I have over 500 rounds from my first order of Hirtenberger (240 x2) through mine, and I have started a new create of Hirtenberger (720) rounds.
I did some a few FFs when the rifle was new, swapped over to full synthetic oil (don't ask
) and within less then 100 rounds it had loosened up nicely and been working just great since then. So much so that I have a trip for the upper planned to Ryan Stacy at international Barrels Inc. More on Ryan later, who has been excellent to deal with BTW.
If you don't know about
Ryan google him and watch some of the videos he is in as I said a great guy to work with.
I am a member of the VFGPA.org, and there are a few 102s up there, also members of Gun Nuts, and everyone I met loves their 102. As we are a small community here on the lower part of Vancouver Island, we have a few real goofs (as does every range), however, for the vast majority are great, and it is also a very friendly group, and my bronze 102 never fails to gather a crowd.
Because I am shooting (relatively) low-cost HBurgers, I have no problem letting people try out the rifle. The picture below is of one of two young guys, who had never shot an AR before, just bolt guns, and they both just fell in love with the 102. Old time gas gun shooters and young people new to the sport; all get a big kick out of shoot it. If they have never shot an AR before I walk them through how the gun functions and let them dry fire a "round" or two, and then cut them loose.
The Precision Armament, M4-72 Tactical Compensator and the
Fab Defence GL (recoil reducing shock) work very nicely together to my this rifle new shooter friendly. I also did the Canadian Armed Forces paracord trigger tune-up (google youtube) which did improve the stock trigger. However, I do not recommend that anyone does this who is not prepared to replace their trigger as this mod is a one-way trip and if you go too far you can make your trigger unsafe (More on the new to me Geissele SSA-E 2 Stage trigger later).
The rifle will shoot a steady 1 MOA or Less, with the odd flyer. Hell, I am shooting HBurger, not
the Black Hills 168 Gr. Match Hollow Point at 2$ per round!
And cost brings me to another issue. Both STAG and BCL .308s are entry level AR 10 Platforms. When I lived and worked in the US (OR and ##) it was not uncommon to see and be allowed to shoot ARs (15 and 10s) north and sometimes well north of 10,000 Yankee Dollars. For at little perspective check out the price of a
Knights Armament SR25 E2 PR M-LOK or a L
ewis Machine & Tool Company's L129A1 Reference Rifle.
For most of the lower grade mid-range ARs, (15 and 10s), it is expected that you will need to upgrade the trigger and, if you need any real distance the barrel as well. Or just build the thing yourself, as many do once they become familiar with the platform. Replacing the stock, grip and charging handle is just SOP for everyone, including BCL. I still have the stock BCL charging handle, and it is ok, but on the long term list for replacement.
The issue with the AR-10s is a
lack of overall standardization of parts. So a novice builder needs to understand the relationships between various options and configuration combinations of buffer tube and spring, BCGs, ammo, Barral length and gas tube length.
Recently I got my hands on a Bergara B-14 HMR (Hunter and Match) Bolt Action Rifle .308 Win. 20" Threaded Barrel.
What a sweet little bolt gun and a dam fine shooting one as well. Many will report that Bergara has the best shooting barrels on the market.
In doing my research into the B-14, and talking to lots of people who I respect, I ended up being asked the following:
Why do you want a B-14?
I want something to shoot long range, beyond what my BC 102 can do.
How far do you want to shoot, less than 1,000 meters or greater?
Shooting beyond 1kikometer is a long drive and a major PITA so not going to happen very often.
Ok, so it sounds like a .308 will so fine and they are cheaper than 6.5 Creedmoor. The 6.5 shines at 800 meters and beyond.
Do you like shooting your 102?
Yup, it's tons of fun!
Ok, then send your 102 to Ryan at IBI and get a new
DMR barrel installed with a rifle length gas tube (and Ryan) recommend the Geissele.
I checked in with Ryan, and it shared with me
pictures of him shoot 1/3 MOA with high-end ammo and the IBC barrels on Stags. The flier was reported as his booboo.
He also mentioned his experience is the Stag and BCLs shoot about the same before and after the upgrade.
So, I have a picked up a used Geissele SSA-E 2 Stage trigger for a member here (luciferco) and a new rifle length gas tube (Maple Ride Armoury) and a .936" Low Profile Gas Block coming. Everything will be sent over to Ryan and when I get it back, and up to the range, I will report on performance or the lack thereof.
I fully expect the limiting factor will be the loose nut behind the wheel, however, give me a month or so, and I will reply with pics.
BTW the IBI should shoot HBurger ammo much better than stock, but the real test will come from box or two of Federal Gold Medal Match 168s.
If the upgrades go as planned, I might consider a new update and an
IBI 10 DMR(Designated Marksman Rifle) Profile barrel in 6.5 CM. But that won't happen until next summer.
Rick
BTW I will add some points for consideration regarding the gas tube length. For the .308 AR 10, several well-respected people will report that if you use high-end powder, an 18" barrel with a mid-length gas tube will work just fine (
Chris Bartocci at 9:20). IF you are also using slower burning, (cheaper) ammo, the 20-inch barrel with a rifle length gas tube, which provides a
longer dwell time for the BCG, is better.
If you don't know
Chris from
SmallArmsSolutions, he provides wealth of information and history on the AR platform. But good luck finding his book,
Black Rifle II.
