quick question on barrels
- Thread starter gijoetx
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Re: quick question on barrels
You need a bolt, buy a barrel with bolt that is headspaced to that chamber.
Sure, you can go with a barrel and then pick up a mil-spec bolt. Had a customer do that and he is on the + side for headspace, within SAAMI spec but at the very + (long) side of spec.
Matched set is way to go IMHO.
You need a bolt, buy a barrel with bolt that is headspaced to that chamber.
Sure, you can go with a barrel and then pick up a mil-spec bolt. Had a customer do that and he is on the + side for headspace, within SAAMI spec but at the very + (long) side of spec.
Matched set is way to go IMHO.
Re: quick question on barrels
^^ What the man said!! ^^
In my opinion, this is the better way to go about it unless of course you aren't concerned about getting the most out of your new build.
^^ What the man said!! ^^
In my opinion, this is the better way to go about it unless of course you aren't concerned about getting the most out of your new build.
Re: quick question on barrels
Just to be clear, when you refer to a "headspaced" bolt, it doesn't mean that the bolt was cut to match anything. It means that the barrel was cut to fit that particular bolt. If that bolt is from a manufacturer that holds its QC to tight tolerances, swapping bolts isn't a big deal.
If you get a brand new bolt and the headspace borders on excessive, one of two things happened. Either the bolt is out on the outer edge of spec or the chamber on the barrel was cut too deep or a combination of both.
In short, if you get a good barrel from a reputable manufacturer, like Kriger, and the chamber is cut to spec and you get a bolt from a reputable manufacturer, like Daniel Defense, you should be good to go.
Having a headspacing that is tight or on the tighter side of spec, isn't necessarily a good thing. It could lead to a rifle that is finicky about the ammunition that it will chamber properly.
I've seen at least a few "custom" .308 ARs that the owners HAD to handload for because they wanted the headspacing on the tighter side.
Just to be clear, when you refer to a "headspaced" bolt, it doesn't mean that the bolt was cut to match anything. It means that the barrel was cut to fit that particular bolt. If that bolt is from a manufacturer that holds its QC to tight tolerances, swapping bolts isn't a big deal.
If you get a brand new bolt and the headspace borders on excessive, one of two things happened. Either the bolt is out on the outer edge of spec or the chamber on the barrel was cut too deep or a combination of both.
In short, if you get a good barrel from a reputable manufacturer, like Kriger, and the chamber is cut to spec and you get a bolt from a reputable manufacturer, like Daniel Defense, you should be good to go.
Having a headspacing that is tight or on the tighter side of spec, isn't necessarily a good thing. It could lead to a rifle that is finicky about the ammunition that it will chamber properly.
I've seen at least a few "custom" .308 ARs that the owners HAD to handload for because they wanted the headspacing on the tighter side.
Re: quick question on barrels
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FCS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why add tolerance stack when for same price you can get something that was matched up by smith chambering barrel? </div></div>
I've never had an issue with any of my AR builds and I've never once used a matched barrel and bolt. Nothing wrong with getting a quality bolt like a BCM and using it in a quality barrel.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FCS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why add tolerance stack when for same price you can get something that was matched up by smith chambering barrel? </div></div>
I've never had an issue with any of my AR builds and I've never once used a matched barrel and bolt. Nothing wrong with getting a quality bolt like a BCM and using it in a quality barrel.
Re: quick question on barrels
I'll be honest, I haven't either though most times I send reamer, bolt, barrel extension, and barrel to be chambered by smith. Rifle that customer brought in that is just making SAAMI spec with mix n match parts....
Tolerance stack has NEVER been my friend. You have not provided any logical reason for me to induce error into system by buying barrel and bolt from different vendors. If it works for you, great but I see no reason to do it.
I'll be honest, I haven't either though most times I send reamer, bolt, barrel extension, and barrel to be chambered by smith. Rifle that customer brought in that is just making SAAMI spec with mix n match parts....
