unforgiven Posted September 10, 2017 Report Share Posted September 10, 2017 another god write up brother. I think I might try one of those metal mags. The FAL mags for my RRA are stout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfoosh006 Posted September 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2017 3rd Target... 1st photo, 10rds South African Ball , the stuff from those tubs. 2nd photo, 19 of 20 shown, Current CBC / Magtech Ball.. kind of all over the place photo missing the one off target on top 3rd photo, 9rds PMC XTAC 168gr Match 4th photo, 15rds ? , Hornady Steel Match 155gr OTM... I have gotten great results with this and the .75gr .223 load.. so steel cased ammo can shot. 5th photo, 20rds '76 Hirt. Berdan Primed. 6th photo, 10rds, Aust. Outback 165gr SGK, soft point. 7th photo , 20rds, Sanitized DAG 8th photo, Eagle Eye 175gr.... only 5 shoots... the barrel and this did not play nicely together... almost pierced primers and obvious signs of pressure. More photos later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfoosh006 Posted September 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2017 26 minutes ago, unforgiven said: another god write up brother. I think I might try one of those metal mags. The FAL mags for my RRA are stout. Thanks ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unforgiven Posted September 10, 2017 Report Share Posted September 10, 2017 I always liked that German mil-surp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfoosh006 Posted September 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2017 (edited) 4th Target... 1st photo, 20rds Port surplus Ball, also from way back when. 2nd photo, 14rds Hornady brass cased 155gr Match 3rd photo, 10rds Horn. TAP ELD 168gr "AR" 4th photo, 10rds SSA 165gr Accubond.. this shot MUCH better ( through the Criterion ) then both the OEM barrels results . 5th photo, another spot check with 168gr FGMM 6th photo, 10rds Fed. MSR Fusion... IMHO excellent performance from and great bonded bullet. 7th photo, Fed. 130gr OTM.. labeled T762TNB1 8th photo, SSA 150gr Accubond ... much better ! ... mislabeled as DAG Edited September 10, 2017 by bfoosh006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfoosh006 Posted September 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2017 5th Target... long day of shooting and I could tell I was getting tired. Also a special note about the last group pictured... 7rds of 168Gr FGMM... this group was from a filthy barrel... and the Criterion barrel could still shoot as good as when it was clean. 1st photo, 10rds Black Hills 175gr TMK 2nd photo, 10rds Speer / CCI 150gr Gold Dot 3rd photo, some more cheap Malaysian berdan primed 4th photo, Speer / CCI 168gr Gold Dot 5th Photo, Sanitized DAG again.... still holding its accuracy , even from the dirty barrel. 6th photo, another FGMM group, rapid fire. 7th photo, Horn. TAP ELD 168gr Precision 8th photo, This, to me is outstanding performance from the Criterion barrel.... final group of the day... after a full 30cal can, and 1 quart ziplock bag worth of spent ammo cases.... The Criterion barrel still shot like it was sparkling clean. 7rds 168gr FGMM..( I stopped with 7 because I thought I'd fubar such a good group ! Lol ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfoosh006 Posted September 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2017 The Eagle Eye 175gr SMK ammo issues.... Sadly, this ammo and barrel combo didn't like each other. Clear signs of over-pressure... and pierced primers, ( I can blow air through each case ) the little primer indentation disc wasn't allowed to "pop out". ( You can't see it clearly in the photos ) I will attribute the fact that I didn't have popped primers and those little disc's to a very heavy buffer ( 9.3oz), the added spring weight with the BCG closed from the Tubbs spring and an adjustable gas block... those 3 parts "retarded" the typically violent/ rapid cyclic action of the OEM configuration by just enough milliseconds to allow BCG movement and extraction at a more moderate chamber pressure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillpitcher2006 Posted September 11, 2017 Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 On 9/7/2017 at 0:21 AM, bfoosh006 said: hillpitcher2006 ..... this link has some good input as well... http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2015/05/what-makes-an-ar-accurate-whitley-offers-answers/ "9. Gas Port Tuning: You want to avoid over-porting the gas port. Being over-gassed makes the gas system pressure up earlier and more aggressively. This causes more impulse, and increases forces and vibration affecting the top end and the barrel. Tune the gas port to give the amount of pressure needed to function properly and adequately but no more." Thanks very much for this and the previous response on this topic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillpitcher2006 Posted September 11, 2017 Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 A few questions: 1. You mentioned earlier on seeing that the firing pin retaining cotter spring was bent and you replaced it - ever figure out why that happened? 2. I've read elsewhere that the clamp style gas block is preferable to the set screw style, due to less (or more even) pressure being put on the barrel. Is this only a concern for a true precision rifle and not something to be considered with a "budget" AR? 3. Is it worth buying the gauges to test head space with any new AR? Or only if you're experiencing cycling issues? 4. You've done a lot of ammo testing on different days with different barrels. In your opinion at this point what's the best non-match grade ammo (ie relatively affordable) for this rifle (with stock barrel)? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtallen83 Posted September 11, 2017 Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 Always check headspace, even more important on these large frame AR's due to the lack of standardized specs. I routinely check headspace whenever I have a bolt broken down, things do wear out, I have never wore a bolt or extension out myself but I try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfoosh006 Posted September 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 5 hours ago, hillpitcher2006 said: A few questions: 1. You mentioned earlier on seeing that the firing pin retaining cotter spring was bent and you replaced it - ever figure out why that happened? 2. I've read elsewhere that the clamp style gas block is preferable to the set screw style, due to less (or more even) pressure being put on the barrel. Is this only a concern for a true precision rifle and not something to be considered with a "budget" AR? 3. Is it worth buying the gauges to test head space with any new AR? Or only if you're experiencing cycling issues? 