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Building a lightweight .308 AR [progress thread]


WGxCopy

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Hello, welcome to my progress thread!

I am going with a .308 for a few reasons.

  1.  I want a rifle I can hunt with.
  2. Semi-auto for tactical shooting.
  3. Stopping power makes me happy.

I want to see how light I can make this while still being comfortable and relatively affordable because .308 ARs and AR-10s are known for being heavy.

This isn't a home defense weapon. In my opinion a handgun and flashlight is more than enough for any real situation. If I wanted a rifle for home defense it would be a suppressed AR pistol.

I don't want a cookie cutter build. You see Aero builds with magpul stock/grip and geissle trigger everywhere. I like being unique and this build will reflect that.

I will be posting parts as they come in. I will include weight, MSRP, price I paid, and why I chose that specific piece over others. 

The total cost should be around $2k for the rifle, and $2600 with optics.

Weight of the rifle will be under 7 lbs without optics.

Feel free to use any pics posted in this thread as long as you give me credit.

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Brownells titanium BCG

I picked this up with black friday sales. I still would have purchased it either way, but got a great deal on this. Still the most expensive part besides the receiver set.

The color is a bit darker than what it looks like on their website, I am very pleased with how this looks.

This saves about 6 oz off of a normal BCG.

MSRP $380. Paid $288.

IMG_3453.JPG

IMG_3455.JPG

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16 minutes ago, Armed Eye Doc said:

@Boot_Scraper just did a lightweight build.  You might look at his thread for some ideas.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I did see that thread and it's an awesome build! I've been planning mine for a while and have meticulously gone through every option for parts. I'm not a fan of the brigand arms handguards, and not going for absolute lightest possible because the cost just isn't worth it for some parts. I'm in the process of buying everything right now, it should be done in 6-8 weeks. Keep up with this thread if you want to see another sick build  ?

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2 hours ago, Boot_Scraper said:

So you like hairy titty moles....I KNEW IT!!

So, you have a hairy titty mole on your rifle?  That's just wierd. 

 

@WGxCopy I change my mind.  Don't copy his rifle.  The moles will likely make it heavier than needed.  Sorry to derail your thread, but it's what we do around here.

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13 hours ago, WGxCopy said:

Thanks for the suggestion. I did see that thread and it's an awesome build! I've been planning mine for a while and have meticulously gone through every option for parts.?

Just list out what you're doing then, if it's all planned out.  :thumbup:  I'm sure you've got all the projected weights, etc., on hand already.

Check out some of Breaststroker's work on lightweight builds.  Not really practical, but quite light.  Sub-5lb .308AR, I think?

The Xanthos is 16oz combined, stripped upper and lower.  That's the lightest out there right now, unless something else popped up recently.  Once VSeven starts making the .308 stuff in their billet 2055 Lithium/Aluminum, it'll blow everything else out of the water.

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Timney Skeletonized AR10 Trigger

MSRP: $324

Paid: $208.33

I've had my eye on this for a long time, I prefer single stage triggers and from what I've seen online I am going to love this trigger. I definitely would have gone with something else if I didn't get such a good price on it (thanks black friday).

Skeletonized is sexy af.

IMG_3495.thumb.JPG.7cc2892341772c6eda58d9da366abd1f.JPGIMG_3496.thumb.JPG.e2f1994118dcffd5d2a83a842b6dcb66.JPG

 

MFT Stock

MSRP: $60

Paid: $33.35

Not much to say about this, pretty basic stock for lightweight builds, decent price.

IMG_3497.thumb.JPG.42bd8e0111f7bbd88ea0aa92e43115ba.JPGIMG_3498.thumb.JPG.c849eb3a743bcf888e28272b00a65cc2.JPG

Valkyrie Dynamics Cobra Grip

MSRP: $65

Paid: $54.99

I chose this strictly for the looks. This company is known for 1911 grips and muzzle devices, I plan on getting matching 1911 grips eventually. 

Could have saved an ounce or so with magpul, no big deal.

It gets pretty cold because it's metal but I always wear gloves so that won't bother me, and I am indifferent about the A2 grip angle. IMG_3499.thumb.JPG.bd430fe1f74730ed8841424d0ed4b45a.JPGIMG_3500.thumb.JPG.80cd8e83fc03d7030252d6e784805996.JPGIMG_3501.thumb.JPG.ebae001aafd1d6c0e7546ad623f63984.JPG

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JP Silent Captured Spring

MSRP: $140

Paid: $125.95

Very happy with this, lighter than expected! I found this for $15 cheaper the day after I bought it from JP, oh well.

