Bigdad Posted November 9, 2018 Report Share Posted November 9, 2018 (edited) I'm new to this forum and to 308 AR type rifles. I'm an experienced shooter and hand-loader, I've been hand-loading since 1980. I recently purchased an inexpensive FEDARM FR-10 16" 308 win and my intent is to keep it relatively low cost. My plan is to load/shoot 165 gr to 180 gr bullets for hogs with night vision. I want to avoid muzzle brakes if possible, I don't like the muzzle blast and flash. To help with recoil, my thought is to change the buffer and spring and possibly go with an adjustable gas block. I want to try the spring and buffer first then change the gas block if necessary. I don't want to confuse things by changing everything at once. I've decided on the Tubb's flat wire spring but I'm struggling deciding on a heavier buffer. Am I approaching this the right way? Can someone recommend a good buffer that is relatively low cost? Edited November 9, 2018 by Bigdad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted November 9, 2018 Report Share Posted November 9, 2018 The most affordable buffer you can get, is the one you make. Buy the tungsten buffer weights and build to your desired weight. The only way to get the max 10 oz is the buy a Slash Heavy Buffer. I actually cut my own buffer for a very special build. It’s only 2.5” long and uses a 1/2” tungsten dowel inside. Even though it’s so short, I go the weight to 5.5 oz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdad Posted November 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2018 Can I add weights to my existing buffer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdad Posted November 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2018 14 minutes ago, Bigdad said: Can I add weights to my existing buffer? I found Tungsten Recoil Buffer Weights - 1.5 oz each 3-Pack. Can these be added to my existing buffer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted November 9, 2018 Report Share Posted November 9, 2018 Yup. Knock out the roll pin from your existing buffer. pull out the rubber stopper. dump the old weights, and replace with the tungsten. Reinstall parts. done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdad Posted November 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2018 Awesome, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted November 10, 2018 Report Share Posted November 10, 2018 (edited) Wait, wait, wait... Hold on here for a minute. What do you have right now? Give the recoil system specs first. If you only have a 2.500" buffer, only two weights fit in there. What recoil system are you running? Carbine recoil system, or Rifle recoil system? What is the INTERNAL depth of your receiver extension? How long is your buffer, and how much does it weigh? Spring, whatever it is, is out the window. We'll talk about that after the info gets here... Edited November 10, 2018 by 98Z5V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdad Posted November 11, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2018 (edited) Sorry for the late response, I was in the deer stand all day yesterday. Current buffer is 2.5" and holds 2 weights Its a carbine or mid length system, 16" barrel, the length from face of receiver to rear of gas block is 9.5". Internal length of the buffer/spring tube is 7" Spring is 11 1/8" long Any advice? Edited November 11, 2018 by Bigdad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdad Posted November 11, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2018 Upon firing, the brass is ejecting 8-10 ft to 1 o'clock with hand loads and factory loads. Its my understanding that 1 o'clock ejecting is a sign of too light a buffer or over-gassing. I thought I would try increasing buffer weight and replacing the spring first then install an adjustable gas block if necessary. Is this the correct approach? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DNP Posted November 11, 2018 Report Share Posted November 11, 2018 25 minutes ago, Bigdad said: Sorry for the late response, I was in the deer stand all day yesterday. I am terribly sorry for your situation yesterday...what a horrible event That's an excellent spot to hide from the wife I'm sure. "Sorry honey, chore list is gonna have to wait...somebody's gotta put food in the freezer." Not trying to derail, but....how'd it go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdad Posted November 11, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2018 It was a beautiful day in East TX but no deer taken. Saw some doe's, a pig and a spike. Let them walk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted November 12, 2018 Report Share Posted November 12, 2018 8 hours ago, Bigdad said: Sorry for the late response, I was in the deer stand all day yesterday. Current buffer is 2.5" and holds 2 weights Its a carbine or mid length system, 16" barrel, the length from face of receiver to rear of gas block is 9.5". Internal length of the buffer/spring tube is 7" Spring is 11 1/8" long Any advice? If that current buffer weighs 3.8oz, then it's got two tungsten weights in it, right now. You'll need a heavier buffer, and a different spring. For the 2.500" buffers inside the 7.000" internal depth extensions, use the Sprinco Orange spring. Get the buffer weight up. Two easy ways, one is cheaper, IF your buffer is a 3.8oz right now. Buy the DSG Arms buffer - it's a stainless body, with steel weights in it, weighing 3.8 oz. You get it for $20, cross your tungsten weights into that stainless body, and you're at 5.15 oz. Your target weight that you want to hit is 5.4 oz. The combo buffer listed, at 5.15 oz, is close enough. The other way is to buy the KAK buffer: https://www.kakindustry.com/lr308-carbine-buffer-heavy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdad Posted November 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2018 My current buffer weighs 3.71 oz. Is this the one I should get? https://dsgarms.com/dsg-4201-0030. Unfortunately its out of stock. I can just go with the DSG Arms H3 Carbine buffer, correct? Thanks for the excellent advise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted November 12, 2018 Report Share Posted November 12, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, Bigdad said: My current buffer weighs 3.71 oz. Is this the one I should get? https://dsgarms.com/dsg-4201-0030. Unfortunately its out of stock. I can just