• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Hoplite Arms

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hi,

So this is one of the great benefits of having a Mastercam guru running the programming and machining...

He can make improvements on the fly; that not only look better cosmetically but improves production efficiency at the same time.

Seconds lead to minutes, minutes lead to hours and hours lead to delays, so it is great when production efficiency partners with cosmetic features at the same time!!

Small details such as making the holes in first picture into the holes in the second picture..Just an 1/8 counterbore 1mm deep makes a big difference.

Not Counterbore.png




Counterbore.png


Sincerely,
Theis
 
  • Like
Reactions: samb300 and Luvman
TheMammoth said:
This is, hands down, the most exciting and interesting thread the Hide has ever seen.
Get. Fuckin. Hyped.
Click to expand...

Hi,

WOW, almost speechless (well typeless, lol)....THANK YOU for such praise!!! It has been nice to have some conversations here among peers (Some that have become friends even though never met in person yet) that we have had.

It has been fantastic to provide as much transparency as possible in this venture.

Sincerely,
Theis
 
  • Like
Reactions: samb300, TheMammoth, BLKWLFK9 and 2 others
It’s coming right along!

I’ll sign every NDA, CDA and PIA you can throw at me if you let be into external ballistics testing facility ?
 
  • Haha
Reactions: THEIS and Luvman
@THEIS saw on your website that you’re in Houston! If you ever need anyone to demo your rifles holler. Definitely wouldn’t help your actual R&D but would give me a chance to shoot some cool shit!
 
I’ve followed in the shadows from the beginning of the thread. I always look forward to reading the updates. So happy you are developing something unique instead of rehashing the same stuff
 
  • Like
Reactions: THEIS
HTX_17 said:
@THEIS saw on your website that you’re in Houston! If you ever need anyone to demo your rifles holler. Definitely wouldn’t help your actual R&D but would give me a chance to shoot some cool shit!
Click to expand...

Hi,

Houston is 95% in the rear view mirror, lol.

Moving to new facility just North of Slidell, La...the taxes, crime rate against FFLs, homeless and overall social and political scene just got too much to make Houston enjoyable.

20191125_122137.jpg

20191127_120838.jpg


Sincerely,
Theis
 
  • Like
Reactions: willswim4pie, Snipe260, Steel head and 7 others
THEIS said:
Hi,

Houston is 95% in the rear view mirror, lol.

Moving to new facility just North of Slidell, La...the taxes, crime rate against FFLs, homeless and overall social and political scene just got too much to make it enjoyable.

View attachment 7200563
View attachment 7200564

Sincerely,
Theis
Click to expand...

Damn Houston. It used to not be like that, pre-Katrina ?


Very good move getting that variable off of your plate there.
 
THEIS said:
Hi,

Houston is 95% in the rear view mirror, lol.

Moving to new facility just North of Slidell, La...the taxes, crime rate against FFLs, homeless and overall social and political scene just got too much to make Houston enjoyable.

View attachment 7200563
View attachment 7200564

Sincerely,
Theis
Click to expand...
I remember spending 2 days mucking out houses in Slidell after the hurricane (while wearing a yellow Helping Hands shirt). The mud line on the wall covered the fire extinguisher with 2-3 inches of silt on the floors. Fridges came out last and were the worst smelling things ever. Nasty.

Hope that never happens to you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: goatsie
Always wanted to try one out.

Might just have to kill 2 birds with one stone in this one.
 
This is coming together very well and the more I see the more I am impressed. It is nice to see you actually putting plow to field and building the damn things. Too many times you hear about new, innovative ideas and all it ever amounts to is endless talk and designs on paper and nothing ever comes to fruition. I look forward to seeing the reviews of them once they are out and run thru their paces by seasoned shooters.
 
wjm308 said:
Where's the Sentinel, all I see is bubble wrap ;)
Click to expand...

Hi,

So the Urban Camo works??? GREAT!!!!
I think I am going to want an 18" 308 barreled action sitting in a Sentinel for a Trunk Monkey gun.

@bigdaddydmd
There have been a fair amount of people doing their part in this project and each of them are ready for full assembly.
I cannot speak for other companies and/or other people in regards to talking this vs doing that; but I have been very blessed to have the support and dedication of behind the scenes Team members that there is no way we would not cross the finish line :).

