Lightweight 6.8 SPC II AR

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How long a handguard for this mid-length gas ported barrel?

Mid-length gas ports are usually 9-1/2" from chamber, so a 10" or longer handguard would cover a lo-pro gas block.

Are Toolcraft BCGs ok - I see them for about $90?

I don't have any personal experiences with Toolcraft bolts, but have heard good things about them, recently it seems that some people are wondering about their quality due to they've come down in price pretty significantly, but those are just assumptions I think at best by those people. Toolcraft in the past has been considered a very good BCG. I wouldn't hesitate to use one.

Is the PEPR v. Aero LT mount difference really 5 oz.? seems a big difference.

Yes the Aero LT is a lot lighter then the Burris PEPR. The PEPR was long considered the best value for a one piece but was heavy. Then Aero came out with their LT and was close to the same price and a lot lighter.
 
Link? (if you don't mind)

https://www.primaryarms.com/asc-6-8-spc-magazine-15-round

Description:

Ammunition Storage Components 6.8 Special Stainless Steel Magazine is a high quality, exceptionally reliable magazine designed specifically for the popular 6.5 Grendel cartridge. Manufactured entirely in the United States of America using 0.020 gauge 410 Stainless Steel Alloy using cutting edge robotic manufacturing techniques and finished with ASC's proprietary Marlube finish. Marlube is a wear-in coating that burnishes the surface and provides self-lubricating properties for further enhanced reliability. These quality AR mags feature interior dimensions with an over-all length of 2.316" (+- .002"), making them ideal for handloads.
 
Gun Mag Warehouse has 5rd and 25rd mags in stock, not out of line price wise.

How long a handguard for this mid-length gas ported barrel?

Are Toolcraft BCGs ok - I see them for about $90?

Varminterror - yes, I thought as much but it's good to have it confirmed.

Gtscotty, very nice - and just what I had in mind, it looks like you can get very near 7 lbs. with scope and mount. Is the PEPR v. Aero LT mount difference really 5 oz.? seems a big difference.

I'm using the 12" with my mid-length gas barrel, the gas block is tucked in a few inches, but you wouldn't be able to go down to a 9" without exposing the gas block.

I've always heard good things about Toolcraft BCGs. I got a complete Grendel Toolcraft BCG on sale for~$70, so that's what I'm running in my carbine... working well thus far.

I weighed my P.E.P.R. at around 8oz, and the extended Aero Ultralight is listed at a hair over 3oz, so pretty much 5oz difference. I've had the P.E.P.R for a long time, wouldn't buy one now just because of the weight and the better options that have come to market.

You can see the difference in chunkiness in this picture:

IMG_20191208_112931155~01.jpg

I see you found that Silencerco makes a single chamber ASR brake. Nice for cutting weight. What suppressor do you have?
That's a nice carbine you got there.

Thanks, that's actually a Griffin Armament Minimalist Taper brake in that photo. I'll use that brake on that rifle with my DA Nomad when it gets approved, but as of right now, I'm using a Liberty Sovereign on that carbine (and most of my other rifles).

I also have a SiCo Saker with DT and ASR mounts, but It's a heavy pig, so it only gets used on my AR pistol these days, everything else gets the Sovereign.
 
I’ve got a bunch of Toolcraft BCG’s, and the only problem I’ve ever had was a weak ejector spring in a new 450 Bushmaster bolt. I keep extras, so I just replaced the spring rather than losing time sending it back.

Toolcraft doesn’t manufacture bolts, just carriers, and I don’t know who they source their bolts from. They do warranty the bolts though.
 
Also, Weaver makes a very nice MSR mount "made in USA" part # 99679 for 1" or 99680 for 30 mm.
 
I put these two 6.8s together last time I was home. I wasn't necessarily going for a lightweight build, but they aren't much heavier than your standard M4. You can tell there is more weight in the barrel but it's not horrible

Both are Aero Precision receiver sets, the camo has a Aero handguard. I can't remember what the blue handguard is, but it is a thinner profile which is nice.
Aero Precision parts kits with some Strike Industries pieces here and there
Larue MBT 2 stage triggers, which I can't recommend high enough. Probably the best $80 you'll put into the thing
Wilson Combat 16" Fluted barrel, Nickle Boron BCG, gas block and tube.
Leupold Mark AR 3-9x40 on the blue one. The camo has a junk 3-9 as a placeholder in the pic, the Leupold will go on next week.
Magpul furniture on the blue, Aero on the camo
They both function great, the blue one just stacks rounds at 100. I'm hoping to get the scope replaced and sighted in on mine next week so I can try it out some before deer season ends.
IMG_0626.JPG IMG_0627.JPG
 
I’ve been watching and taking notes here with a similar goal of “lighter” build and there are indeed great responses. Though we have different planned purposes, much of this information is universal when it comes to weight savings. After a revamp of my bloated middy I realized a weight savings by chucking the very heavy 1/2 quad rail. I’ve since realized that I could have easily seen bigger gains with a barrel swap but then it was the heart of that rifle.

Keeping all of that in mind, and having once again orphaned one of my rifle lowers (purchased 2 complete uppers that went to my kids) I finally nailed down parts. I chose a BA 16” Pencil mid-gas, low pro combo and was considering ultralight or shorter length rails but ultimately felt the potential utility of a full length was justified. In searching for handguards I noted that Odin Works looks to be getting out of the Keymod business and their site was blowing out everything for $99 (many now out of stock). If you don’t attach anything other than a sling it won’t matter (Keymod vs M-LOK) and they look to be good quality.

I can also testify that stocks like the ACS are substantially heavier than a MOE or minimalist stock but they keep that weight at your shoulder rather than at arm’s length. Won’t help while you’re walking but no real penalty while shouldering and a good stock, especially with a scoped rifle pays dividends. I’ll also echo the chorus on careful selection of a scope/mount combo as a great way to trim weight where no creature comforts are sacrificed.

On ToolCraft BCGs; yes they only make carriers. Some are contract with cage code so people pay more but they don’t skimp on their quality either way. As to the price differences you see around the web, they’re a result of various finishes and bolts being used. Some places purchase complete groups from ToolCraft while others buy carriers and add everything else which may result in better or worse quality. I buy ToolCraft for all of my builds but if I were looking for a precision build I would further investigate other offerings.
 
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