My first 223 PD AR shooter feast eyes

[BobbyJ]

All my good shooting guns are bolts but never really tried to see what an AR could do with a better barrel. Found a 24" bull barrel in stock, did not want fluting but its only on the end not the first 3/4 of barrel. Actually the weight reduction is where you want it at the end of the barrel.

For $400.00 got a barrel, Aero gas block, tube, pin, extra bolt, some bore paste (has to do with break in)

Used spare parts laying around the house. Mated the barrel with a different kind of upper. One that does not have a typical barrel nut with threads on the inside. The threads are on the outside of the nut and they use like monolithic upper that seems to be beefier than a standard AR upper. I think its to isolate the hand guard from the barrel nut.

I've not torqued the barrel all the way (could not find my 3/8 to 1/2" adapter for the wrench.) Do these heavy barrels need any more then any other AR? 40 FT pounds good?

It went together very easy. I was worried the barrel might not clear the barrel nut. No issues there and the M4 feed ramps lined up perfectly. Barrel slid into the upper without any struggle not loose but not where you have to pound it in.

Its not nearly as heavy as I thought it would be. The balance point is going to be right under the scrope near where the barrel connects.



Upper:
Aero - AR15 M4E1 Enhanced Upper Receiver
Aero - AR15 Enhanced M-LOK 15"
Aero - Low gas block w rifle tube and pin
E. Arhtur Brown - Improved National Match AR-15 Bull Accuracy Barrel by EABCO - 24" Stainless Fluted 5.56 NATO/.223 Rem (Wylde) 1:9 Varmint Barrel
New Bolt

Shows how the upper and proprietary barrel nut fit.

Wont be using that lower might put a A2 stock on it and need a bi pod.

Whats the best bang for the buck Bi-Pod for this?

Since it has a rifle gas tube but 4" more inches of dwell times vs standard 20" barrels what buffer set up works best on these?

 

[Cemetery21]

I use standard rifle buffers/springs, but I also use adjustable gas blocks to tune for my loads. That has worked for many prairie dog rifle bench guns since the 1980s in 223, 223AI and 20 calibers.
I have no recommendations on bipods - never owned one.

 

[jepp2]

Since it has a rifle gas tube but 4" more inches of dwell times vs standard 20" barrels what buffer set up works best on these?

Here is what my 20P looks like. I use the JP captive spring so I don't have to listen to the cheese grater over 6,000 times during my annual shoot. I also use the A2 stock as it gives me the adjustment I need for elevation. Started with a Magpul PRS and that didn't work at all for me. And usually I put the lead weight in the butt stock cavity. Makes the rifle heavy and unbalanced, but I can watch my bullet strike with no problem.

 

[BobbyJ]

I use standard rifle buffers/springs, but I also use adjustable gas blocks to tune for my loads. That has worked for many prairie dog rifle bench guns since the 1980s in 223, 223AI and 20 calibers.
I have no recommendations on bipods - never owned one.View attachment 1361511

I love that gun you have there. Nice A2 stock. I have the same rear bag. I like that little handgaurd rest up front too, looks very stable.

 

[BobbyJ]

Here is what my 20P looks like. I use the JP captive spring so I don't have to listen to the cheese grater over 6,000 times during my annual shoot. I also use the A2 stock as it gives me the adjustment I need for elevation. Started with a Magpul PRS and that didn't work at all for me. And usually I put the lead weight in the butt stock cavity. Makes the rifle heavy and unbalanced, but I can watch my bullet strike with no problem.

View attachment 1361517

Awsome looking rifle. What upper is that? I like that the handgaurd is smooth nothing to grab ya.

 

[BobbyJ]

The toughest part of the build was tonight. Pinning that freaking gas block.

I could not do it alone had to get my son to pound while I held the block/pin on one of those Real Avid Smart Bench Blocks. Even had a cement basement floor under it and it still bounced around.

Getting the tube aligned solo was impossible for me it kept moving. I have the proper starter punch. Tube kept turning which meant the roll pin would be hitting the tube not the hole. If the tube was a tighter fit and not rotate of move it would have been 10x easier.

I ended up putting a plastic toothpick in the opposite end with the head inside the roll pin. It still took like 50 wacks with a standard hammer to flush the pin up. Now they were not full swings but it did not go in EZ like you see on videos. I don't think I could have done it solo. The good part is he never smashed my fingers

 

[jepp2]

What upper is that? I like that the handgaurd is smooth nothing to grab ya.

It probably is a BCM upper (would have to check to make sure) with a WOA 20P barrel wearing a Nordic Components handguard. I tend to favor those since the are smooth, nothing special about the barrel nut, and most importantly relatively cheap (compared with the rest).

https://www.opticsplanet.com/nordic-components-nc-1-free-float-hand-guard.html

 

[Jdne5b]

Another Nordic user. Poverty pony lower, unknown upper, Luthar stock, Nordic handguard, 26inch Xcaliber .20 barrel blank turned and chambered .20 Practical by a friend.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I have one barrel nut/handguard setup that specs 75 ft lbs and it does require that.

 

[BobbyJ]

I have one barrel nut/handguard setup that specs 75 ft lbs and it does require that.

I set the Barrel nut at 40FtLbs just because I saw the range of 30-80 so figured 40 was enough. Then I saw on Aero site its recommended 55 lbs for the upper I used. Not sure it makes that much difference. I guess I could take it apart and tighten it more. Seems solid as is though.

 

[urbanrifleman]

The Goblin Killer.

 

[BobbyJ]

The Goblin Killer. View attachment 1361878

Green Hornet! Nice!