stock
• JP Enterprises Silent Captured Recoil Buffer Spring
• Magpul LR-20 Magazines.

Thoughts or concerns gentlemen?

[survivalshop]

Check out the MechArmor Tac-1 Charging handle , you can still get the group buy price . 

[shepp]

Check out the MechArmor Tac-1 Charging handle , you can still get the group buy price . 

+1 especially if your going to hunt with this rifle, even if not you'll love it

[GreyGoose]

10-4, thx guys!

[98Z5V]

Interesting note on the ALG ACT trigger - just received another one today.  It's shipping with two springs now - 4.5lb and 6.0lb.  Very smooth, very nice feel to it with the lighter spring.

[392heminut]

Nice! Now you don't have to buy a seperate JP spring set!

[Robocop1051]

I guess they saw all the posts about people buying the ACT and the JP yellow springs. A very inexpensive way to make a dang good trigger....  I did it.

[98Z5V]

The trigger instructions stated that the lighter 4.5# will give an improved feel, and the 6.0# will keep you at the military minimum weight.  If you were to have issues with mil surplus ammo or hard-primered ammo, you remove the 4.5# and install the 6#.  Damn good upgrade to an already fine trigger set, right in the package.

Edited September 5, 2015 by 98Z5V

[GreyGoose]

Got the AP LPK today, so just waiting on the AGL package to arrive so I can assemble my lower!

PRS, JP silent buffer, X-Caliber barrel, SLR gas block and a hand guard to go, and we'll be posting range report pics!