GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

BattleAxe

Chief
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Mar 3, 2010
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    51
    Earth
    As promised I made it out for some long range work so here’s the good bad and ugly. (no bad or ugly really)

    Upon arrival I realized I had forgot to bring my shooting mat so I was forced to shoot off a bench, which I particularly hate with a bipod but the point was moot since it rained torrentially last night, so it was too swampy to shoot prone anyway.

    Winds were a little squirrely. I had 3-5 at the target from 9 o’clock. 3-5 mid range from 3 o’clock, and 2-3 in my face at the bench. It appeared wind was entering the range at the target from 9’oclock, then doing S-turns through the clearing until reaching the shooting area. Problem was that that it wasn’t always there and seemed to change direction at will.

    Wind flag...

    542-wind.jpg


    So rather than wait for the wind flags to go slack (there were enough slack windows to do this) I decided to just get on target and shoot through it without correction. For no other reason than I wanted to get as much shooting in as possible within a short 2-hour window. When you factor in setup/cleanup, driving down range to paint, mark, and photograph targets, I was shooting at a pretty good clip. One good thing was that mirage was minimal for a change and there was just a slight haze in the air. What made this really nice was that I had the range to myself so thank you to all you guys that stayed home.

    541-haze.jpg


    I started with FGMM 168’s and just my bullet flight dope. All targets were 10 shot groups (except the first...there were 2 sighters so 12 rounds) and there were no misses until I transitioned to M118’s...my velocity in bullet flight was off so I missed a few with M118’s. This is the 1st 600 yd target which came in right around 7 inches…

    534-1-600.jpg


    Next 600 yd target came in at around 6.75 with one I pulled right...

    535-2-600.jpg


    I then moved to 800 yds and the 1st try came in at 11 inches. Notice the cold bore shot. 1st 2 shots were slack wind. This target was also a really good example of what the wind was doing. I caught a glimpse of the flag raising right after the 2nd shot…

    536-3-800.jpg


    Done with the 168’s I loaded up some M118 and this was the 1st 600 yd group which was just under 6 inches. I had 3 misses (high) on this target until I finally figured out the M118’s were shooting high…

    537-4-600-m118.jpg


    Then on to 800 yds with M118. I missed 3 shots high then dialed down. This one measured around 10.25 and the wind had picked up. Again, I wasn’t wind correcting or waiting for slack flags. Note the vertical spread...

    538-5-800-m118.jpg


    Now that I was pretty confident on my 800 yard dope I went for a rapid fire string at 800. I sent these pretty quickly waiting only long enough to hear the ring of the previous shot on the plate. There was one miss. Not pretty but if Mr. happy were holding an AK he’d have dropped it quickly and ran…likely not too far though...

    539-6-800-m118-rf.jpg


    Last target was back at 600. I sent 3 high missing one because I dialed back to my 168 dope, forgetting that I was shooting M118’s...

    540-7-600-m118.jpg


    Overall I was very impressed. Under match conditions when taking my time to wait out intermittent winds these groups would tighten up considerably. Plus I’m wobbly shooting a bipod off of a bench so I have to factor this into the equation as well. In reality I was shooting pretty sloppy and quickly given only a 2 hour window. Not too shabby in my book and I’m quite pleased. This should be an F-TAC hammer and a deadly DM or sniper platform.

    Before leaving I decided to rack a round to check out the tight chamber problem. When extracting the round I had to put a little ass on it and pulled the case off the bullet. Using a cleaning rod I seated the rod against the round, pushed gently (barely) and the round practically fell out without even so much as a tap on the rod, so it’s still a little tight. Although the way this thing is shooting I don’t feel it’s something that needs attention unless GAP tells me otherwise. Given there’s only 175 rounds through it it will surely loosen slightly. You could easily argue that you shouldn’t be racking a round into a hot chamber that you don’t intend to fire anyway. There were no feed or extraction/ejection problems and the bad PMAG I received worked flawlessly after some lube.

    I really really like this thing and I believe I'm sexually aroused
    grin.gif

     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: branson1369</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice shooting. Got to ask which stock are you running? </div></div>
    Thanx. Running a PRS.
     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    A little tip for you guys that have never owned an AR10 plaform...

