New 204 Upper Being Built

[JamieZ]

For those of us who like 20 calibers, I'm building another upper.

Decided to go with the same caliber as my other 20cal and make another .204 Ruger.

I started off purchasing a new barrel from X-Caliber. Its the 18" carbon fiber barrel. It is the HBAR-LITE contour. Rifle gas system. 1-11 twist, 3 groove
I purchased from X-Caliber because they had custom made carbon fiber barrels, which is where I could get a 204 made and was turned on to the company because of another forum member (shoots100) who bought a 243 barrel from them.

Configure Your Carbon Fiber AR-15 Barrel

Build a custom Carbon Fiber AR-15 barrel. Made to order, see footer for production lead time estimates.

www.x-caliber.net

I also wanted a side charging upper because my thermal sits to far back, to use the charging handle easily.
So I went with one that got good reviews. Did I mention this was going to be a dedicated thermal coyote killer, lol

Spartan Side Charge Non-Reciprocating Billet Upper

Spartan Side Charge Non-Reciprocating Billet Upper

www.joeboboutfitters.com

I wanted it as light as possible, so I went with a handguard that didnt have an extra ton of metal on it. Ordered the 15.5" long one.

Odin Works AR-15 O2 Lite M-LOK Forend

Odin Works AR-15 O2 Lite M-LOK Forend

www.joeboboutfitters.com

Went with this for the end of the barrel. Its just worthless decoration.

KAK INDUSTRY 1/2x28 .223/5.56 FLASH CAN

KAK INDUSTRY 1/2x28 .223/5.56 FLASH CAN

www.joeboboutfitters.com

When parts start coming in I will start assembling it and taking pics.

The barrel is going take forever to get here but should have the rest of it by next week sometime.

I bought the other items to complete it too, gas block, gas tube.

I want this upper to be kind of light because the amount of stuff I need to pack and carry through 2ft of snow. Considered building a complete AR10 in 22-250 but didnt because of the weight.

 

[JamieZ]

Plus a 204 allows me to use it during deer season while hunting coyotes in Monroe and Genesee counties.

Or any other counties where you cant use rifles to hunt deer. Genesee you can but Monroe you cant.

 

[Tisto]

I did basically the same build for the same reasons but used different parts. I switch between the Gen2+nightvision and the Iray thermal. It really only gets used during the early season when big game is open. More area seems to get opened for rifle hunting every year, so the places I need to use it decrease every year, but it's still good to have a second or third predator gun to hand to a friend that finally agrees to go sit in the woods at midnight with me.

As far as carrying all your stuff through the snow, get a jet sled. Load all your stuff in it and pull it behind you. Much easier. They're even available in snow camo. I made a canopy for mine not unlike a convertable car, but it looks more like a covered wagon. I can sit in the sled and the canopy comes around and over me. It keeps the wind and rain or snow off me. https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/shappell-jet-sled?

ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CSmart%7CHunting%7CHunting%7CNAud%7CTopPerf%7CNMT&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5Iu9pf7r-AIVRuTICh0s2QwOEAQYDiABEgLME_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[JamieZ]

I did basically the same build for the same reasons but used different parts. I switch between the Gen2+nightvision and the Iray thermal. It really only gets used during the early season when big game is open. More area seems to get opened for rifle hunting every year, so the places I need to use it decrease every year, but it's still good to have a second or third predator gun to hand to a friend that finally agrees to go sit in the woods at midnight with me.

As far as carrying all your stuff through the snow, get a jet sled. Load all your stuff in it and pull it behind you. Much easier. They're even available in snow camo. I made a canopy for mine not unlike a convertable car, but it looks more like a covered wagon. I can sit in the sled and the canopy comes around and over me. It keeps the wind and rain or snow off me. https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/shappell-jet-sled?

ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CSmart%7CHunting%7CHunting%7CNAud%7CTopPerf%7CNMT&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5Iu9pf7r-AIVRuTICh0s2QwOEAQYDiABEgLME_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Yeah I have looked at those sleds but in all honesty Im just whining. Looked at them for goose hunting.
I have a backpack on my back with a tripod attached to the side of it and a gun slung around my right shoulder. Its not that much, I just hate walking through the snow even with nothing to pack.

 

[JamieZ]

I did basically the same build for the same reasons but used different parts. I switch between the Gen2+nightvision and the Iray thermal. It really only gets used during the early season when big game is open. More area seems to get opened for rifle hunting every year, so the places I need to use it decrease every year, but it's still good to have a second or third predator gun to hand to a friend that finally agrees to go sit in the woods at midnight with me.

