Ultralight Ultralight Rifles

[Trackselk]

Compared to the 0.6" spaghetti profile, the .57" profile should be around 11% to 11.5% lighter. Probably between 2.5 oz - 3 oz lighter. Not huge, but should be simpler for someone to turn down if needed.

I've talked at length with LRI about reprofiling, and they said it's around the chamber where they can really knock down some weight. IIRC the shaw barrel is actually thinner towards the muzzle than the BCA barrel, so combining those 2 smallest dimensions and no gas block I think will net a 14-15oz barrel that we pretty much know works already. That's probably where I'm ultimately heading. If the NAS3 cases actually extract and shoot worth a darn from the ai chamber, then that will be really nice safety insurance running up around 70k psi. If not, it's 70k with LC brass anyhow lol

 

[wowzers]

I was getting ready to buy a TN arms lower earlier this week and then mid week the website quite working and hasn’t been back up.

 

[doverpack12]

22 ARC with PA 5X Microprism my own 75 ELDM loads. Target was 3 shots at 100. Right where I want it, 5/8” high to line up my drops pretty well on the mil Microprism reticle.

Took it out to 533 and 565 yards today with a stop at 343.

It just flat shoots. 16” BA barrel with some deep fluting. Warwick Tactical right side pull upper and a chopped BCA bolt/carrier.

If I had shot like this before I ordered the 88 TMKs I might not even be tempted to try them.

I would like to gain a little more distance above 1800 fps. Not sure if I can. I’m at 625 yards or a hair more with my 75 ELDM loads.

 

[Hoosker Doo]

22 ARC with PA 5X Microprism my own 75 ELDM loads. Target was 3 shots at 100. Right where I want it, 5/8” high to line up my drops pretty well on the mil Microprism reticle.

Took it out to 533 and 565 yards today with a stop at 343.

It just flat shoots. 16” BA barrel with some deep fluting. Warwick Tactical right side pull upper and a chopped BCA bolt/carrier.

If I had shot like this before I ordered the 88 TMKs I might not even be tempted to try them.

I would like to gain a little more distance above 1800 fps. Not sure if I can. I’m at 625 yards or a hair more with my 75 ELDM load

How's extraction with the 22 ARC?

 

[doverpack12]

How's extraction with the 22 ARC?

It’s honestly better than my 223. Wylde Shaw portless on a Solo. Personally I think a lot of the extraction issues are Solo related, it’s just a tight upper.

The 22 ARC bolt carrier was cut down and then sanded by another member. It’s super smooth and will slide back and forth in the upper by tipping front to back. Stays closed with a lower, mag and round. This is the smoothest of my 3 UL style uppers.

I also have a 6 ARC that extracts just fine. It has a BCA side charge upper, bolt, carrier and barrel. I ran it gassed for 150 rounds or so to smooth things out. Extracted fine since then.

I do pull the gas rings and rubber oring or plunger under the extractor. Those make cycling much smoother.

Made first round hits with the 6 ARC at 533, 565 and 725 yesterday with 95 gr TMK loads. I have a SWFA 3-9 on this one.

6 ARC at 725 yards in the middle. A friends 7 PRC is the lower hit.

 

[wowzers]

If there's enough interest in this X-Caliber 223 AI, I could probably arrange a group buy of some sort. Would need 10+ to get the best price.

What is the price right now?

 

[Thegman]

I'd be happy to convert my order if possible. I put it in about 8 weeks ago.

If we get a bunch that want them, I'll see if they can.

 

[Thegman]

What is the price right now?

Less than 10 would be around $250 - $270, + shipping

10 or more about $240 - $260 + shipping.

Probably on the lower end of those estimates. Just ballparking a price above as I have not talked to them directly about it.

 

[mevert]

Im trying to read through the whole thread, but it could take me a while, does anyone by chance have experience with any of the arc family cartridges with the solo 300 upper? Specifically looking to build an 8 inch 338 arc, and thinking of going the bolt action route instead of direct impediment. Thanks!

 

[doverpack12]

Im trying to read through the whole thread, but it could take me a while, does anyone by chance have experience with any of the arc family cartridges with the solo 300 upper? Specifically looking to build an 8 inch 338 arc, and thinking of going the bolt action route instead of direct impediment. Thanks!

I have a 6 and 22 ARC. I would recommend any side pull besides a solo. Warwick Tactical and Bear creek are my two side charges. Both cycle nicer with the ARC than my 223 Wylde Shaw portless solo.

 

[Dirty-D]

very interested in the group buy!

 

[4090Sharps]

Less than 10 would be around $250 - $270, + shipping

10 or more about $240 - $260 + shipping.

Probably on the lower end of those estimates. Just ballparking a price above as I have not talked to them directly about it.

I emailed and they set up a page for the gasless barrels.

Configure Your Custom AR15 NoGas-Contour Barrel with Centerfire Chambering

Build a custom NoGas-Contour AR15 barrel, with no gas system. For use with rifles that use AR15 format barrels, with side-charge bolt-action or other manual-operated designs, that do not have any sort of a gas system. Pictured with Thermal Fluting (option).

www.x-caliber.net

 

[ProRoad]

Im trying to read through the whole thread, but it could take me a while, does anyone by chance have experience with any of the arc family cartridges with the solo 300 upper? Specifically looking to build an 8 inch 338 arc, and thinking of going the bolt action route instead of direct impediment. Thanks!

