Most important components to pair up in 308 build

[bootsector]

Wanted to gauge what you guys have in your 308 AR builds and what works well. Fairly new to AR 308 build so need help in deciding.

I currently have:

Aero Precision M5 lower/upper, AP M5 LPK, AP M5 .308 Carbine Buffer Kit

Would the Ballistics Advantage 16" mid-length barrel pair up nicely with the AP ? Should I stick with the Aero BCG or are there other BCGs that I should consider ?

I am assuming Gas Blocks are pretty standard ?

What other pairings work well with the AP M5 set ?

Thanks

[98Z5V]

11 hours ago, bootsector said:

Wanted to gauge what you guys have in your 308 AR builds and what works well. Fairly new to AR 308 build so need help in deciding.

I currently have:

Aero Precision M5 lower/upper, AP M5 LPK, AP M5 .308 Carbine Buffer Kit

Would the Ballistics Advantage 16" mid-length barrel pair up nicely with the AP ? Should I stick with the Aero BCG or are there other BCGs that I should consider ?

I am assuming Gas Blocks are pretty standard ?

What other pairings work well with the AP M5 set ?

Thanks

This thing is a piece of shiit. Sell it to someone.  Nobody here is gonna buy it, though, so don't try to sell it here. 

This is the only 16" midlength BA barrel that they advertise - and it's a good one. 

https://www.ballisticadvantage.com/16-inch-308-tacgov-mid-ss-premium-barrel.html

That your barrel?  Their "Premium Series" barrels are match-grade barrels.  I have several, in many calibers, and they deliver.  If you buy it, before you EVER install it, get an accurate gas port diameter reading and post that here - before you ever install it.  There aren't many companies making 16" midlength gas barrels for .308ARs, so you need to check that before you run it.  Aero Precision and Ballistic Advantage are the same company, by the way, so I hope that answers the question of whether the two brands will work together - they're made to work together. 

ToolCraft makes AP's BCGs.  You won't find better BCGs out there. 

Thanks for posting your intro, before you got busy with questions - so many people dont...  

Edited September 11, 2019 by 98Z5V

[bootsector]

Thanks for the feedback 98Z5V.

I guess the AP M5 Carbine Buffer Kit is going to my junk drawer.

Time to search the site for M5 Buffer Kit recommendations.

[jtallen83]

1 hour ago, bootsector said:

Thanks for the feedback 98Z5V.

I guess the AP M5 Carbine Buffer Kit is going to my junk drawer.

Time to search the site for M5 Buffer Kit recommendations.

https://www.armalite.com/product/ar10rekit01-6-position-receiver-extension-kit/

This is a good kit. I have a rifle with the Aero kit, it works but it took some adjusting to get it there. The Armalite is plug and play, no adjustments required. 

I preferred the fit and finish of the Brownells nitride BCG over the Toolcraft but both function fine. I sent back a Brownells retro BCG because it would not headspace on the intended barrel but did on other barrels, it was a very nice looking BCG and very reasonable. The nicest BCG I have used was from Fulton Armory, fantastic fit and finish and nice tight headspacing, a dead ringer for the JP BCG for much less money.

[Albroswift]

20 hours ago, 98Z5V said:

This thing is a piece of shiit. Sell it to someone.  Nobody here is gonna buy it, though, so don't try to sell it here. 

After looking at it the other day I was trying to come up with a combo that the Aero M5 extension kit would work in, buffer to short for ar15 and to light for a 308. I still can't believe AP runs that in their 308 builds. I started out posting here when my Anderson  AM 10 was built the same way. That dog just don't hunt.

 

[98Z5V]

14 hours ago, bootsector said:

Time to search the site for M5 Buffer Kit recommendations.

Armalite AR-10 Carbine Receiver Extension Kit.  If you have problems with that hardware running on your gun, it's not recoil-system problems. 

