Lilja 319 Build Complete with Maxim Firearms Bolt

[dmsims21]

I finally got my first AR built. I am pretty pumped. It turned out very well. I went slow with the build and did most of the fine details I learned on the forum.

My journey started a year ago when I ordered a complete entry upper from AA. I gave up on it in September and decided to build my own with a Lilja 319. The barrel ended up being the last piece. I got it the same day I got the AA upper.

Lower
Oly Arms forged lower. I did my own trigger job with the set screw in the grip screw hole.
Magpul ACS-L stock

Upper
Vltor MUR w/ forward assist.
PF bolt carrier
MF Bolt
Rock Hollow Tactical Carbon Fiber Handguard
Lilja 319, fluted 8T barrel
Vltor VC-301 flash hider

Tweaks
Bolt - I polished the extractor and smoothed the rough edges. I also polished the ejector face and rounded the edge.
I polished the bolt face by super gluing some fine grit sand paper to the bottom of a case. I then held the case against the bolt while I spun the bolt with a drill.
I also trimmed the ejector spring, so the ejector was just above the bolt when not compressed.
Extension - I polished the extension lugs so they wouldn't scratch the brass on its way out.

All of that paid off. The brass looks almost brand new after firing. It also ejects straight out at 3 o'clock and lands in a small pile 6ft away. I could have caught it all in a 5gal bucket.

I tried for one group with Factory SST. I pulled my 5th shot, but before that, I had a .7" group. It shoots very smooth. You can easily watch hits on steel at 100yds.

Paint
I painted the upper, lower, and barrel with KG Gun Kote Mil Spec OD Green. I am really happy with it. I know it isn't the most durable coating, but it is easy to apply.

Weight and Balance
It weighs in a just over 6lbs w/o scope and just under 7.5lbs w/ scope.
It balances right under the serial number on the mag well. I am not sure if that is good or not. It feels nice when shooting off hand. I was able to hit a 5" plate at 100yds while standing.

[dmsims21]

Working on pics

[Kikn]

Very nice. I also have a 319 from lilja. Cant wait to see some photos and more range report's.

[dmsims21]

I just had everything hand tight when I took these, so don't bust me for not having the flash hider lined up.

[Hank Rearden]

Very nice.
Congratulations on your family's new addition.

[montana]

That is one classy looking Grendel, I love the OD green paint job. You took your time and it shows, The upper receiver, hand guard and paint job came together perfectly.

Don't you love it when a project comes together this good? Good looking and a good shooter, Great job!

[dmsims21]

I didn't lap the receiver face or bed the barrel. There was some clearance with the extension (about 0.003", so I painted the extension OD to take up some of the clearance. I left the shoulder on the extension clear. Added about 0.0015" to the OD.
Everything must be square. When I took my scope off of my 308 and put it on the Grendel, the scope was only off 4 MOA left and 4 High. I thought that was pretty lucky.

Here is the rifle before I painted the barrel. Some of my friends wanted me to leave it naked stainless, but I thought it was too flashy. I really like how the paint job turned out.

I also included a pic with the HG off. The barrel with the fluting look so good, it is hard to cover it up.

[montana]

I didn't lap the receiver face or bed the barrel. There was some clearance with the extension (about 0.003", so I painted the extension OD to take up some of the clearance. I left the shoulder on the extension clear. Added about 0.0015" to the OD.
Everything must be square. When I took my scope off of my 308 and put it on the Grendel, the scope was only off 4 MOA left and 4 High. I thought that was pretty lucky.

Here is the rifle before I painted the barrel. Some of my friends wanted me to leave it naked stainless, but I thought it was too flashy. I really like how the paint job turned out.

I also included a pic with the HG off. The barrel with the fluting look so good, it is hard to cover it up.

Some AR paint jobs seem like a good idea until they are completed and then the colors just don't seem to mesh. I like the OD green on the barrel, it blended in perfectly. I know what you mean by being a little hesitant about covering up the polished Lilja barrel, they are a thing of beauty by themselves but you chose right.

