My 11lb Nightvision Equipped Hog Hunting AR(and how to lighten it up?) - Page 1

AR-15 » AR Discussions

AR Sponsor:

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - My 11lb Nightvision Equipped Hog Hunting AR(and how to lighten it up?)

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:26:19 PM EDT

Hi, I've read a bunch here, just never bothered to register, but I wanted to pick some brains on a project.

So here's my first AR that I got a little over a year ago, right before times got hard. It's a carbine length Olympic that I've changed the grip and rail on. I've shot probably 150 rds through it due to the ammo problems of before(dont worry, I'm STOCKED now)
This past Christmas I got this handy nightvision scope so that I could tackle some hogs, the only problem is that the thing weighs in at 11.2lbs, and hunting hogs at night requires a lot of walking.

http://i.imgur.com/HkxECax.jpg

I've decided that I'll take the optic off, change this particular rifle to a range gun, and build a dedicated hog gun.

I've got one of the Tennessee arms polymer lowers on the way. This should be a good platform. Not much info on them, but what I have seen looks pretty good.
I also ordered a cheap 5.56 barrel today(Here), but I'm not sure if I'll go that route or go with something like a 300BLK. It's hard to pass up a $93 barrel.

Some desired aspects in the finished project:
-Weigh as little as possible. The optic is HEAVY(2.8lbs).
-Nearly full length handguard. I do not want rails everywhere. I also will not be spending more than ~$100 for it if I can(Some of the rails are crazy expensive).
-Extended charging handle. The scope makes it kind of hard to reach.
-Slickside Upper. Weight savings, or is it worth it to forgo the dustcover?
-some form of night capable back-up sight mounted at 45 degrees, but it will need to be mounted on the handguard, because the scope base takes up the whole receiver.

So, any suggestions for components? and do you think it's a big enough difference to warrant going to 300 BLK? I'm concerned with ammo availability and price.

Posted: 4/8/2014 5:31:09 PM EDT

[#1]

It seems that MI and ALG make well regarded "affordable" rails:

https://www.midwestindustriesinc.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=149

http://algdefense.com/rails.html

And if weight savings is your goal, look at getting a lightweight barrel.

Posted: 4/8/2014 6:04:26 PM EDT

[#2]

slick side upper

For hunting I would probably recommend a standard upper just because the dust cover can help keep clean and the FA can keep you quiet. I am debating a slick side for a plinker and house gun.

Posted: 4/8/2014 6:07:41 PM EDT

[#3]

Quote History

Quoted:
slick side upper

For hunting I would probably recommend a standard upper just because the dust cover can help keep clean and the FA can keep you quiet. I am debating a slick side for a plinker and house gun.

View Quote

The slick side DPMS upper is heavier than a milspec upper

Posted: 4/8/2014 6:27:10 PM EDT

[#4]

Swap out that heavy thick barrel to a light weight profile. Otherwise any other savings (sans the optic) would be negligible.

Posted: 4/8/2014 6:27:59 PM EDT

[#5]

Na. This gen 1 pos is heavy. 15lbs.

Posted: 4/8/2014 6:49:16 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:

The slick side DPMS upper is heavier than a milspec upper

View Quote

I didn't realize that...

I think this may be my best receiver option.
https://www.rainierarms.com/?page=shop/detail&product_id=2940

If I buy another barrel(likely) I'll probably go with this: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/311028/ar-stoner-barrel-ar-15-300-aac-blackout-lightweight-contour-1-in-8-twist-16-stainless-steel

But that really takes me into the whole "which chambering do I want?" debate.

Posted: 4/8/2014 9:08:56 PM EDT

[#7]

For the handguard go with super light like a Clark Custom Carbon Fiber Hand Guard. $100 MSRP.

Posted: 4/8/2014 9:45:45 PM EDT

[#8]

Not to be a dick, but push ups & pull ups.

C'mon, 11 pounds? Are you carrying a 60 pound pack and 20 pounds of ammo too?

Posted: 4/9/2014 1:59:56 AM EDT

[#9]

You could probably save half a pound by ditching that gas block.

Send the barrel to Adco, it will come back light. Put an MI rail on it, get a proper gas block. Your rifle will be a lot lighter.

Posted: 4/9/2014 2:07:04 AM EDT

[#10]

Let's face it, you have a 3 pound scope. You will spend a lot of money trying to shave just a few ounces off your rifle.

A padded Vcas Sling may be in order.

Posted: 4/9/2014 4:05:52 AM EDT

[#11]

Would be under 8 lbs if you buy a Magtactical rifle and put the optic on that.
This gun can be found for $1200-1300. Trying to make a gun under 5lbs isn't cheap, and you would probably spend more building it yourself.

