User Panel
I just finished my lil piggy firearm in 6.5 Grendel. 2 toned like your but I haven't decided on my optics yet.
|
|
Congrats to OP for this thread being included in today's AR15.com Newsletter.
|
|
|
|
This should be good...Just the kind of info I am looking for. Especially interested in the optic, as I need something that an"older guy with terrible vision" can see thru. Thanks!
|
|
Nice looking rifle, good color contrast too, what scope is that?
You guys I believe moved from Victor NY, I just moved here from Rottenchester, 7 months ago. |
|
Nice looking rig, very interested in hearing the following:
Caliber & Bullet Weight Factory or hand loads Manufacturer of the Upper and Lower Barrel Twist Plus I want to see some of the hogs!.... |
|
|
6.8 Boss.
16" barrel unless you suppress it. Lot's of folks use a 12.5" barrel, still kill them dead out to 400 yards. You have lot's of folks in your area with experience. It is the hog hunting caliber of choice. A lot of the pros use it. I'm sure you can contact our own Dr. Chris Lucci, HTR of Wild River Ranch who lives in Texas, and is a big part of the 6.8 game. He's tested and helped develop ammunition for several companies for the 6.8 since he switched over himself several years ago. He probably takes more hogs than anyone per year, ( deer too ). There are several other members here that are professionals that are on tv and on youtube that use the 6.8. I now this sounds strange, but look over on 68forums for information, check out the hunting section. You'll see several members there that are members here as well that do it for a living. |
|
Don't want this to turn into a photo thread for everyone's rifles... there is another thread for that. This is a discussion thread for the newsletter article.
|
|
|
I got the email..... was curious to see the equipment list, so I clicked on link that brought me here.
But no equipment list? just another picture, am I missing something ? Or are you posting, just to alert us of another future post, since you posted before you had the information to post about this time, and letting us know that soon you will be posting the information that you previously posted about giving, but didn't have any of the information that you said would be on your post, in your previous post, but that it's coming in the next post ?? wouldn't it just be easier to get your list 1st., then post your info ? it might be helpful to make a list to reference, so you will know whats on/ or in your gun at any given time. then you wouldn't have to tear it down to see what you built? or bought? or what the last changes were? if your constantly adding new equipment to test, don't you need to know what equipment is in your weapon to be able to evaluate it? |
|
Read the thread twice but missed the caliber of Ed Sr's rifle? Was it 6.8mm?
OK, .300 Blackout |
|
Quoted:
I got the email..... was curious to see the equipment list, so I clicked on link that brought me here. But no equipment list? just another picture, am I missing something ? Or are you posting, just to alert us of another future post, since you posted before you had the information to post about this time, and letting us know that soon you will be posting the information that you previously posted about giving, but didn't have any of the information that you said would be on your post, in your previous post, but that it's coming in the next post ?? wouldn't it just be easier to get your list 1st., then post your info ? it might be helpful to make a list to reference, so you will know whats on/ or in your gun at any given time. then you wouldn't have to tear it down to see what you built? or bought? or what the last changes were? if your constantly adding new equipment to test, don't you need to know what equipment is in your weapon to be able to evaluate it? View Quote WELCOME! Such great questions and so eloquently phrased! Hopefully I can help clarify: contrary to what you interpreted, I am aware of everything that is in my rifle, as I have built it over and over many times (and I do this for a living). Over the last two years I have reached what I feel is a very good configuration, and I am currently writing it up along with why decisions were made so that others can reap the benefits of the lessons learned. Because I do this for a living, happen to have early access to many AR products, and happen to live where I hunt pigs year round, I felt others might benefit from my findings. There have been many products that have evolved, and others that worked well from the beginning, while others have failed. The purpose of this list is to outline the evolution (which I assure you is not complete even now). Just to clarify, when I said "break down", I was not referring to physically tearing down the rifle as you inferred in order to determine what was in there, but instead breaking down the list of components for this article. It is a rather lengthy list, and I wanted to make sure everything got mentioned and discussed, so it is a work in progress. Our newsletter had a time constraint, and as a result it had to go out before this article was "complete" so the link to this thread with the announcement that it was being updated over the next couple of