    Most people just oil AR platforms and that's usually fine for a 15 but if you really want to make your action slick as butter, some strategically placed grease will change your mind about AR lube.

    An AR10's BCG is a lot of heavy moving mass and light oil simply doesn't have the resistence to shear that grease has. Additionally due to the gas pressure and blowback from a 10 you'll blow all the oil out of it within just a few rounds.

    After oiling the the BCG and cleaning the upper take some TW25b and a Q-Tip and grease the following. Remove excess oil from these areas first...

    1. Charge handle and upper receiver charge handle channel
    2. Bearing surface of the upper that the BCG rides on
    3. Bearing flats on the BCG. There will be wear marks here so they're easy to spot
    4. Bolt lugs
    5. Lastly take a cleaning patch with a pair of forceps or just a regular patch holder with cleaning rod and apply a light film of grease inside the buffer tube

    You'll find after doing this that your action feels night and day different and the TW25 doesn't get blown out so quickly like oil does. You'll also find that you can't hear the buffer spring any more when charging and that everything will feel smooth and polished. You don't want/need big gobs of grease just a light film.

    Try it once and you'll never go back to an oiled AR.
     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: linedrive301ft</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Good shooting, it's a shame you have to feel like you have to hurry-up and shoot. You are lucky you didn't have anyone there.
    </div></div>
    I'm really bad about rushing through range sessions and the irony is that I shoot just to get away and relax. This is my busy season so I have very little free time. To give you an idea of how fast this session went I left my house at 0715 and it's a 2 hour 40 minute round trip drive to the range at Bradford. I was pulling back into my driveway at 1225.

    The real point of this trip was to get some good dope for the 2 types of ammo I'll be shooting plus finish the breakin so in the midst of this session I was also cleaning after each 10 rounds. I was hoping to get 10 target in but didn't quite make. I'm doing an extra long breakin on this rig due to how tight everything is. Even the bolt lugs are tight.

    Either way a rushed range session is better than no range session
    cool.gif
     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    Thanks for this advice. I have recently put in an order for some Tesla grease after reading a thread where a few of the members mentioned that they used grease. I had no idea that grease was so popular in firearms. I have been using Castrol Synthetic blend motor oil in my guns for about a year now.

    My GAP-10 is being built right now. I have never owned an AR10 platform and appreciate any and all advice you have. If you have the time a cleaning/breakdown video of the GAP-10 would be spectacular!
     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aubie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been using Castrol Synthetic blend motor oil in my guns for about a year now.
    </div></div>Any good snythethic is the best thing for the piston rings...it was made specifically to lube hot rings. The right lube in the rights spots works wonders especially when breaking in. The parts achieve a better polish.
     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aubie</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> If you have the time a cleaning/breakdown video of the GAP-10 would be spectacular! </div></div> I don't really have the time and if I did I think I'd rather spend it shooting. There are plenty of vids floating around concerning AR15 teardown. A 10 platform is just bigger. I think slightly easier to clean than a 15 merely due to bigger parts that are easier to handle.
     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tsavo303</div><div class="ubbcode-body">... only need more pics of that rifle!
    </div></div>I still haven't gotten tired of tinkering with it yet so that's an easy request...

    543-p7170003.jpg
     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BattleAxe</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tsavo303</div><div class="ubbcode-body">... only need more pics of that rifle!
    </div></div>I still haven't gotten tired of tinkering with it yet so that's an easy request...

    543-p7170003.jpg
    </div></div>

    Now THAT is a beauty!

    What kind of mount is that USO SN3 wearing?
     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    I hate these phucking threads! You gents have no idea how lucky you are to live in a country that permits the ownership of the gun porn shown above....
     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Snape315</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Now THAT is a beauty!

    What kind of mount is that USO SN3 wearing? </div></div>

    Yes she is. That's a 20 MOA Aadmount. Before anyone rushes out to get one for their GAP 10 though know this...there's a slight issue with this mount on <span style="text-decoration: underline">my</span> G10 and I'll know for sure what it is when I hook up with my son who has my old DPMS SASS.

    Either one of 2 things...the G10 monolithic rail sits 1/4 inch higher that the machined rail on the SASS, or the PRS cheek pad doesn't extend up as far as my old PRS. I have a hunch its the rail height though. What I'm finding is that I can't get the cheek piece up far enough to get the same cheek weld that I'm used to.