Posted: 4/9/2014 5:09:22 AM EDT

[#12]

Mag tactical upper with the lightweight barrel and Clark handguard puts me at 2.2lbs. That leaves gas system and flash hider.

This is gonna be sweet.

Thanks everyone for the help so far.
I get that the scope is heavy and I'm kind of a bitch for not wanting to carry it around, but like I said, I'm a bitch. Is it that terrible to want a light gun?

Posted: 4/9/2014 5:16:50 AM EDT

[#13]

Edited...VA-gunnut

Posted: 4/9/2014 5:32:37 AM EDT

[#14]

I would instead get a "tactical two point" sling. They are mounded to the side of the rifle, and allow the rifle to be slung in a position reminiscent of "low read". That way you don't actually have to carry with your arms the entire time. That's what I went with.

Posted: 4/9/2014 5:39:38 AM EDT

[#15]

http://bte-usa.com/parts/set-screw-micro-gasblocks.htm

http://www.adamsarms.net/vdi-manimal-extended-flash-hider

Posted: 4/9/2014 7:31:11 AM EDT

[#16]

For a sight mounted at 45 degrees, get a primary arms micro dot they range from 90$ without a mount and about 150$ with American defence mounts. They micro dot is an excellent sight for the money, and then just find a 45 degree off set mount and you will be set.

Posted: 4/9/2014 10:02:48 AM EDT

[#17]

Pencil barrel, carbon fiber handguard, and Mission First Tactical minimalist stock.

Posted: 4/9/2014 10:16:13 AM EDT

[#18]

here you go

On a serious note- ALG rail, low profile gas block, minimalist stock, magpul K grip, pencil barrel. A slickside upper will save some weight, but I don't think the cost is worth the weight saved. Instead of looking for an entire charging handle, you could just look for a tactical latch to go on your existing CH. I'm not sure how going 300 BLK will help save weight unless you are going to SBR it.

Posted: 4/9/2014 11:04:18 AM EDT

[#19]

Someone needs a membership if 11lbs is a burdon:

Posted: 4/9/2014 11:47:14 AM EDT

[#20]

Don't plan on dropping your rifle or tripping on a log... polymer lowers aren't worth it.

Posted: 4/9/2014 12:08:56 PM EDT

[#21]

building a somewhat lightweight gun can be cheap, and in that case I would just swap the barrel, handguard, and gas block on your current rifle for some lightweight stuff

building an actual lightweight can will be a bit spendier but still reasonable.

Lower: I don't know anything about that lower you selected so can't comment, I would choose a Cav-15 or a Mag Tactical Lower
Upper: regular forged, slickside, mag tactical, as you progress along the list they will get slightly lighter, and more expensive, this will only save a few ounces.
BCG: Not worth going lightweight in my opinion, you can get an AR-15 carrier which will be a tad lighter, and cheaper
Barrel: Big weight savings, get a pencil barrel, they can be had from the sub $200 to over $400 price range, DD makes a really nice one, also get a pinned low pro block.
Handguard: Big weight savings possible, I think the BCM KMR is the lightest out there right now followed closely by the MI-SSK, these are keymod handguard with top rails, and are over $200. If you don't need to attach anything, a carbon fiber tube will be super light and won't break the bank. MI-SSG2 is a good option as well. I have nothing against cheap rails like the UTG pro line, but they aren't going to lighten the gun up

Don't attach anything else you don't need add a sling for carrying it, and you should be good to go

Posted: 4/9/2014 1:13:57 PM EDT

[#22]

get rif of that bullshit NVG scope and get a pVS 14 and an IR laser

Also push ups pull ups sit ups and start running

Posted: 4/9/2014 7:33:33 PM EDT

[#23]

If you want lightweight it is t going to be cheap. Mag Tactical uppers and lowers are the place to start. Get yourself a ELW BCM 16" barrel and a BCM KMR rail system. Head over to V7 Weapon Systems and get a titanium gas block, aluminum forward assist and a billet lightweight dust cover/pin assembly.

Take the barrel and have a flash suppressor like the BE Meyers 249 cut down and pinned in place. It'll help your night vision out a lot and shave down some weight. Select a minimalist stock. Avoid the offset sights if you're worried about weight. The packages are quite heavy.

With your current night vision, you'd be in the 8.5 pound range. If you traded up for a lighter night vision optic, your weight would be reduced further. I would opt for a VCAS padded sling for the package.

