If you're not on Demolition Ranch or Garand Thumb, the semi-auto 8.6BLK build has been out of reach and unobtainable. The Boombox was announced two years ago from Q Engineering and we're still getting crickets from the mighty K.B. Meanwhile, the 8.6BLK has been picked up by some big-name custom manufacturers, and with Starline's offering of factory brass, the field has been blown open. Here's the beast Whitetail Trading Co has been working on.
Approached by a friend that was already chest deep in the 8.6BLK game, we spent a bit of time conversing about AR-10 manufacturers who could keep the quality and craftsmanship of a small company intact while offering the reliability of the major manufacturers. The Mega Arms MATEN, a matched billet set (full disclosure, an industry favorite of mine) was chosen to be the host build. Where to go from there?
After meeting the crew of Faxon at SHOT this past year, a Duty Series 8" Big Gunner barrel was chosen to go with the Faxon .875 gas block and Faxon tube. Faxon is my go-to for 8.6BLK anything at this point. An LMT AR-10 Enhanced BCG was added, along with an SLR Rifleworks handguard. Geissele Super Semi Auto Trigger group and Strike Industries Enhanced LPK was next. Magpul K2+ grip for the comfort, and standard AR-10 buffer kit as well. Dump in a Radian Raptor LT to boot. Q Short Chop to finish the rifle, and top it off with a Vortex AMG UH-1 and it's a finished kit.
Without sighting, my first shot on 145yd steel was an impact. Hit. Hit. Hit. This rifle swings steel with absolute authority. I was shooting 300gn subsonic Whitetail Trading Co ammo, but our 210gn solid copper hunting rounds would be far more devastating. This rifle has been nicknamed "The Super Beast" by the few people that have seen and held it. It is honestly something to behold.
Enjoy the pics below, and if you're looking for a custom rifle without having to wait for Q, drop me a PM and I'll get you going for hunting season. And special thanks to the owner of this rifle for allowing me to build, shoot, photo and film the project.
For those asking, the tab in front of the optic is my brass catcher attachment. I wasn’t losing this brass in the grass.
Enjoy.
-Asz
Approached by a friend that was already chest deep in the 8.6BLK game, we spent a bit of time conversing about AR-10 manufacturers who could keep the quality and craftsmanship of a small company intact while offering the reliability of the major manufacturers. The Mega Arms MATEN, a matched billet set (full disclosure, an industry favorite of mine) was chosen to be the host build. Where to go from there?
After meeting the crew of Faxon at SHOT this past year, a Duty Series 8" Big Gunner barrel was chosen to go with the Faxon .875 gas block and Faxon tube. Faxon is my go-to for 8.6BLK anything at this point. An LMT AR-10 Enhanced BCG was added, along with an SLR Rifleworks handguard. Geissele Super Semi Auto Trigger group and Strike Industries Enhanced LPK was next. Magpul K2+ grip for the comfort, and standard AR-10 buffer kit as well. Dump in a Radian Raptor LT to boot. Q Short Chop to finish the rifle, and top it off with a Vortex AMG UH-1 and it's a finished kit.
Without sighting, my first shot on 145yd steel was an impact. Hit. Hit. Hit. This rifle swings steel with absolute authority. I was shooting 300gn subsonic Whitetail Trading Co ammo, but our 210gn solid copper hunting rounds would be far more devastating. This rifle has been nicknamed "The Super Beast" by the few people that have seen and held it. It is honestly something to behold.
Enjoy the pics below, and if you're looking for a custom rifle without having to wait for Q, drop me a PM and I'll get you going for hunting season. And special thanks to the owner of this rifle for allowing me to build, shoot, photo and film the project.
For those asking, the tab in front of the optic is my brass catcher attachment. I wasn’t losing this brass in the grass.
Enjoy.
-Asz
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