How much clearance is necessary between gas block/tube and handguard to keep the barrel "free"? I know this will vary based upon gas system length and barrel stiffness/harmonics, but what's a reasonable assumption?
I have a one setup (that I haven't been able to shoot, yet) with only ~0.020" clearance between the sides of the gas block and the handguard. I can flex the two I to contacting, but doubt that's a reasonable amount of lateral load to simulate barrel whip/movement. I'd obviously feel more comfortable with more clearance, but the handguard (2A Balios Lite) is super narrow under the picatinny rail and I'm not certain if a more narrow AGB is available.
I have a one setup (that I haven't been able to shoot, yet) with only ~0.020" clearance between the sides of the gas block and the handguard. I can flex the two I to contacting, but doubt that's a reasonable amount of lateral load to simulate barrel whip/movement. I'd obviously feel more comfortable with more clearance, but the handguard (2A Balios Lite) is super narrow under the picatinny rail and I'm not certain if a more narrow AGB is available.
