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  1. #1
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    2a Xanthos Creedmoor build

    This story begins buying the Xanthos set. I must have bugged 2a enough that they let me purchase a rail before they were retail.

    My purpose was primarily a field gun for day hunts after Colorado big game primarily within 350 yards. Light enough to carry for hours. Heavy enough to absorb recoil and cycle well.

    That's why I chose the Xanthos with the receivers weighing in at 16oz. Plus the machining and fitment is top drawer, as to be expected from 2a (I had their balios lite set and it was impeccable).

    Before the build it looked like this.



    Being my first AR308 build, I went into it with extra care to buy compatible parts. After a lot of reading, I chose a heavy carrier. Because I saved weight in the Xanthos, I could justify the full mass BCG from JP. This includes the high pressure bolt that is not only recommended for the Creedmoor but is already heads paced for the Proof Research barrel in this build. I'm using a Midwest Industries linear comp serving mostly as a thread protector. It isn't permanently installed since I have a thread on suppressor.

    For the other important parts for gas operation, I chose the JP silent capture spring with heavy bigger/spring and the Superlative Arms adj gas block. This is designed for the carbine length buffer tube.





    I sent it off to Savage Cerakote for the pretty colors. I asked him to match the colors of the area I hunt. Darek is an artist, easy to work with, communicates with the customer, as has a quick turnaround. Couldn't be more pleased with the work he's done for me.

    Here's the full picture.







    After reading a recent thread here, I was biting nails. I had no idea how this would come together. "It's not like assembling an AR15" I heard. Well, I assembled it like one anyway. :)

    Out to the range I went this week. The Atlas bipod I picked up from Aragorn was a welcome piece of kit.



    First thing I noticed in closing the bolt was that the barrel extension, at the ramps, marred the bullet. But it closed without any added force. First shot. Cycled. Bolt held open. Whew.

    It is difficult to see the scratch in the bullet with this pic. Hopefully you get the idea.



    I sighted in at 200 yards and the groups were MOA. Pleased. I fear long distance may see distortion due to the scar on each loaded cartridge. More testing will tell though it seems the scratches are not as pronounced as they were at first. Maybe because I just WANT to think it's just a breaking in issue.

    This is a Hornady 6.5C 140gr ELD-X. Scratch also occurs on the 120gr. AMAX.


    Side note: this is a comparison to the 140gr ELD and the 120gr AMAX.



    The ELD in a 10rd SR25 PMAG fits but barely.



    AMAX has more room to breathe.


    Adjusting the gas block was easy as I've used this one on other rifles. However, I opened up the bleed all the way and the bolt still locked back. I suspect it would shoot softer still if I turned the gas block the other way till it was nearly closed. But since the rifle was shooting well, I didn't bother. Maybe for another day at the range. The spring I'm using is the heaviest one in JP's silent capture kit.

    Blending in out in the field.


    The optic is a NF 2.5-10x24. That's all I need for this season. I plan on getting higher power to stretch this rifle out sometime.

    Apart from the scratches on the bullet, I feel lucky that everything else is working without issue. The rifle cycles. I'm on target. And I've got big game tags waiting to be filled.

    Weight before muzzle device, magazine, and optic: 7.75lbs.

    Weight fully loaded in the field without suppressor: 10.9oz.

    I'm a medium frame and the weight is manageable. I walked/stalked 3 hours today without discomfort. It's roughly 2.5lbs heavier than my Tikka T3 lite and much more ergonomic to carry.

    Edit to add: one quirk I need to figure out. When shooting suppressed the charging handle will not stay closed. It's a Geissele 7.62 version. . The CH is not loose. It may be the shelf on the Xanthos. I will try a Raptor next time to the range to compare.
    Last edited by fledge; 1 October 2016 at 22:43.

  2. #2
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    That looks like a very awesome build!!! Good job!!

  3. #3
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    How long is your barrel by the way? I didn't see that mentioned.

  4. #4
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    2a Xanthos Creedmoor build

    Thanks! Barrel is 20".

  5. #5
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    Very nice, I like what you've done.
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  6. #6
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    Very very nice.
    -One Nation, Under God

    -"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot." ~ Michael Althsuler

  7. #7
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    Thanks, gentlemen.

  8. #8
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    Wanty
    There's no "Team" in F**K YOU!

  9. #9
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    Any poi shift with the can on ? I had read that there was some poi shift with the carbon fiber barrels and wondered if this had any truth to it ?

  10. #10
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    The POI shift I experienced was 2 moa down with the SiCo Omega.

    I hear POI can also be related to the can. Some cans are designed for precision shooting in mind and minimize change.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by fledge View Post
    The POI shift I experienced was 2 moa down with the SiCo Omega.

    I hear POI can also be related to the can. Some cans are designed for precision shooting in mind and minimize change.
    Most cans will have POI shift. Usually about an inch or two down. Maybe 1 or 2 right or left. It varies from can to can for a number of reasons. Cans that don't have a consistent locking point can get put on the gun in a different orientation each time. The can might be rotated 1/4 or 1/2 turn more or less so the baffles are technically reoriented after each time you remove the can and put it back on again.

    On the flip side cans that have a consistent lock up point such as a thread on can... there are only so many threads and the threads don't twist so each time you put the can on the baffles are in the same orientation...so it's much more consistent.

  12. #12
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    Big fan of 2A. Got to speak to them at NWSSE. Nice guys too.

  13. #13
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    They've been great to deal with on the customer service side too.

    I've got another upper in the box to build up some day...

  14. #14
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    Yesterday morning.


  15. #15
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    I keep hearing 24" is the optimal length for 6.5 CM but then I see others using 22". Are 20" barrels common?

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