My M305 Black Feather DMR style project

AbHobbyist

AbHobbyist

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Hello all!!

Some of you may recognize me from the Black Rifle forums.

For the most part, I really don't post pictures any more of builds. However I am so pleased with how this one turned out I thought I would share.

Near the end of 2012 for various reasons, the M-14 style of platform once again peaked my interest.

One of the most exciting developments for the M-14 platform has been the Black feather chassis system, in conjunction with the CasM optics mount.

Finally there is a solid, repeatable solution for mounting conventional optics. The only down side is you have to be “alright” with the lost of the rear sight, as the rear of the optic mount sits in the rear sight pocket. This gives it, its solidness. Couple that with a light, ridged, and affordable chassis system, and I think you have a real winner.

While I am relatively new to the Platform, I learn relatively quickly, and I have a few friends that can help out. ;-)

I got together with a smith friend of mine, and we started to chat about the possibility of building a DMR style rifle on a 22".

The aim of this project was to

-change only those parts that offered the greatest amount of value for the dollars spent (IE spring guide, muzzle treatment etc)

-retain as many of the original parts as possible, and simply tune them for optimum performance.

The following is the fruit of the mentioned discussion. Its not quite in its final configuration, as the ergonomics and optics arrangement still need a little tweaking, but its close enough that I thought I would share some pictures.

Some of the parts included

  • A-1 stlyle but stock, with stock ammo sock, and QD style sling swivel
  • A-2 Ruberized grip
  • Black arrow Fluted Steel spring quide
  • Tango Down Advance combat bi-pod
  • Leupy 4.5-14x40 with AO, mil-dot, after market windage turret, Kill flash, and bulter Creek flip up cover (this is a 1" tube)
  • Optic is held in place by TPS 1" rings
  • Genuine Springfield Armory M1A muzzle break
  • I am waiting on an Extened mag release, and Extened bolt release from ArmTac. (not shown)


To date I have not really had a chance to shoot her in earnest. However I can say that the live-fire testing with various ball (both brass and steel cased) at an indoor range was very promising.

Pictures as follows. I will do my best to answer any questions you might have, and I look forward to any constructive comments you might have

regards and all the best

AbH

DMR-s-01_zpseed45f19.jpg


DMR-s-02_zpse72c8ccb.jpg


DMR-s-03_zpsa5073860.jpg


DMR-s-04_zpsc2e70b54.jpg


DMR-s-05_zps16232c65.jpg


DMR-s-06_zpseb205c92.jpg


DMR-s-07_zps6696cc10.jpg


DMR-s-08_zps0ae378ab.jpg


DMR-s-09_zps00b50fdc.jpg


DMR-s-10_zps47dba15a.jpg
 
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Looks pretty good. The Black Feather sure looks like a winner!
How do you like the bipod Is that an innertube on the grip?
 
Can-down

Thx for the kudo's

There are some things that I really like about the bipod
-compared to others its light and suprisingly strong
-does not really seem to effect ballance
-the legs lengthen enough to shoot well from prone, and over 12" tall grass
-it pivots well from left to right

My main beef with it is it does not swivel, so getting it level can be a pain.

Yes, some one aplied inner tube to that grip, in the Pat Rogers style.

I really like how they have done it, as they actually built up the grip. They did a really great job, and I would like to be able to replicate it.
It may not be very pretty, but it works really well. I want to take it apart and figure out how they did it, but I simply have not had time, and I keep moving it from build to build.

Regards

AbH
 
AbHobbyist said:
My main beef with it is it does not swivel, so getting it level can be a pain.

Yes, some one aplied inner tube to that grip, in the Pat Rogers style.

I really like how they have done it, as they actually built up the grip. They did a really great job, and I would like to be able to replicate it.
It may not be very pretty, but it works really well. I want to take it apart and figure out how they did it, but I simply have not had time, and I keep moving it from build to build.

Regards

AbH
Click to expand...


Interesting I thought those bi pods had some swivel as well as side to side motion.
I've used innertube's myself in the past in the same fashion!
 
GunNewb

I only have a bathroom scale, and I don't consider those accurate enough to give a proper reading on the weight of the rifle, and I am not really prepaired to hazard a guess

While I am no expert, to my eye, the BF stock system raises the center line of the stock closer to bore line. So recoil SHOULD be more straight back then back and up.

The link you included at the bottom of your post is for a Magpul PRS.

While I considered this stock for my build, I am really conficted.

While this is indeed a DMR style rifle, its not quite what I would consider a precision rifle (consitantly capable of repeatable 1 MOA groups or less), and thus I am not sure the the weight and cost of a PRS stock is warranted or justified in this case.

To be fair, based on my research, if I can get repeatable 1.5-2.0 MOA out of this gun I would be pleased and pleasantly surprised.

Your milage may varry.

regards

AbH

Edited to add:

Remember, this is a battle rifle, with a battle rifle trigger/fire control group, and a relatively long, but skinny and whippy barrel.
Further, remember what your paying for these rifles, and match your expectations accordingly.

Aslo, for those of your that are intersted, I would highly recomend Hungy's excellent post on

So you Wanna make your Norinco-Plinko M14 into a M25 DMR or M21 Sniper Wannabe rifle

He goes into great detail on the work, care and cost of going down said road.
 
