I picked up a used upper recently and have just got around to working up loads and sighting it in. It's only supposed to have been fired a few times by the original owner/builder, and I have put 12 rounds through it now. Anyway, when I picked it up today to go and shoot, I noticed that the hand guard has a little rotational play. It has one of those epoxied on carbon fiber handguards attached to the barrel nut, so to take the nut off I would have to either cut it off, or figure a way to get under it to remove the gas block and tube. The handguard/barrel nut rotates only as far as the gas tube allows. I haven't got very far on load development yet, just got it on paper this afternoon.
All that being said, is it really an issue with that small amount of play with the barrel nut? The barrel itself doesn't seem to have any wiggle, so I am thinking I may be okay. However, I don't want to spend any more time or components working on loads if this is an issue that needs addressed to optimize accuracy. What are some of you AR guys thoughts and experiences on this issue? Thanks in advance for your input.
All that being said, is it really an issue with that small amount of play with the barrel nut? The barrel itself doesn't seem to have any wiggle, so I am thinking I may be okay. However, I don't want to spend any more time or components working on loads if this is an issue that needs addressed to optimize accuracy. What are some of you AR guys thoughts and experiences on this issue? Thanks in advance for your input.