days was used (once that newsletter went out it would have been impossible to add the link if the thread did not exist first). I apologize for that, as it very well could have been written first, but sadly schedules do not always match up like we would like. Regardless, rest assured I am now working on this (once I finish this response), and while it will still be an ongoing project (as we test new products), it will be much more thorough in the next 24-48hrs. From that point on it can be updated with future lessons learned, and will continue to chronicle what I put into my own personal gun and why. While those opinions and decisions are mine and mine alone, my hope is that others will be able to garner some insight that will help them in their hog-hunting rifle-building endeavors. In no way to I expect that my choices will be the best for anyone else, and I'm open to hearing ideas from anyone else. So welcome to the site, thanks for your feedback, and hopefully I will be able to answer all of your questions in the very near future. If however I do not, the purpose of the article being in the forums vs just in the newsletter is that we can discuss, and your feedback can improve the article. If you have any questions about anything on this build, this is the place to place to ask them. I will do my best to answer them, provide better pictures of anything anyone wants to see, or discuss reasons for any of my decisions. |
|
That`s a IR Hunter View Quote Original or Mrk II ? Already got a gun, need a scope. Edited, thanks for the detailed update. |
|
I'm curious as to the thermal site with IR laser. Seems interesting.
|
|
Quoted:
I'm curious as to the thermal site with IR laser. Seems interesting. View Quote Thermal scopes do not see IR 850nm lasers. The IR laser is an adjunct for when you do have NVOs. But I am curious to hear how Ed has his weapon kitted out too as I hog hunt virtually everyday and everynight as well. Most of my hunting is in pure unadulterated wilderness and swamps, 60,000 acres of it has not been touched by humans since the Spanish Conquistadors set out the original hogs that were first let loose on the North American continent and those are the hogs we are killing here 500 years later. Everyone is going to have a different kit to handle the different terrain and environs, so will be interested to see how the kit fits the terrestrial terrain. |
|
Quoted:
Thermal scopes do not see IR 850nm lasers. The IR laser is an adjunct for when you do have NVOs. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
I'm curious as to the thermal site with IR laser. Seems interesting. Thermal scopes do not see IR 850nm lasers. The IR laser is an adjunct for when you do have NVOs. That was my point, must be running night vision also. |
|
Updated the post with most of the details, so they're at least on there. If I've forgotten anything people are curious about, please don't hesitate to ask. If you have suggestions on how I can improve anything, feel free to make suggestions. As stated this is a work in progress. As mentioned, this is a test bed for all kinds of new products, so it is always changing.
|
|
Quoted:
Boss, lets see some video! View Quote Unfortunately, because I live in the sticks bandwidth comes at a premium, so video is the one thing I don't do (up or down). Some videos have been posted here by others though, and in fact some were shown at SHOT on the IR Defense displays at the US Night Vision booth. Nothing special, but I am working on a new project that will definitely require the video to be shared with the world... |
|
You and I have the exact same problem living in the sticks with limited connectivity and bandwidth, totally understand.
We also have a .300 BlackOut on a RRA lower and reloading to 1,050 fps at sea level with 247 grain lead bullets using a FLIR T-50 in front of a Leopold VX-R Patrol 1-4 scope with can for use around suburban environs. We have some of the Lehigh subsonic bullets and am looking closely at those new G2 bullets you are trying out, so keep us up to date on their performance please. Took out three medium sized hogs at the feeder two weeks ago and the shooter on the .300 BlackOut did not know which hog to take as there were three shooters, so after two were down at 100 yards and the other sow was high tailing it out of there, he went into action and the hog got a new arsehole drilled and bullet stopped at the sternum and DRT, did some massive damage and I was very impressed with the bullet performance and the new rear end hole on that sow! |
|
Quoted:
Boss, lets see some video! View Quote Food for thought I increased my bandwidth by using my newest smart phone as a mobil hotspot it is a little slow but not bad. And it was cheaper to up GB with US cellular than through Dish. Great looking rig! Glad to see your enjoying the move. Kill a lot more of them little evil pest. |
|
Great article and photos! I've always sort of been on the fence about how I felt about the .300 BO. After starting a thread awhile back to learn more about it's potential and combing it with the information in your article, I feel like I understand the appeal now. Seems like an excellent hog hunting cartridge after considering it's many "talents".
