Failure to feed problem

[MistWolf]

Mistwolf. I guess I made an assumption that everyone here would know that .308 is a higher pressure,thus, it would cycle the bolt better with less fail to feed due to short stroking problems. At least that is my experience with my M&P 10 and seems to be a common problem. I'm thinking an adjustable gas valve would be the ticket like on the Ruger 762 and a few more. The gas port would be another place to look but I like to start with less drilling at the beginning of troubleshooting.
Thanks by the way. My shooting partner that has years of experience over me didn't know .308 has higher pressures.

I'm a little chagrined. I went back and read your post again and realized I misunderstood it the first time.

The more I shoot the Big Smith, the less picky it is about ammo. I've recently swapped the carbine buffer out for an H buffer and the rifle functions fine on handloads that duplicate military ammo without opening up the gas port. However, I'm also using a BABC which I suspect increases back pressure a bit

 

[Mealman]

I'm a little chagrined. I went back and read your post again and realized I misunderstood it the first time.

The more I shoot the Big Smith, the less picky it is about ammo. I've recently swapped the carbine buffer out for an H buffer and the rifle functions fine on handloads that duplicate military ammo without opening up the gas port. However, I'm also using a BABC which I suspect increases back pressure a bit

I've been hoping to get to that point of less picky and one of the next steps for non-destructive improvement would be the buffer. I'll have to weigh mine since I haven't yet. I like the "Big Smith" comment. I'm going to use it myself now. I'll be at the range tomorrow and using Gold Medal Match .308 168grain. If the gun likes it, then I'll mimic the load of the GMM with a 168grain bullet. I do want this gun to be the gun to carry into trouble or to ideally keep trouble away until help arrives. However, 00 buck in a dark hallway would be the first choice......Thanks again! Tell me what brand H buffer are you using?

 

[MistWolf]

I don't know what brand the buffer is. It's a spare I picked up along the way. It's the type with 1tungsten and 2 steel weights

 

[Mealman]

I don't know what brand the buffer is. It's a spare I picked up along the way. It's the type with 1tungsten and 2 steel weights

Sounds like an H buffer which is 3.8oz if my research is good. I'm still researching the change to another buffer which may cause short stroking if I don't chose the correct weight. I already have short stroking with the 7.62 ammo so I may have to accept the fact that this gun is made for .308 which I think you mentioned in one of your posts. My range day was perfect with .308 ammo. I was way more accurate with the Gold Medal Match 168 grain. So, I'll sit down to a long research session to see which rifle will fire both nato and .308. I think this rifle will be more appealing to a future buyer if I don't drill or cut into it and leave that to the next shooter.

 

[copemech]

Sounds like an H buffer which is 3.8oz if my research is good. I'm still researching the change to another buffer which may cause short stroking if I don't chose the correct weight. I already have short stroking with the 7.62 ammo so I may have to accept the fact that this gun is made for .308 which I think you mentioned in one of your posts. My range day was perfect with .308 ammo. I was way more accurate with the Gold Medal Match 168 grain. So, I'll sit down to a long research session to see which rifle will fire both nato and .308. I think this rifle will be more appealing to a future buyer if I don't drill or cut into it and leave that to the next shooter.

Yea, well, told you so! What kinda groups did you get with the GMM?

You do not have to research anything, it was made to CYCLE US made .308, but it works just fine with 7.62 if you give it a little more gas to work with.

If you want to make it more appealing to a future buyer, you might try selling them a gun that just works with what you put into it!

Oh, and BTW, even at my .073 gas port setting, I am still pushing a H2 buffer to soften things with no issues thus far.

To me, I just want it to work! I may decide to punch a bunch rapid fire one day, then go to precision the next. The gun needs to work! And with what I feed it!

And yes, at the cost of GMM, I can load it myself at half the cost, or buy decent reloads in Amax 168, which have done better thusfar in my gun.

You might try Freedom Munitions.com as an example for some good quality reman Amax at less than a buck per. First order is free shipping!

Do as you like, just sayin.

 

[Mealman]

Yea, well, told you so! What kinda groups did you get with the GMM?

You do not have to research anything, it was made to CYCLE US made .308, but it works just fine with 7.62 if you give it a little more gas to work with.

If you want to make it more appealing to a future buyer, you might try selling them a gun that just works with what you put into it!

Oh, and BTW, even at my .073 gas port setting, I am still pushing a H2 buffer to soften things with no issues thus far.

To me, I just want it to work! I may decide to punch a bunch rapid fire one day, then go to precision the next. The gun needs to work! And with what I feed it!

And yes, at the cost of GMM, I can load it myself at half the cost, or buy decent reloads in Amax 168, which have done better thusfar in my gun.

You might try Freedom Munitions.com as an example for some good quality reman Amax at less than a buck per. First order is free shipping!

Do as you like, just sayin.

The GMM surprised me at 3 MOA with 3 of the 5 holes touching in a straight line. 2 flyers but that was me. A little more work and I should have that spread a little tighter but for what I'll use it for it's great grouping. I'm leaning toward the enlargement of the gas port because like you, if things go like we're seeing in the news then I'll need to fire what I find which most likely will be 7.62. I do have plenty of that. I'll reload to the GMM specs when I do another round of .308. I'll check out your Amax link, thanks!

 

[sgtsandman]

I guess it depends on the rifle. Lake City 7.62 has been running fine in mine so far.

 

[copemech]

I guess it depends on the rifle. Lake City 7.62 has been running fine in mine so far.

Yep, at least it has US powder which probably helps! Burn rate is an issue!

How is your ejection pattern?

These things are NOT AR-15, yet same principals apply to an extent. Not sure to what extent.

On a typical AR, a pattern from 1 o'clock to about 5 o'clock is a scale. (over and under gassed) with 3-4 o'clock being more ideal range.

 

[sgtsandman]

Yep, at least it has US powder which probably helps! Burn rate is an issue!

How is your ejection pattern?

These things are NOT AR-15, yet same principals apply to an extent. Not sure to what extent.

On a typical AR, a pattern from 1 o'clock to about 5 o'clock is a scale. (over and under gassed) with 3-4 o'clock being more ideal range.

Ejection has been about the same as shooting match rounds. About the 3-4 o'clock range, with the occasional 1-2 from both. It doesn't happen often but when it does, I have to go outside the shooting shed/house to get them. Otherwise, they are all inside the shed and I have to pray the brass hasn't fallen through the gaps in the floor.

I really need to get a brass catcher. It's not like they are all that expensive or anything....

 

[WR Moore]

HOLY COW!!! What an EXCELLENT set of pictures!!
This is a relatively simple polish job. Take a dremel tool with a small round polishing stone, and carefully massage all that. ................

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT use a small round stone! This is what cratex polishing tips are made for. Much harder to do excessive damage with, but still capable of doing the job.

This is a problem which can be fixed in about 10 minutes total time. Be patient, and do not push too hard.

While true, since the item is still under warranty, you'd be better off to send it back, with a set of those pictures to illustrate what you believe is the cause of the problem. I'd include a couple of pics of those bent rounds.