Stag 10 Lightweight Budget Build

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YoungestPiperCub

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Near KW Ontario
Hey all,

I thought I would share one of my builds for those new to the black rifle game looking for a lightweight reliable rifle that wont break the bank. I love all the builds on here but some in excess of 3K before optic is out of reach for most. If you know me I am not cheap but I don't like spending money unless I feel it give value. That is why this build has a 30 dollar butt stock (go ahead and flame me). I could spend 200 or more on another one but frankly to save a few grams or make it look cooler and heavier doesn't interest me. It works fine and was cheap. I will however spend more on a barrel because the weight and accuracy come from there.

My goal was less then 7.5 lbs without an optic for less then 2000 dollars (including a mag). I also wanted the rifle to be functional for hunting so a shot or 2 at most in quick succession then time for cooling. 1 MOA accurate on cold shots.

Here is what I came up with (sorry the WK180 is in the picture)
20181015_202603_resized_zpseoqf1fyf.jpg


Details of the build are as follows.

Stag 10 Receiver Set - $579.99 (launch sale) - https://www.armseast.ca/ar10_builder_sets/
Brownells BCG - $168.98 shipped (sale) - https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...ride-mp-prod105380.aspx?avs|Make_3=AR+xzzx308
Charging Handle - $31.99 https://webcache.googleusercontent....10_charging_handle/+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca
Buffer Tube, Buffer and Spring Kit - $86.99 - https://webcache.googleusercontent....iver_extension_kit/+&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca
Butstock M4 Style - $32.75 - https://truenortharms.com/ar15_defa...-carbine-canadian-national-arms-mil-spec.html
Handguard Midwest 15in High - $250 shipped (sale) - https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...pms-high-prod85946.aspx?avs|Make_3=AR+xzzx308
Barrel Faxon 308 Pencil - $395.99 - https://webcache.googleusercontent....8win_rifle_barrels/+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca
Flash Hider A2 - $21.67 - https://truenortharms.com/ar15_default_store_view/cna-a2-style-birdcage-flash-hider-5-slots.html
Crush Washer - $3.27 - https://truenortharms.com/ar15_default_store_view/crush-washers.html
Gas Block .750 Maple Ridge Pincer - $69.95 - https://truenortharms.com/ar15_defa.../id/5348/s/maple-ridge-pincer-gas-block-0-75/
Gas Tube Armalite Length - $18.95 - https://www.wolverinesupplies.com/ProductDetail/AML10007010_Armalite-AR-10-Gas-Tube-Rifle-Length
7.62 P Mag - $39.99 - http://www.bullseyelondon.com/magpu...hester-5-rounds-polymer-black-mag577-blk.html

All totaled the build cost was $1700.52 Cad before taxes. (It would have been $60 more for retail on the receiver set.) Taxes put me at 1867.34 and shipping brought it to 1926.51

Total Weight was......
20181015_201917_resized_zpsb0izwl0k.jpg

3371.5 grams - 7lbs 6.93 OZ

I had a Vortex 4-16 x44 HST laying around that I threw on top which brought the weight to....
20181015_202532_resized_zpsiier6ago.jpg

4102.2 grams - 9lbs 0.7oz

I will admit this would not be my first choice of optic as it weighs 21 oz but I had it available. If I was doing a budget build I would have used a leupold scout at 11 oz or so. That would have brought the rifle weight well under 9lbs.

Hope this helps anyone thinking about getting into one of these for a bit cheaper. Arms East's 18.75 308s are great rifles but at 1949.99 and at 8.5 lbs pre optic they are a bit much for hunting if you do as much walking as I do. I like building and had the tools so that is a plus. If you needed a torque bar, armorers wrench and torque wrench you would have to add 200 or so to the price.

Few charges I would recommend if you want to spend a bit more money and have less weight

Brownells Titanium BCG will cost you a few more 100 dollars but drop 6 oz from the build.
https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...tanium-bolt-carrier-group-dlc-prod116269.aspx

A lighter hand guard is also a good way to drop weight without a huge amount more money.

Also a lightweight adjustable gas block would be a good purchase. The one I used is non adjustable and works fine but adjustable is nice and lighter ones are available.

You also of course could find a better butt stock for money in the same price and also could do a lighter and better charging handle.

I don't have pictures of my groups as I don't feel the need to brag for internet points and pictures are easily faked. The rifle does however shoot nice and seems to like Hornady 150gr sst custom ammo. At 30 something bucks a box for hunting season I am happy. I will be taking it deer hunting here in Ontario early November. Hope to have a pic with a nice buck soon.