IMG_3504.thumb.JPG.0d5d18549b910c1b182509235d67b3ea.JPGIMG_3505.thumb.JPG.527ccfae2f30153688ca8af4b61760e0.JPGIMG_3506.thumb.JPG.4f602cf6fb56ff7f8d32647bd7d7dd0e.JPG

 

Leupold VX-R 2-7x33

MSRP: $715

Paid: $394.95

Got this used on eBay, they normally go for around $450 with the duplex reticle. This has the BDC reticle which they don't make for this optic anymore, and I am absolutely in love with it.

This was my budget option for a scope. I want to either get a 1-6 or 1-8 depending on how the 7 power works for me. The true 1x scopes are a lot pricier because all the competition guys are using them.

IMG_3511.thumb.JPG.e8b366a4e57d0f429d8fa952b0b6947b.JPGIMG_3512.thumb.JPG.0a79373be73938d458b7b163a19d50d5.JPGIMG_3513.thumb.JPG.8bbf1ca92b7ffa436d214401cb8a6e49.JPGIMG_3514.thumb.JPG.8e3d5682250521e9430cac91e14fb846.JPG

 

Odinworks o2 Lite 17.5" Handguard

MSRP: $225

Paid: $183

Heavier than advertised on their website, looks great though.

I want to upgrade to a vseven handguard but that's almost twice the price. 

IMG_3507.thumb.JPG.b7ed983c3b55393c2a87a405e967a84c.JPGIMG_3509.thumb.JPG.56e69aaf062c74ece12c5690add61648.JPG

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  • 2 weeks later...

Next update will be after christmas with the full build. 

 

Battle Arms Development BAD762 Receiver Set

MSRP: $660

Paid:$573.71

I've had my eye on this receiver since it was announced. I love the way it looks, magwell is flared nicely.

Battle Arms customer service is amazing. I had some issues, they were very professional, and sent me some swag.

A bit heavier than the xanthos set, but saves a few bucks too.

Mag release and lightweight safety selector pictured as well, I will do all the small parts at the end.

IMG_3610.thumb.JPG.c8ff6933cc66e1d1a40f2912d4bfcc93.JPGIMG_3611.thumb.JPG.4ef2a4ddb7ccff8917ee983ec60675d7.JPG

IMG_3613.thumb.JPG.e8b12b7a019c6410aa4eb4961d9e10b8.JPGIMG_3612.thumb.JPG.375a58ae74fb9077958c9a23823e7fac.JPG

 

VG6 Gamma Muzzle Brake

MSRP: $90

Paid: $42

Just a temporary option. Inexpensive, performs well, fairly lightweight. 

I am still deciding if I want to throw a can on this build or not. I'm either going to switch to a titanium brake or qd for a suppressor.

IMG_3642.thumb.JPG.0037c6339f2fcd15fe4e46ffd4365362.JPGIMG_3643.thumb.JPG.9ce8c39ea4e577f6c391c48561771f26.JPG

 

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  • 4 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

Finally got it back yesterday and took it to the range.

 

Here is the naked weight

IMG_4239.thumb.JPG.d41c8da627eeb237e0e3a09b64730345.JPG

 

and this is the finished product at 8lb 13.5 oz with empty mag

IMG_4266.thumb.JPG.268512312fb5a56ce7cd719611e04075.JPG

 

The range went well, good groups with 168gr and 175gr nosler. My indoor range is only 25 yards though. I'm going to take it out to BLM land in early March so I can get some longer shots. It was having trouble feeding at first but hopefully it just needed a little break-in. 

 

Parts not mentioned above, just posting weights in case anyone's interested

Nightforce mount: 5.6 oz

Misc small parts, vseven and some standard: 3 oz

BAD lightweight safety selector: 0.5 oz

Titanium Sentry 7 gas block: 0.8 oz

Gas tube: 0.9 oz

buffer tube: 3.8 oz

Radian Raptor LT: 1.2 oz

VG6 Gamma: 2.5 oz

 

Total for rifle parts without optics: $1840 I got about $300 worth as gifts so keep that in mind. MSRP would be $2700

Total I actually spent: $2735 (includes cerakote, shipping, FFL fee, optics)

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