Piggie Regulator

[DZelenka]

Several of the guys were discussing pigs and guns at lunch a few weeks ago and I tossed out the suggestion that an AR-15 in 6.8 SPC or 6.5 Grendel would make a good rig if you made it light and handy enough. Everyone thought it was a good idea and told me to order the parts. The result is below.

Lower receiver - Stag
Upper Receiver - LRB
Barrel - Palmetto State Armory 18" light profile 6.8 SPC II chamber graphite black cerakote
Handguard - Clark carbon fiber cut to 11"
Trigger - Geisselle SSA - Enhanced
Mount - Burris AR P.E.P.R.
Scope - various 2-7X and 3-9Xs This one happens to be a Nikon because it was in the safe looking lonely
Magazine - PRI 10 round (allow rounds loaded to 2.300" OAL)
I chose an A2 stock (which I am thinking about changing to an Ace skeleton), the other guys chose collapsible stocks because they have kids and want to let them hunt with them.
Without a scope or mount, the collapsible stocked guns weigh 5 lbs 13 oz, the A2 weighs 6 lbs 2 oz. The rifle in the picture weighs 7 lbs 7 oz all in.

We are thinking 95gr Barnes TTSX for hunting ammo. I hope they shoot.

 

[Kevin Thomas]

Hey Dan,
Nice, looking rig! Quick question for you here: did you run a carbine or mid length gas system here? Can't tell from the pics, and am considering a very similar build myself. I've pretty well decided to go with the mid-length, but was just curious.

 

[DZelenka]

Mid length gas system. From what I understand that length works best for the 6.8. A mid length float tube is 9" long but leaves the gas block exposed. Frankly, it makes the gun look like there is too much barrel sticking out. Clark cut it rifle length tube to 11" for me and I think it looks great.

Here are the rest of the gang:

 

[Kevin Thomas]

Thought so, but wasn't sure. Mine will likely wind up as a 6.5 simply because I've got a good supply of brass (!) available to me. In either case, it should be fun. Enjoy!

 

[DZelenka]

Thought so, but wasn't sure. Mine will likely wind up as a 6.5 simply because I've got a good supply of brass (!) available to me. In either case, it should be fun. Enjoy!

6.5 G wouldn't bother me a bit and the availability of good brass would certianly tip the scales that way. We ended up with 6.8s because there are more barrels available and because none of the other guys reload so they needed access to factory ammo.

Dan

 

[264WM]

Pig thumper 338 federal.

 

[DZelenka]

Pig thumper 338 federal.

That will certainly do the trick. The only issue that I have is weight, especially the weight of an AR-10. I am betting that thing weighs more than 7 1/2 lbs.

 

[DZelenka]

I had a chance to shoot the rifle today. I bore sighted it and fired 3 shots at 50 yards. Made a slight sight correction and moved the bench to 100 yards. My first group at 100 yards is below. I fired 2 more groups, but as the barrel heated up the shots began to string vertically a bit. Nothing was over an inch. This thing shows promise. 29.2 gr 10X, 95 gr TTSX, SSA case, CCI 450 primer, 2.295" OAL

 

[Kevin Thomas]

Can't knock the weight on an AR-10 too much there, Dan. Several of us on the LCSA team are building them right now at the behest of Steve Satern. He wants to set up a 1,000 yard Service Rifle team for Perry, so that's the route we're going. No more bedding, no more op rod issues, no more sight tweaks to keep them tight, you get the idea. They'll be weighted in typical NM fashion in the buttstock, just to add a little extra heft.

Think I'd want a bit more meat on a 338 Federal, too!

 

[DZelenka]

Can't knock the weight on an AR-10 too much there, Dan. Several of us on the LCSA team are building them right now at the behest of Steve Satern. He wants to set up a 1,000 yard Service Rifle team for Perry, so that's the route we're going. No more bedding, no more op rod issues, no more sight tweaks to keep them tight, you get the idea. They'll be weighted in typical NM fashion in the buttstock, just to add a little extra heft.

Think I'd want a bit more meat on a 338 Federal, too!

Last time I checked I could use my cart to schlep my 14 lb NM AR-15 around Perry. An AR-10 wouldn't be an issue under those circumstances. Humping through the woods is another thing entirely. The cool part about these rifles is that you can configure them for so many different purposes - from a lightweight carbine to a heavy match gun and many things in between. The design continues to amaze me with its versatility.

Dan

 

[Kevin Thomas]

No argument there! Should be a fun project, though. I'm sitting on the upper right now, Steve's got some lowers in for us and we'll be barrelling them up shortly. After that, I suspect there'll be a massive shopping trip up and down Commercial Row at Perry this year for the various knick-knacks and extras.

 

[264WM]

My AR 10 is light compared to my 264 WM at 12.5 lbs empty and no scope.

 

[DZelenka]

My AR 10 is light compared to my 264 WM at 12.5 lbs empty and no scope.

That is some barrel. I bet you can get some scortching velocities out of that thing.

I use some fairly heavy rifles for competition, but my hunting rifles are light in comparison to a lot I see on the forum. My long range hunting rig is a 7mm SAUM that is 9 lbs 13 oz with scope.

Dan

 

[264WM]

Its a Shilen 30" varmint contour with 1 in 8" twist. I will be getting a crono soon but I am guessing that a Sierra 85gr bullet above 3900 fps. Hodgdon lists it at 3812 fps with at least 4" less barrel.