Ultralight Ultralight Rifles

[4090Sharps]

 

[Trackselk]

Personally, I wouldn’t mess with ordering for McGowen/CarbonSix for a while. From a YouTube video they put out this year, they’re going through a lot of business changes, are going to sunset McGowen, and are moving most/all of their customer service to AI as I recall.

That seals the deal, looks like Shaw/bca/xcaliber are the 3 barrels of choice for us.

 

[PistolPete]

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.

Ugh, I've been wanting an AI barrel...

Any idea what kind of velocity loss one can expect when firing standard 223 ammo in an AI chamber?

 

[Thegman]

Ugh, I've been wanting an AI barrel...

Any idea what kind of velocity loss one can expect when firing standard 223 ammo in an AI chamber?

From the examples I've read, not a lot. Seems to be less than 50 fps from what I recall.

 

[KyleR1985]

Ugh, I've been wanting an AI barrel...

Any idea what kind of velocity loss one can expect when firing standard 223 ammo in an AI chamber?

I have one data point:

Howa mini 223 factory 1:8 barrel cut to 16”

- 77tmk 26.5gr lever LC brass 26.5gr lever 2.435” oal, 2807fps

- same, but 26.7gr lever 2849fps


Howa mini Shaw 1:7 223ai barrel 16.5”

- LC brass, 26.5gr lever 2.35” oal, 2815fps



I’m pretty sure you can count on max load for 223 shooting similarly, if a slight drop in velocity, while forming 223ai brass.

 

[KyleR1985]

And for what it’s worth, I just shot 5 rounds of 26.6gr lever under 88tmks @ 2.5” oal (.100” off lands) in the 223ai Shaw. 2770fps average, .6moa. This formed brass has 32.2gr h2o capacity.

77’s at 2.3” oal will probably roll near 2900 with lever in 223ai 16” barrel and LC brass (32.5+gr h2o capacity)

 

[Trackselk]

And for what it’s worth, I just shot 5 rounds of 26.6gr lever under 88tmks @ 2.5” oal (.100” off lands) in the 223ai Shaw. 2770fps average, .6moa. This formed brass has 32.2gr h2o capacity.

77’s at 2.3” oal will probably roll near 2900 with lever in 223ai 16” barrel and LC brass (32.5+gr h2o capacity)

Good speeds and accuracy! You single loading those 2.5" ? I thought it looked like max was 2.36", with the TNA lower anyhow

 

[KyleR1985]

Good speeds and accuracy! You single loading those 2.5" ? I thought it looked like max was 2.36", with the TNA lower anyhow

Howa mini rifle.

Was just giving the AI comparison requested.

 

[Bearded Gnome]

I have a miniMauser in 223 that might be a candidate to be AI-ed. Sounds like fun. It is a medium heavy because of the Mauser action but with a standard weight barrel. Be Well Brothers, BG.

 

[ProRoad]

For an ULUL gasser starting point. What are the thoughts on a 5.4 oz Roam Magnesium lower? They make the upper and handguard too but at this price point, I want to start slow;

R-15 Lightweight Lower Receiver - ROAM

ROAM R-15 magnesium lowers cut rifle weight by half a pound. Black, Tungsten, and FDE finishes with aerospace strength, Tagnite, and Cerakote protection.

www.roamrifles.com

 

[wowzers]

The TN Arms website was back up this week so I ordered a lower to get this project started.

 

[proslogion]

The TN Arms website was back up this week so I ordered a lower to get this project started.

Let me know how it goes for you - I'm about to cancel my order.

I ordered two weeks ago and haven't heard anything. I emailed them, called, and left a message, all with no response.

 

[shotoutofacannon]

I received my order of 88 tmks and was very pleased to learn that they were slightly shorter than 88 eldms. I loaded them up at 2.365” and they fit in my TN lower w windowed mags right at the ogive. Im getting 2560 w 24.7g of lever. Im shooting the shaw ultralight barrel which has been a bit dissapointing accuracy wise w 77 tmks but accuracy w the 88s is sufficient so far. This rifle isn’t as light as many of these on here but I wanted something 600 yd capable for where I hunt. Bare rifle still comes in under 4lbs and has a folding stock, timney trigger and swfa ultralight scope. Im quite pleased w the setup now especially w the 88 tmks. Ive got a um midge on the way to take a few more oz off the can.

 

[Clarktar]

When will we have a dedicated UL gasser thread. That's what I want now. This rifle has been fun but time to move on!

 

[JBradley500]

I'm kind of surprised and disappointed that TN Arms isn't responding. When I ordered from them I had some FFL address/shipping issues and they would respond back in minutes every step of the way.

 

[Thegman]

For an ULUL gasser starting point. What are the thoughts on a 5.4 oz Roam Magnesium lower? They make the upper and handguard too but at this price point, I want to start slow;

R-15 Lightweight Lower Receiver - ROAM

ROAM R-15 magnesium lowers cut rifle weight by half a pound. Black, Tungsten, and FDE finishes with aerospace strength, Tagnite, and Cerakote protection.

www.roamrifles.com

I'm sure they'll work just fine, but really expensive.

 

[proslogion]

I'm kind of surprised and disappointed that TN Arms isn't responding. When I ordered from them I had some FFL address/shipping issues and they would respond back in minutes every step of the way.

When I called, it went straight to voicemail and their message mentioned that they have been getting lots of spam calls. It has only been two weeks, so maybe they will get back to me...

 

[wowzers]

When I called, it went straight to voicemail and their message mentioned that they have been getting lots of spam calls. It has only been two weeks, so maybe they will get back to me...

I called them too and have yet to hear from them. I'm willing to roll the dice for a minute on $43 but it is discouraging to hear you haven't heard from them either.

 

[johnnyboots]

Didn't grab pics, but took the Solo300 to the shop and started milling away and drilling in holes in almost everything. I'm down to 3.85lbs dry, I think i've convinced myself to dump the folding stock to save some more weight.

Plus the faxon 300blk barrel is pretty fat, I think I can pull a few ounces from the front as well.

 

[Taudisio]

I called them too and have yet to hear from them. I'm willing to roll the dice for a minute on $43 but it is discouraging to hear you haven't heard from them either.

When I called, it went straight to voicemail and their message mentioned that they have been getting lots of spam calls. It has only been two weeks, so maybe they will get back to me...

They had text me before. I found the messages and reached out on your guy’s behalf. I know they were active on the Facebook. I don’t have one, so I don’t know their page.