Model 1 Sales .300 Fireball

[Raygun]

So I've been thinking about putting together an AR-15 in .300 Whisper for a while now. I like the whole concept of it. But buying rifles/uppers from SSK seems like a particularly expensive way of going about it. I'm sure you'd get top quality from them, but since there appears to be a less expensive option out there capable of meeting my needs, I'd like to investigate it some.

I was flipping through Shotgun News a few weeks ago and noticed that Model 1 Sales has 16" carbine uppers and kits available in .300 Fireball, which from what I understand is the same cartridge as the .300 Whisper, just a different name as SSK has the Whisper name trademarked. I was wondering if anyone here has one of these, what they think of it, and what they think of doing business with Model 1.

A couple years ago a local dealer here recommended against Model 1 pretty heavily when I was thinking about another AR-15 project. He says he purchased an A1 upper from them several years ago that will not fit any other lower receiver. He deals Armalite, Colt, Bushmaster, DPMS and Rock River, so I'm pretty sure he's tried lowers from each of them. At this point I don't remember if I asked him whether he'd attempted to return it or not, but I get the feeling that they wouldn't take it back for some reason. So that's pretty much why I'm asking what kind of experience others have had with Model 1.

Also, in order to shoot both subsonic and supersonic loads through the gun, I'd need a gas regulator. From what I've read, Fulton Armory and SSK both make regulated gas tubes for the AR-15. I've read that SSK does not recommend using anyone else's regulator with the .300 Whisper/Fireball (no suprise there), but I can't find a price for the regulated gas tube on their website. Does anyone have experience with either of those?

Thanks, guys.

 

[wdlsguy]

Del-Ton also sells .300 Fireball barrels and uppers.

http://www.del-ton.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=61

 

[Climber]

I don't know about the Model 1 uppers but I have a Model 1 300/221 fireball (300 Whisper) barrel that I mounted on a ASA upper. The barrel is very accurate. I get 3/4 inch groups at 100yds. It has a 1 in 8 twist so I can shoot 220grn bullets subsonic. I use the fulton adjustable gas system. It works perfectly and is very easy to adjust for subsonic or supersonic loads. I originally bought a barrel from del-ton. They said it was a 1in8 twist but when I checked it I found that it was a 1in10.

 

[Raygun]

Nice, Climber. That's another option I was thinking of, just buying the barrel and building the thing myself on a DPMS upper/lower, seeing as all the special tools I need would cost all of about $70-80, then I could build as many as I want.

A 1/10" twist would definitely not work. If I do this, I'm planning on handloading 110 to 240 grain loads. Speaking of which, has anyone seen handloading data for 110 grain loads for the .300 Whisper? Seems like that 110 Hornady V-MAX might get close to 6.8mm SPC territory, if it's long enough.

So the Fulton regulated tube works for you? That's good to hear. I'm sure the SSK part would be significantly more expensive. Did you have to cut and shape the tube yourself? All I see on their site is a rifle-length adjustable tube. And how do you have it mounted? Did you drill a hole through the top rail (looks like a YHM) or mount the regulator sideways?

Also, is that a YHM bipod adapter? I was thinking about grabbing one of those for my 20". You like it? And what kind of suppressor is that?

Thanks for the input, guys.

 

[artherd]

Climber, that's friggin awesome. Enjoy everyone who lives in a suppressor legal state!

 

[db_tanker]

www.ar15barrels.com


Randall is a good guy. I know him personally and he does VERY high quality work. He has several chamberings to choose from.

He comes down to Texas at least once a year for a Contender shoot/get together at a hunting lease I am on in Normangee. I have shot some of his products and they are sweet...except for that &*@! recoil spring "WHANG" "WHANG" "WHANG"....I told him to start making whole rifles with the hydraulic damper. lol

 

[wdlsguy]

I originally bought a barrel from del-ton. They said it was a 1in8 twist but when I checked it I found that it was a 1in10.

Did del-ton make good on the barrel?

 

[Raygun]

www.ar15barrels.com

Randall is a good guy. I know him personally and he does VERY high quality work. He has several chamberings to choose from.

Cool. I've been looking for someone who does this kind of thing. Awesome site, seems like a very knowledgeable guy. Another option on the table. Thanks, db.

 

[Climber]

I got the short adjustable gas tube from brownells. The Handguard is a free float YHM. I drilled a small hole in the top for the gas tube. The bipod adapter I got from Bushmaster. It works well but a quick release adapter would be better. The suppressor is a John Tibbitts 30 Cal suppressor. With subsonic loads and the gas tube closed it has to be heard to be believed. An air rifle sounds load compared to this rifle. With supersonic loads it sounds about half as load as a 22 rimfire. The sound comes from sonic crack down range, not from the gun.
AR15barrels.com builds some really nice stuff. He can place the gas tube where ever you want depending on what you are building the gun for.
A friend of mine wanted the 1 in 10 twist barrel so I sold it to him. I never contacted Del-ton.