Gas blocks and accuracy

[KeeblerArmy]

This might be kind of a weird question. Currently I am running a RRA and am considering putting a free floated hand guard on there; with the hopes of squeezing some more accuracy out of it.

It has the standard fixed front sight block so I figured I would have to go with a lo-pro gas block to do so. Then I started looking at Apex's site and saw thier model "2150 extended length carbine" that has a cut out for the FSB. Going that route would save me a bunch of $$ since then I would not have to get a lo-pro gas block nor a flip up front sight ON TOP of a free floated rail. In theory since that hand guard is still free floated I should still gain any potential accuracy benefits right?

Now for the academic discussion, when running a free floated hand guard, is a low profile gas block going to offer any accuracy gains over a fixed front site? A lo-pro gas block will have less mass waving around when the barrel resonates, but both should still resonate consistently. That is about the only difference I can come up with.

Any takers?

 

[Temp9]

Re: Gas blocks and accuracy

I've never tried it, but I think you're correct. As long as the barrel is floating independently of the hand guard, you won't get any varying pressures depending on how you utilize the hand guards. There might be a slight increase in accuracy with a low profile gas block, but I think if lighter gas blocks made significant improvements in accuracy, someone would've capitalized on it already. But I've been wrong before....

 

[Takashi]

Re: Gas blocks and accuracy

Definitely on the free floated handguard. I've done some non-scientific testing and when really loading a non-floating handguard you can change point of impact.
On the point of the harmonic change--there are tuners on benchrest rifles for a reason.
Perhaps you will move farther or closer from the mode when you change gas block mass. This being said, I don't even know if the difference in harmonics will be measurable in accuracy terms.
Though..if you switch gas block materials (steel to aluminum) you could experience different thermal issues which may result in changing gas block diameter? Well, certainly something is changing at a different rate in the steel than the aluminum and accuracy is all about consistency.
And what about attachment methods? A pinned one would certainly resonate more with the barrel than a set-screw style block...yet another variable...