Your rifle is great! Seems like you have a near perfect hog hunting rifle and definitely creates a fair bit of jealousy even though I don't have any real hog hunting options. I love reading the various hog hunting threads and living vicariously through all the fun y'all have. The gun and components are all obviously top notch and very cool but it was stuff like using the $50 Plano case from Walmart that really impressed me. What a great idea, looks better than cases I've seen selling for a couple hundred dollars. I've managed to acquire a 5.56, 6.5 Grendel and .50 Beowulf so I'm armed for hogs but for now my situation makes the opportunity tough so I'll keep reading all the great stories on Arfcom. Thanks for the great post/article (and website), looking forward to watching how your setup evolves! |
|
|
GREAT WRITE-UP!.
I almost left work to go hog hunting...lol I have been sitting on the fence for sometime on building my next AR just for Hogs, it's all down to bullet, and I am on the Fence between 6.8 or .300 BLK. You just loaded the scale to the BLK..lol I am interested in your silencer, please let me know when you guys are ready to release info on it. Thanks again for the write-up! Happy Hog Hunting! “Lead me, follow me, or get the hell out of my way.” --General George S. Patton |
|
Quoted:
I have been sitting on the fence for sometime on building my next AR just for Hogs, it's all down to bullet, and I am on the Fence between 6.8 or .300 BLK. View Quote IMHO while the 300BLK supers may not have the reach or as flat of a trajectory as the 6.8, there are articles about folks shooting 300BLK out to 800-1000yds. There are definitely more factory loadings for the 300, which means cheaper prices, more availability (i.e. most sporting goods stores including walmart) and more choices. If you reload, components for the 300 will also be much more available. Not needing separate supplies of mags is another big factor. On top of all that, the biggest benefit of the 300BLK is you have the quiet subsonic option which the 6.8 can't touch. It's especially good for shooting indoors and not going deaf if that's a role your rifle may fill. |
|
This was a great read. Thanks for the post. I have one question about your overall length, I am going to file my form 1 to build an 8 inch 300blk and did not know what to put as the overall length. Any help would be appreciated.
|
|
|
Quoted: Hey Randy- That is an ARFCOM free floated 12" smooth handguard. It is available in 9, 12, and 15" lengths and uses standard barrel nuts to attach (so no special tools needed). View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Who makes that handguard/forearm? Thanks, Randy Hey Randy- That is an ARFCOM free floated 12" smooth handguard. It is available in 9, 12, and 15" lengths and uses standard barrel nuts to attach (so no special tools needed). |
|
Great detailed write up explaining what has worked for you over the past, and the changes you've made through hunting experiences. Many don't have the time or spare dollars to spend to go through different set ups and equipment to end up with the best tool for the job. They rely on reading, and researching others experiences to make decisions on what equipment to purchase for their style of hunting.
