LR308 Cycling Issue Solved! ( original 3.8oz buffer was too light!) 

My almost 50 year old NATO just going by feel alone had more punch! NATO is generally loaded to less power! That new Winchester M80 that I had really is crap!

Yes, this is the same rifle and now I'm thinking that the over velocity of the original Odin Works BCG was maybe what was hammering the back of the bolt lugs during the initial unlocking? Don't know for sure but the new Wilson Combat is just showing some normal Nitride polishing at the same location on the lugs but it has mostly been fired with the new buffer set up. I'm going to run some hotter 308 Winchester and see what the gas setting ends up being. I'm having some real suspicions about the Winchester M80 "White Box" being very much underpowered! Just going by feel the almost 50 year old Hirtenberger NATO felt like it had more punch in my shoulder. Being able to lock back at setting 10 seems to confirm what I was feeling. Overall though it seemed to have less felt recoil or the impulse just felt different after the buffer and spring switch. I was also now able to still see the target and also where the rounds were hitting while looking through the glass during firing. That wasn't possible with the Aero Precision buffer/spring. The bolt carrier and catch issue was resolved and again I think due to the heavier buffer and different spring. I initially thought it might be short stroking but it ended up having the exact opposite problem. More testing to come for sure!

There will be more future testing for sure! 308 is getting pricey and I didn't want to jinx anything today! A5 install will be coming up next on the first LR308 I built. Probably get both of them out together to see if there's much recoil difference between the Carbine vs A5 set up and try the Odin Works adjustable buffers! I was also using junk ammo today and will be trying some better stuff too.

Thanks! I think it's there but maybe just a little more fine tuning before I have full confidence!

Thanks! I'm thinking it was part of the problem! My goal was to get this rifle to run on anything so I think I'm there now? I haven't heard anything bad about AAC in gas guns and it also seems to be accurate enough. I'm going to give it a try!

@@peteregger7928 I've shot several hundred rounds of it and two different grains, only 1 or 2 issues, but, I'm running the Aero 3.8 and spring just like you lol. So if we meet up this time I'm in town you'll see my set up.

Thanks Malcolm! These LR308 rifles have taught me more about tuning in less than a year than all my AR-15's have since 1990. I don't wish divulge how many AR-15's I have! It could go two ways! That's all you got or that's damn near enough for a platoon! Lol!

@@peteregger7928 I'm right behind you lol

Thanks! I may do a little more fine tuning but the rifle will now run even on garbage ammunition!

Yes! It will be going on the first LR308 build I did! Stay tuned for more!

will do@@peteregger7928

Yes, my original thoughts especially on the bolt catch issue was "short stroking" but I had no prior experience with this exact problem. I've had some of my AR-15's in the past short stroke but I've never had any where the BCG was moving to fast and that it was more buffer/spring related then just strictly a gas issue. I learned something new on this one for sure! Another thing I learned reaching out to Clint at "Heavy Buffers" was that he gave me what he believed was an honest answer and not just trying to sell something!! He was right! Bonus clips are a result of my CRS condition! Lol!

@@peteregger7928 Are You Going to Upgrade The Other Rifle With The Same Buffer and Spring or Just Keep as Is Since it’s Working Good 👍🏼

I'll be installing the A5 in the other LR308. Even though it's working I have since found a wear issue on the buffer tube. It's the next video in the line up!@@chrischiampo7647

What he recommended for my A5 7.750" buffer tube was the XH Carbine buffer 8.5oz which is the 3.250" buffer using the 308 "Rifle" length spring. What I'm running in this rifle in this video is the standard CAR-15/M4 MilSpec 7.000" Carbine buffer tube with a CAR10XH buffer 6.5oz which uses the 2.5" stubby 308 buffer with a 308 Carbine buffer spring. These are carbine set-ups not for rifle even though the A5 uses a "Rifle" spring. This can get a little confusing and if you mix and match the wrong components bad stuff will happen. Most of the reason I went with Clint at "Heavy Buffers" is because he has ready to go set-ups and tells you the dos and don'ts. VLTOR has the offerings but their web site is a disaster and if you don't already know exactly what you need for LR308 you will have a very hard time figuring it out. For me anyway.

@@peteregger7928 you are correct. I went back and looked at the emails with Clint and it’s the XH carbine 8.5oz for the A5 buffer tube.