Buying the complete kit is the cheapest way to do that, direct from Armalite - piecing it together costs alot more.  For $65, you het the H3 buffer ($40), the true 7 5/8" internal depth AR-10 Carbine extension ($40+), the EA1095 spring ($8), endplate and lock nut.  It's a bargain.

It's in stock as I post this- 6 kits.  Get it while you can, because they run out, very routinely.

https://www.armalite.com/product/ar10rekit01-6-position-receiver-extension-kit/

[bootsector]

OK - got the Armalite receiver extension kit on order, ballistic advantage SS barrel and AP nickel boron BCG (I mistakenly order the 5.56 BCG and the Black Rifle Depot guy was nice enough to swap it for me for the 308 BCG).

Another question, how do I measure the gas port diameter ? Are using drill bits sufficient enough or is there a gauge out there that I need to get ?

[Albroswift]

I have a set of numbered bits, get last go and first no go, close enough. if you had good eyes you could probably get it with a dial or digital caliper.

[98Z5V]

5 hours ago, Albroswift said:

I have a set of numbered bits,

Numbered bits are the way to go. Fractional bits don't have the necessary "inbetween" to get the size close enough. 

[bootsector]

OK guys, now looking at a handguard and want to make sure that I order the correct one. Based on the upper receiver that I have (Aero Precision M5):

https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/m5-stripped-upper-receiver

It says DPMS high profile and I am assuming that either one of these handguards are good to go ?

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/forend-amp-handguard-parts/handguards-amp-rails/308-ss-handguards-m-lok-dpms-high-prod85946.aspx?avs|Make_3=AR%20xzzx308

https://www.primaryarms.com/aero-precision-m5-enhanced-308-free-float-handguard-m-lok-gen-2-15in

Thanks again !

[Albroswift]

I went with the Aim Sport on one of my AR15 builds, good quality good price fairly light weight. Thinking about using one like this on my next large frame build. 

https://www.primaryarms.com/aimsports-ar10-15in-mlok-dpms-high-handguard-blk-mtm15h308

One thing to consider though, the slots on the bottom do not go down the center line so might have to use side mount bi-pod legs.

Maybe also check out https://www.ar15handguard.com/ Sam Pan is a character but he has good customer service/ returns/ replacements. 

 

Edited September 14, 2019 by Albroswift

[bootsector]

Finally received my mid-length barrel and the gas port measures .073 on this barrel:

https://blackrifledepot.com/16-308-tactical-government-mid-length-ar-10-barrel-premium-series/

The last thing I need is a gas block and a mid-length gas tube.

I prefer the clamp screw rather than trying to dimple the barrel. Any recommendations on the gas block and gas tube ? I did see someone mention YHM:

https://yhm.net/low-profile-gas-block-pinch-screw.html

[98Z5V]

Yep, Yankee Hill for the clamp-on block. It's complete quality, and the price is great. 

Gas tube?  You don't know yet how they made this barrel.  You might need an AR15 midlength gas tube, or you might need an Armalite AR-10 Carbine gas tube (which is longer than that AR15 part).  Only you can figure that out, once you put a gas tube in your barrel and check it.  Call Ballistic Advantage and see what specs they used when locating/drilling the gas port location.  If they give you something like "We drill the ports in between DPMS LR-308 specs and Armalite AR-10 specs..."  then just get the Armalite AR-10 Carbine gas tube.  Not a copy, the real deal, from Armalite or a reputable vendor.

Edited September 25, 2019 by 98Z5V

[Cliff R]

"Numbered bits are the way to go. Fractional bits don't have the necessary "inbetween" to get the size close enough." 

+2

I would purchase #1-60 and 61-80 sets if you don't already have them and a couple of good pin vises to hold them.