Mevert, this is a great thread for sure! I have had a BCA bolt action 6 arc for almost 4 weeks and it is horrible. to keep this thread on track, there is a separate post here for more info. (post #10) https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/bear-creek-arsenals-bolt-action-upper.433343/#post-4647073. I am sending it back tomorrow for a side or rear charger. 6 ARC is a nice caliber and I would like to make it work.

I have a 6 and 22 ARC. I would recommend any side pull besides a solo. Warwick Tactical and Bear creek are my two side charges. Both cycle nicer with the ARC than my 223 Wylde Shaw portless solo.

doverpack, should I get the 6 arc in side or rear charger from BCA? Thx in advance!

 

[doverpack12]

Mevert, this is a great thread for sure! I have had a BCA bolt action 6 arc for almost 4 weeks and it is horrible. to keep this thread on track, there is a separate post here for more info. (post #10) https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/bear-creek-arsenals-bolt-action-upper.433343/#post-4647073. I am sending it back tomorrow for a side or rear charger. 6 ARC is a nice caliber and I would like to make it work.


doverpack, should I get the 6 arc in side or rear charger from BCA? Thx in advance!

If you want a non gas repeater then go side charge. You can’t really rear charge the repeater so it would have to be gassed or at least have a buffer and spring

 

[Thegman]

I emailed and they set up a page for the gasless barrels.

Configure Your Custom AR15 NoGas-Contour Barrel with Centerfire Chambering

Build a custom NoGas-Contour AR15 barrel, with no gas system. For use with rifles that use AR15 format barrels, with side-charge bolt-action or other manual-operated designs, that do not have any sort of a gas system. Pictured with Thermal Fluting (option).

www.x-caliber.net

Great job! That's a great option to have.

To add a suggestion: With their Easter sale going on right now, anyone wanting this option, I'd suggest ordering it right now, directly. That's a good deal. I think by the time the barrels would be shipped to me, and then additional shipping to the next person, it wouldn't be all that much cheaper, and more hassle for everyone.

 

[Trackselk]

Compared to the 0.6" spaghetti profile, the .57" profile should be around 11% to 11.5% lighter. Probably between 2.5 oz - 3 oz lighter. Not huge, but should be simpler for someone to turn down if needed.

Turns out that my (Jan 7th) order has already been profiled (.6") and should ship this week or next Steve said. So, as long as it shoots well, it'll go off to LRI for reprofiling. That leaves me out of the group buy for now anyhow, since I'll already have 2 ai barrels as of next week. I wanted to make sure I had one that shoots well with my particular bullets by May 1st...
Did you ever hear back how light of a profile McGowen would make for us?

 

[Thegman]

Turns out that my (Jan 7th) order has already been profiled (.6") and should ship this week or next Steve said. So, as long as it shoots well, it'll go off to LRI for reprofiling. That leaves me out of the group buy for now anyhow, since I'll already have 2 ai barrels as of next week. I wanted to make sure I had one that shoots well with my particular bullets by May 1st...
Did you ever hear back how light of a profile McGowen would make for us?

No worries. No group buy happening since the current sale price (and X-Caliber runs sales pretty frequently) is only marginally, if any higher than a group buy price I could get when factoring extra shipping etc.

Regarding McGowen: Yes, McGowen was willing to make a custom profile; pretty much whatever you wanted. That was the good part.

The problem was they were very difficult to get any information from directly via phone or email. I managed to get a hold of Sam there once on the phone, and he was really helpful. However, I had a follow-up question regarding shipping (their website was going to charge me $189 for shipping). I could never again get a hold of anyone on the phone or get an email response. I decided that it would be a bad idea to order anything from a company that I couldn't actually get any information from.

Although they didn't offer "custom contours", X-Caliber was leagues better to deal with. I say "custom contours" in quotes because in reality, McGowen didn't actually offer anything, in a practical sense.

 

[Trackselk]

No worries. No group buy happening since the current sale price (and X-Caliber runs sales pretty frequently) is only marginally, if any higher than a group buy price I could get when factoring extra shipping etc.

Regarding McGowen: Yes, McGowen was willing to make a custom profile; pretty much whatever you wanted. That was the good part.

The problem was they were very difficult to get any information from directly via phone or email. I managed to get a hold of Sam there once on the phone, and he was really helpful. However, I had a follow-up question regarding shipping (their website was going to charge me $189 for shipping). I could never again get a hold of anyone on the phone or get an email response. I decided that it would be a bad idea to order anything from a company that I couldn't actually get any information from.

Although they didn't offer "custom contours", X-Caliber was leagues better to deal with. I say "custom contours" in quotes because in reality, McGowen didn't actually offer anything, in a practical sense.

Makes sense, thanks! If I'm not happy with both of my Ai barrels (however unlikely) then I might try to roll the dice with McGowen if they can do the BCA/shaw combined minimal profile. Their lead times claimed to be shorter, price cheaper, and if the profile saves a trip to LRI, they could be much less expensive.
Was that shipping to AK?

 

[Thegman]

Makes sense, thanks! If I'm not happy with both of my Ai barrels (however unlikely) then I might try to roll the dice with McGowen if they can do the BCA/shaw combined minimal profile. Their lead times claimed to be shorter, price cheaper, and if the profile saves a trip to LRI, they could be much less expensive.
Was that shipping to AK?

Yes, to AK. Probably wouldn't have had the same problem with shipping to the lower 48. OTOH, would still have the almost zero customer service issue.

 

[Trackselk]

Yes, to AK. Probably wouldn't have had the same problem with shipping to the lower 48. OTOH, would still have the almost zero customer service issue.

Yeah, that's crap. USPS to AK is cheap