Hope this helps anyone thinking about Stag 10 options.
 
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Nice build!
Does anyone know the weight of the stock barrel from the 308 m-lok version?
Mine feels front heavy. Especially during hunting.
Same for handguard, anyone weigh the stock handguard?

I did not think the BCG upgrade would save that much weight!
 
Nice!

I've got a titanium brownells bcg on the way for my 'lightbuild' stag :)

I do have the SLR adjustable titanium gas block, but you don't save that much over steel. (Ti is 60% of the weight of steel).

For the same amount of $ for an weight upgrade, I would tend to pay more for the lighter BCG first... as stated, you save approx 6 ounces.

I don't think either a Ti BCG/Gas block would be considered "budget" friendly though.
 
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commandac said:
Nice build!
Does anyone know the weight of the stock barrel from the 308 m-lok version?
Mine feels front heavy. Especially during hunting.
Same for handguard, anyone weigh the stock handguard?

I did not think the BCG upgrade would save that much weight!
Click to expand...

I saw the weight somewhere. If someone could weigh an upper I could compare it to mine. BCGS are a good way to drop some weight but the weight comes out of the middle. Losing 6oz in the middle does not make near as much of a difference as losing 6oz out front. I personally feel that if the rifle is front heavy it feels VERY heavy to carry and shoot. Id rather carry a balanced 9lb rifle then a 8 lb rifle with the mass out front. That's why I paid more for the lightest barrel I could find. The carbon ones are not lighter than this, they just don't move as much when they heat up.

FYI for those interested....
Stock BCG is 18.4 OZ - $129.99USD https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...ride-mp-prod105380.aspx?avs|Make_3=AR+xzzx308
Titanium BCG is 12 OZ - 379.99 USD https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...tanium-bolt-carrier-group-dlc-prod116269.aspx

The titanium is a nice unit and stock dimensions. Keep in mind if you go lighter on BCG then you should get an adjustable Gas block. The extra mass of a Standard BCG’s keeps things running smoothly in over-gassed AR’s that were made to run a variety of ammo and in crappy environments.
 
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tharkhold said:
Nice!

I've got a titanium brownells bcg on the way for my 'lightbuild' stag :)

I do have the SLR adjustable titanium gas block, but you don't save that much over steel. (Ti is 60% of the weight of steel).

For the same amount of $ for an weight upgrade, I would tend to pay more for the lighter BCG first... as stated, you save approx 6 ounces.

I don't think either a Ti BCG/Gas block would be considered "budget" friendly though.
Click to expand...

For sure they are not budget. You are adding 2-3 hundred dollars to the build to save 6 oz. Everyone has to decide if 6oz is worth that money. Same with hand guards you can spend $300 more and lose 9oz from there. 1OZ on the buffer tube for $100. Tons of money on optics. It is all going to depend on how much you value the weight. i wanted to build as light as possible for cheap.
 
YoungestPiperCub said:
For sure they are not budget. You are adding 2-3 hundred dollars to the build to save 6 oz. Everyone has to decide if 6oz is worth that money. Same with hand guards you can spend $300 more and lose 9oz from there. 1OZ on the buffer tube for $100. Tons of money on optics. It is all going to depend on how much you value the weight. i wanted to build as light as possible for cheap.
Click to expand...

Ya, I know. It's kinda hard to peg values to two subjective limits... Your 'lightweight' and 'cheap' probably isn't the same as everyone else.

To be constructive, I'll post up my lightweight build with the price, so we can compare what the price/weight delta is, which isn't subjective.

Heck, I might even realize that I spent 1000$ extra to not even save a pound! :)
 
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tharkhold said:
Ya, I know. It's kinda hard to peg values to two subjective limits... Your 'lightweight' and 'cheap' probably isn't the same as everyone else.

To be constructive, I'll post up my lightweight build with the price, so we can compare what the price/weight delta is, which isn't subjective.

Heck, I might even realize that I spent 1000$ extra to not even save a pound!
Click to expand...

100% agree. If you want to have a 6lb AR10 that groups 0.5MOA and cost 6K then go for it. That's the beauty of Ar platform, you can make exactly what you want.

The jump from 7.5lbs to 6.5 lbs is fairly easy. $250 more for a BCG and $400 more for a carbon handguard. $650 total for the next lb.

The jump from 6.5 to under 6 lbs is ENORMOUS. Look at griffin86's build here https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1748481-Stag-10-build-and-range-review/page11 Your going to be another $1000 or more for the next half lb. Also you now get to rest your cheek on aluminum in the cold when you shoot :) FYI I love what Griffin86 is doing seriosuly cool stuff. I just cannot bring myself to spend another 2 grand to lose less then 2 lbs. YMMV.

