Which does the Vile Horde like best?

[montana]

At our club we have had a few different barrel spline socket rod/reaction rods in our shop. I am not a "buy the most expensive one”, kinda guy. But I would never buy a rod without a sail. Our Midwest version is well worth the extra few bucks. The sail is a must for me because I don’t do this kind of rifle work until I want to do a build or swap out a barrel, so maybe about 3-5 times a year. The sail helps take pressure away from the barrel index pin and receiver slot where, if a problem occurs, it usually occurus there. The sail also keeps everything in line and in time. We have used other types of reaction rods but everyone goes back to the Midwest rod. The Brownell’s is my least favorite. Nothing is keeping it true and wobble free during the torquing. Here is a good vid explaining it from a guy that knows his sh!t without any bias. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4AHiVGdfFQ video is from Chad Albrecht from School of the American Rifle. Very knoweledgable guy. Lots of great videos.

Yup, not only does the Midwest reaction rod have a sail to keep pressure off the barrel index pin, but it works as a gauge demonstrated in the video. If the upper receiver slot is over sized, the Midwest RR will keep the barrel index pin straight so the barrel won't clock in the upper receiver..One thing I have noticed when tightening the barrel nut, the upper will squeeze around the barrel taking up any slop between the barrel and upper..This is making me question the necessity of bedding the barrel..