This is FUN. The name comes from my in-game name of "Canadian Attack Beaver". XL300 lets you rip around, the build runs cool, the 4xML let you strip armor with accuracy and the LB10X + 2xMG let you blow up some components really well. Get in close and use the SRM6 for some extra burst damage. I skilled for full cooldown and armor, partial speed tweak.
It looks good, but I must warn you: MGs will force you to face your target to apply DPS, which is not what you want to do while fitting an XL engine because if, for any reason, one your side torsoes get focused (unlucky alpha strike from another opponent, bad aim that result hitting only your side instead of the CT and so on) you will be back at the mechlab in no time... Unless you manage to facehug your target, but that's one of the lamest things you could do. I would fit a LE if possible (I can't propose a build right now, but I'm pretty sure you can fit a LE280 and overall -1 DHS.
I use the MG when facing lights and in conjunction with the ML's. I don't use them for prolonged fire but rather in bursts with the other weapons. The 15% rate of fire quirk is actually helpful when using them like this. You're right though, dropping a HS or one ML will allow a LE280 to be fit to increase survivability.
Ok, I've managed to open your build on smurphy. About your first build, you can upgrade to light ferro and gain 0.65 ton to play with: by stripping some armor, you can upgrade to Artemis (+1 ton) or add 1 ton of ammo or cooling (not really worth it IMHO). LE is actually kinda easy to fit: your right side has the least amount of weaponry and right arm has +18 armor instead of +10, so you can strip even more armor and fit a LE280 Or downgrade to a slightly slower LE270 but fit artemis missiles, which is doubtly usefull due to the fact you have a single launcher and you are trading increased precision of a single brawl weapon for speed (but still, I hate non-artemis spread on SRM6 launchers, I always feel launchers with artemis are so much better).
Thanks. I was playing around with this last night as well. I like the LE280 build you posted but like you, I hate the spread on SRM6 without Artemis. My rule if thumb is to always factor in Artemis when using SRM6; they seem to spread much more than the SRM2 and SRM4. Dropping the SRM6 for a SRM4 gives you an extra ton to play with. Max the armor on the right arm for a shield, add some to the legs and still have half ton left for some more MG or LB10X ammo.
Arms on the bushwacker don't really shield well. Torsos are thicc, especially with the missile boxes or ballistic boxes up high on some builds. (Also the reason why XL on a bushie is generally frowned upon for anything else than dual chin-mounted AC10s). Most builds focus around the torso locations (and eventually an arm if their hardpoints are needed). Other components are stripped. That said, I think it's definitely an interesting build. My adaptation goes a bit against what I said earlier; I moved the LBX10 to the right arm (fully armored) as a way to track targets with your arms. It's also more aesthetically pleasing in-game. Additionally, I've mounted ERML, which do very well with the Energy Range quirk.