[Tedward]

Looks really good, i like the paint job for sure. Since I didn't get a 319, what is the length of that? 18"?

[dmsims21]

It measures right at18.5" from muzzle to bolt face. It is 18.88 overall, including the extension. 0.825" under the HG and 0.75" to the end.
It has a mid length gas system. I also got an H2 buffer, so it shoots smooth.

[LRRPF52]

Excellent build and KG Gun Kote job. I really like how this turned out for you. That Rock Hollow handguard looks sweet as well. He's a fellow forum member that you all can find in the Industry Section.

[burkew23]

Looks great, how did the Vltor logo still show up after the paint job? I like it, just curious if you had to tape it off or if it just showed through.

[dmsims21]

The KG Gun Kote is pretty thin, so the white logo showed through. Lucky surprise. I think it adds to the look.

Thanks for all the kind remarks. I owe a lot of thanks to this forum. I am very happy with it.
A few yrs ago, I thought ARs were a waste. I had shot a basic Mil Spec version and didn't like the sproing sound in the stock and the 2" groups.
Once I started looking into the 6.5 Grendel and possible accuracy with a quality build, I knew it was the way to go.

It will do everything I need my 308 to do with less powder (cheaper) and less recoil (see my hits though the scope, and more fun. My new rifle is also lighter and shorter.

I hope to shoot some groups soon.

[dmsims21]

I am pleased with the HG too.

1. Carbon fiber is awesome.
2. It is light weight.
3. It won't suck all the heat energy out of my hands when hunting in the cold. I can't imagine how an aluminum HG feels in winter.

[dmsims21]

Anyone have any thoughts on where the ideal balance point should be on a rifle?
To me it would be right at the base of the HG so it carries in one hand well.

[Drifter]

Anyone have any thoughts on where the ideal balance point should be on a rifle?
To me it would be right at the base of the HG so it carries in one hand well.

Many have said "the delta ring".

I tend to agree, more so for shooting, but works well for carrying too.

[dmsims21]

Looks great, how did the Vltor logo still show up after the paint job? I like it, just curious if you had to tape it off or if it just showed through.

I looked at the upper a little closer and realized that the paint actually covered the white color. You can still see the logo because the texture of the logo is rougher than the rest of the upper, so it makes it makes it stand out.

[dmsims21]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]5776[/ATTACH]
I have been doing some shooting and load development with my rifle.
My shooting and loads have been steadily improving. I started out at just under 1 MOA with 0.9" groups. Then I got into the 8s then the 7s and then a 0.64" five shot group.

I really need to focus on my technique since my rifle is fairly light.

Well today I broke into the 5s. I shot at 0.56" group. I measured it at 0.59", but OnTarget measured it at 0.56. I pulled the bottom shot a little. I think there is still room for improvement.

Load Data
123gr A-Max
1 Fired Lapua
31.2gr CFE-223
2.25 OAL
2517 fps (faster than Factory 123 SST in my rifle)

I really like CFE-223. It is accurate, clean, and it meters very very well. That load is a little over gassed though. I get ejector swipe, FTF, and failure to lock the bolt back on the last round. I guess I should get an adjustable gas block.

I my rifle also likes 28.0gr of 8208. It spits them out right at 2500 fps.
My velocities with 8208 are very consistent.
I shot 107gr SMKs over 29.6 gr of 8208, 2.26 OAL.
Average was 2647 fps with an extreme spread of 6 fps.

[usmc1371]

Wow nice group.

[Sputnik]

Excellent build and KG Gun Kote job. I really like how this turned out for you. That Rock Hollow handguard looks sweet as well. He's a fellow forum member that you all can find in the Industry Section.

I tried to order a 12 inch vented HG from Rock Hollow, but was refunded. Any word on what is going on or when/if he will be back at making HG's?