Lightweight BCG

[Crews]

I'm about to switch my SBR over to a 11" 6.5 Grendel barrel with an SLR adjustable gas block and a suppressor. Currently using a H2 JP SCS.

I have had a JP LMOS in the past but it was on a grendel with an 18" barrel. Absolutely loved how the rifle shot.

Considering upgrading to a lightweight BCG again. I'll spend JP money if I absolutely have to, but seems like there are some cheaper options out there now-a days. This is definitely not a high round count competition gun, it's used for hunting.

Any suggestions or experiences on reliability with non-JP $ lightweight BCG's out there?

 

[Darqusoull13]

The 11" Grendel will likely function with a low mass carrier but the window for function will be a bit smaller than perhaps you would like. I've run JP low mass carriers in some odd setups with excellent reliability before so it's definitely possible. I don't think you will top the JP though.

 

[LeadZeke]

If you weren't using a suppressor, then the answer would be: yes go lightweight if you want and Right To Bear has a very inexpensive quality carrier.

But since you are shooting suppressed, there is a lot of debate about lightweight bcg/buffer/springs being better or worse overall. The problem is that while you can turn down the gas with the AGB (more than with normal weight parts), the chamber is still unlocking earlier with the lightweight components than it would with regular weight, which with a suppressor means a lot more gas and noise to the shooter generally. No one with a proper meter has done side by side tests so the answer still hasn't been fully resolved, especially not for something like 6.5G.

With the price of the RTB lw bc you could always test it out and let us all know what you find .

 

[loveha]

Not sure about price comparisons.
Cryptic coatings are the only bolts I buy and they offer a nice enlightened bolt, and even a titanium bolt. The titanium bolt is crazy expensive though.

 

[Crews]

If you weren't using a suppressor, then the answer would be: yes go lightweight if you want and Right To Bear has a very inexpensive quality carrier.

But since you are shooting suppressed, there is a lot of debate about lightweight bcg/buffer/springs being better or worse overall. The problem is that while you can turn down the gas with the AGB (more than with normal weight parts), the chamber is still unlocking earlier with the lightweight components than it would with regular weight, which with a suppressor means a lot more gas and noise to the shooter generally. No one with a proper meter has done side by side tests so the answer still hasn't been fully resolved, especially not for something like 6.5G.

This is interesting. So from your comments is the only thing that’s questionable the amount of noise at the shooter? Or are you saying this early unlock timing has some effect on function as well?

 

[loveha]

Little more noise, little more gas, and maybe a little more to clean from what I understand.
I'm going to be running suppressed with a light weight carrier my self. See how it does this weekend when I pick up my first can tomorrow.

 

[Crews]

I’m not sure how much bearing gas length would have on that, but I used a LMOS/H2 SCS/AGB on my 18” suppressed Grendel and there absolutely zero issues. It was a magical gun to get behind and shoot.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Can't speak to the suppressor aspect, but I've got a lot of miles on a JP and consider it the standard to beat. On light use guns I have a Brownells light BCG, an AIM and have used an RCA. Tried some less expensive aluminum carriers too, won't do that again....
They all work and the RCA is pretty nice, but the other two are a noticeable step down in finish quality, and the AIM had key screws loosen up. For guns shooting less than 1k rounds a year I wouldn't be afraid to use any of them.

 

[LeadZeke]

Gas system plays a huge role. The longer the gas system, the easier it is to run.

The faster unlock could also mean reliability issues and faster wear, but probably not with an AGB configured correctly. A bit less reliability when dirty (or really would just need to turn up gas more on AGB in that case) and a slightly narrower window of operation. But it will 100% be noisier and gassier to you the shooter. The question is how much and I don't really have an answer to that yet sadly. Need someone with a larger budget (read: expensive sound meter) to do the testing.

 

[Crews]

So I've never really been down in the weeds on making tweaks for perfect timing. If I got a lightweight BCG and noticed that it was noisier and gassier at the shooter, could the bcg be slowed down a bit to fix that with a heavier spring weight on the SCS?

If so, would that negate the point of having a lightweight BCG to begin with (smoother recoil pulse)?

 

[padom]

So I've never really been down in the weeds on making tweaks for perfect timing. If I got a lightweight BCG and noticed that it was noisier and gassier at the shooter, could the bcg be slowed down a bit to fix that with a heavier spring weight on the SCS?

If so, would that negate the point of having a lightweight BCG to begin with (smoother recoil pulse)?

Yes.

But why go through all that trouble when you can just get a RCA standard bcg, tweak gas block and be done. I wouldn't go with a lightweight carrier in a suppressed sbr.

 

[Crews]

Thanks for the input everybody. This just doesn't sound like a very wise investment of my hard earned dollars. I believe I'll just stick with the standard weight BCG that I already have.

 

[RyanScott]

I’d caution against lightweight operating systems with suppressors. You need enough reciprocating weight to overcome the carbon fouling as the lubricant burns off.