308 Handguard

I have older versions of Wilson guards. I like their product overall, but I hate their barrel nut. Just better options out there IMO that are easier to time and not having to find a wrench head for theirs.

PBWalsh said:

Is that barrel nut with the new ones needing timing?

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Based on the picture, it is the same barrel nut that I had. You just have to use the shims as needed and line up the screw holes pretty spot on. There is not more than a 1/16" wiggle room when mounting the rail to the nut so making sure its timed correctly and within the 30ish foot pounds of torque made this one a little less appealing than other options on the market. Thats just my opinion. Others may love this rail. Just a matter of personal preference. It's not sub par by any means.

PBWalsh said:

@sleev-les

I don’t mind taking a huge amount of time during install, so I may can be ok with it considering its half the price of an SLR and 4oz lighter.

Any flex in the rail or is it solid enough for someone not jumping out of aircraft?

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I've had no issues with flex. I have 2 rifles (one factory from Wilson, the other is a 300blk build I did). Neither rifle has flex issues or any quality concerns. I have never had quality issues with Wilson. Always been a great product. I had a 3rd rail that I ended up selling only because I ended up buying another rifle so wanted a few bucks in my pocket and held off on another build haha.

Check out CMT Tactical as well.

Easy install, weighs less than Wilson while being slightly more expensive.

Get the SLR. BOCO.

Because more expensive is more gooder. Duh.

I bought the Wilson handguard for a Creedmoor build. It’s nice and I’m happy with it. I don’t remember having much trouble timing and torquing the barrel nut. I did buy a crowfoot wrench at Harbor Freight that I machined thinner to fit the wrench flats. An adjustable wrench large enough to fit the nut will likely be too thick.

reubenski said:

I have 4 SLR rifles. I favor the ION Lite rails aesthetically. They are very simple and easy to install. You will need a low profile block however.

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This is the way. I have the Ion lite and it’s my favorite.

...you didn't mention what receiver set you plan to put them on, receivers come in two formats, "low" and "high", which dictates the handguard type to get. I do know SLR makes both high & low for DPMS pattern receivers, CMT Tactical makes high for DPMS pattern receivers.

I use both SLR & CMT and both are good to go. The barrel nuts differ, SLR uses a crowfoot (or their wrench) and CMT includes their wrench. The SLR wrench is more robust and better designed for multiple installs/removals, the CMT is functional but less robust. Both do not require timing for the gas tube, or require use of shims. HG attachment to the barrel nut is similar, i.e. uses self aligning, tightening "wedge-lock". Good luck on your build.

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