As far as carrying all your stuff through the snow, get a jet sled. Load all your stuff in it and pull it behind you. Much easier. They're even available in snow camo. I made a canopy for mine not unlike a convertable car, but it looks more like a covered wagon. I can sit in the sled and the canopy comes around and over me. It keeps the wind and rain or snow off me. https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/shappell-jet-sled?

ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas%7CShopping%7CSmart%7CHunting%7CHunting%7CNAud%7CTopPerf%7CNMT&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5Iu9pf7r-AIVRuTICh0s2QwOEAQYDiABEgLME_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Did you build a carbon fiber?

 

[Tisto]

No, I built a complete rifle in .204 Ruger. I used an Aero upper and lower, along with an Aero handguard. I used a Wilson Combat 18" barrel.

The jet sled is really nice especially if you have fur to drag back to the truck. I actually have 2 of them. They are identicle with the exception of the canopy. I try to hunt from an elevated location, but those times I have to hunt from the ground, the canopy is really nice. I found myself carrying my climbing treestand a lot more too, which is another reason for using the sled.

 

[Tisto]

The Twins are almost done. I'm doing the final assemby and then I'll slap a scope on them just for testing. I know I promised a bunch of pics, but with spies everywhere, I will only post final pics. Coming soon though.

 

[Tisto]

We are getting together this year. I want to come hang out with you and your hunting buddies for a night.

 

[JamieZ]

No, I built a complete rifle in .204 Ruger. I used an Aero upper and lower, along with an Aero handguard. I used a Wilson Combat 18" barrel.

The jet sled is really nice especially if you have fur to drag back to the truck. I actually have 2 of them. They are identicle with the exception of the canopy. I try to hunt from an elevated location, but those times I have to hunt from the ground, the canopy is really nice. I found myself carrying my climbing treestand a lot more too, which is another reason for using the sled.

I like AERO parts. I built a buddy an AERO AR10 in 6.5 Creedmoor using a carbon fiber BSF barrel. Turned out really nice. He shot a nice buck with it shortly after it was made.

 

[JamieZ]

We are getting together this year. I want to come hang out with you and your hunting buddies for a night.

Just don't bring your 640 thermal with you because it could be dangerous.

 

[Tisto]

You can damn well bet that the thermal will be there !

The nightvision will probably make the trip as well !

 

[Shoots100]

Dangerous is a man that will travel with two 640 BAE 12 um core thermal scopes !

 

[Tisto]

I only have one thermal scope. But some people think I'm dangerous anyway.

 

[JamieZ]

Dangerous is a man that will travel with two 640 BAE 12 um core thermal scopes !

You going to ride out here again ???????



Im thinking next weekend Im going to get off my ass and go door knocking. Yes,,, we have quite a bit of land to hunt coyote but I want more.

Back to the build.............. Im a little worried that the handguard I purchased wont mate correctly with the upper receiver I purchased. Shit comes in Tuesday so I guess I will find out.

 

[Shoots100]

If we set a date to have a night hunters group hunt when October rolls around and the loan to fill my gas tank gets approved, I'll be there.
We'd have most of the major thermal scope manufacturers being represented, but you'd better start saving money now, as once you look through a 640 res scope, your 384 res scope will soon be on the chopping block !
Door knocking is always good, but don't be surprised if they ask you to hunt right away and not want you to wait till October !
As long as you have a forend adapter, you should have no issue installing the forend.
If it doesnt come with one, your going to be SOL.
I likey that side charger.
Waiting for the barrel is going to be the hardest part, especially when you have all the other parts sitting there.

 

[JamieZ]

If we set a date to have a night hunters group hunt when October rolls around and the loan to fill my gas tank gets approved, I'll be there.
We'd have most of the major thermal scope manufacturers being represented, but you'd better start saving money now, as once you look through a 640 res scope, your 384 res scope will soon be on the chopping block !
Door knocking is always good, but don't be surprised if they ask you to hunt right away and not want you to wait till October !
As long as you have a forend adapter, you should have no issue installing the forend.
If it doesnt come with one, your going to be SOL.
I likey that side charger.
Waiting for the barrel is going to be the hardest part, especially when you have all the other parts sitting there.

Dangerous part is,,, I have the money. Just don't have full on temptation because I haven't looked through a 640.

Don't have a problem with hunting now, as long as they give me written permission and a good reason why they want me to do so. As in yotes are killing their farm animals.