Over the years I've tried many different nv set ups and ended up with a mk2 on top of a 16" ultralight criterion barreled .308. Also, with a close quarters ir laser with a titanium can. Again this is what I ended up with after going through .223's, sbr 6.8's, and always back to a .308. I rarely use the ir laser, however if their is a close quick shot I can always hit the pressure switch when there's no time to turn on the scope. Curious about your results with the .300 blk out. I have buddies that switched to them with mixed results. Are you primarily using the Barnes 110gr tsx's? Or you using the subs? |
|
Quoted:
Curious about your results with the .300 blk out. I have buddies that switched to them with mixed results. Are you primarily using the Barnes 110gr tsx's? Or you using the subs? View Quote I think the problem people have is not understanding the limitations. If you're shooting supers, then I've found e 130gr TSX to be great. I'm sure the 110s would be just as good, and give a little more velocity and flatter trajectory. The 130 is easily found in a factory loading with the Hog Hammer round, and I currently am not loading for the 300blk. If I'm hunting open land, and usually accompanied by others shooting .223, 6.8, or .308 (always suppressed), I stick with the supers. They're going to be making noise so I might as well benefit from the super round. However, if I am hunting somewhere where we need to be quiet, the subs come into play and are the only round (other than a 9mm) we can use. In a few instances, we've had a single pig close by with a large sounder 75yds or so away, and the sub allows us to take out the close pig without him giving us away or us scaring the rest of the hogs off. For this reason I often carry a sub in the chamber and supers in the mag. This also helps if we come across a pest we want to eliminate as we drive along without making too much noise. A subsonic 220gr is not an immediate 1-shot solution if your shot placement is not a head/spine shot (and after the first shot you take what you can get). To get effective results with the subs, you have to get expansion, and the 187gr-220gr bthp/amax/plastic tipped bullets just don't do it. In order to get guaranteed expansion and quick kills you have to go with the exotics, like the Lehigh Defense and G2 Research offerings I mentioned. These bullets are pre-scored to facilitate expansion so you get penetration then expansion upon hitting soft tissues which prevents pass through, helps dump energy, increases diameter, and creates sharp edges that help increase damage. The other thing to keep in mind is POA/POI and knowing where your various rounds hit at various ranges if you're going to be switching back and forth. A 110gr super at velocity and a 220gr at 1050fps are not going to behave the same from 20 to 200 yds, so you have to know your drops and understand the subsonic is a 100yd max round for hunting. I think a lot of people either try to hunt with regular subs and get pigs that run away, or they play with too many rounds and never get to know one well enough to work with it. If they stick to supers out of an unsuppressed 16" barrel, they'll tell you it's inferior to a 5.56, 6.5 or 6.8, and it is in that role. But when you consider the 300blk super's capabilities out to 300yds, and then the ability to shoot suppressed subs out of the same 8" barrel, the 300s unique capabilities start to show. For pig hunting, the size and toughness of the game combined with the typical ranges at which we hunt around here (20-150yds), it seems to be a perfect fit. I also think the subsonic expanding bullet "technology" is just now getting attention and hopefully costs will come down and more people will be able to use them and get better results. More terminal ballistics results are needed, and that's something we're working on right now. As always, these are my own opinions and even those are still being formed as I get more and more experience with various rounds against hogs. |
|
I
[Jump To Reply]Quoted: Curious about your results with the .300 blk out. I have buddies that switched to them with mixed results. Are you primarily using the Barnes 110gr tsx's? Or you using the subs? I think the problem people have is not understanding the limitations. If you're shooting supers, then I've found e 130gr TSX to be great. I'm sure the 110s would be just as good, and give a little more velocity and flatter trajectory. The 130 is easily found in a factory loading with the Hog Hammer round, and I currently am not loading for the 300blk. If I'm hunting open land, and usually accompanied by others shooting .223, 6.8, or .308 (always suppressed), I stick with the supers. They're going to be making noise so I might as well benefit from the super round. However, if I am hunting somewhere where we need to be quiet, the subs come into play and are the only round (other than a 9mm) we can use. In a few instances, we've had a single pig close by with a large sounder 75yds or so away, and the sub allows us to take out the close pig without him giving us away or us scaring the rest of the hogs off. For this reason I often carry a sub in the chamber and supers in the mag. This also helps if we come across a pest we want to eliminate as we