Anyone else have any experience with feeding soft point hunting bullets (Hornady spire points) in their AR variant? My DPMS LR 6.5 Creedmoor works great with 140gr plastic tipped bullets but gives me all kinds of trouble with soft points. It seems like the tips snag on the feed ramp or the breach at the top of the chamber and cause a jam. When they do feed, the brass gets gouged and the rifle ends up short stroking. Is this just me?
It runs great on 140 Amax factory and hand-loaded ammunition but it short strokes on 120gr Amax factory ammo. I've talked to DPMS about the 120gr short stroking and they're willing to take a look at it. I have no doubt they'll make it right, as they have a good reputation for customer service.
I'm trying to figure out if it's reasonable of me to expect it to run on soft points before I ask DPMS about it. Using hand-loaded ammo actually voids the warranty on the rifle and there is no soft point ammo available commercially. If it should function with soft points, I do want to ask DPMS to address any issues that might cause the problem.
The facts:
* This is a factory rifle. I bought it new, 120 rounds ago.
* I have lubed the snot out of it with CLP. Soaked the carrier and oil dripping on the ground while shooting.
* Identical operation between factory mag and Pmag.
* Factory Hornady Match 140gr Amax ammunition functions fine.
* Factory Hornady 120gr Amax ammunition short-strokes but feeds and ejects.
* Hand loaded Amax 140gr functions fine.
* Hand loaded soft points (130gr & 140gr) FTF, FTE, short-stroke, gouged tips, bent cartridges.
* Rifle cleaned and lubed after every use and heavily lubed all moving parts before every use.
* No lead buildup on feed ramp.
* No visible leakage between the barrel and gas block.
* Correct (carbine) receiver extension, buffer, and spring.
That's good information. I really have no need to use soft point ammo, other than my existing inventory. That can be reserved for my 6.5x55 and .264 mag. Also, I'm not interested in running 120gr projectiles but I would like to see it run them, just so I know the gas system is tight. I won't sweat the soft point feeding issue.