I’m looking for a free-float hand guard and was looking at rail systems, including the SIR and the Bushmaster BMAS.  The rifle will be a 20” target rifle.

The rail systems look neat, but the only thing I see myself attaching to the rail is a bi-pod.  This isn’t my CQB rifle, so I don’t plan to attach a red-dot, flashlight, vertical grip, laser or anything else to the rails.  I’m starting to think the rails would just be a waste of money.  

The Bushmaster Varminter forend looks pretty good.  A friend has the BM V Match aluminum guard and it gets HOT.  I figure with the Varminter’s 12 vent slots it would stay much cooler.  How durable/sturdy are these?

If you are going free float tube, for a great price you can have the Oly FIRSH, it is about as good as any FF tube on the market if you just going to mount a bipod.

FIRSH is light weight, and it has lots of vents for the heat, for 100 dollars, you are good to go.