I cannot tell you how many phone calls and emails I am still waiting on from companies in the industry though.........

Sincerely,
Theis
 
  • Like
Reactions: b6graham and Glassaholic
THEIS said:
Hi,

So the Aspis and Kopis components are heading to heat treatment today, while the Apsis chassis gets sent to anodizing...

View attachment 7190184View attachment 7190185View attachment 7190186View attachment 7190187View attachment 7190188View attachment 7190189

Sincerely,
Theis
Click to expand...
There's something about machined parts that gets me all excited. Beautiful work THEIS! I see you have a number of cartridges in R&D, can you provide any insight as to the design parameters (if you have in another thread I apologize, just point me in the right direction).
 
Hi,

@wjm308
There isn't much discussed about them because we are not far enough into the T&E to line out production schedule yet.
I am hoping for release around SOFEX timeframe.

The Hoplite Arms cartridges in layman terms.....take your standard cartridges and run them at 90-95k pressures but with cartridge cases designed and manufactured with alloy to handle those numbers along with monolithics designed for such velocity and then some tungsten polymer projectiles for shits and giggles. ?

Sincerely,
Theis
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: Mr. Z, 6/250/40, rydah and 4 others
Can I add to that question? Wondering what your thoughts are on polymer case design and if you see any future potential applications with what you’ve already developed. Or is it all just marketing hype and weight reduction?
 
Hi,

To be honest, the only polymer case I have physically put my hands on is in regards to the ammunition being tested for the Next Generation Squad Weapon.

Pros: They are clearly running at higher pressures than normal which is one of the biggest driving factors of the NGSW.
Cons: I have not seen enough samples tested in regards to uniformity for the polymer to transition to precision side of the house.

Opinion: I think it will be hard to beat the cnc'd cartridge cases and even harder to beat the 2 piece case designs of Blackwater Ammo (They are working on just how small of cartridge they can get that 2 piece design down to).

Sincerely,
Theis
 
THEIS said:
Hi,

@wjm308
There isn't much discussed about them because we are not far enough into the T&E to line out production schedule yet.
I am hoping for release around SOFEX timeframe.

The Hoplite Arms cartridges in layman terms.....take your standard cartridges and run them at 90-95k pressures but with cartridge cases designed and manufactured with alloy to handle those numbers along with monolithics designed for such velocity and then some tungsten polymer projectiles for shits and giggles. ?

Sincerely,
Theis
Click to expand...
So not just another cartridge design, but a whole new concept, I had no idea, going to have to watch that one.
 
wjm308 said:
So not just another cartridge design, but a whole new concept, I had no idea, going to have to watch that one.
Click to expand...

Hi,

The entire mindset behind the formation of Hoplite Arms was to create a system in which ALL things were improved upon together instead of individually.

For decades the ELR world has been looking for improvements in powder instead of looking to step outside the "pressure" box.

For years projectiles have advanced beyond the level cartridge case manufacturing has advanced.

For years weapon system features have been stagnant.

So we got tired of watching the individual improvements in the attempt to improve the entire picture so.....from the beginning we knew we needed to manufacturer a weapon system that can withstand higher pressures than ever before so that we can pair it with advanced case design and projectile design all in 1.

Sincerely,
Theis
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: Sean the Nailer, willswim4pie, M77 and 7 others
THEIS said:
Hi,

@wjm308
There isn't much discussed about them because we are not far enough into the T&E to line out production schedule yet.
I am hoping for release around SOFEX timeframe.

The Hoplite Arms cartridges in layman terms.....take your standard cartridges and run them at 90-95k pressures but with cartridge cases designed and manufactured with alloy to handle those numbers along with monolithics designed for such velocity and then some tungsten polymer projectiles for shits and giggles. ?

Sincerely,
Theis
Click to expand...
I'm glad someone is breaching the pressure threshold.

Question - with the increased pressure and velocities, what is this doing to barrel life of their current level of technology?

If we have not solved that problem, about the time we get a load tuned for a barrel and sufficeint data gatherd down range ballistics, it will be shot out and the cycle starts over.
 
Hi,

The current barrel technology..more specifically the common barrel alloy is the weak link in the shooting world IMO; similar as to tires would be considered the weak link in a dragster build. Luckily they are much much cheaper to replace than the engine :).

