Building questions

[bgc]

OK.

I’ve got the basic 18” bull barrel DPMS .308 Winchester Slick side. I'm am going to build another upper and modify what I have to make an SASS. I have the following;

SASS Barrel

SASS Gas Block

A3 Flat Top w/ Dust cover and assist

Magpul PRS for 308

DPMS Palm swell grip

I am undecided on the following and would like some input on;

Free Float Tube, Brand/Make and Length.

Trigger

Base and Rings/Mount

Bipod

And anything else I may have missed (I have the tools).

[98Z5V]

There are a few more rails out there now, but it's catching them in stock somewhere that might be the challenge.  Troy, Daniel Defense (when you can find someone that's got the DPMS barrel nut in stock), SWS I think, and a few more.  Just make sure you're searching for something that's DPMS compatible, because the Armalite compatible rails won't work on DPMS receiver threading. 

Length will be up to what you're looking for, really.  The Troy MRF-308 rail is 13.8 inches long, and it will fully cover a short low profile gas block on a rifle-length gas system.  Not quite sure on your 18" SASS barrel, but doesn't it use mid-length gas?

Trigger:  there are so many good ones out there, that it's hard to recommend.  That might come down to "who has what on sale" at the time of your quest.

Base and ring mounts: people don't watch this one enough:  The Armalite one-piece scope mount.  You can find that thing cheap all over the place, and they make it in 1" rings and 30mm rings.  Before you make a choice, look at that one.  Definitely use a one-piece mount, preferrable something that doesn't require tools to install/remove (once you get the scope mounted in the mount, that is).

Bipod:  GG&G.  HD-XDS.  Straight from GG&G.

http://www.gggaz.com/index.php?id=220&parents=49

[imschur]

+1 on the GG&G

I do have a trigger preference ATC SR GOLD and it's in stock now at Brownells which is rare. This bad boy is always in demand and out of stock.

[bgc]

98Z5V- It does use a mid-length gas tube...and I forgot to order one......

With the FFT; The gas block is 9 5/8" from the front of the receiver so it wont take much to cover it.

I looked at the Armalite scope mount and I like the looks of it. Good call, Thank you.

(I shoot bolt rifles and don't understand the QD and thumb screw mounts. Personally I bed the mounts to the actions with Devcon to keep them from moving.)

The GG&G bipod looks like you could prop a small car on it. I like this idea also.

imschur- I had never read the information about the ATC trigger until this morning.

  I understand the AR platform is a military rifle but I hate the heavy 2 stage triggers. Other that the National Match setups that require the 4.5 lb. I prefer the 1.5 lb. single stage in the AR (once again a bolt guy in foreign territory). The idea of a first stage with a 6oz pull makes so much more sense.

Is there much take-up/ creep , travel or over-travel? It only indicates "adjustable for sear engagement" but how much travel can be removed?

Thank you again for your help.

[bgc]

OK, got the QD scope mount question answered by Marine. "You need to be able to strip your optics quickly, if they become damaged and go to your backup sights"

Now it makes sense.....  :o

[98Z5V]

^^^  That's for a combat or defensive gun, and that's absolutely correct.  Get it out of the way as fast as you can. 

Now, if your rifle is for hunting deer, and your primary optics get damaged, and you quickly need to get your backup sights deployed for your own safety...  Then suspect Foul Play.  <lmao>

[bgc]

The Mrs. was diagnosed with breast cancer so I have not been able to spend any time with my hobby.

Yesterday I got to looking at the 18" SASS barrel I ordered from JSE Surplus weeks ago. The description on their web site was "DPMS 18" 308 Winchester 1x10 twist black teflon coated fluted barrel" and knowing the difference between the chambers, I thought great, I already shoot a Palma and a standard 308.

The barrel is stamped 7.62X51 NATO I was quite irked with everything, so I sent an email to JSE.  They quickly sent a reply, I can return the barrel for a refund and they changed the description on their web site to reflect the stamping on the barrel.

Mistakes happen and they have made it right. Kudos to them.

Shes making a rapid recovery and I hope to get this rifle built soon,

[imschur]

good luck to you both man

[survivalshop]

Hope it all works out with your wife's medical problem. We have come a long way with medical treatment now a days .

Now about your chamber , there is no real difference in the two chambers on modern rifles . I prefer the 7.62 chamber over the .308 .

In theory ,it will except a wider verity of ammo.

[bgc]

I shoot bolt guns,

A .308 Winchester SAMMI NoGo gauge is 1.6340

A 7.62X51 NATO Go gauge is 1.6355

Now, I have yet to measure the headspace in my rifle but right off the back it might close on a .308 NoGo. Having been through a case separation, this would bother me.

It looks like the rifle will be built soon, she's recovering from surgery nicely and chemo has not started yet.

[survivalshop]

Both my AR 308s are 7.62 NATO & I shoot what ever I feel like in them , with no problems .

When working up loads with the milspec powder I use (WC846 ), I'm sure I went past what ever the highest pressure 308 commercial rd. is loaded for .

Case head separations can be caused by a number of things  & the difference between a commercial 308 & 7.62 chambers are not one of them .

Hope the best for you & your wife .