Gunsmithing Is an aftermarket recoil lug needed?

[KPK]

Just wondering about this. The gunsmith I've been talking to says he just precision grounds the factory lug and uses his jig to align it. He builds excellent rifles, but I would thinkn if you are going through the mess of a rebarrel you might as well get a thick lug...

What do you guys think?

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Is an aftermarket recoil lug needed?

Precision ground to be flat on both sides is the main thing. That's the main advantage an after market lug has on all others.

 

[KPK]

Re: Is an aftermarket recoil lug needed?

What do you use on the rifles you build?

 

[buffybuster]

Re: Is an aftermarket recoil lug needed?

IMO as long as the lug is properly bedded and you're building a low recoiling rifle (.378" boltface) a reground OEM lug is all that is required. A .308Win, while can shoot very well with a OEM thickness lug, I believe has enough recoil energy, they can benefit from a .250" or thicker lug.

So, my rule of thumb is: .378" boltface: OEM thickness lug OK. Anything bigger: a thicker lug.

Lugs are cheap; if there's any doubt, there is no doubt.... go thicker.

 

[Keith Johns]

Re: Is an aftermarket recoil lug needed?

With how cheap lugs are I would always replace the factory one rather than waste time grinding it flat. But a flattened factory lug will make an accurate rifle.

Lug thickness doesnt mean anything. These aftermarket lugs that are over .300" thick... wtf. No need.

PTGs .250" thick lugs are as thick as a lug will ever have to be(for a 700), and having them exactly .250" is nice when measuring/cutting tenon length. PTGs lug prices may have just gone up because they charged us $32.99 for 4 standard lugs we just bought and $51 for the one that was opened up to .010" over. Thats over 50% more than a Badger lug from Triad Tactical.

 

[KPK]

Re: Is an aftermarket recoil lug needed?

Thanks for the info! I was thinking the same thing. I can get a pinned one for $35 why not?? I'm assuming he can pin it no problem?? Are the Holland .250" good enough? I would feel better about it just because it's getting a better part...

Thanks again!

 

[shibby575]

Re: Is an aftermarket recoil lug needed?

I have to agree, one of the cheapest upgrades. While not necessary, it's cheap piece of mind.

 

[300sniper]

Re: Is an aftermarket recoil lug needed?

i doubt you'd see an accuracy difference between a precision ground oem lug vs. a thicker aftermarket lug. i like the .300" lugs from ptg because they are absolutely parallel and the extra thickness is a bonus for the way i create the tenon.

in the end, it's your rifle and you should be able to spec the parts you want. he also has to (or at least should) guaranty the results of his work. if he says a ground oem lug is good enough for him, i'd also take that into account.

 

[wnroscoe]

Re: Is an aftermarket recoil lug needed?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KPK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What do you use on the rifles you build? </div></div>

PTG .250" and .300" thick lugs for 700's
Defiance Machine provided lugs on my signature receivers

 

[BradfromND]

Re: Is an aftermarket recoil lug needed?

My gunsmith usually just grinds the factory lug true. I always order up a PTG lug and have him use that instead. For $30, it's the cheapest part of a build and cheap piece of mind.

 

[Keith Johns]

Re: Is an aftermarket recoil lug needed?

I built a rifle recently and used the factory lug per customers request. Surface ground it and got it within .0005" of flat. Not as good as I've gotten one before but about 10x flatter than factory.
Rifle was a 308 win, shoots great.