Magwa Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 (edited) This thread is I hope going to gather information on the best way to build a lighter AR10, LR308 etc. I have been hunting with mine for 2 years now Killed one elk and will kill another as soon as I see him... lol but my God these guns are heavy as compared to a bolt gun.. so lets find out where all the weight is.. and how we can lighten them up if we can..... I am going to weigh my rifle just as i take it to the woods will post weight and a Picture... what barrel, accessories magazine, etc so please throw out your ideas.. , 10lbs 4 oz. Edited October 21, 2013 by Magwa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
392heminut Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 There is already a thread here somewhere where one of the members did a lightweight build. Maybe someone younger than me who still has some long term memory can steer you to it. There was quite a bit of good info in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DNP Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 The damn bcg weighs 12 lbs by itself....good luck. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 First off, MAG Tactical advised that they have a magnesium lower receiver in the works for early next year. Next, I'd pair that up with a slab side DPMS upper. To get extra light I'd suggest the JP LMOS BCG. Although a full size BCG isn't going to break anyone's back. Phase 3 would be a Fulton Armory 16" lightweight barrel with a low profile gas block (adjustable if you have the LMOS). With a BABC on the end... of course! Personally I'd wrap the barrel in either the new Midwest Ind Gen2 SS tube or an APEX "Gator" tube (sans top rail). All depends on budget. Furniture from there should be user friendly. I think the Magpul MOE+ is awesome, and an ACS-L to match would be nice. A single stage trigger, no sights, fixed 4 scope, heavy buffer, short throw BAD-ASS and a padded VTAC sling would finish it off for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 My design wouldn't be the "lightest". It's more of a "cut weight where you can afford it, and keep the weight you want" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKSHEEP Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Maybe copy the LaRue PredatAR (7.7lbs) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magwa Posted October 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 (edited) The Larue predatar is 7.75 lbs with no ammo, no optics, no sling or sling swivels so lets see what that would be loaded...this is a 10lb 4 oz gun as it sits with 6 rnds in the Pmag scope sling everything if I remove the scope,mount,sling,bipod, this gun is not much over 8lbs so it is not till the optics go on that I really gain weight but as a hunting gun you got to have them... Edited October 22, 2013 by Magwa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnatshooter Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 (edited) In spite of lots of looking around, I'm not finding very much real info on carbon-fiber barrels. I have a DPMS LR-308T and for walking around in the woods, it's a lot of weight and that takes out a lot of the fun factor. I'm thinking most of the extra weight is in the barrel. The stock weighs next to nothing and I don't see how much weight can be lost anywhere else. BTW I have Spike's heavy buffer and I'm not giving it up. Edited October 21, 2013 by gnatshooter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 In spite of lots of looking around, I'm not finding very much real info on carbon-fiber barrels. I have a CF barrel on my .308 AR. As light as it is, it still isn't as light as a "lightweight" contour barrel. My rifle is damn near a Bull contour (.875 at the gasblock), and weighs the equivalent to maybe an HBAR/Medium type contour. So I can claim Bull barrel accuracy and performance for a combat barrel weight. That was my intention. If you are expecting a super light barrel to make the lightest weight rifle possible, a CF barrel wouldn't be the best choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magwa Posted October 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 Ok I know for sure I want on my next build 1. slab sided upper 2. no A2 sight gas block I want the lightest smallest gas block I can find 3. a smaller barrel slimer profile 4. a light weight scope mount mine is over 6 oz come on guys help me out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 (edited) #12 washguy 500 Specialist 1,102 posts 0 warning points LocationBig D Yall Posted 04 May 2013 - 07:06 AM Hi Lite nice shootin and your weight is fairly good too! here's my lite ........ Hi Guys Just finished a dpms build...used Harrisons super lite 16" barrel,apex handguard,geislle 3 gun trigger....and an old school 1980's buttstock....nikon monarch on top....the rig weighs 8.5lbs with no mag Wash Go back to the May post for the pic :) Wash Edited October 22, 2013 by washguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magwa Posted October 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 How about a link to this post you speak of... lol going back to May is pretty vauge... or at least tell me where the thread is what section... that sounds like a great build..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magwa Posted October 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 ok never mind I found it and it is a good looking rifle so is your a slab sided upper? the weight does not include your bipod right? and what scope mount did you use looks like a rock river same as mine?.... love the barrel I also have the gator grip on mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 (edited) ok never mind I found it and it is a good looking rifle so is your a slab sided upper? the weight does not include your bipod right? and what scope mount did you use looks like a rock river same as mine?.... love the barrel I also have the gator grip on mine Hi Mag nope mines got forward assist.....weight doesnt include bipod.....Rock River scope with a Monarch 8x32x50.....just went and weighed it again...I also took off the 80's car stock and put on a magpul asc..also replaced the shorty brake with a benny c brake..the dang rifle is eating chips or fries in the