Finally put the new buffer tube on and shot it. Cycled like a dream! No FTEs or double feeds, and all rounds cycled as they should...bolt even stayed back on the empty mag! Ha!
I put a cheap BSA scope on it a while back, and I had it dialed in at the Prentice Cooper run..well, I took it off to try to move it further up the rail...had to re-zero, which I attempted to do today..I say attempt because I went through 80 rounds before I realized the scope was actually loose in the rings. Yep. No wonder I couldn't get it to hold a zero!!!! Ran back up to my dad's garage, threw some Loctite on the scope rings, and ran another 30rds through it with MUCH better results. I wish I had a better optic, as it's good at 50M but sucks at 100M. The mil-dots cover up almost all of my target, and I don't like it. I definitely won't be deer hunting with it this year.
Anyway, I am VERY VERY VERY satisfied with my build. I have BIG plans for it after nXm that include a FF rail and a new stock.