go with the DSG Arms H3 Carbine buffer, correct? Thanks for the excellent advise! Nope, you cannot use that buffer. That's an AR15 buffer that 3.250" long, and it will not work in a (EDIT: .308AR with a) receiver extension that's 7.000" internal depth. If you were running the Armalite AR-10 Carbine receiver extension (internal depth 7 5/8"), that that would be the buffer to get - that is what Armalite uses in the AR-10 Carbine RE, along with their spring. You need to keep to a buffer that's 2.500" long - the DSG buffer you're looking for is this one: https://dsgarms.com/dsg-4201-0021 Get on the email notification of when it's back in stock - and they will email you. You can also call them and ask about it, they are very helpful on the phone. There is a statement in their product description: " Can run this buffer on carbine stocks with the Armalite 308 buffer spring PN# ARMEA1095 with out purchasing a longer buffer tube. " That is incorrect - you cannot run the Armalite EA1095 spring in a 7.000" internal depth receiver extension; you will bring the spring to coil bind before the buffer bottoms out - the spring was designed for a 7 5/8" internal depth, minimum. Sprinco Orange spring... Edited November 12, 2018 by 98Z5V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdad Posted November 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2018 Many thanks for keeping me straight with all this 98Z5V. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted November 12, 2018 Report Share Posted November 12, 2018 (edited) No worries, man, none at all. If you wait and wait for that DSG buffer to come in stock - it might be better to buy the KAK buffer I listed. It comes in at 5.3oz, 2.500" length - it's in stock at $55. Calling DSG and asking about an anticipated "in stock date" might not be a bad idea, just so you know. They don't get upset about calls like that. They're great with customer service. Here's something I went through over the summer - getting into the guts of these buffers: Edited November 12, 2018 by 98Z5V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shepp Posted November 12, 2018 Report Share Posted November 12, 2018 On 11/9/2018 at 9:44 AM, Bigdad said: I'm new to this forum and to 308 AR type rifles. I'm an experienced shooter and hand-loader, I've been hand-loading since 1980. I recently purchased an inexpensive FEDARM FR-10 16" 308 win and my intent is to keep it relatively low cost. My plan is to load/shoot 165 gr to 180 gr bullets for hogs with night vision. I want to avoid muzzle brakes if possible, I don't like the muzzle blast and flash. To help with recoil, my thought is to change the buffer and spring and possibly go with an adjustable gas block. I want to try the spring and buffer first then change the gas block if necessary. I don't want to confuse things by changing everything at once. I've decided on the Tubb's flat wire spring but I'm struggling deciding on a heavier buffer. Am I approaching this the right way? Can someone recommend a good buffer that is relatively low cost? Welcome to the forum feel free to tell us about yourself in the intro section Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdad Posted November 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2018 Well I just purchased the sprinco orange spring and the KAK 5.3 oz. buffer. I went to the range yesterday and necks on several of my ejected brass were caved in. Will the buffer and spring help prevent this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtallen83 Posted November 12, 2018 Report Share Posted November 12, 2018 Maybe but doubt it will entirely. I put some thick rubber grip tape on the deflector, seemed to help the most, that and turning down the gas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdad Posted November 12, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2018 I'll give the tape a try until my spring/buffer arrive, then try it with out the tape and see what happens. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
98Z5V Posted November 13, 2018 Report Share Posted November 13, 2018 10 hours ago, Bigdad said: Well I just purchased the sprinco orange spring and the KAK 5.3 oz. buffer. I went to the range yesterday and necks on several of my ejected brass were caved in. Will the buffer and spring help prevent this? The heavier buffer and stiffer spring WILL slow down your BCG speed - which is what you need. What happens to the brass will definitely be different - but there's no guarantees that the brass will come out spotless and perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdad Posted November 18, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2018 (edited) Update - we did a little shooting today after installing the new Sprinco orange spring and the KAK 5.3 oz. buffer. It seems to have helped some. The brass is ejecting 6 ft to the 2 o'clock position instead of 8-10 feet to 1 o'clock. The brass was in good shape and none of the necks were caved like they were before. If it means anything we were shooting Rem 150 gr core-lokt ammo. Question - should I leave it alone or is the next step to install an adjustable gas block? How important is it for the brass to eject at 3 or 4 o'clock? Edited November 18, 2018 by Bigdad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtallen83 Posted November 18, 2018 Report Share Posted November 18, 2018 20 minutes ago, Bigdad said: Question - should I leave it alone or is the next step to install an adjustable gas block? How important is it for the brass to eject at 3 or 4 o'clock? I don't see it as important at all, as long as it is ejecting everything all the time. Unless you plan on shooting suppressed no need to change the gas block, with the brass in relatively good shape now I would leave it alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgecrusher Posted November 19, 2018 Report Share Posted November 19, 2018 4 hours ago, jtallen83 said: I don't see it as important at all, as long as it is ejecting everything all the time. Unless you plan on shooting suppressed no need to change the gas block, with the brass in relatively good shape now I would leave it alone. Yup, this ^^^^^ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdad Posted November 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2018 Thanks for the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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