Tolerance stack has NEVER been my friend. You have not provided any logical reason for me to induce error into system by buying barrel and bolt from different vendors. If it works for you, great but I see no reason to do it.
Re: quick question on barrels
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FCS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'll be honest, I haven't either though most times I send reamer, bolt, barrel extension, and barrel to be chambered by smith. Rifle that customer brought in that is just making SAAMI spec with mix n match parts....
Tolerance stack has NEVER been my friend. You have not provided any logical reason for me to induce error into system by buying barrel and bolt from different vendors. If it works for you, great but I see no reason to do it. </div></div>
Not saying you shouldn't, where I take exception with what you're saying is when you state that it goes as far as inducing error. I've never once heard of a situation where someone who runs high quality parts (i.e BCM, LMT, Colt, etc) has had an issue caused by a bolt mismatch. If you're buying quality parts to begin with this is a non issue. It only becomes an issue when you start buying sub par parts.
ETA: ARs =/= 1911's, Bolt guns, etc.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FCS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'll be honest, I haven't either though most times I send reamer, bolt, barrel extension, and barrel to be chambered by smith. Rifle that customer brought in that is just making SAAMI spec with mix n match parts....
Tolerance stack has NEVER been my friend. You have not provided any logical reason for me to induce error into system by buying barrel and bolt from different vendors. If it works for you, great but I see no reason to do it. </div></div>
Not saying you shouldn't, where I take exception with what you're saying is when you state that it goes as far as inducing error. I've never once heard of a situation where someone who runs high quality parts (i.e BCM, LMT, Colt, etc) has had an issue caused by a bolt mismatch. If you're buying quality parts to begin with this is a non issue. It only becomes an issue when you start buying sub par parts.
ETA: ARs =/= 1911's, Bolt guns, etc.
Re: quick question on barrels
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NF1986</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FCS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why add tolerance stack when for same price you can get something that was matched up by smith chambering barrel? </div></div>
I've never had an issue with any of my AR builds and I've never once used a matched barrel and bolt. Nothing wrong with getting a quality bolt like a BCM and using it in a quality barrel. </div></div>
^^^ This +1 ^^^
Get a quality bolt (or better yet complete bolt carrier group) from a quality manufacturer and pair it with a quality barrel and you're good to go in my experience. I say that assuming parts from 'tier 1' manufacturers. Definitely BCM for bolt carrier group IMHO.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NF1986</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FCS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why add tolerance stack when for same price you can get something that was matched up by smith chambering barrel? </div></div>
I've never had an issue with any of my AR builds and I've never once used a matched barrel and bolt. Nothing wrong with getting a quality bolt like a BCM and using it in a quality barrel. </div></div>
^^^ This +1 ^^^
Get a quality bolt (or better yet complete bolt carrier group) from a quality manufacturer and pair it with a quality barrel and you're good to go in my experience. I say that assuming parts from 'tier 1' manufacturers. Definitely BCM for bolt carrier group IMHO.
Re: quick question on barrels
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FCS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tolerance stack is tolerance stack, play the game long enough it'll burn ya.
I'm not going to argue with a law student. </div></div>
Well played sir, fair enough.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FCS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tolerance stack is tolerance stack, play the game long enough it'll burn ya.
I'm not going to argue with a law student. </div></div>
Well played sir, fair enough.
Re: quick question on barrels
I am going to go against the grain and say, if you don't buy a matched barrel and bolt, CHECK THE HEADSPACE. I hope that's clear enough. My very first rifle build, I almost didn't check, sure as shit, the chamber in the barrel would allow the bolt just close enough that the round would have touched off without being fully chambered. Since then, I check.
I am going to go against the grain and say, if you don't buy a matched barrel and bolt, CHECK THE HEADSPACE. I hope that's clear enough. My very first rifle build, I almost didn't check, sure as shit, the chamber in the barrel would allow the bolt just close enough that the round would have touched off without being fully chambered. Since then, I check.
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