308 Bolt with small firing pin

[KKM]

What are my options for a 308 bolt with the small firing pin. Is Armalite the only source ?
Kevin

 

[Kiba]

AFAIK Armalite is the only off the shelf bolt with a .068" firing pin.

It would be nice for a manufacturer to step up and make a DPMS-style bolt & firing pin but with the smaller .068" firing pin tip, the .068" firing pin really improves primer condition compared to the .080" firing pin with certain caliber & powder combinations.

 

[ORD]

AFAIK Armalite is the only off the shelf bolt with a .068" firing pin.

It would be nice for a manufacturer to step up and make a DPMS-style bolt & firing pin but with the smaller .068" firing pin tip, the .068" firing pin really improves primer condition compared to the .080" firing pin with certain caliber & powder combinations.

+1 on this without going "custom" or otherwise having a bushing installed to run a smaller pin or...well...you get the idea.

I was just going though this again this morning with someone recommending a DPMS platform for someone wanting a 6.5CM (or maybe a 6CM). The Armalite platform components for bolt/carrier/etc. really are superior in some capacities and this is one of them...especially for the .260, 6.5CM, etc. classes of cartridges running heavier bullets and/or hotter loads.

 

[KKM]

Well now comes the search for a Armalite Bolt. Next loaded question is if I find a bolt but no carrier can it be used in a different carrier. I most likely will be threading and chambering my own barrel. Bartlein has a few blanks in stock.
Kevin

 

[ORD]

Well now comes the search for a Armalite Bolt. Next loaded question is if I find a bolt but no carrier can it be used in a different carrier. I most likely will be threading and chambering my own barrel. Bartlein has a few blanks in stock.
Kevin

No mixing/matching bolts from different platforms to other carriers. If its an Armalite bolt...stick with an Armalite carrier. Same for DPMS pattern. As for Armalite pattern...you are more or less stuck with Armalite and, if you can find one, Noveske bolts/carriers. That said...finding JUST an Armalite bolt is usually a major problem, but thankfully, complete Armalite BCGs are generally available!

Here is a complete Armalite BCG in stock and ready to roll from a highly reputable dealer with whom I have done a TON of business over the years: https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2117

Good luck!

 

[Kiba]

I'm not 100% sure on interchangeability but I've always stuck by the guidelines to run a matched bolt/carrier/barrel extension-- either all DPMS-pattern or all Armalite-pattern.

I do know that when I shipped my 6.5CM GAP10 back because it was frequently piercing primers with the original DPMS bolt & carrier (.080" firing pin) that GAP switched it over from DPMS-pattern bolt/carrier/extension to an Armalite bolt/carrier/extension. Going to the .068" firing pin solved the piercing problem and made a *huge* difference in primer flow/condition at the firing pin impact.

I would like to switch my 6.5CM JP LRP-07 over to a .068" firing pin but I don't want to get rid of the JP bolt or JP Low Mass carrier. I've discussed the advantages of the .068" firing pin in regards to primer condition when running .260/6.5CM with Ben at JP, maybe if we're lucky they'll start making DPMS-pattern bolts but with .068" firing pins...

 

[KULT]

Extensions are the same between DPMS / Armalite. Bolts need to kept with their respective carriers.

Batmachine makes some nice extensions

I'm not 100% sure on interchangeability but I've always stuck by the guidelines to run a matched bolt/carrier/barrel extension-- either all DPMS-pattern or all Armalite-pattern.

I do know that when I shipped my 6.5CM GAP10 back because it was frequently piercing primers with the original DPMS bolt & carrier (.080" firing pin) that GAP switched it over from DPMS-pattern bolt/carrier/extension to an Armalite bolt/carrier/extension. Going to the .068" firing pin solved the piercing problem and made a *huge* difference in primer flow/condition at the firing pin impact.

I would like to switch my 6.5CM JP LRP-07 over to a .068" firing pin but I don't want to get rid of the JP bolt or JP Low Mass carrier. I've discussed the advantages of the .068" firing pin in regards to primer condition when running .260/6.5CM with Ben at JP, maybe if we're lucky they'll start making DPMS-pattern bolts but with .068" firing pins...