But luckily the projectile industry has advanced and is advancing at pretty fast pace, especially the bearing surface to length ratios!!

And even though barrel tech/alloy has not changed fast enough, we are lucky to have companies in the industry that not only are willing to modify the lands/groove ratios but also the depth of engraving forces...this is something that when paired with some of the modern monolithics is and can improve barrel life per say.

Along with some of the aftermarket alloy treatments.....barrel life can be extended slightly, but with that being said.....They are the "tires" in our drag cars and are consumable items.

OT Pure Academic Discussion:
I personally see the barrel advancements going to progressive "bore"...not progressive twist but an actually shrinking of the lands/groove dimensions. This paired with a monothic solid built with sacrificial varied OD "sealing bands" could possibly work or the backdrilled projectile design of @Jim Boatright in which the rear of projectile would fan out and seal the larger side of the barrel yet "squeeze" down to the progressive bore as going down the barrel :unsure:.


Sincerely,
Theis
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: Sean the Nailer, willswim4pie, Geno C. and 5 others
THEIS said:
Hi,

The current barrel technology..more specifically the common barrel alloy is the weak link in the shooting world IMO; similar as to tires would be considered the weak link in a dragster build. Luckily they are much much cheaper to replace than the engine :).

But luckily the projectile industry has advanced and is advancing at pretty fast pace, especially the bearing surface to length ratios!!

And even though barrel tech/alloy has not changed fast enough, we are lucky to have companies in the industry that not only are willing to modify the lands/groove ratios but also the depth of engraving forces...this is something that when paired with some of the modern monolithics is and can improve barrel life per say.

Along with some of the aftermarket alloy treatments.....barrel life can be extended slightly, but with that being said.....They are the "tires" in our drag cars and are consumable items.

OT Pure Academic Discussion:
I personally see the barrel advancements going to progressive "bore"...not progressive twist but an actually shrinking of the lands/groove dimensions. This paired with a monothic solid built with sacrificial varied OD "sealing bands" could possibly work or the backdrilled projectile design of @Jim Boatright in which the rear of projectile would fan out and seal the larger side of the barrel yet "squeeze" down to the progressive bore as going down the barrel :unsure:.


Sincerely,
Theis
Click to expand...

So basically, a precision swaged bore barrel. Makes sense to me. Played around with swaged bores a little, the last time they were all the rage in the rimfire world. There were some impressive performance numbers as a result, but still was expensive to produce and risky from a liability perspective. Perhaps the timing is right now, for this to take hold(?)...
 
  • Love
Reactions: THEIS
THEIS said:
Hi,

The current barrel technology..more specifically the common barrel alloy is the weak link in the shooting world IMO; similar as to tires would be considered the weak link in a dragster build. Luckily they are much much cheaper to replace than the engine :).

But luckily the projectile industry has advanced and is advancing at pretty fast pace, especially the bearing surface to length ratios!!

And even though barrel tech/alloy has not changed fast enough, we are lucky to have companies in the industry that not only are willing to modify the lands/groove ratios but also the depth of engraving forces...this is something that when paired with some of the modern monolithics is and can improve barrel life per say.

Along with some of the aftermarket alloy treatments.....barrel life can be extended slightly, but with that being said.....They are the "tires" in our drag cars and are consumable items.

Sincerely,
Theis
Click to expand...

Do you have an idea what the current production cost for Cobalt / High Cobalt alloy barrels is, assuming using the supposedly slightly cheaper ceramic insets for casting instead of milling only?
 
W54/XM-388 said:
Do you have an idea what the current production cost for Cobalt / High Cobalt alloy barrels is, assuming using the supposedly slightly cheaper ceramic insets for casting instead of milling only?
Click to expand...

Hi,

That I do not know....I just briefly checked my alloy catalogs and for some reason the Cobalt 6B is only being shown in 6 and 12 inch lengths....let me email the alloy company and for giggles see what 30 inch length at 2 inch diameter C6B would cost.....

Sincerely,
Theis
 
  • Like
Reactions: W54/XM-388
THEIS said:
Hi,

That I do not know....I just briefly checked my alloy catalogs and for some reason the Cobalt 6B is only being shown in 6 and 12 inch lengths....let me email the alloy company and for giggles see what 30 inch length at 2 inch diameter C6B would cost.....