4. You've done a lot of ammo testing on different days with different barrels. In your opinion at this point what's the best non-match grade ammo (ie relatively affordable) for this rifle (with stock barrel)? Thanks! 1. I think either the cotter key was soft, or the OEM violent cyclic action was messing with it... the new cotter key with the adjustable gas block is fine. 2. I have wonder about this myself... it of course makes sense... but as long as you do not torque the heck out the screws, ( another good reason why you should dimple the barrel, spreading out the force from the tipped screws... ) I would think you are fine. I have seen way to many USGI barrels with their tapered FSB pin hammered in tighter then Heck ( also applying force to the barrel ) .. fire spectacular groups. Maybe on the 6.5 Creedmoor barrel ( I am strongly considering ) I might use a clamp-on. 3. Always check headspace !!! I would, at the VERY least, have a gunsmith check it... having to wait a few days for him to do it is far better then the huge volume of propellant gas blowing up in your face. Also, since various brand parts don't have to follow a guideline.... you could easily have a headspace issue. On another forum.... I just saw some Tula that had cracked just above the rim, from a bolt action, it had cracked enough that had the rifle been a MSR... it probably would have been a full on KaBoom... the crack was 1/2 the way around the case head... if a MSR .308 had excess headspace, it most certainly would have been a kaboom. I realize we all want to go shoot it now... but, step back and seriously consider the possible consequences.... you wouldn't drive across the state with a questionable brake job on your car... so don't do it with something 8" from your face, eyes and such. Cycling issues can be from all sorts of things... not just a headspace issue. 4. Generally speaking... the Fed. 168gr Gold Medal Match fired quite well from all the barrels.... so do consider the FGMM. As for a less expensive round... the Sanitized DAG did very well from my barrels. YMMV. I suggest you buy some of all the cheaper surplus and see which round your barrel likes.... that way you will know for sure it is GTG. ( Barrels are like every person you have ever dated... while similar, they are all slightly different . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfoosh006 Posted September 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 (edited) Next weekend.... I will try and sit down and shoot ... slower, more methodical 5rd groups with the various ammos that show promise. With a clean barrel .... Edited September 11, 2017 by bfoosh006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boot_Scraper Posted September 11, 2017 Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 2 hours ago, bfoosh006 said: Barrels are like every person you have ever dated... while similar, they are all slightly different . This is true. The 18 inch that came with my upper gave me a cold sore and won't return my calls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfoosh006 Posted September 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2017 3 hours ago, Boot_Scraper said: This is true. The 18 inch that came with my upper gave me a cold sore and won't return my calls! See !!! Good thing you didn't knock her up ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfoosh006 Posted September 13, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 Just for sh-ts and giggles... here is the pile of .308 cases used in the testing.... a nice big pile, filled more then 3 / .30 cal cans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtallen83 Posted September 13, 2017 Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 2 hours ago, bfoosh006 said: Just for sh-ts and giggles... here is the pile of .308 cases used in the testing.... a nice big pile, filled more then 3 / .30 cal cans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boot_Scraper Posted September 13, 2017 Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 (edited) 34 minutes ago, jtallen83 said: Much truth Edited September 13, 2017 by Boot_Scraper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boot_Scraper Posted September 13, 2017 Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 3 hours ago, bfoosh006 said: Just for sh-ts and giggles... here is the pile of .308 cases used in the testing.... a nice big pile, filled more then 3 / .30 cal cans. I'll go ahead and PM you my address that way I can properly "dispose" of those for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbas4570 Posted September 13, 2017 Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 ......so if I take pics of my buckets of 308 brass, there will be addresses forwarded to me also? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boot_Scraper Posted September 13, 2017 Report Share Posted September 13, 2017 23 minutes ago, bubbas4570 said: ......so if I take pics of my buckets of 308 brass, there will be addresses forwarded to me also? Social security #, master card #, and a ? pic as well....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfoosh006 Posted September 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2017 (edited) 17 hours ago, jtallen83 said: You said it... Lol Its a labor of love. sorting, trimming, sizing.... oh my. Edited September 14, 2017 by bfoosh006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfoosh006 Posted October 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 Finally got back to the range... so here are some more groups, while focusing on accuracy. Fiocchi 180gr SMK Armscorp, 168gr "Match" Armscorp 168gr HPBT , I don't know if there was a difference between the two.. apart from labeling. SSA 175gr Browning 168gr BXC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfoosh006 Posted October 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 Browning 155gr BRX Federal Tipped Trophy Bonded.... Dramatic POI v. POA shift. Perfecta FMJ Fed. 168gr GMM PPU Green Box Rem. / UMC 150gr MC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfoosh006 Posted October 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 Fed 168gr GMM CBC /Magtech 168gr "Sniper" CBC /Magtech 168gr "Sniper", again CBC /Magtech 168gr "Sniper", again.. 10rds Fed 168gr GMM, again... IMI 150gr FMJ ..... lots of muzzle flash ! , easily seen through the scope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfoosh006 Posted October 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 Fed. 150gr Fusion ( NOT MSR ) Fed. 180gr SP "Blue Box" Fed. 150gr SP "Blue Box" Fed. 168gr GMM Fed. M118LR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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