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+--- Thread: Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress (/showthread.php?tid=17556)
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Bigs28 - 12-11-2018
A few things......
Faxon does not offer the 6.5 bolt option with their low mass carrier. When i called to ask for it they said they do not recommend their low mass bcg be used with a 6.5 grendal based on their testing.
Adjustable gas blocks are not expensive or heavy at all. Not sure where you got this information. Agbs can be found as cheap as $40. My middle of the road price wise superlative arms was $80.
Lrrp uses the adjustable bcg i think bootleg brand and has promoted very good results.
As far as lightweight carriers, i run suppressed using a jpscs h2 buffer and jp told me not to use a lightweight carrier, even with adjustable gas.
My ar is at 5.1 pounds without optic and suppressor and 7.2 with optic suppressor and empty 5 round mag. Plenty of places to cut weight with barrel, handguard, and stock.
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - NeilVT79 - 12-30-2018
Jinx, did you ever finish your lightweight build?
I was at the range yesterday tested my RCA low mass bolt carrier with RCA's adjustable gas key in my 16" CLGS doublestar barreled upper with A2 flash hider. Shooting off a bench with a bag under handgaurd.
For the first test I ran my taccom 1oz buffer with the gas adjusted to just barely catch bolt on empty mag. Ran 60 rounds wolf no failures, recoil impulse was fast and snappy but also light with easily controllable muzzle rise. steel cases were flying about 10+ feet at 4oclock.
Next I ran the same test with a normal carbine buffer ~3oz, had to adjust the gas more. Ran 60 rounds of wolf again, no failures. Recoil impulse seemed slower and pushy with slightly more muzzle rise. steel was still ejecting in same pattern.
Last I ran with my normal full mass BCG with the carbine buffer and full gas. Ran 60 rounds of wolf with no failures. Recoil impulse was a harder push with noticeably more muzzle rise. Ejection was about 3-4 feet at 4 oclock.
In my opinion the low mass carrier runs fine with 6.5 grendel and absolutely makes it feel different. If I had a muzzle break on the front the muzzle rise would be non existent. If anyone tries the taccom buffer I would warn you to make sure the gas is way down before starting or you could damage the carrier or receiver extension.
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Jinkx - 12-31-2018
NeilVT79 Wrote:Jinx, did you ever finish your lightweight build?
I was at the range yesterday tested my RCA low mass bolt carrier with RCA's adjustable gas key in my 16" CLGS doublestar barreled upper with A2 flash hider. Shooting off a bench with a bag under handgaurd.
For the first test I ran my taccom 1oz buffer with the gas adjusted to just barely catch bolt on empty mag. Ran 60 rounds wolf no failures, recoil impulse was fast and snappy but also light with easily controllable muzzle rise. steel cases were flying about 10+ feet at 4oclock.
Next I ran the same test with a normal carbine buffer ~3oz, had to adjust the gas more. Ran 60 rounds of wolf again, no failures. Recoil impulse seemed slower and pushy with slightly more muzzle rise. steel was still ejecting in same pattern.
Last I ran with my normal full mass BCG with the carbine buffer and full gas. Ran 60 rounds of wolf with no failures. Recoil impulse was a harder push with noticeably more muzzle rise. Ejection was about 3-4 feet at 4 oclock.
In my opinion the low mass carrier runs fine with 6.5 grendel and absolutely makes it feel different. If I had a muzzle break on the front the muzzle rise would be non existent. If anyone tries the taccom buffer I would warn you to make sure the gas is way down before starting or you could damage the carrier or receiver extension.
Fan-Freaking-Tastic!!!
Excellent info!!!!!
My build is still in process due to limited funding. I just ordered (last week) a Faxon grendel BCG and awaiting its arrival.
I only have the optic and mount, mid length gas tube (always out of stock lately everywhere I look) and a few other minor items to go before I start updating with build pics
I also almost have everything needed to begin handload work ups when the time comes. Just need a grendel case gauge. Decided on 8208XBR and hornady brass. More to come on this front for sure.