    Given that the cheek piece is slippery as hell when your soaked with sweat (an unavoidable reality of Florida summer shooting) I may mount a neoprene pad or something on top of it to raise the height slightly and kill 2 birds with one stone.
     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rath</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I hate these phucking threads! You gents have no idea how lucky you are to live in a country that permits the ownership of the gun porn shown above.... </div></div>

    We actually do know how lucky we are. It's the anti-gunners that have yet figure out the beauty of the 2nd amendment. It usually takes one of them getting robbed, stabbed, or shot at before they figure it out.
     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rath</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I hate these phucking threads! You gents have no idea how lucky you are to live in a country that permits the ownership of the gun porn shown above.... </div></div>


    X2 BattleAxe

    I'm not sure I would call it luck, we fight every day to keep our freedoms that others want to take away.
     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BattleAxe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A little tip for you guys that have never owned an AR10 plaform...

    Most people just oil AR platforms and that's usually fine for a 15 but if you really want to make your action slick as butter, some strategically placed grease will change your mind about AR lube.

    An AR10's BCG is a lot of heavy moving mass and light oil simply doesn't have the resistence to shear that grease has. Additionally due to the gas pressure and blowback from a 10 you'll blow all the oil out of it within just a few rounds.

    After oiling the the BCG and cleaning the upper take some TW25b and a Q-Tip and grease the following. Remove excess oil from these areas first...

    1. Charge handle and upper receiver charge handle channel
    2. Bearing surface of the upper that the BCG rides on
    3. Bearing flats on the BCG. There will be wear marks here so they're easy to spot
    4. Bolt lugs
    5. Lastly take a cleaning patch with a pair of forceps or just a regular patch holder with cleaning rod and apply a light film of grease inside the buffer tube

    You'll find after doing this that your action feels night and day different and the TW25 doesn't get blown out so quickly like oil does. You'll also find that you can't hear the buffer spring any more when charging and that everything will feel smooth and polished. You don't want/need big gobs of grease just a light film.

    Try it once and you'll never go back to an oiled AR. </div></div>

    +1 Dont look Back!!!!
    (I use this on my SR-25)
     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    Thanks for the range report! How much does your weigh with the fluted barrel? I just got mine, 18" with PRS and Surefire brake, all black. I love the tan look!
     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: captnmo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How much does your weigh with the fluted barrel? </div></div> Weighs 18lbs on a fish scale with a full mag. Keep in mind that my accessories are heavier than what's typical (USO, Aadmount, GG&G bipod)
     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Eagle1*</div><div class="ubbcode-body">BA, who makes that bipod on your AR10?? Thanks.. </div></div>That's a modified GG&G (I removed the swivel feature)
     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    I just had to post this target board. Went out today to get a final 100 yd zero and I shot this. Ignore and look past the groups here, and look at the entire string.

    This is 30 consecutively fired rounds from a...well...gas gun. All are easily under 1 inch of center/POA except for <span style="font-style: italic">one</span>.

    Maybe 6-8 seconds at best between shots stoppping only to swap mags between targets. No focusing on fundamentals or any such nonsense, just sending them.

    All I can say is that this rifle blows me away and the techs at GAP must be freakin aliens to get this kind of consistency.

    If you're reading this...Bravo-Freakin-Zulu guys. I almost don't believe this level of performance from an auto.

    545-g10fzero.jpg


     
    Re: GAP-10 Long Range Cherry Popper

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: m14er</div><div class="ubbcode-body">These things are absolute hammers. Thanks for sharing.
    Are you shooting those prone or off the bench?
    Mine shoots so much better off the ground.... </div></div>
    Hammer is an understatement bro.

    Unfortunately these were off a bench. You can't shoot prone from 100 at this particular range but its a good place to zero since its close by.

    It's a little early in testing to say but I'm close to saying it's time to upgrade from "Hammer" to "Freak".

    I've got a sniper match coming up on the 30th and I won't be so bold as to claim its performance against bolt guns, for no other reason than I hate the taste of crow. BUT...

    At a minimum I predict the bolt guys will be asking..."<span style="font-style: italic">What the f$@c was that thing".</span>
    cool.gif