Posted: 4/9/2014 7:58:11 PM EDT

[#24]

I'd stick with forged upper and lower instead of polymer. I still don't trust polymer AR lowers as the AR15 lower was not designed to be made from polymer. Get a lightweight contour barrel, if you'll be hunting hogs at night you're not likely to be taking long range shots so a lightweight barrel is good to go. Carbon fiber handguard is a great idea as well, super lightweight. And a nice sling like the blue force gear VCAS, helps with carrying it and makes heavy guns seem less cumbersome. You can get somewhere in the 6lb range like that. The more you add the more it'll weigh.

Posted: 4/10/2014 12:47:16 PM EDT

[#25]

Ordered the barrel, gas system, muzzle break and upper.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/311028/ar-stoner-barrel-ar-15-300-aac-blackout-lightweight-contour-1-in-8-twist-16-stainless-steel?cm_vc=ProductFinding

http://www.magtacticalsystems.com/index.php/uppers/assembled-uppers/product/219-assembled-upper

Posted: 4/10/2014 12:52:44 PM EDT

[#26]

just get a sling, you shouldn't be carrying the rifle the whole night anyway

Posted: 4/10/2014 1:55:14 PM EDT

[#27]

I would try a helium balloon.

(sitting 5 feet away from 125 cubic foot compressed helium bottle)

Posted: 4/10/2014 1:56:48 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
For the handguard go with super light like a Clark Custom Carbon Fiber Hand Guard. $100 MSRP.

http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/images/clk750W.jpg

View Quote

boom, there it is.

Posted: 4/10/2014 3:01:25 PM EDT

[#29]

I Recommend push ups and pull ups. I would not want a plastic lower and I definitely don't want an ultra light barrel that won't group well. 11.2 pounds is not too bad. Compromising a good barrel and lower for a pound or pound and half savings is not worth it. get a good, padded sling, I like the tag 2 point.

Posted: 4/10/2014 3:20:33 PM EDT

[#30]

I like where you're going with this... I love lightweight setups. Barrel profile doesn't have anything to do with accuracy... it is all about barrel quality and tolerances.

Posted: 4/10/2014 4:57:48 PM EDT

[#31]

My 20" Colt HBAR and 3x9 scope weighs in at 12lbs with a 30 rd Pmag....no biggee.

Posted: 4/10/2014 6:28:14 PM EDT

[#32]

Here You go, 1.8 lbs.

I saved You 1 lb.

http://tnvc.com/shop/flir-rs32-thermosight/

Posted: 4/11/2014 5:14:48 AM EDT

[#33]

Quote History

Quoted:
I Recommend push ups and pull ups. I would not want a plastic lower and I definitely don't want an ultra light barrel that won't group well. 11.2 pounds is not too bad. Compromising a good barrel and lower for a pound or pound and half savings is not worth it. get a good, padded sling, I like the tag 2 point.

View Quote

My Spikes 14.5" lightweight barrel groups just as nice as my 16" barreled Recce...

Posted: 4/13/2014 4:40:09 AM EDT

[#34]

Turns out I lied to you guys. Went ahead and got the ap handguard. http://www.apcustomusa.com/tactical.php
I didn't like not being able to remove the danseuses unless I did some drilling.

Also got the mission first minimalist stock. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/469398?cm_mmc=S_Spop-Email-_-Service_Emails-_-OrderConfirmation-_-ProductLink

I'm starting to get antsy.

Posted: 4/13/2014 9:18:54 AM EDT

[#35]

Bcm kmr ff tube

Posted: 4/13/2014 10:02:37 AM EDT

[#36]

You're going to have a bad time with that poly lower. Spend a few bucks more and get a blemished lower that is guaranteed to last you and several falls. Those poly lowers are really good for .22lr and that's is. Shoot, just this past weekend there was a polymer rifle at our gun show that weighed in around 2.2lbs chambered in 22.

Posted: 4/17/2014 2:23:38 AM EDT

[#37]

http://i.imgur.com/gF2KLNz.jpg
Need lpk, bcg, charging handle, and barrel nut. Waiting on packages sucks. Since when did everyone start transferring to usps anyway?
It's gonna be crazy light though.

Posted: 4/17/2014 2:46:53 AM EDT

[#38]

Whys it pink?

Posted: 4/21/2014 5:02:38 AM EDT

[#39]

http://i.imgur.com/106zhig.jpg

Came out to 5.2 lbs without the optic. Sorry for the crappy picture, I need to take more(yes it was in the bathroom, that's where the scale is). I've already decided I will need to find another optic to put on this upper when I'm not using it at night.
On another note, 300blk is badass.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - My 11lb Nightvision Equipped Hog Hunting AR(and how to lighten it up?)

AR-15 » AR Discussions

AR Sponsor:

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us