The target shows my first attempt at determining the accuracy potential of the rifle. I threw on my unzeroed ACOG, some leftover backup sights, an aftermarket grip to replace the standard GI torture (for me) grip, and a spare Smith Industries flash hider.
I also started my standard Nanolube break-in ceremony before firing the first 100 rounds. I had to use some of my large stash to Serbian M118 match ammo, since all the NATO ball ammo has nickel in the jacket metal, making it slightly magnetic, and therefore a no-no on the range at the EBR boutique.
This first trip to the range was for break-in and debugging. IO discovered that both DPMS steel mags consistently failed to lift a near-full stack of ammo fast enough for the bolt to catch the rounds, but the Magpul plastic magazine worked flawlessly. Time for a bunch of Wolff extra-power magazine springs to fix the DPMS steel mags, and buy some more Magpul plastic ones.
After the hundred rounds with Nanolube treatment of the trigger mechanism, the pull went from 8 pounds with a gritty takeup to 7 pounds with a clean first stage of three pounds, and a crisp 4-pound let-off. Further break-in should trim at least 8 ounces off the pull. I'll debate a more pricey target trigger later.
Since I didn't want to spend a lot of time zeroing a "loaner" scope, I just applied some "Kentucky elevation", and found that at 25 yards, putting the crosshairs at the very bottom of the bull printed almost all of the rounds in the black. There was no attempt to adjust for windage, since I was just testing for out-of-the-molded-plastic-box accuracy. Considering I was leaning on the firing bench with my elbows plopped on two sandbags, I was overall very happy with the group.
The Smith Industries flash hider worked well, dissipating 99% of the flash and blast, but still leaving a vey tiny flame visible just at the tip of the flash hider. I think the PWS "sci-fi" flash hider/brake may work a bit better, and provide a bit of recoil abatement, too. I think the four spiral flutes work well with the 5.56mm round, but the bigger 7.62mm cartridge needs a bit more taming.
This configuration should be able to reach out and touch the target at longer ranges, even with the 16 inch barrel. So I'm shopping for a more sophisticated Leupold variable scope, along with replacing the A2-style fixed stock with an adjustable M4-type, so I can adjust the fit to my sometimes-odd shooting stance. I'm not exactly wild about the aluminum tube handguard, which got only slightly warm after 100 rounds, so I will eventually consider something else. I'll need something with a rail on the bottom if I install the Magpul angled fore grip, which I find vey comfy for any rifle I shoot without a bipod.
I would have preferred a telescoping stock already installed, saving me the cost of a new action tube, spring, buffer, and stock assembly. But this was the only way I could get the 16" heavy barrel threaded for a muzzle device. As shown, the rifle weighs ten pounds, exactly. The changes should add about two more pounds, so it will still wind up weighing about half of what the DPMS SASS tips the scale at.
If someone wants .308 power and accuracy in an M4-sized package, this one fills the bill at about the same price as a decent M-faux clone.