Here's an update.
This is a Noreen Firearms BN-36.
Basically it's an AR pattern rifle chambered in 30-06.
My other term for it is a 21 century M1918 BAR / Colt Monitor.
Recoil is very manageable (little bit more than 5.56 but not much) and it's pretty obscure (less than 1000 made, so far)
22" barrel with a nice muzzle break, 20 round mag and I put a Geisselle Super Dynamic 3Gun trigger on it. Yes it's FAST. Surprisingly well balanced and it's tipping the scales right around 10 pounds with full mag and optics. (Slightly better than my Garand with more firepower)
And MUCH better than an M1918 BAR full loaded out.

Does it have a few teething problems? Yep, adjustable gas block requires setting when you get it.
Still tweaking it but this is pretty much my primary rifle and it will do 2 MOA no problem. (It's a battle rifle not a sniper weapon)
Planning on smoothing the lower receiver, a skeleton stock, better pistol grip, and the bolt charging handle will get enlarged and smoothed with a custom knob (personal preference). Using a magnifier and Eotech because honestly I just don't have a scope good enough to mount on this little beast. (yet)
Here it is next to other tools.

For the smiths/mechanics, uses standard AR-15 parts in most places (fire control / lower receiver) except for the bolt, barrel nut / float tube which is AR-10 based.
Why did I choose it?
I LOVE the 30-06, properly loaded it's just better than a 308 (and German Salazar seems to agree)
During the 2013 great ammo famine I noticed that 5.56 / 308 rounds were just flat out gone. What remained on the shelf? 30-06.
They are planning and working on .270 Winchester and 25-06 chamberings. The other chamberings below will not get offered but they CAN be done according to the owner. I am quite certain there will be a major ajustment to some of the larger ones (heavier spring, definitely adjustment to the gas block, etc)
Also I am planning a few more items
Belt fed modification (I'd love it but that's $4000 minimum at Valkyrie Armory / Ares Armor)
Specialized ammo development
Need to tap and drill the float tube to install picatinny rails (this is now standard on new BN36 rifles)
I am definitely planning on additional uppers ... why?
- 6.5-06
- 8mm Mauser
- 7mm Mauser
- 338-06 A-Square
- 35 Whelen (poor man's magnum)
- 9.3 x 63 (European Big game catridge)
- 375 Whelen
- Also have an Ackley Improved Variant which makes your brass life much longer
- Then there are the Gibbs series of cartridges or possibly even 30-06 JDJ
- All of these will run off a standard 30-06 sized bolt, just need to get an AR-10 barrel chambered accordingly. (and tweak the gas system of course)
NOTE: bump fire stocks will need to be significantly adjusted to allow for proper operation (back end of the AR type frame is slightly different by 1/4-1/2 inch)