MATEN - Considering Finishing my Build

[mstang1988]

A long while back I picked up the MATEN upper and lower ambi set. This is not the version with the hand guard. Ideally I’d like to finish it for < 1500 but 2K might be what it takes to get what I want. That’s without optics.

My goal is to build a < 1 MOA rifle with the right driver (not me) in either 6.5 creedmore or .308. Eventually I’d like to get back out to near 1K with it but the only 1K range in the area closed down due to lawsuits from a housing developer.

Any thoughts on 6.5 vs .308 in a gasser?

I’ve looked at a bazillon barrels but can’t decide.
Trigger - something with ~3lbs trigger pull, 2-stage
Stock, something with some adjustment, I have a PRS on my .223 but I’m not in love with it
Which LPK?
Which BCG?
Which handguard?
Which buffer tube?

For comparison my .223 is:
18” Noveske SPR barrel
Larue handguard
RRA upper, low, parts kit
Hogue grip
PRS
JP enterprise trigger (don’t think they make it anymore)
RRA BCG

 

[Stooxie]

Rubbery City Armory 308+ BCG with JP enhanced extractor.

Criterion nitride barrel

DPMS (or whatever) 308 carbine buffer and spring. Regular carbine tube.

Adjustable gas block, SLR or Superlative Arms.

-Stooxie

 

[lennyo3034]

Put some money into the barrel. Bartlien from Craddock and don’t look back. You can cut costs elsewhere.

If going 6.5 get the JP HP bolt but you can save money on a cheaper carrier.

Wojtek has blocks work great at a fraction of the cost of the SLR or superlative. I probably have 10k rounds through all of mine. Including 1500 shooting through my 6.5.

I’m not read up on large frame handguards but there are many with a solid interface that don’t break the bank.

I’m a fan of Geissele triggers but a Larue also works and can be had for cheaper.

I’m a fan of the magpul UBR but I have big cheeks. The stock is more user preference.

 

[D2junky]

Ar15performance had some 6.5 creed barrels at one time. That’s the only “budget” barrel I would consider. Mine hammers.

Rubber city bolt and superlative block.

I used the wedge lock handguard on a Maten and while it’s fiddly to put on it has been rock solid and rather svelte.

 

[Precision Underground]

It’s very easy to just go grab JP and bartlien but buy once cry once reaches a point of diminishing returns. Any time I put a rifle together I try to find the edge of that line. I just finished a Maten 6.5 and couldn’t be happier after having it out once.

First time out with a couple of random 142 smk loads. (that’s 5 rounds I just didn’t mark the two inside the group edges)

Ballistic Advantage heavy profile premium series was on sale for $160 so I had no choice here but to try it.

Toolcraft small firing pin BGG was about $160 I think, I can’t remember. Either way it was way cheaper than JP or other premiums. The standard firing pin version was even cheaper.

Both barrel and bcg came from Arm or Ally...ridic good prices.

RRA 2stage and JP reduced pwr spring was $110 (I did have to do work on this to get some creep out and get it perfect but it was simple, a few minutes with a very fine file. The one on my Valkyrie was perfect out of the box).

Yes when you try to find the edge of buy once cry once you do have to be prepared to troubleshoot. I’m a tinkerer so I don’t mind that. But I probably saved $600-$700 over just phoning in bartlein/JP/gesielle.

Those are great brands and I have no doubt they will shoot tiny holes. But I have always found it incredibly satisfying to put together 1/2 moa rifles for much less than what is typically spent.

and +1 on Wojtec gas blocks. Those are the only ones I use.

 

[ToddM]

Lots of good info on bolts/carriers/gas blocks/triggers etc. but 308 Handguards are always the tough one for me, so far I've just stuck with JP. There's no shortage of people that will sell you a $300 tube of Aluminum, but most seem to be focused on the lightest weight not stiffness and strength. Especially for the longer tubes used in precision AR's.

It's too bad no one makes a barrel nut with more handguard interface. Asking a 17" handguard to be super stiff when it only contacts 1" of the barrel nut is asking a lot.

 

[Precision Underground]

Lots of good info on bolts/carriers/gas blocks/triggers etc. but 308 Handguards are always the tough one for me, so far I've just stuck with JP. There's no shortage of people that will sell you a $300 tube of Aluminum, but most seem to be focused on the lightest weight not stiffness and strength. Especially for the longer tubes used in precision AR's.

It's too bad no one makes a barrel nut with more handguard interface. Asking a 17" handguard to be super stiff when it only contacts 1" of the barrel nut is asking a lot.

Agreed. This is why I use Maten/MKM integrated reciever and handguard set ups when possible. Plus I am vain as heck and can't stand the look of how most handguards don't mate seamlessly to receivers.

 

[DRAM40A1]

This is my Mega Maten 6 Creedmoor.
I’m using the following parts.

Spiral fluted 7.5 twist Bartlein by Craddock Precision, Superlative Arms adjustable gas block, VG6 Epsilon brake, 15” Noveske handguard, JP, FMOS carrier and high pressure bolt, Magpul Gen 2 UBR, H3 carbine buffer, Sprinco red buffer spring and Geissele SSA-E.

I originally intended this to be a budget build but may have gone over a little. I did find most on sale and got the barrel here on the Hide, slightly used.

 

[DRAM40A1]

This 6.5 is from Keystone Accuracy and has a 17.25 JP Rapid Configuration handguard, SA gas block, JP LMOS with high pressure bolt, H2 Silent Captured Spring, PRS stock, Geissele SSA-E and an Area 419 Hellfire brake.
Love me some Mega Maten.

 

[rpoL98]

for BCG, Brownells has their nitride BCG for $142.99, code MDX gets you another $10 off and free shipping. it's got the skinny firing pin, i.e. HP. .070" firing pin aperture in the bolt face, .067" firing pin tip diameter. Bolt is 9310, MPI.

Brownells AR-308 nitride BCG

 

[deerhunter9790]

I have the proof steel barrel with the +2 gas, JP SCS H2, AR Gold Flat trigger. Rubber City Armory or JP is my go to for BCGs. Mine is a 6.5 Creedmoor and I love it

 

[Gatorshark]

Rubbery City Armory 308+ BCG with JP enhanced extractor.

Criterion nitride barrel

DPMS (or whatever) 308 carbine buffer and spring. Regular carbine tube.

Adjustable gas block, SLR or Superlative Arms.

-Stooxie

This is my 65 creed build to the letter..., with RR 2 stage trigger.

 

[lennyo3034]

Well if pictures are going to motivate him: