Having never owned a 308 in any configuration and having a great lightweight 7-08 bolt gun to carry when my Mashburn is overkill. There was only one logical answer.
No one mass produces any 308 AR platform that interested me so I threw one together. I have to say that I do like it a lot. Easy to shoot well, easy to keep feed, and a real pleasure to get behind recoil wise.
Aero Precision M5 matched upper and lower
APF Armory nickel boron bcg
Geissele G2S
Norgon ambi-catch mag release
Battle Arms Development BAD-ASS-ST short throw ambi safety selector
Seekins Precision enhanced bolt catch
KNS Precision gen II mod II non rotating pin set
AXTS Raptor charging handle
BHW 18" 1x8.5 twist, light contour, rifle length gas
Syrac gen II adjustable gas block
WMD nitro met gas tube
Midwest industries gen II SS 12" handguard
Magpul UBR stock
Spikes Tactical ST-T3 buffer, modified for fit and function
JP Enterprises carbine buffer spring
Magpul K2+ grip
Bobro Engineering 30mm mount B03-200-300
Leupold Mark4 MR/T M2 2.5-8x36 with illuminated TMR
It took a little work putting together but that's the price you pay when you mix and match non mil spec parts from all over. In the end I can not think of a single thing that I would change.

Looks great!! Where did you find the receiver set? Ive been looking for the AERO sniper set

How much does the rifle weigh loaded?

I picked it up from Aero probably 7 or 8 months ago. They didn't stay in stock for very long and I have no idea how many were produced. Good luck with your search.

15.4# with sling, bipod and 20 rounds of 168gr matchkings.
12.6# the way I hunt it.

Looks good. Why the 8.5 twist rate?

Looks very nice great build list!

200gr. Lapua FMJBT Subsonic fly real nice out to 200 yards and are still stable and pack some punch.

Here is a few targets if anyone is wondering about BHW barrel quality. This one is super easy to clean and fouls very little.

Nice looking rifle and build list, les. Anything you'd change to reduce weight?

PS- Natchez has IMR4350 for $178.99, delivered to my door was $229.11. However, now I see Midsouth has it for $161.52 + hazmat and delivery.

At first I thought I would like to go with a lighter stock because it's a little butt heavy. But the more I shoot it in its intended role the more I like it. For me the little extra weight in the rear helps settle it in the rear bag. It's not made to clear houses but banging steel at 750 yards as fast as you can settle the crosshairs and break the trigger will give you a woody. A can would make it really uber


The 4350 load is slow, the same zero drops them in 3" lower than the Varget load but it's got room to grow. It's just a middle of the book load.

Great package, Les!

The only change suggestion I could make is for it to change addresses to my house.

BTW, have you tried ~44.0 gr IMR-4064 with that Sierra 168? If not, you might want to give it a try.

Ed

that 44/4064 is a long standing good load for 168s!!!

Yeah, RIO7 turned me onto it last month. I've only been loading for and shooting a .308 for about 25 years and had never considered 4064. Now I'm trying to catch up.

Oh, 44/4064 works great for 150's too.

Ed

Thanks Ed
4064 is probably my most neglected powder. I still have about 1/2# of the first and only jug I ever bought. Might as well finish it off and see what I get.

I just tried 41gr of AR Comp behind a 175 Sierra. It rocked - with a single-digit SD.

42.2gr of 4064 with the 175's has been awesome in my AR and bolt guns.

2500fps from a 17" barrel.

Shoots sub MOA in my bolt guns and LMT. Has replaced Varget as my go to for .308, same load as above!

A lot of talk on the 308 so I thought I'd bring this back to the top.

I bought a Rock River 308 Varmint. Shoots great but very heavy.

Mine is very similar runs an SWFA 3-15 and shoots most loads very well.

It really likes that 150 ttsx and R15 as shown and is my hunting load.