Sincerely,
Theis
Click to expand...
I wouldn't want to cut it by any means other than grinding. Ground threads are nice. Mar m 247 is a pain with carbide and it's only got 9.25% cobalt along with 9.5 tungsten, 8.25 chrome, a little carbon, and the rest nickel.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cheyenne Bodie and THEIS
I’m thinking the only way to make cobalt barrel of sorts would be hammer forging.
Not sure it it’s even possible but that would reduce the amount of cutting exponentially.
 
  • Like
Reactions: THEIS and MarinePMI
Hi,

Now.....OT and purely academic......There is some talk of an international company in the R&D phase of a new 2 part barrel system.

1 part would be essentially a smooth bored barrel.
1 part would be cobalt 6 with hammer forged rifling done with Cobalt 6 in "open face" (flat) form, then with some crazy presses....roll the flat into circular barrel insert and press into part 1.

I know of no particulars of that R&D, other than heard discussions of it progressing.

Back to Topic, lol...Was busy day today; machining receiver bodies...here is MasterCam of the bolt guide fitment.

Bolt Guide.png


Sincerely,
Theis
 
  • Like
Reactions: rydah
brianf said:
Are those totally finished?
What color I can’t tell?
Click to expand...

Hi,

Those are in the raw AISI 4130, vacuum hardened throughout to a HRC 45.

Just FWIW...the trigger guard piece and the magazine bottom metal piece are 2 different pieces even though it looks as if they are a single unit.

Standby for metal coating announcement shortly!!

TacticalDillhole said:
View attachment 7203706
Click to expand...

Hi,

Crap...I had the one 3 spots above that one picked out for you since they are lined out in delivery order...some lucky guys just got bumped ahead of delivery order because you so graciously opted to be lower on delivery list, hahahaha


Sincerely,
Theis
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: JohnCarter17, willswim4pie, b6graham and 5 others
@TacticalDillhole ...

Don’t listen to Theis...he’s a snake charmer. ??

I’m prob bumped to the second batch by now.

I’m guessing at that hardness mags won’t be scratching it anytime soon
 
Last edited:
  • Haha
Reactions: Steel head and lash
THEIS said:
Hi,

Those are in the raw AISI 4130, vacuum hardened throughout to a HRC 45.

Just FWIW...the trigger guard piece and the magazine bottom metal piece are 2 different pieces even though it looks as if they are a single unit.

Standby for metal coating announcement shortly!!



Hi,

Crap...I had the one 3 spots above that one picked out for you since they are lined out in delivery order...some lucky guys just got bumped ahead of delivery order because you so graciously opted to be lower on delivery list, hahahaha


Sincerely,
Theis
Click to expand...
I keep looking for mine, but it only shows up in my dreams. Sigh...

I’ll never say never, just have to say not right now. Budget says I’m a dickhead for wanting. Hey, ya gotta dream. :cool:
 
@lash

Couple bucks a day and comb through the crap in the back of the safe for the PX.

It’s prob closer than you think.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lash
lash said:
I keep looking for mine, but it only shows up in my dreams. Sigh...

I’ll never say never, just have to say not right now. Budget says I’m a dickhead for wanting. Hey, ya gotta dream. :cool:
Click to expand...

I was in the same boat when the AI AT was announced. Now I have one.

I’m now wanting a rifle in .300 PRC and I’ve been watching this thread hoping my budget doesn’t say I’m crazy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lash
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

G
Ruger American Gen 2 Aftermarket Stock
Replies
10
Views
819
Gunooby
G
bohem
PVA Solus Barreled Action - Launch Sale
Replies
19
Views
2K
roostercogburn98
roostercogburn98
SkyScrapin
💥 Strictly Offensive Kit 💥 0% Financing Weekly Payments 6 Week Term💥
Replies
1
Views
330
SkyScrapin
SkyScrapin
Lowlight
Precision Rifle Gear Agencies Trust Hayman Rapid Access Firearm Safes
Replies
0
Views
141
Lowlight
Lowlight
DocUSMCRetired
New Wilcox RAPTAR-Xe High Power : Rapid Targeting & Ranging Module - Enhanced
Replies
34
Views
2K
Conqueror
C
Top Bottom
Back