Forend adaptor? Handguard comes with a barrel nut that it mounts to but that isnt going to be the problem. Im thinking once the handguard is put on, it will slightly wrap the receiver. Which would be fine with a normal forged receiver but this one is billet and cut differently because its a side charge. I will know Tuesday if its ok or if I have to modify the handguard or send it back.

How long did your barrel take? Did it come quicker than their stated time frames?

 

[Tisto]

I would be up for all of us getting together for a night or two. That would be fun.


One of the twins is complete and the other will be finished later today. Shall I post pics of them here or somewhere else ? I don't want to hijack your thread.

 

[JamieZ]

I would be up for all of us getting together for a night or two. That would be fun.


One of the twins is complete and the other will be finished later today. Shall I post pics of them here or somewhere else ? I don't want to hijack your thread.

here...... hijack away

 

[JamieZ]

All parts came in. Barrel comes at a much later date.

As I suspected, modification needs to be done to the handguard. Which shouldn't be that big of deal with the right tool. I will have a better idea on the best way to do it when I study it a bit more.

I love the receiver even though its slightly heavy compared to everything else. The weight from it will be in a good spot compared to having a heavy barrel.

I love the handguard, its ultra light and stylish.

Even like my light tiny gas block.

What I'm not sure I like is the muzzle device. Seems kind of big. Maybe my feelings will change when I see it on the barrel. If not, I will buy another one and eat the 29 bucks I paid.

 

[Shoots100]

Looks nice.
I went all titanium with my linear compensator, as I don't trust aluminum in the muzzle area.
4"s long x 1-1/2" dia, which really does a good job.
I think the KAK is actually too short in length.
My brake is titanium with outer threads and the compensator threads onto it, so I still have a muzzle brake when it's removed for travel.

 

[JamieZ]

Looks nice.
I went all titanium with my linear compensator, as I don't trust aluminum in the muzzle area.
4"s long x 1-1/2" dia, which really does a good job.
I think the KAK is actually too short in length.
My brake is titanium with outer threads and the compensator threads onto it, so I still have a muzzle brake when it's removed for travel.

I don't like it but the 3.5 inch length isn't the reason. I have linear brakes on 3 other guns and they are shorter than this one. They all push gases and noise forward.
I don't like it because it's to big around. Actually the more I look at it, the more I hate it.

 

[Tisto]

As promised :

This all started with my friend and I both having lower receivers that were a bit messed up. Not horribly damaged, but certainly not prestine.

My friend and I are twins. We really are.

Like all twins, we dress the same, do the same things, and act alike. We even have the same snow camo outfits.

I'm much more into predator hunting than he is, but he has been joining me more frequently every year. Last year he bought a Pulsar Digisight to take hunting and because nightvision will be important when the 2nd Civil War gets going. The discussion of what to do with our lowers got serious when I said we should build dedicated winter rifles. That's all it took to start the ball rolling. I started to spec out parts, then searched for the best prices on them, then ordered everything. All the parts were purchased from three online suppliers and a few little miscellaneous items were purchased at local shops.

The inspiration :

After a bunch of work, the twins were finally assembled.

The results :





How did I do ?

If you're interested in the build, they are as follows :

Aero upper and Atlas S-One handguard
Ballistic Advantage 18"SS fluted barrel chambered in .223 Wylde
Magpul ACS-L stock
CMC 2.5 pound single stage trigger
Toolcraft BCG
Kaw Valley linear compensator
Daniel Defense grip
Breek Arms Warhammer charging handle
Yankee Hill clamp style gas block

 

[JamieZ]

Well,, Ive decided to return the side charging upper receiver because Im not 100% loving it. Dont care much for the weight or the matte finish that doesnt match any of the parts I have for this gun or my other guns. Also returning the muzzle device, reasons already stated in above posts.

I will get a Aero M4 receiver, a charging handle with a wide grip and a Kaw Valley brake. The brake is the one I have on 3 other guns so I know I will like it.

 

[Tisto]

Well,, Ive decided to return the side charging upper receiver because Im not 100% loving it. Dont care much for the weight or the matte finish that doesnt match any of the parts I have for this gun or my other guns. Also returning the muzzle device, reasons already stated in above posts.

I will get a Aero M4 receiver, a charging handle with a wide grip and a Kaw Valley brake. The brake is the one I have on 3 other guns so I know I will like it.

If it helps, I have a brand new can of SATIN BLACK Alumihyde gun coating. It's sold by Brownells as a product very similar to Duracoat. I bought it and decided not to use it because it's satin and not matte finish. I think it cost about $ 15.

