22 Nosler No-Gas AR

[Rocketvapor]

My first post here, so it's also an intro post.

I'm retired and have moved into Little Black Rifles (Kitchen Builds) just a few years ago with my recent activity focused on paper shooting with a couple of 22 Nosler uppers. Mostly economical (cheap) builds.
I've also just started shooting F-Open Mid Range (yes, with a 22N) using a 1:7, 5R 28" bull barrel (X-Caliber), a BCA side charge upper, and an Athlon BTR 8-34x56 FFP scope.
I shoot reloads (or factory ammo for one-fired brass) using 80 (at about 3000fps) and 88 ELDs (at about 2900fps ) loaded long. Each time I go to a mid range match, Pascagoula, Ms., I better my score. Most I can hope for shooting a 22N in F-Open is to beat ME. I'm now a card carrying "Sharpshooter"


I've tried the Nosgar thing but without gas (not even a port on my latest) the Nosler brass is holding up. I'll save my old run Hagar brass for later.

Anyway, enough for an intro, thanks for having me.
RV

 

[watercam]

How is your bolt holding up? I have had some tell me that the AR bolts are not designed to hold the pressure of NOT opening.
Didn't make sense to me but I have no idea. The Brits seem to go that route from time to time.

 

[Rocketvapor]

Haven't had any problems so far.
Except for some 'Stickage' which seems to be common for straight pulls.
I'm gonna guess that gas puling the bolt apart at the cam pin hole won't happen with a No-Gas.
The biggest thing I notice is no bent rims, or ejector swipes.
Oh, and brass you can handle without being burnt

 

[mic2377]

Very interesting setup, and no reason it wouldn't shoot great. It cuts out needing to bed the action, the barrel is completely free- floated, and the triggers are pretty good now too.

Being able to screw on pre-chambered barrels in about 15 min is a huge pro, and they make some pretty darn good quality barrels for AR's now too.

I had always wondered how well a straight pull AR would work. My main concern was the lack of primary extraction in the design, and the how the stock charging handle isn't very good if you get a really sticky case, requiring mortaring the rifle.

 

[Rocketvapor]

There are times in a 60 shot midrange match that the bolt gets a little tight, I guess from carbon buildup.
I have to run a flex mop into the chamber (from the side) every 15 to 20 rounds to keep things smooth.
Might be my loads, but I don't have to mortar the rounds out with a side charge.
I did a lap, and thermal fit with the barrel/receiver and did a little smoothing on the BCG cam pin unlock ramp.
No gas rings and blended the bolt face sharp edges, etc.



The 22N puts me in F-Open against the big boys but it is fun to shoot.
Home made 3.5 pound bag rider brought me up over 20 pounds and that helped.
Like I said before, each time I do a little better. Just have to practice more.
Here's a side view with my chinese $32 hand guard the bag rider, and my ambi bolt release.

 

[dfrosch]

Like that BCA side charging upper. Primary Arms had them on sale late last year. Included the BCG, handle and plug for $110. I had to have one.

So where do you get an AR barrel without a port?

 

[Rocketvapor]

I got a few of the BCA uppers, Midway had a big discount for my birthday

Barrel without a port? Talk to your barrel maker.
Skipping the port is a skip operation, not a reprogram.
The X-Caliber barrel was on a holiday 25% off deal.
Took about 2 months to come in though.

A Ballistic Advantage 24" barrel and a 20" ARP barrel, I just turned the block around.
A 21" .223 barrel blank from Green Mountain didn't have a port yet and I have a little fun at the ranges with it.
Seems every expert has an explanation why my AR don't cycle.
Something about dwell time
Top one in the picture is the GM Blank that just doesn't seem to want to cycle ??

I lapped everyone of the BCA side chargers and did a thermal fit to the barrel with
Secret Sauce

 

[dfrosch]

Seems every expert has an explanation why my AR don't cycle.
Something about dwell time

That's hilarious! I'd put one of those wrap around gas tubes on it.

My BCA does very well with a button rifled Rock Creek from Craddock precision. Didn't lap it, but used blue loktite. Shoots a half inch for me and would probably do better for someone that could shoot.

 

[Rocketvapor]

In the beginning, I received a batch of 77gr and 62gr ammo and factory brass with a sharp edged rim.
The sharp edge gets broken off when the extractor snaps over the rim when charging.
Little chunks of brass left all over.
After beveling the rim and smoothing the bolt face the shavings disappear.
Watch out for "clearance" ammo that may be old stock.