Post by Babaganoush on Jun 26, 2013 21:25:53 GMT -8
Well, after having read such nice things here about the BTE Adjustable Gas blocks, and having an extra $50 with nobody's name on it, I chose to go ahead and swap out the gas block on my 22" Match Bull Barrel.
The block is well made, and the adjustment screw has plenty of adjustment range. As others have mentioned, this is a clamp on style block, and they provide three allen screws, rather than the customary two that I see on so many others. Installing the gas tube was a bit of a trick because the block is machined with recesses for the gas tube roll pin. This is, of course, done to narrow down the block so that the pin, when installed, is relatively flush on both sides. At first, this didn't look like it would be an issue, but it proved to be a little tricky to hold the roll pin straight with needle nosed pliers, as the recess "consumed" much of the pin, and little was left protruding out enough to tap with a hammer to set it. I'm sure there's a tool for this, but darned if I know what it looks like.
The only thing I wish I could have had was one without the rail, as the block will now need to be removed if I have to take the free float tube off, for any reason. Unfortunately, BTE doesn't offer such a thing, as that is not their niche, but it does add a bit of an aggressive look to the rifle, now, so I imagine I can overlook this aspect.
At the range, I ran into what seems to be a relatively common occurrence, in that the block needed to be gapped forward about .025" in order to align the ports. At that point, it was a simple matter to adjust it. Starting with 1/8" of the screw threads visible, I ended up backing out the adjustment screw another 3/4 turn to settle down the feeding and ejecting. I could see no signs of leakage or blow by at either the gas tube, or the block/barrel interface.
Spent brass now falls directly at 3 o'clock, about 4-5 feet out, in an area you can cover with a trash can lid. Two different bolts were tried - one with an ejector spring mod, and one without. Both are quite happy and the brass piles don't show any difference between the bolts. No case mouth denting was observed, regardless of which bolt was used.
One difference in the way the rifle shoots (and I don't believe I'm imagining this) is that the recoil impulse seems a bit less harsh, even on a rifle length buffer assembly (Magpul PRS). This also resulted in the sight picture being a bit more steady, and I was able to place 5 consecutive shots, fired about 1.5 seconds apart, @ 200 yards and keep the group under 1.5". Another benefit was that super models began appearing at my table and asking if they could shoot the rifle. Ok - they weren't super models, but a couple of my acquaintances at the range did ask to try it. No - they really couldn't comment on any differences in any of the shooting characteristics, but they both really enjoyed the way it shot. It was good to be able to share the joy of a .264 LBC with them, and I do know that one of them is going to build a .264 LBC / 6.5 Grendel of his own.
Overall, I now wish this had been one of the original components of the build. Looking forward, I can see easily taming any gas issues with new loads I might try. Now, I think I have an extra gas block I need to put a rifle under...
David
The block is well made, and the adjustment screw has plenty of adjustment range. As others have mentioned, this is a clamp on style block, and they provide three allen screws, rather than the customary two that I see on so many others. Installing the gas tube was a bit of a trick because the block is machined with recesses for the gas tube roll pin. This is, of course, done to narrow down the block so that the pin, when installed, is relatively flush on both sides. At first, this didn't look like it would be an issue, but it proved to be a little tricky to hold the roll pin straight with needle nosed pliers, as the recess "consumed" much of the pin, and little was left protruding out enough to tap with a hammer to set it. I'm sure there's a tool for this, but darned if I know what it looks like.
The only thing I wish I could have had was one without the rail, as the block will now need to be removed if I have to take the free float tube off, for any reason. Unfortunately, BTE doesn't offer such a thing, as that is not their niche, but it does add a bit of an aggressive look to the rifle, now, so I imagine I can overlook this aspect.
At the range, I ran into what seems to be a relatively common occurrence, in that the block needed to be gapped forward about .025" in order to align the ports. At that point, it was a simple matter to adjust it. Starting with 1/8" of the screw threads visible, I ended up backing out the adjustment screw another 3/4 turn to settle down the feeding and ejecting. I could see no signs of leakage or blow by at either the gas tube, or the block/barrel interface.
Spent brass now falls directly at 3 o'clock, about 4-5 feet out, in an area you can cover with a trash can lid. Two different bolts were tried - one with an ejector spring mod, and one without. Both are quite happy and the brass piles don't show any difference between the bolts. No case mouth denting was observed, regardless of which bolt was used.
One difference in the way the rifle shoots (and I don't believe I'm imagining this) is that the recoil impulse seems a bit less harsh, even on a rifle length buffer assembly (Magpul PRS). This also resulted in the sight picture being a bit more steady, and I was able to place 5 consecutive shots, fired about 1.5 seconds apart, @ 200 yards and keep the group under 1.5". Another benefit was that super models began appearing at my table and asking if they could shoot the rifle. Ok - they weren't super models, but a couple of my acquaintances at the range did ask to try it. No - they really couldn't comment on any differences in any of the shooting characteristics, but they both really enjoyed the way it shot. It was good to be able to share the joy of a .264 LBC with them, and I do know that one of them is going to build a .264 LBC / 6.5 Grendel of his own.
Overall, I now wish this had been one of the original components of the build. Looking forward, I can see easily taming any gas issues with new loads I might try. Now, I think I have an extra gas block I need to put a rifle under...
David
