buttonbuck Posted October 23, 2016 Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 So I'm going through a lot of thoughts in recent weeks on the 308 semi auto platform. Originally it was a 308 for dad, but dang you know how it goes now I'm pondering building one up myself first and getting it all tweaked and then giving it to him or if I fall in love with it keep it and build him another one. I'm going to be checking out Live Free's rifles in the next few weeks, liking what I read about DPMS and even read some nice stuff on Ruger's offering(in the back of my mind with dad's lack of affinity for cleaning his rifles at this stage in his life since he knows I will do it for him I like the idea of a piston to keep the gunk out of the equation a bit more until I can be with him). Are there any experienced folks near Tampa, FL by chance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttonbuck Posted October 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 And as an aside the piston idea may not really be advantageous in the end the fouling has to go somewhere it just seems to me it collects at the front with the gas block/regulator vs the bcg. I'm just spit balling here. I have seen more than one piston AR have issues from lack of cleaning too. Really just trying to get you experienced 308 guys to dump your brain power on me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtallen83 Posted October 23, 2016 Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 I have not been real impressed with the cleanliness factor on my 716. Along with the extra fouling around the gas block the BCG still gets some carbon from chamber gases. I really don't clean my DI guns often, maybe 400-500 rounds or after shooting in the rain or snow and don't see an issue. In the military we used a schit pile of blanks, they carbon up a rifle real good but still didn't see any issues, just extra long cleaning sessions. I've been happy with the sets I've gotten from Live Free Armory, the cerakote job on my AR 15 set is well done. For the 308 set I would buy his LPK to avoid any issues with pivot pin length and bolt catch size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survivalshop Posted October 23, 2016 Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 Very few Piston 308AR's out there to choose from & no conversion system from DI to Piston , that I know of . Nothing wrong with a DI rifle , less Parts , less expensive & it works . I have shot a lot of 308 this past year or two , because of testing & only thing I normally clean is the swab the Barrel before each shoot , mostly because I'm testing different loadings in different length barrels . The Stainless Steel or S/S, Nitrated Barrels are very easy to clean , a couple of patches & done . As with the BCG , NIB coated or Nitrated BCG , just wipe off with ease , of course the Tail of the Bolt may need some light brushing. Use the right components & cleaning is not an issue , I believe my 308AR's haven't been cleaned in over a year, maybe more , just wiped down & re-lubed & bore wiped with a couple patches before shooting . When first built , first 500 rounds , I did a lot of disassembly cleaning for inspection of components . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttonbuck Posted October 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 17 minutes ago, jtallen83 said: I have not been real impressed with the cleanliness factor on my 716. Along with the extra fouling around the gas block the BCG still gets some carbon from chamber gases. I really don't clean my DI guns often, maybe 400-500 rounds or after shooting in the rain or snow and don't see an issue. In the military we used a schit pile of blanks, they carbon up a rifle real good but still didn't see any issues, just extra long cleaning sessions. I've been happy with the sets I've gotten from Live Free Armory, the cerakote job on my AR 15 set is well done. For the 308 set I would buy his LPK to avoid any issues with pivot pin length and bolt catch size. Great thanks. I'm probably neurotic with cleaning them, but then again I'm kind of weird that I enjoy it most times it's a bit relaxing. I'm a ways from purchasing, but I'm eyeing the LFA stock 16" tactical he has on sale for 1k. This will be sighted in with cheap ammo for MPBR for dad and hoggin and those shots are max 100-125 yards. Whatever velocity he is losing with a 16" is a non issue really for his uses. Honestly that suits my needs too with a vital zone of say 8" on what I shoot pretty much any 308 will roll 'em up good enough. I don't mind admitting I'm a bolt dork I love mine, but I could see the 308 semi-auto becoming every gun I could want all in one since anything beyond ~ 150 yards is just playing with targets for me. Not trying to win a match with calipers just take meat out to maybe 150 and gongs for who buys dinner. This has been a long time coming, but I think the 308 AR is where I'm headed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttonbuck Posted October 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 (edited) 27 minutes ago, survivalshop said: Very few Piston 308AR's out there to choose from & no conversion system from DI to Piston , that I know of . Nothing wrong with a DI rifle , less Parts , less expensive & it works . I have shot a lot of 308 this past year or two , because of testing & only thing I normally clean is the swab the Barrel before each shoot , mostly because I'm testing different loadings in different length barrels . The Stainless Steel or S/S, Nitrated Barrels are very easy to clean , a couple of patches & done . As with the BCG , NIB coated or Nitrated BCG , just wipe off with ease , of course the Tail of the Bolt may need some light brushing. Use the right components & cleaning is not an issue , I believe my 308AR's haven't been cleaned in over a year, maybe more , just wiped down & re-lubed & bore wiped with a couple patches before shooting . When first built , first 500 rounds , I did a lot of disassembly cleaning for inspection of components . Thanks for the input I agree. I've never had one ounce of DI issues so I'm already predisposed to staying that way. The one aspect of AR's I've never loved is getting a good weld. I've built up some homemade comb risers, but it's nothing like I get on my bolt. I like the Magpul adjustable and would get that on the LFA or any build which further separates my loyalty from the bolt setup which is like taking a nap on the stock once my weld is locked in. Edited October 23, 2016 by buttonbuck add Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