Looks like your BCG may also get ordered for me to experiment with!! Full mass BCG's do add significant Oz's
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Jinkx - 12-31-2018
I would be interested (and others as well) on results with brass based ammo as wolf is known to be underpowered.
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Jinkx - 12-31-2018
Bigs28 Wrote:A few things......
Faxon does not offer the 6.5 bolt option with their low mass carrier. When i called to ask for it they said they do not recommend their low mass bcg be used with a 6.5 grendal based on their testing.
Adjustable gas blocks are not expensive or heavy at all. Not sure where you got this information. Agbs can be found as cheap as $40. My middle of the road price wise superlative arms was $80.
Lrrp uses the adjustable bcg i think bootleg brand and has promoted very good results.
As far as lightweight carriers, i run suppressed using a jpscs h2 buffer and jp told me not to use a lightweight carrier, even with adjustable gas.
My ar is at 5.1 pounds without optic and suppressor and 7.2 with optic suppressor and empty 5 round mag. Plenty of places to cut weight with barrel, handguard, and stock.
I was referring to in direct comparison to normal lightweight gas blocks. The cost is twice to 4 times the cost and similar weight ratios. I was eye balling the superlative arms GB, it looks very nice!!! I may end up putting it on there anyways
Excellent info on the JP silent capture spring setup!! I have been tempted with that Apple as well. I have found very little lightweight lithium axel grease quiets my buffer springs down quite a bit which has been buying me time until I get a jpscs.
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - NOLAGT - 01-18-2019
NeilVT79 Wrote:Jinx, did you ever finish your lightweight build?
I was at the range yesterday tested my RCA low mass bolt carrier with RCA's adjustable gas key in my 16" CLGS doublestar barreled upper with A2 flash hider. Shooting off a bench with a bag under handgaurd.
For the first test I ran my taccom 1oz buffer with the gas adjusted to just barely catch bolt on empty mag. Ran 60 rounds wolf no failures, recoil impulse was fast and snappy but also light with easily controllable muzzle rise. steel cases were flying about 10+ feet at 4oclock.
Next I ran the same test with a normal carbine buffer ~3oz, had to adjust the gas more. Ran 60 rounds of wolf again, no failures. Recoil impulse seemed slower and pushy with slightly more muzzle rise. steel was still ejecting in same pattern.
Last I ran with my normal full mass BCG with the carbine buffer and full gas. Ran 60 rounds of wolf with no failures. Recoil impulse was a harder push with noticeably more muzzle rise. Ejection was about 3-4 feet at 4 oclock.
In my opinion the low mass carrier runs fine with 6.5 grendel and absolutely makes it feel different. If I had a muzzle break on the front the muzzle rise would be non existent. If anyone tries the taccom buffer I would warn you to make sure the gas is way down before starting or you could damage the carrier or receiver extension.
Thanks for posting this. I just got a Titanium 2A armament Regulated BCG for my @a 300blk pistol (5.9oz total with bolt) and I was wondering if I could swap in a 6.5 bolt and run that on a LW build. I knew Faxon said not to use theres...I jsut sent a email to 2a asking. I just got a PSA 12" grendel to play with the caliber but i might try to build a lite hunting rig and would like it to be a soft shooter for possible follow up pig shots.
EDIT: 2A told me that I could swap on a 6.5 bolt and run there Ti regulated BCG in the Grendel.
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Wargrendeleagle - 01-19-2019
NOLAGT Wrote:Thanks for posting this. I just got a Titanium 2A armament Regulated BCG for my @a 300blk pistol (5.9oz total with bolt) and I was wondering if I could swap in a 6.5 bolt and run that on a LW build. I knew Faxon said not to use theres...I jsut sent a email to 2a asking. I just got a PSA 12" grendel to play with the caliber but i might try to build a lite hunting rig and would like it to be a soft shooter for possible follow up pig shots.
EDIT: 2A told me that I could swap on a 6.5 bolt and run there Ti regulated BCG in the Grendel.
Hopefully it runs well. But sometimes just because something can be done doesn't mean it should be. Everything I've seen seems to think it's not the greatest idea. But, nothing you can't try out? I don't reckon it'll break anything.
