Just to add, you can probably get matched with 750+ even with < 750 gear. I saw some people under 750 in pubs. Not sure why. The best way is through a full closed fireteam because it not only prevents you from leeching others, it doesn't allow anyone to come in and actually do the forge, extending the timer, and booting you to orbit. An alternative is port disabling script, which slightly slower because it makes the game wait for players that don't exist.