Good deal!@@jairoarizpe6275

The spring and buffer are a matched set from Heavy Buffers designed to work together. I may try the Odin Works 5.50 oz anyway but did not want the carrier to get hung up on the very top edge of the catch anymore and damage the rifle. Clint from Heavy Buffers suggested that I was having an over velocity issue with the BCG irregardless of gas settings which turned out to be right. Saw your comment in notifications asking about the gas tube but for some reason it doesn't show up here in the video. I'm running a custom 15.500" straight tube from White Oak Armament on this rifle. The first LR308 I built uses a 15.400". Ordered two different sizes because I thought that the 15.500" might be too long but it wasn't. No interference issues with the BCG gas keys on these builds.

@@peteregger7928 yes I apologize I had to delete multiple comments because I would ask something then within 10 minutes find the answer to my question in another video. I built one very similar to your but in 6.5 just waiting for headspace gauges.Have done tons of research on this style rifle . When starting the build I didn’t realize how many different variants of this style rifle there were and how there are still tolerance issue in parts even for the same pattern. If you decide you still want an adjustable gas block and decide to try a different one from the one you currently have I highly suggest the superlative arms adjustable.

No worries! A lot of times YT is jacked up and I try to respond to all comments. I find often times when comments make it into the video YT fails to provide a notification.@@JSJTOUTDOORS

If it's going to happen it's going to happen to me! Lol! It runs perfect with the almost 50 year old surplus NATO though. I have some suspicions about the Winchester! Need a chronograph! Glad yours works with anything. You are definitely in the minority!

@peteregger7928 just shot mine today after the new trigger and I put 5 different loads and bullets through it and not one problem my AR is all aero except the trigger. Not sure who built it I bought it from the store it was in the used section but was never fired it would not shot when I got it home turns out the firing pin was installed wrong. Maby that's why it was so cheep.

Mine is working now but I think the Winchester M80 I was using is seriously underpowered! I had to use full gas with it on setting 12 to lock back on the last round. The 18" barrel with rifle length gas that I'm using has about 5" of dwell distance from the gas port to the end of the muzzle so that doesn't help either when compared to a 20" or longer barrel. 7" of dwell distance and 0.200 milliseconds (200 micro seconds) is considered ideal for any caliber AR style platform. Most manufacturers say good enough at 0.180 milliseconds. I have no way to measure actual dwell time or know that these numbers are correct other than a general consensus from others that know much more than I do. I have a couple of other things that I'm going to try and fine tune it a little more so that in my mind it's 100% with anything I run through it. 99.9% there! The LR308 rifles seem to be sorted out when using a 5.5oz buffer, 308 rifle spring, 18.6oz BCG and most people running a .096" gas port opening with a .750" journal with 20" or longer barrels! The LR308 carbine set-ups especially when using rifle length gas systems are much more picky and difficult to tune. The gas port on this 18" Wilson Combat barrel is about .086-.088". The goal was to be able to run on anything reliably but have the ability to dial it down for hotter 308 Win loads and especially if running a suppressor. Last resort to tune this rifle will be to open the gas port up to .090" to start with. Sounds like you have a good solid functioning M5. Lots of videos where the M5 was purchased new from Aero Precision with never ending problems.@@Lucysdad66

@peteregger7928 I do have the 20" barrel and 7" gas block to end of barrel but I hand load and I only run high quality ammo like alpha brass match grade bullets and I have settled on varget for my powder it has low numbers and is perty clean so far most loads will shot under 1 inch.

I don't reload to often but I usually just stick with SAAMI. I have a Dillon XL650 and an RCBS Rock Chucker. I may try reloading for these LR308's with different charge weights but staying at 147 grain and get a chronograph. I have some BL-C(2) and CFE on hand but the last time I was looking for Varget it was unobtainium! @@Lucysdad66

I have learned they are very picky about ammunition. At this point I think an adjustable gas block is not optional if you need to calm things down for the hotter 308 Winchester vs NATO and especially if you're running a can! Definitely some issues with adjustable gas blocks but so far the RifleSpeed seems to be working. I did order some "bent" gas tubes at the correct length of 15.400" from White Oak Armament in case I change my mind and go with a standard gas block. I'm running a straight 15.500" in this rifle with no gas key issues on the BCG. For every video I see on YT where someone's LR308 works out of the box there's at least five more where the rifle doesn't work for one reason or another. Glad you got your's figured out!