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Jinkx - 03-22-2019
Quick update. I just ordered the final peices minus optic to FINALLY assemble this. Will post pics and assembled weight soon!!
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Jinkx - 03-22-2019
Right after ordering the handguard from Midwest Indistries.... Primary Arms sent an email out announcing they had a 12.0" MI handguard on sale for $149... That only weighs 8.2 oz. The handguard I just ordered is 12 3/8" and is 8.7 oz and was $189.... Sigh. Oh well LOL!!!
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Lastrites - 03-23-2019
Your not alone with being the only one with that type of luck, your in good company!
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Jinkx - 12-25-2019
Well after some financial delays, she is almost complete. Final weight w/o mag 7lb 1oz!!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IDVi-jNwU8Cy7A_4FacfGc-Bsmnbgr0i?usp=sharing
Did end up changing a few parts, will update the parts list on the first page. I could probably get it under 7lbs if I used Strike Industries latchless charging handle, but I think I will stick with the Geissele SCH and consider it "good weight".
Next step will be to grab a few elander mags from Alexander Arms and then do some load work ups.
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Gringoloco - 12-26-2019
Primary arms has the E-Landers for a great price right now (or they did yesterday). Grabbed a couple of 17 rounders
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Jinkx - 02-27-2020
*STORY TIME*
Well, finally got a chance to take out my ridicoulsy awesome new build out on a date to the range, and the *VERY* first round of factory Hornady Custom 123gr SST gives me a *CLICK*... Wait 1 minute for possible hang file, diagnose the issue.. failure to feed....
You're kidding me, this isn't good.
The Faxon 6.5 BCG won't go into battery with the factory round in the chamber. Since both the barrel and BCG are Faxon I figured I would not need a Go/No-Gauge, and honestly, shouldn't need to. Of course best practice is to verify this on a new build, but.... ya LOL. Did Faxon give me a 223/556 BCG by mistake? I never did measure the distance to the lands, but I'm not that advanced in my load development yet.
Super depression starts to set in, disappointing range trip, but hey it happens.
Back to my shop I go.
Driving down the road... Maybe the Ogive is jamming into the lands? The chamber can't possibly be that tight, no way.
Since I reload and watch copious amounts of Johnny's Reloading Bench, hey I can do some pretty advanced trouble shooting
Barrel and BCG are both made by same manufacture CHECK
With upper completely empty, the BCG goes into and out of battery like a champ, no issues here CHECK
OAL of the Hornady Factory 123gr SST measures 2.248.. so nothing crazy here CHECK
Elander internal OAL measures 2.280 and enters and exits the mag well without issue... no issues there CHECK
Factory round passes easily in my Wilson 6.5 Grendel case gauge, so the cases are indeed SAMMI spec .. no issues there SUPER CHECK
I happen to have brand new unloaded Hornady Grendel brass, quick check with a wilson case gauge, this casing passes .. no issues there SUPER CHECK
Taking this same empty verified case gauge unloaded Hornady case, I point the rifle to the ground, while carefully placing the empty casing into the chamber, and let the BCG ride home, LOCKS INTO BATTERY, WTF
OK fine, this is crazy, Pull the charging handle back and the casing ejects like a champ .. no issues there CHECK
Notice a few scractches on the brass casing, hmm that's a little odd... *suspicions start to mount*, is my chamber not reamed out all the way? was it a bad ream job? WTF
Grab some of my homebrew rounds I have yet to test fire
Hornady Brass, CCI41 Primer, XBR powder, OAL 2.248, Identical measurements to the factory load, so this won't work either... confusion starts to set in WTF
JRB has untold amount of videos with a Faxon 6.5 grendel shooting 140+gr 6.5 rounds, how can I have issue chambering a 123gr SST? WTF
**WAIT** a second, I never did a visual inspection of the chamber WTF
Grab my handy dandy Streamlight Stylus Pro
Remove BCG and charging handle
Shine light down into chamber...
