LR308 build HELP

[Leonardo1947]

I'm building my 3rd AR and 1st LR308, final budget cost is around $923.11; so I think I'm doing pretty good. I'm building a battle rifle with an 18" floating barrel. I have all the upper parts ready to put together. I have a DPMS fluted barrel which is 1.200"OD where the barrel nut slides to the receiver threads.(Outside Diameter) My problem is the floating hand guard I got has a barrel nut that has a 1.60" ID, ergo the barrel nut is .040" smaller than the barrel.

DO I
a. have the inside of the barrel nut machined to fit the barrel so I can use floating barrel/hand guards machine would be about .020" overall if my math is correct.

b. Return my floating barrel hand guard and look for one that have a ID that will fit my barrel

c. Go with STD hand guards, which may be cheaper and forget the floating barrel approach?

My intent is to build a battle rifle w/18" barrel, if I can hit a 12" sq steel plate at 200 yards I will be happy. Will the floating barrel give me that much of an advantage or be satisfied with non floating barrel hand guards.

I am a good shooter with revolver, pistol, rifle shotgun and subgun; been shooting for 40 years as a LEO. My only concern is will the end justify the means.
Does the floating barrel give me that much of an advantage at 200 yards. Any construction critiques are welcome. If you ask me why I'm doing this it's because I WANT to.
Thanks in advance for you comments and thoughts.

[CK_32]

Do you have a 308 nut?

My LR308 is still at JD waiting to be shipped back to me so I can't measure what my nut/barrel is, but the fact it wont fit around your barrel, which should be smaller than your chamber, says to me you have a 5.56 nut and yea that probably wont fit. Be sure before you start modding the nut and end up way over the cost of what could possibly be a simple fix or $30 for a correct nut size.

PM AR15Barrels. Randall makes a living off of building rifles. He would be the guy to ask.

[osis32]

I honestly don't think a free float rail will make that much difference at 200 yards as long as you have a half decent barrel. I have am 18" dpms pre built bull barrel upper with free float that can put 5 shots inside a quarter if i do my job. If you're dead set getting a rail return the old one and get one that fits. Otherwise i really think that for your requirements you're perfectly fine with heat shield hand guards. Ask Randall he is the guru.

[Leonardo1947]

Groan... I just checked my order from Midway and it is an AR15 Hand guard...the light bulb went from dim to bright... THX
Can't see the forest for the trees...

[osis32]

It happens to the best of us. lots of people accidentally by ar10 specific parts on accident too. Don't sweat it. Just don't impulse buy that's where most of my mistakes come from.

[Danodog]

Dang you are waiting long. Mega had a new barrel in my hands, 1 week after I shipped the old one. Randall is taking care of me on the 16th, this upcoming Tuesday. I should be ready to rock after that.

You must be a little p1ssed .

Do you have a 308 nut?

My LR308 is still at JD waiting to be shipped back to me so I can't measure what my nut/barrel is, but the fact it wont fit around your barrel, which should be smaller than your chamber, says to me you have a 5.56 nut and yea that probably wont fit. Be sure before you start modding the nut and end up way over the cost of what could possibly be a simple fix or $30 for a correct nut size.

PM AR15Barrels. Randall makes a living off of building rifles. He would be the guy to ask.

[CK_32]

Tell me about it....



Now were "waiting on shipping materials" before they can send it out. The "switched supply companies" and are waiting on supplies to come in.

[baih777]

that's ok. now you have a part for your next AR15 build.

[jaymz]

I'm confused. A 1.600 ID barrel nut is bigger than a 1.200 OD barrel by .400 (about 7/16"), not .040. The barrel nut will easily slide over the barrel if those dimensions are correct.

[jaymz]

And no, a free float handguard won't improve accuracy enough, if at all, to worry about at 200 yds.

[Leonardo1947]

JAYMZ...should be the other way around, Iknow what I wantt o say, I just don't know how to say it. In any event I got the correct one and all is well in the Happy Place..