Also, if you want, I have a replacement latch for a charging candle that I bought for a certain gun and I didn't like it because it stuck out too far. Since then I've been using ambidextrous charging candles from various manufacturers. Some of those are really nice, some less so. The Warhammer in the build above is my first one of those I've tried. It seems nice so far. Anyway, I can give you that latch if it will help.

 

[Tisto]

The latch is this. The top one is a standard milspec charging handle latch shown for size.

 

[JamieZ]

If it helps, I have a brand new can of SATIN BLACK Alumihyde gun coating. It's sold by Brownells as a product very similar to Duracoat. I bought it and decided not to use it because it's satin and not matte finish. I think it cost about $ 15.

Also, if you want, I have a replacement latch for a charging candle that I bought for a certain gun and I didn't like it because it stuck out too far. Since then I've been using ambidextrous charging candles from various manufacturers. Some of those are really nice, some less so. The Warhammer in the build above is my first one of those I've tried. It seems nice so far. Anyway, I can give you that latch if it will help.

I was just looking at the Alumhyde yesterday. Plan was to use it for the end of the handguard, the part I was going to remove.

Dont need it now because the forged upper I purchase should fit the handguard perfectly.

Appreciate the offer for the extensions on the charge handle but Im just going to buy another charging handle so I dont have to swap it between guns. Yes,,, I know its a overly simple task but when I send these parts back I either get a refund and take a 15% restocking fee or I get store credit. Im going with store credit because Im sure I can use it all up.

 

[Shoots100]

As promised :

This all started with my friend and I both having lower receivers that were a bit messed up. Not horribly damaged, but certainly not prestine.

My friend and I are twins. We really are. View attachment 165705

Like all twins, we dress the same, do the same things, and act alike. We even have the same snow camo outfits.

I'm much more into predator hunting than he is, but he has been joining me more frequently every year. Last year he bought a Pulsar Digisight to take hunting and because nightvision will be important when the 2nd Civil War gets going. The discussion of what to do with our lowers got serious when I said we should build dedicated winter rifles. That's all it took to start the ball rolling. I started to spec out parts, then searched for the best prices on them, then ordered everything. All the parts were purchased from three online suppliers and a few little miscellaneous items were purchased at local shops.

The inspiration : View attachment 165708

After a bunch of work, the twins were finally assembled.

The results :
View attachment 165709
View attachment 165710

View attachment 165712

How did I do ?

If you're interested in the build, they are as follows :

Aero upper and Atlas S-One handguard
Ballistic Advantage 18"SS fluted barrel chambered in .223 Wylde
Magpul ACS-L stock
CMC 2.5 pound single stage trigger
Toolcraft BCG
Kaw Valley linear compensator
Daniel Defense grip
Breek Arms Warhammer charging handle
Yankee Hill clamp style gas block

Nice camo job.
Is this the daytime hunting rifle ?
Reason I'm asking, is that at night, unless it's a full moon, hunting with dark colored equipment is preferred and I've never worn any type of camo specific to the current environmental conditions at night.

 

[1075tech]

All parts came in. Barrel comes at a much later date.

As I suspected, modification needs to be done to the handguard. Which shouldn't be that big of deal with the right tool. I will have a better idea on the best way to do it when I study it a bit more.

I love the receiver even though its slightly heavy compared to everything else. The weight from it will be in a good spot compared to having a heavy barrel.

I love the handguard, its ultra light and stylish.

Even like my light tiny gas block.

What I'm not sure I like is the muzzle device. Seems kind of big. Maybe my feelings will change when I see it on the barrel. If not, I will buy another one and eat the 29 bucks I paid.

View attachment 165687 View attachment 165688 View attachment 165689
View attachment 165690

View attachment 165691

View attachment 165692

View attachment 165694

Well,, Ive decided to return the side charging upper receiver because Im not 100% loving it. Dont care much for the weight or the matte finish that doesnt match any of the parts I have for this gun or my other guns. Also returning the muzzle device, reasons already stated in above posts.

I will get a Aero M4 receiver, a charging handle with a wide grip and a Kaw Valley brake. The brake is the one I have on 3 other guns so I know I will like it.

Is that a Gibbz upper?

 

[JamieZ]

Is that a Gibbz upper?

Spartan,,,,, which I've never heard of till I bought it.

 

[1075tech]

I've heard of them. Exact copy of the gibbz I think. I have a Gibbz on my Grendel pistol. I like it