WHAT THE $%^&# PONY FACE CRAZYNESS IS GOING ON HERE!!
What do I see?
Perhaps the most atrocious filthy metal shavings fouled chamber I have ever seen
I start cursing myself, did I NEVER CLEAN/scrub the inside of this brand new barrel?
Did I catch a Friday/hotdate Faxon QA mishap? Are those burrs in the chamber?
Tried to take a pic, but couldn't get it to focus right etc...
Did I chase out a bunch of shavings when I cleaned it and somehow pull all manufacturing shavings into the chamber and never noticed? Surely not, that would have been crazy obvious when I was cleaning it.
After years of autistic levels of research, paying attention to every detail, handpicking every part, and I forgot to clean the barrel? You have got to be kidding me.
I find my handy dandy 6.5 Hoppes boresnake... It's still in the package, But I keep all my boresnakes in the plastic box to keep from getting them tangled with others, open the package... AND IT'S brand freaking new, I have never used it
***(Genius award goes to this guy)*****
Grab a bore copper brush from my Colt LE6920 factory cleaning kit and goto town with GunScrubber and CLP, let the CLP soak for a bit
Chase the barrel with boresnake starting from BCG end 3 times,
blast again with gunscrubber
Chase again with boresnake 2 times
Visual inspection, WOW THAT'S MUCH BETTER
CH and BCG return home to the upper
Upper back onto place with lower
Lock back BCG
Place factory Hornady Custom 123gr SST round into chamber gently
Let BCG ride home
SUCCESS!!!
Morale of the story?
Don't be a dumbass. Don't forget to clean and scrub your brand new barrel.
THE END
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Kswhitetails - 02-27-2020
HAHAHAHA!!! Love the honesty, I'd have posted the same damned thing! Thank you sir, I needed this laugh more than you know. Now, full report on first real range trip. Make it funny too.
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Kswhitetails - 02-27-2020
Jinkx Wrote:*STORY TIME*
You're kidding me, this isn't good.
WHAT THE $%^&# PONY FACE CRAZYNESS IS GOING ON HERE!!
***(Genius award goes to this guy)*****
Morale of the story?
Don't be a dumbass.
THE END
Gold man! GOLD!!!
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Jinkx - 02-27-2020
LOL!!! Man that was such a epic tale!! I literally wrote it as I went through the steps expecting I would discover some sinister QA Faxon failure.
When I discovered what it was I was like, wow... I'm an idiot!!!! Was chuckling as I posted it. Glad it made your day!! It's a lesson I wont soon forget!!!
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Jinkx - 03-03-2020
*The saga continues*
Long story short, after ANOTHER range trip with new found confidence in my ineptitude, after 2 shots the bolt again would not go into battery. I brought cleaning supplies and AGAIN scrubbed and cleaned the barrel... after that it seemed to improve slightly however it was still leaving bizarre markings on the brass. I also noticed the bullets were keyholing as close as 30 yards away... with only 123gr SST factory loads.
The 65 Gamma VG6 muzzle brake showed evidence of copper fouling from the bullet hitting the muzzle brake on the way out (second and third baffle).
I have determined that a RMA will be needed, and send this cursed barrel back from whence it came... hopefully Faxon will send me a non-Friday barrel that doesn't have a ridiculous amount of factory shavings shoved into every nook and muzzle threading that is concentric to the bore.
Will keep this thread updated as the process/progress continues.
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - PVBoom - 06-17-2020
update?
There are also a bunch of threads about Faxon barrels with burrs on the lugs and a need for chamber polishing.
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Jinkx - 06-17-2020
Due to COVID and personal situations I have not had a chance to retest the replacement barrel. Faxon did send me a replacement.
I initial optical inspection of the replacement barrel and chambering tests seems promising.
Hunting - Faxon 18" Gunner Lightweight (7lb 1oz) WITH Optic... build in progress - Jinkx - 06-17-2020
I also threw the VG6 65 muzzle brake in the trash just to be safe since I don't have a barrel rod to test for concentricity and replaced with a Griffin Armament 6.5 Tactical Comp.