392heminut Posted October 23, 2016 Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 (edited) Isn't Live Free Armory ran by Chris Riedeman? If so, he is a member of this board and you couldn't pick a better person to deal with. Also, his customer service is outstanding! Edited October 23, 2016 by 392heminut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttonbuck Posted October 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 29 minutes ago, 392heminut said: Isn't Live Free Armory ran by Chris Riedeman? If so, he is a member of this board and you couldn't pick a better person to deal with. Also, his customer service is outstanding! I believe so if memory serves with some messages I have exchanged with another member he ran Central FL Firearms? They look fantastic, yet to break one down and inspect it, but I will in the near future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
392heminut Posted October 23, 2016 Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 Yes, Chris had Central Florida Firearms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttonbuck Posted October 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 Just now, 392heminut said: Yes, Chris had Central Florida Firearms. I have a few people coming by to look at my old HBAR and if I get what I want I may be showing up to his place soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
392heminut Posted October 23, 2016 Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 He offered a great deal on some Matrix Aerospace 308 receiver sets to the members on this forum a while back and I just finished a build on one of the two sets I got from him. I LOVE this rifle! Just to let you know what kind of guy he is, he sold out of the blem receiver sets he offered us and when I showed my son (who was in the Marines at the time) my set he wanted to know if he could get a set. I emailed Chris on a Sunday and within an hour he answered me back and had a receiver set for my son. That's a tough act to follow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttonbuck Posted October 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 That's awesome. Being self-employed and an entrepreneur I love to see people building their business the right way. Not just doing the right thing, but going above and beyond. Looking forward to meeting him and putting eyes on the guts of this particular cannon: http://www.livefreearmory.com/product/lf308-16-tactical-carbine/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
392heminut Posted October 23, 2016 Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 You'll love that rifle! I built mine with a 16" barrel and have absolutely no regrets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted October 23, 2016 Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 4 hours ago, 392heminut said: Isn't Live Free Armory ran by Chris Riedeman? If so, he is a member of this board and you couldn't pick a better person to deal with. Also, his customer service is outstanding! Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted October 23, 2016 Report Share Posted October 23, 2016 3 hours ago, 392heminut said: Just to let you know what kind of guy he is, he sold out of the blem receiver sets he offered us and when I showed my son (who was in the Marines at the time) my set he wanted to know if he could get a set. Same here - he ran out of the blems, and sent me a perfect set of equipment - upper, lower, rail. Chris Riedeman is an outstanding person to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buttonbuck Posted December 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 Just to further your CS theme here I finally had a chance to talk to Chris on the phone at length the other day(delay was not due to them it's been me too busy to even scratch myself lately). Was more than patient and extremely thorough with the Q and A. Emailed with someone as well who was more than prompt and professional. I'm down to either getting the insanely great deal on the 16" carbine or the Sub MOA 18" BA model. Not sure I can go wrong with either, but having a can coming sometime in the summer given the wait fulfillment/paper work trail I'm leaning on the 16 just for 2" less length they are only 2 oz apart I think. Super sexy looking cerakote wow. If anyone here has purchased one of his complete rifles I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtallen83 Posted December 16, 2016 Report Share Posted December 16, 2016 Didn't buy complete but bought a receiver/rail set in FDE for an AR15 build. The Cerakote work is top notch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
392heminut Posted December 17, 2016 Report Share Posted December 17, 2016 (edited) If you're going to put a can on it the two ounce difference between the two barrels isn't what you should be looking at, that's inconsequential. What makes a difference is that the weight of the suppressor will be two inches further out with the 18" barrel. If you're planning on doing much offhand shooting that can make a difference! Edited December 17, 2016 by 392heminut Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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