@@peteregger7928 yeah they’re definitely more finicky, in general an ar15 will run everything from steel too m193 and be fine. I’ve swapped different brands of nato spec stuff in x51 and had to re tune my gun, it’s definitely something where sticking with 1 specific ammo will give the best results ime. Im just glad i decided to put mine together vs buying one in the same price range,the psa m110 and the ruger sfar both seem to to be prone to worse issues than just some gassing problems lol. I’m getting moa accuracy and 100% reliability with my hand loads and i haven’t had anything break yet though I’m only at about 1700 rounds all together. But I’ve seen a lot of sfars and psa guns doa

On the Ruger just one screw to hold the gas key on and lack of gas adjustment range! What were they thinking? That was a rhetorical question. Once I'm absolutely positive I don't have a gas leak issue I will probably open up the gas port a couple of thousandths and be able to run virtually anything that has dry powder! Glad you're getting the accuracy. I think my Wilson Combat's will do the same?@@itsamk18-ish

@@peteregger7928 i think a lot of companies are only thinking about profits and bank heavily on the fact that a lot of people don’t shoot their guns. If they don’t shoot then they’ll never encounter a problem,the ones who do shoot and have the problem will get screwed because of all the people that don’t shoot and swear the rifle is 100% amazing. 🙄. It definitely takes the good ammo to see that kind of accuracy but when i found the right load the gun loved it i was happy with it lol. I’m waiting on the new psa Sabre claw trigger to come back in stock, i wanna give it a try. People have been talking it up saying it’s as good or better than the larue and a little cheaper, maybe that will halp me squeeze some better groups out of it as I’m just using a really crappy milspec trigger now.

I think most YT reviews are very short term! Rare for anyone to come back thousands of rounds later talking about long term results. More and more these days manufacturers are putting garbage out the door and it often no longer matters how much you paid! I used Mil Spec triggers for a good long time until I realized just what a good trigger can do for you! I'm now a trigger snob! @@itsamk18-ish

Yes, MilSpec 7.000" buffer tube but now with a 6.5oz 308 carbine buffer and 29 coil 308 carbine spring. After about 20 rounds today I noticed manual unlocking using the charging handle had increased resistance. Pulled the bolt out of the carrier and cleaned it. It went back to nice and easy. I think that may be a break-in issue with the gas rings although with the inside being Nitrided I found that puzzling.

@@peteregger7928 Roger that, you also noted the recoil. My recoil is violent so I'm very certain I'll need this buffer weight and spring as well. I've got a WC muzzle device and all and the recoil is so bad I had to take my bipod off because the legs would collapse lol.

These 308's sure are fun aren't they! It feels about the same but how I notice there's a difference is I'm able to stay on target through the glass at about 150 yards. Couldn't do that before no matter how much I got behind the rifle. I'm not sure it's just the increased buffer weight as I think the spring he sells also has magical powers!@@DesertMariner2007

@@peteregger7928 interesting on the resistance, I've got the NIB coating on both the carrier and bolt and it does the exact same thing. I'm probably 500 rounds in on the new bolt, tried the 3 individual gas ring set up as well as the 1 piece. same issue either way.

I'm going to take a close look at the rings. I'm wondering if enough fouling is getting underneath them and forcing them to fit tighter in the carrier bore the more the rifle is fired? Could be another 308 thing!@@DesertMariner2007

Thanks! It's not as bad as I was making it out to be other than performance which is on the lower end. The NATO was 40+ years old but still very shiny. The NATO still ran hotter and better than the new Winchester M80. Definitely would not run any steel case ammunition through this rifle though!

How’s that gas gun on brass? Does it beat it up really bad?

Very minor ejector swipe mark but with no indentations or damage but you could see it. Just a little shiny spot. Very minor nicks on the rim from the extractor on the Winchester M80. There were literally no indications of firing on the NATO so I'm thinking a better quality brass on the near 50 year old surplus Hirtenberger than the new Winchester.@@rifleshooterchannel208

@@peteregger7928 That Hirt might be Berdan primed but that’s awesome it’s not tearing it up too bad. I had a buddy with a .243 AR-10 type and it would demolish brass 😂

Sounds like my old Mini 14! That thing would launch brass into low orbit! Rim damage and bashed necks would ensue! Gave it to my son! Here you fix it! Lol!@@rifleshooterchannel208