Don't even waste your time with any of the "off-shore" imported crap, they are way too "hard" and those bits, especially in the smaller sizes will break if you stare at them too long.  I use precision drill bits every single day, and stick strictly to USA made varieties, usually from HUOT or Norseman.

https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/norseman-60-pc-drill-bit-set.html

You can shop around some, but be careful for the "bait and switch" deal as many sellers may try to indicate they are selling good stuff and substitute Chinese crap instead.  Another thing that makes the Chinese crap pretty much useless is that they may tip-grind several sizes from larger diameter shanks/flutes, so it's a one time use deal and when you sharpen them the diameter is not longer what you started with (most folks do not know this).

You'll have about $60-80 in both sets if you shop around some, well worth the extra cost compared to the imported crap for about $25-30 for the same sets......Cliff

Edited September 25, 2019 by Cliff R

[unforgiven]

Harbor freight bits are 1 cut if you're lucky.

[Cliff R]

Yep, those just take a glance at them to break, no good stare required!

I think those are the ones that are taper ground too using one shank size to make several sizes from.  Haven't seen a single set yet where every bit in it's location was correct for size as they often double or triple them up in the same size.....LOL......

[jtallen83]

2 hours ago, Cliff R said:

I think those are the ones that are taper ground too using one shank size to make several sizes from.

I have that set 😞

[Cunuckgaucho]

On 9/13/2019 at 9:50 PM, 98Z5V said:

Numbered bits are the way to go. Fractional bits don't have the necessary "inbetween" to get the size close enough. 

Try a metric set that goes in .1mm( translation = 3.94 thou) it usually comes in 1-6mm and 6-10mm sets giving you 40 thou to 0.394 in in 4 thou increments.

This set covers a range of number/letter and fractional sizes in one set

[Merle]

On 9/14/2019 at 4:01 PM, bootsector said:

OK guys, now looking at a handguard and want to make sure that I order the correct one. Based on the upper receiver that I have (Aero Precision M5):

https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/m5-stripped-upper-receiver

It says DPMS high profile and I am assuming that either one of these handguards are good to go ?

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/forend-amp-handguard-parts/handguards-amp-rails/308-ss-handguards-m-lok-dpms-high-prod85946.aspx?avs|Make_3=AR%20xzzx308

https://www.primaryarms.com/aero-precision-m5-enhanced-308-free-float-handguard-m-lok-gen-2-15in

Thanks again !

Why not go with one of the new Aero handguards?

https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/m5-atlas-r-one-m-lok-handguard

[willbird]

On 9/25/2019 at 8:53 AM, Cliff R said:

"Numbered bits are the way to go. Fractional bits don't have the necessary "inbetween" to get the size close enough." 

+2

I would purchase #1-60 and 61-80 sets if you don't already have them and a couple of good pin vises to hold them.

Don't even waste your time with any of the "off-shore" imported crap, they are way too "hard" and those bits, especially in the smaller sizes will break if you stare at them too long.  I use precision drill bits every single day, and stick strictly to USA made varieties, usually from HUOT or Norseman.

https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/norseman-60-pc-drill-bit-set.html

You can shop around some, but be careful for the "bait and switch" deal as many sellers may try to indicate they are selling good stuff and substitute Chinese crap instead.  Another thing that makes the Chinese crap pretty much useless is that they may tip-grind several sizes from larger diameter shanks/flutes, so it's a one time use deal and when you sharpen them the diameter is not longer what you started with (most folks do not know this).

You'll have about $60-80 in both sets if you shop around some, well worth the extra cost compared to the imported crap for about $25-30 for the same sets......Cliff

IMHO the very best drills I have ever used were Titex and Ghuring...but those are not what people typically mean by "import". 🙂

Bill

[willbird]

On 9/25/2019 at 11:38 PM, Merle said:

Why not go with one of the new Aero handguards?

https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/m5-atlas-r-one-m-lok-handguard

Or even the Enhanced upper and hand guard. The enhanced rail is BAR pattern which is a somewhat standard interface. After much agony I settled on the enhanced upper and rail and I have not regretted it one moment. If your not going exotic with a $200-$300 rail the Aero stuff is really neck and neck for weight with other offerings in the same $$ range IMHO.

Bill