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Faxon - qpq nitrided barrel question
#1
Just received my 16" faxon gunner barrel for a new upper, looks real nice but I have one question:
For a qpq finish, which is harder than normal steel, has anybody had trouble with setscrew gas blocks? This barrel does not have the dimple underneath that I'm used to seeing on other barrels... so will the setscrews still hold tightly OK?
That dimple also helped me align my GB during install... o well...

I'm going to use this one for my "shorter" barrel woods huntin' rig...
"Down the floor, out the door, Go Brandon Go!!!!!"
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#2
I didn’t use any dimples on barrel for my gas block but I did bed my gas block and set screws with blue Permatex thread locker. This was on a 16” Faxon group buy barrel. So far mine has been gtg.
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#3
I've used blue locktite on the screws for a couple builds... hmm, may have to follow your lead on this one.
"Down the floor, out the door, Go Brandon Go!!!!!"
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#4
still waiting on my GB 18-er... BTF says 2-3 weeks now...
tick tock, tick tock!!
"Down the floor, out the door, Go Brandon Go!!!!!"
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#5
Just use the surface intolerante thread locker . Let it dry a few days , then install the screws to proper torque settings.
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#6
An old man once told me that when using setscrews without dedicated dimples to tighten/loosen/tighten them a number of times to let the setscrew really bite into the barrel. Have done it and seems his advise may have been true.
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#7
Lastrites Wrote:An old man once told me that when using setscrews without dedicated dimples to tighten/loosen/tighten them a number of times to let the setscrew really bite into the barrel. Have done it and seems his advise may have been true.

+1... Never heard from the old man, but that's exactly the way I've done it on 15+ builds along with loktiting the set screws. 0 zilch nada issues...
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#8
AZHTfreak Wrote:+1... Never heard from the old man, but that's exactly the way I've done it on 15+ builds along with loktiting the set screws. 0 zilch nada issues...

Lastrites/AZHTfreak,
10-4, now for this being a qpq/nitrided barrel it's much harder than a normal steel surface so I was not sure how that would work. I've tightened them into the surface however and do get some marking. Took some careful measuring first but I now have some good marks to reference off of. They're not super-pronounced bitemarks but they are there so that helps. Will finish it off with some - either purple loctite (since the setscrews are << 1/4") or the surface-insensitive blue.

Had to put the truck into the shop this morning so a bit behind schedule.

R/
GF
"Down the floor, out the door, Go Brandon Go!!!!!"
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#9
foxman - most set screws are machined with a slight recess on the face of them. THis creates kind of a biting edge that will cut into the metal surface that it is tightening against. As stated above, crank 'em down a little extra and that edge will make its own dimple. Just be sure that it is in the right place, first!
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#10
grayfox, any updates on this? Was looking at this barrel for the same reasons you bought it but can't seem to find much info on it.
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#11
I'm actually testing out the upper as we speak. As described above, the screws do have a slight recess and corresponding edge which does give a small surface cut into the qpq. I've tightened the up and also added a U-shape of loktite purple that circles to the rear of the GB/gas port hole on the journal, leaving the forward part open (I did this so that sliding on the GB, I would know where the LT went and it would not interfere with the port).
I have an adjustable GB but have left it open for now during the breakin and testing. I don't shoot barrels red-hot.

Best hand-load so far over my magnetospeed is 100 gr Amax with 33.1 of CFE223, avg 2668 and SD=3.
The Fed AE 90 TNT's (factory) also shoot very well, going 2839, sd=6... and Factory Hornady 123sst's are 2405 (which seems a tad slow but it is what it is).

So overall I'm pretty happy with the barrel. Its profile and 2" shorter length makes it lighter to carry around and I've found at least 2 loads that I can use with it. I have longer ones/heavier ones plus the howa for bench or stand-shooting. I wanted a carry-about style one as well.
"Down the floor, out the door, Go Brandon Go!!!!!"
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#12
Thanks for the info.
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#13
Look at the 16" open group buy offers too...
http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthrea...post174023
"Down the floor, out the door, Go Brandon Go!!!!!"
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#14
I've seen those, but I think I'm going to go for the gunner profile, trying to make the lightest rifle I can. I'm sure the weight difference is minimal but it's more for something to do.
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#15
No problem, I mention it to let you know of options.....
I'm in on the 18" barrels so will build that one in a week or two.
"Down the floor, out the door, Go Brandon Go!!!!!"
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#16
Guess it's too late for you now, but I drilled dimples in the Faxon 20" group buy barrel using a SLR dimpling jig. Was not any different than drilling any other stainless barrel. Called SLR before I attempted it and they told me they had drilled 100's of Faxon QPQ barrels and to "go for it". Even used a regular tool steel bit. John
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#17
olde sarge Wrote:Guess it's too late for you now, but I drilled dimples in the Faxon 20" group buy barrel using a SLR dimpling jig. Was not any different than drilling any other stainless barrel. Called SLR before I attempted it and they told me they had drilled 100's of Faxon QPQ barrels and to "go for it". Even used a regular tool steel bit. John

This is the preferred method
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#18
Thanks!
Good to know. Right now she's all together and shooting, so I'll watch how the performance goes.
"Down the floor, out the door, Go Brandon Go!!!!!"
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