safe....its up to 9 lbs just goes to show you how lil things like a brake and different car stock add weight the barrel is very light and so is the apex a 16" very light profile that shoots moa at 500 yds :) Wash Edited October 22, 2013 by washguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jgun Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 If I remember correctly the member that built the lightest one, got it down to around 6lbs no sights/optics/empty. Now, if you think about that, your'e still going to be up around 8 and change loaded and with optic. The question is, will you find that two lbs worth all the work, and expense to build one? You say it's heavy compared to a bolt. If weight is that importanr why not use the bolt when you'll be traveling on foot for distance when hunting. I'm thinking that if you're covering a lot of ground, your also carying a pack, why not look to make your whole outfit lighter, not just the rifle? As mentioned above, I found that the weight savings didn't justify the expense of a CF barrel, just go with a lightweight profile, and maybe no more then 18". The Ace skeliton stock is, I believe, the lightest, an Apex FF tube, or the Noveske NSR, or a CF tube will be the lightest handguard, and finally, I've noticed that there seems to be a decent weight range between the different optics, pick a light weight scope and maybe light rings vs a one piece mount. All that may shave a lb off what you'd got right now, but is it worth all that work/expense for 1lb? Like I said, I'd be looking at everything that I'm carrying, not just the gun, and what about a nice sliing that makes the gun carry easier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magwa Posted October 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 You are very correct , I do carry a pack that has everything in it to butcher a elk and quarter it which in my case is a butcher knife... but i also carry parachute cord, flashlight fire making stuff and a very small 1st aid kit, along with a couple capri sun drinks a sandwhich and a apple weight ? about 8 lbs when I was in my 30's I carried 25 lbs, the reason I love the AR platform is nothing rusts, no wood to swell in bad weather ,simple to load, and unload the stock is adjutable for when I have bulky clothes, and In a SHTF situation it is most likley the gun I would carry so I am getting experience with it ... I would like to get it between 7 and 8 that is resonable and also in the pack I have a GPS/radio a range finder and 15 extra rounds.. and I am 63 now the older I get the steeper the terrain gets LOL and I walk 2 to 5 miles with elevation changes of 1500 ft up and down.... I think a small gas block instead of my A2 sight gas block ,lighter rings,and a slim profile barrel will get me in that range I am going to make some changes this winter and find out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaRKle! Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 How much magnification do you need? Would an Aimpoint Micro with detachable magnifier work? Or how bout just a QD scope that you take out of your bag when needed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 Hi Mag contacted harrison at ar performance for ya to see if his shipment of the super light hunter barrels have come in...they were gonna be here this month....i wanted another....bad news..no more light weight hunter barrels are coming....wah wah. i dont think 7 lbs is achievable..... maybe 8 but weight is in the barrel mostly....no one I know offeres one like the one harrison sold Wash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magwa Posted October 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 How much magnification do you need? Would an Aimpoint Micro with detachable magnifier work? Or how bout just a QD scope that you take out of your bag when needed? 4x12 works well in this country it is very steep and long range shots are the norm my range is between 0 and 400 any optic that uses a battery for anything other than just the reticle is not legal in Idaho, picking a spot behind a Mule deers shoulder at 200 plus yards is tough with old eyes the magnification really helps, as far as QD it is always my luck that when I need it it is off and when i don't it is on but it is a option for sure, the extra weight is not a deal breaker for me I will work through it but the extra energy I have at the end of a day is important... So Wash, no more of those barrels huh? wow were they not a good seller? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sketch Posted October 22, 2013 Report Share Posted October 22, 2013 This may not apply but for a long day I find a 5 hour energy drink takes the edge off only use it if I am out all day with no down time. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
washguy Posted October 23, 2013 Report Share Posted October 23, 2013 Hi Mag They were great sellers....sold out fast....But in his reply to me....his barrel maker is overwhelmed Harrison is mainly into 6.8 and other wildcat type barrels....he is a machinest that makes the buttons( I think)for the barrel maker to use in the barrels made for him....so its mainly logistics i would guess? daaamn I wanted another one really bad ! they were reasonable in price and quality all the way Wah Wah Wash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeld Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 I'd like to build more of a 308 carbine for drills and such. Right now I have a DPMS Recon with a 13.8" Troy handguard on it, an MOE Rifle Stock, and an EOTech 512. With no magazine, this setup weighs about 10.5 lbs. A little too heavy really. I'm wondering how much weight could be saved by going to a lightweight 14.5" barrel (if that exists), an Aimpoint micro, and a carbine stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 ^^^ If you can't find one have it cut down and put a muzzel device that will get you back to 16.1 overall.Battel Comp has the 1.5 for 5.56.Not sure of the .308 type. <dontknow> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robocop1051 Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 The BABC is even longer than the v1.5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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