AbHobbyist said:
GunNewb

I only have a bathroom scale, and I don't consider those accurate enough to give a proper reading on the weight of the rifle, and I am not really prepaired to hazard a guess

While I am no expert, to my eye, the BF stock system raises the center line of the stock closer to bore line. So recoil SHOULD be more straight back then back and up.

The link you included at the bottom of your post is for a Magpul PRS.

While I considered this stock for my build, I am really conficted.

While this is indeed a DMR style rifle, its not quite what I would consider a precision rifle (consitantly capable of repeatable 1 MOA groups or less), and thus I am not sure the the weight and cost of a PRS stock is warranted or justified in this case.

To be fair, based on my research, if I can get repeatable 1.5-2.0 MOA out of this gun I would be pleased and pleasantly surprised.

Your milage may varry.

regards

AbH

Edited to add:

Remember, this is a battle rifle, with a battle rifle trigger/fire control group, and a relatively long, but skinny and whippy barrel.
Further, remember what your paying for these rifles, and match your expectations accordingly.

Aslo, for those of your that are intersted, I would highly recomend Hungy's excellent post on

So you Wanna make your Norinco-Plinko M14 into a M25 DMR or M21 Sniper Wannabe rifle

He goes into great detail on the work, care and cost of going down said road.
Click to expand...


yeah I hear that as far as the limitations of the platform go. It takes trained US military gunsmiths to make those DMRs.

In the US it prolly doesnt make sense to go all out and make an m14 DMR unless you like the platform. Whatwith the AR10, scar H, etc etc.....


Something I dont hear often is what are OUR alternatives to a gussied up m14?(only nonrestricted guns count of course)


For me it's....

-nonrestricted
- accurate enough for hunting out to as far as deer are ethically shot with the cartridge
- a semi auto "tactical rifle" that doesnt weight 20 lbs.
 
GunNewb said:
yeah I hear that as far as the limitations of the platform go. It takes trained US military gunsmiths to make those DMRs.

In the US it prolly doesnt make sense to go all out and make an m14 DMR unless you like the platform. Whatwith the AR10, scar H, etc etc.....

Something I dont hear often is what are OUR alternatives to a gussied up m14?(only nonrestricted guns count of course)

For me it's....

-nonrestricted
- accurate enough for hunting out to as far as deer are ethically shot with the cartridge
- a semi auto "tactical rifle" that doesnt weight 20 lbs.
Click to expand...

GunNewb

Well if can offer my thoughts.......

While there are indeed some very tallented smiths south of the 49th, we here in Canada have some very tallented and forward thinking smiths as well, so no need to dispare in that deparment

Further, from an M-14 stand point, we are very fortunate here in Canada. It is my understanding, that our friends to the south do not have access to these inexpensive chinese M-14 coppies. Further it is my understanding that the inexpensive Chineses recivers are forged and not cast.(those that know feel free to correct me)

Also, you do not need a smith to get the most out of your Norinco, good armour skills can take this platform a long way. We are very fortunate to have Hungry up here to share his skills, advice, and tweeks to get the most out of this platform. I would strongly recomend that if you have any interest at all in the platform, that you attend one of his clinics. There is a ton to learn, and you will be bettter for it. I plan to attend at leat one, as time and resources allow.

As to alternatives to the M-14 for none-resticted platforms, well that is truly beyond the scope of this post, and better discussed else where

I can tell you with confidence that this combo is much less than 20 lbs ;-)

While I can not speak to hunting (I gave that up long ago), I am pretty confident that given some time, both at the shooting and reloading bench, that my metal gongs will be routinely harrassed with regularlity out to 500M.

Beyond that, well I have a Rem 700 police bolt action 300 win mag in an MDT 21 chasis for that kind of work.

Food for thought no??

regards

AbH
 
I think a DMR style scope like a nice quality 1-4x would really set that beauty off ;) lol AbH you know Im kidding.

The build looks great and thank you for sharing, yet again it seems are interests are the same, gets me all pumped up to start my simular build. I cant wait to see a nice range report once you get to run it thru its paces.

Cheers
 
Love the look very nice. Like it alot with that A2 stock.

I've done something similar but with a 18.5" barrel. But I'm missing some parts like Flash hider, scope and rings for the scope.

May I ask. Where did you get that flash hider?

Thanks
 
Factionrr

Bah!!! LOL!!

Working on getting a range report, but as the weather has turned nice, there are a lot of other jobs arround the house that have claimed my attention.

ScottM:
The investment is quite substantial, but in the end, many times you get what you paided for.
In my case, I bought parts, as I could afford them, and then sent it to my smith when I had them all.
Not only did he put the rifle together, he also did a heck of a lot of tuning work.

Vigilant
That is a Springfield Armoury M1A muzzle break, and I got here on the CGN EE

Hope that helps.

regards

AbH
 
GunNewb said:
yeah I hear that as far as the limitations of the platform go. It takes trained US military gunsmiths to make those DMRs.
Click to expand...

But this means so little when hobbyist Canadians can take Chinese manufactured rifles and turn them into the same thing. It's not difficult to tighten up these rifles.
 
Frank

What are you trying to say dude??

You suggesting my project is a polished turd??

You don't like it fine, but did you really need to call it a turd??

Ah well, different strokes I suppose

AbH
 
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