drive along without making too much noise. A subsonic 220gr is not an immediate 1-shot solution if your shot placement is not a head/spine shot (and after the first shot you take what you can get). To get effective results with the subs, you have to get expansion, and the 187gr-220gr bthp/amax/plastic tipped bullets just don't do it. In order to get guaranteed expansion and quick kills you have to go with the exotics, like the Lehigh Defense and G2 Research offerings I mentioned. These bullets are pre-scored to facilitate expansion so you get penetration then expansion upon hitting soft tissues which prevents pass through, helps dump energy, increases diameter, and creates sharp edges that help increase damage. The other thing to keep in mind is POA/POI and knowing where your various rounds hit at various ranges if you're going to be switching back and forth. A 110gr super at velocity and a 220gr at 1050fps are not going to behave the same from 20 to 200 yds, so you have to know your drops and understand the subsonic is a 100yd max round for hunting. I think a lot of people either try to hunt with regular subs and get pigs that run away, or they play with too many rounds and never get to know one well enough to work with it. If they stick to supers out of an unsuppressed 16" barrel, they'll tell you it's inferior to a 5.56, 6.5 or 6.8, and it is in that role. But when you consider the 300blk super's capabilities out to 300yds, and then the ability to shoot suppressed subs out of the same 8" barrel, the 300s unique capabilities start to show. For pig hunting, the size and toughness of the game combined with the typical ranges at which we hunt around here (20-150yds), it seems to be a perfect fit. I also think the subsonic expanding bullet "technology" is just now getting attention and hopefully costs will come down and more people will be able to use them and get better results. More terminal ballistics results are needed, and that's something we're working on right now. As always, these are my own opinions and even those are still being formed as I get more and more experience with various rounds against hogs. View Quote Makes sense. I've been in similar circumstances with a couple of loaners in between us and a good size sounder. Didn't have any other option but to whack the loaners due to being blown otherwise. |
|
If you are looking for a hard hitting 300 BlackOut subsonic load, check out the 247 grain NOE cast bullet.
|
|
Unrelated to the rifle (which is cool and look forward to more details on the suppressor), I found the use of he plain Plano great as I have a couple beat up versions of same model.
Question is, what do you call that shiney, stiffer foam in the case?I have been using the standard foam but wonder if the stiff stuff might be easier to cut, etc. I have several different foam cut patterns per case depending on what I need to carry. Always making new cuts and I am interested in easier path. Thanks. |
|
Quoted:
Question is, what do you call that shiney, stiffer foam in the case?I have been using the standard foam but wonder if the stiff stuff might be easier to cut, etc. I have several different foam cut patterns per case depending on what I need to carry. Always making new cuts and I am interested in easier path. Thanks. View Quote It's a closed cell foam- comes in various weights (densities) but it is stiffer and easier to cut than open cell foams. Usually you can buy it in 1" sheets and just layer the case. I cut it to size for this case from the sheet. |
|
|
Quoted:
Cool. Do you have a preferred source? View Quote I get it locally, but there are a number of online sources that will ship. Never used them but this sounds like a reasonable place: http://www.foambymail.com/closed-cell-foams.html |
|
Quoted: Unrelated to the rifle (which is cool and look forward to more details on the suppressor), I found the use of he plain Plano great as I have a couple beat up versions of same model. Question is, what do you call that shiney, stiffer foam in the case?I have been using the standard foam but wonder if the stiff stuff might be easier to cut, etc. I have several different foam cut patterns per case depending on what I need to carry. Always making new cuts and I am interested in easier path. Thanks. View Quote |
|
Quoted: Hey Randy- That is an ARFCOM free floated 12" smooth handguard. It is available in 9, 12, and 15" lengths and uses standard barrel nuts to attach (so no special tools needed). View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Who makes that handguard/forearm? Thanks, Randy Hey Randy- That is an ARFCOM free floated 12" smooth handguard. It is available in 9, 12, and 15" lengths and uses standard barrel nuts to attach (so no special tools needed). |
|
Quoted:
I didn't realize I lived that far under a rock, that I had never heard of these. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Who makes that handguard/forearm? Thanks, Randy Hey Randy- That is an ARFCOM free floated 12" smooth handguard. It is available in 9, 12, and 15" lengths and uses standard barrel nuts to attach (so no special tools needed). You and me both. That is a truly unique looking AR. Very neat build, thanks for sharing. |
|
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.