Ultralight Ultralight Rifles

[Welldone]

223 is almost impossible to feed. 300 seems a tad better. I’m hoping that feed ramp polishing will fix that. The BCG is super smooth in the upper before lowering it onto the lower. I’ve watched videos of guys shooting their SOLO builds and the effort they’re using is nothing compared to what I am. I’m assuming that this thread is pretty much the only source for info about these builds. I don’t want to give up on this project BUT I am getting pretty frustrated. I’ll look for a Duramag magazine
Thanks for the help and advice

 

[Taudisio]

223 is almost impossible to feed. 300 seems a tad better. I’m hoping that feed ramp polishing will fix that. The BCG is super smooth in the upper before lowering it onto the lower. I’ve watched videos of guys shooting their SOLO builds and the effort they’re using is nothing compared to what I am. I’m assuming that this thread is pretty much the only source for info about these builds. I don’t want to give up on this project BUT I am getting pretty frustrated. I’ll look for a Duramag magazine
Thanks for the help and advice

When you run the bolt without a bullet, but the rifle complete and empty mag inserted, is it smooth then? After you dry fire, also smooth bolt operation?

 

[Trackselk]

Nas3 cases continued, good and bad.
- I'm impressed that the case mouth bounced back and still holds a bullet plenty firmly, for a non gasser anyhow, with no crimp on the initial firing, and no crimp for second loading.
-the case grew about 10 thou, and i think it would be good for another round if we could just bump the shoulder back a bit. But, the growth may be down by the funky 2 piece junction, and not be viable for this bolt. Now that I think about it; my source said they worked in gas guns for multiple firings, so I think it has to do with either the bca barrel/extension/5.56 chamber, or the solo bolt. We have 3 bca barrels with similar results it sounds like.
-the velocities in my previous post are basically new barrel (25 rounds so far), so add about 40fps with any luck.

 

[Welldone]

It feels sorta like the bolt is hitting a speed bump. It’s not smooth as just the bolt in the upper.

 

[KyleR1985]

Nas3 cases continued, good and bad.
- I'm impressed that the case mouth bounced back and still holds a bullet plenty firmly, for a non gasser anyhow, with no crimp on the initial firing, and no crimp for second loading.
-the case grew about 10 thou, and i think it would be good for another round if we could just bump the shoulder back a bit.
-the velocities in my previous post are basically new barrel (25 rounds so far), so add about 40fps with any luck.

Do you have a case comparator to check base to shoulder datum?

10 thou seems like a lot?

 

[Trackselk]

Do you have a case comparator to check base to shoulder datum?

10 thou seems like a lot?

I'm about to order one for the 223, my 22 creed one is the wrong shoulder angle, but it looks like the growth is mostly in the shoulder. Not sure if 10 is a lot, I'll have to look that up

 

[Taudisio]

It feels sorta like the bolt is hitting a speed bump. It’s not smooth as just the bolt in the upper.

With the mag you feel a speed bump? Need more descriptors.

I'm about to order one for the 223, my 22 creed one is the wrong shoulder angle, but it looks like the growth is mostly in the shoulder. Not sure if 10 is a lot, I'll have to look that up

For new brass? That’s not an exorbitant amount. If you seat a bullet, how does the unsized/fired brass feed?

 

[Trackselk]

With the mag you feel a speed bump? Need more descriptors.


For new brass? That’s not an exorbitant amount. If you seat a bullet, how does the unsized/fired brass feed?

Looks like mine + 2 of packgoatguy's bca barrels won't chamber after being fired. I'm going to pull the bolt and see if I can figure out how they are hanging up, because it's there on the unfired cases also, just gets unusable after firing once

 

[Taudisio]

Looks like mine + 2 of packgoatguy's bca barrels won't chamber after being fired. I'm going to pull the bolt and see if I can figure out how they are hanging up, because it's there on the unfired cases also, just gets unusable after firing once

Hmmm, I suppose that according to their claim of not stretching, 10 thou is a lot. Plus special dies to reload. I have a lee 223 die that I got for free. I would definitely push them in it to see if it’s possible, and toss the die if it got stuck.

 

[Trackselk]

Hmmm, I suppose that according to their claim of not stretching, 10 thou is a lot. Plus special dies to reload. I have a lee 223 die that I got for free. I would definitely push them in it to see if it’s possible, and toss the die if it got stuck.

Guys have reported it ripping the 2 pieces apart on the upstroke when they try to size them.

 

[Taudisio]

Guys have reported it ripping the 2 pieces apart on the upstroke when they try to size them.

Challenge accepted! I’m also curious how it will take to being necked up.

 

[Trackselk]

Challenge accepted! I’m also curious how it will take to being necked up.

I wonder if we can extract them from a neck/shoulder bump partial die with a strap wrench or something. But, I'm worried is actually the case head that's causing the binding, so sizing them might not help

 

[Taudisio]

I wonder if we can extract them from a neck/shoulder bump partial die with a strap wrench or something. But, I'm worried is actually the case head that's causing the binding, so sizing them might not help

Maybe I’ll cut 3/4 of the body off the bottom of the die and remove the expander ball and give it a shot.

 

[Thegman]

223 is almost impossible to feed. 300 seems a tad better. I’m hoping that feed ramp polishing will fix that. The BCG is super smooth in the upper before lowering it onto the lower. I’ve watched videos of guys shooting their SOLO builds and the effort they’re using is nothing compared to what I am. I’m assuming that this thread is pretty much the only source for info about these builds. I don’t want to give up on this project BUT I am getting pretty frustrated. I’ll look for a Duramag magazine
Thanks for the help and advice

Don't give up on it, there's really nothing that shouldn't be pretty easy to address. There's nothing magic about them and everything is actually pretty simple.

Like @Taudisio said, it's hard to assess issues over the internet, but there shouldn't be anything too complex to address.

My first question would be if you have any previous experience with AR platforms to have some sort of comparative baseline(?). The Solos are obviously much more similar to an AR than a traditional bolt rifle.

It's best to address each potential variable one at a time. I'd start with pulling the barrel and addressing any rough feeding as I posted earlier. If that remains an issue, feeding will never be as smooth as it could be. That's step one.

The other issues you've mentioned, the trigger on the bolt carrier and the "speed bump":

Try greasing the hammer face a little, but it's unlikely there's anything really out of spec.

The speed bump sounds like you're just riding the bolt and carrier over the magazine follower with the mag inserted. That's going to be rough, especially with no bolt release installed, or depressed, but isn't a functional issue and has nothing to do with feeding when you're running the magazine with ammo loaded. The follower is designed specifically to help hold the bolt open (pushing up the bolt catch) with an empty mag, running it over would create what you describe.

 

[Welldone]

I polished the feed ramp on the 223 SHAW barrel and added some grease to the hammer face. Feeds flawlessly and I definitely can live with the smoothness of bolt. Thanks for holding my hand through this. Now, onto mounting handguard and Primary Arms SLX-5.

 

[packgoatguy]

To you smart guys out there... which one of these ultralight scope rings would be stronger/more durable? The one on the right is only $10, is 6061 aluminum, is noticeably thicker in most areas.

The one on the left is 7075 aluminum, $24, but looks thinner. It is also 4 grams lighter-weight than the thicker 6061 above.