Also if you do not have tools to build one then you probably can find someone who does and works for a case of beer. Dont be afraid to build one. They are very easy. If anyone in the GTA or KW area need help let me know. I work for a Bottle of Bacardi or a case of Beer.
 
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YoungestPiperCub said:
100% agree. If you want to have a 6lb AR10 that groups 0.5MOA and cost 6K then go for it. That's the beauty of Ar platform, you can make exactly what you want.

Also if you do not have tools to build one then you probably can find someone who does and works for a case of beer. Dont be afraid to build one. They are very easy. If anyone in the GTA or KW area need help let me know. I work for a Bottle of Bacardi or a case of Beer.
Click to expand...

hhahaha... come midnight, you might want to add a few 'payment' methods ;)

Also, can't see it, but have you tried a carbine length tube/buffer/spring? You might save some weight for the same cost as rifle-length parts.
 
Nice !! I'm saving this page, I like the light-weight cost effective ideas because I'm usually the stupid guy that will spend too much 3 times over.
 
YoungestPiperCub said:
I saw the weight somewhere. If someone could weigh an upper I could compare it to mine. BCGS are a good way to drop some weight but the weight comes out of the middle. Losing 6oz in the middle does not make near as much of a difference as losing 6oz out front. I personally feel that if the rifle is front heavy it feels VERY heavy to carry and shoot. Id rather carry a balanced 9lb rifle then a 8 lb rifle with the mass out front. That's why I paid more for the lightest barrel I could find. The carbon ones are not lighter than this, they just don't move as much when they heat up.

FYI for those interested....
Stock BCG is 18.4 OZ - $129.99USD https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...ride-mp-prod105380.aspx?avs|Make_3=AR+xzzx308
Low Mass BCG is 10.82OZ - 256.99USD https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...carriers-prod77824.aspx?avs|Make_3=AR+xzzx308
Titanium BCG is 12 OZ - 379.99 USD https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...tanium-bolt-carrier-group-dlc-prod116269.aspx

I may try a Low Mass Version. They don't have much info on them obviously they are machined down to reduce weight. The titanium is a nice unit and stock dimensions. Keep in mind if you go lighter on BCG then you should get an adjustable Gas block. The extra mass of a Standard BCG’s keeps things running smoothly in over-gassed AR’s that were made to run a variety of ammo and in crappy environments.
Click to expand...

What is the process for ordering brownells BCG that’s on sale? Just insert shipping and payment info as normal and it just works or what?
 
Stubacca said:
What is the process for ordering brownells BCG that’s on sale? Just insert shipping and payment info as normal and it just works or what?
Click to expand...

Yes just go through it like normal.

If the total for gun parts runs less than $100.00, they do not require specific paperwork. They are a licensed exporter so they can do this.

If the total for gun parts runs more than $100 but less than $500, they'll send you and end user statement that you have to complete and return and then they can ship your order.

If it is over $500, OR if the order includes one of the prescribed parts (barrels, cylinders, frames, and others), then the paperwork gets even more significant but it is still doable. Brownells will walk you through the process but it is no longer trivial or quick.

If you have any questions, call Brownells directly and ask to talk to someone about international sales.
 
YoungestPiperCub said:
Yes just go through it like normal.

If the total for gun parts runs less than $100.00, they do not require specific paperwork. They are a licensed exporter so they can do this.

If the total for gun parts runs more than $100 but less than $500, they'll send you and end user statement that you have to complete and return and then they can ship your order.

If it is over $500, OR if the order includes one of the prescribed parts (barrels, cylinders, frames, and others), then the paperwork gets even more significant but it is still doable. Brownells will walk you through the process but it is no longer trivial or quick.

If you have any questions, call Brownells directly and ask to talk to someone about international sales.
Click to expand...

Awesome thanks!!
 
Stubacca said:
What is the process for ordering brownells BCG that’s on sale? Just insert shipping and payment info as normal and it just works or what?
Click to expand...

You order it
You'll get an email with an end user form. Fill it out and return the that email (prob Sandy Moranville).

That's it.

Oh, don't choose UPS for delivery... take the "first class international" or whatever it's called.
 
tharkhold said:
You order it
You'll get an email with an end user form. Fill it out and return the that email (prob Sandy Moranville).

That's it.

Oh, don't choose UPS for delivery... take the "first class international" or whatever it's called.
Click to expand...

Right on. Much easier than I expected
 
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