M&P 15 stuck cases..

[ciPeterF]

Confused.. I have a Smith M&P AR-15 with about 250 rounds thru it. I also have a Wilson .223 case gauge and am using Redding dies. I reloaded some Federal cases and after loading they easily fit in the case gauge, pretty much at the shorter measurement, loaded rounds easily slip in and out of the gauge (and all the measurements make sense from fired rounds.. about .006 shorter using Sinclair headspace gauge, and match Winchester factory ammo.

"Now" the confusion.. some of these rounds refuse to eject.. unbelieveably stuck in the chamber, eg rip the rim off, have to tap them out using a rod. At first I thought it might simply be some **** in the locking lug region,, but after a thorough cleaning, same result..

AND the cases that I tore the rim off still fit well in the case gauge !

Any ideas? thks!

 

[Dragon88]

Just to clarify, are you chambering your loaded rounds and then attempting to eject them? Or are you getting FTEs after firing?

 

[ciPeterF]

FTE after firing...

 

[Hobie1]

Commercial ammo(steel case?) or re-loads? Clean the chamber? How do you get the case out after the fte?

I ask these just as much to learn as help. Good luck on a speedy fix. Share with us what you find out.

Hobie

 

[three-five-seven]

re: extraction or ejections in M&P AR-15?

If the rim has been torn off and the case is left in the chamber it is a failure to EXTRACT. You may consider of course cleaning the chamber as recommended by others.

Other causes could be:
Using range brass fired in other rifles with of course different and (larger chambers). Use your brass only fired in your rifle.
The brass is springing back as it does have some memory after resizing.
Check your die adjustment.
Are your loads too hot? Check your loading data and are you following the recipe? How about overall length?
Is your brass too long and needs to be trimmed? This could boost pressure as the case mouth is being forced against the end of the chamber neck.
Are you using someone elses poor reloads?

If the rifle works with good factory ammo dont blame the rifle.

Check your reloading data and procedures and maybe start with new brass. It cant hurt just be safe and have fun.

 

[Dragon88]

The fact that your loaded rounds pass a gauge doesn't tell you much. The cases expand to the size of your chamber on firing.

If the cases were left in the chamber but could then be fished out, I would consider an extractor problem. However, you say that you have to drive them out with a rod, so something is going on with your chamber or load. Without having the rifle and rounds in hand it's hard to diagnose, but here are some things to consider:

Is your chamber very rough? As is, you can run your pinky finger in there and feel ridges. Any unusual marks on the fired brass?

How dirty is the chamber?

What load are you using? Is it popping any primers, flattening primers excessively, or otherwise showing signs of overpressure?

What OAL are you using? Are the bullets being forced into the leade and possibly increasing chamber pressure?

Does this problem occur with factory ammo?

 

[MPDC]

"Does this problem occur with factory ammo?"

This!

 

[ciPeterF]

Okay, did the super clean job.. nothing obvious in the chamber (it's pretty smooth), or anywhere else.. so we'll get back to range on weekend and see if it's running smoother.. Will post further if troubles persist.. thks for the suggestions!

 

[Dragon88]

You're not getting the point here. Your reloads are likely the cause, and if they are sticking cases in the chamber to that point that the rim rips off with the extractor, you really need to stop and re-evaluate.

 

[MPDC]

You're not getting the point here. Your reloads are likely the cause, and if they are sticking cases in the chamber to that point that the rim rips off with the extractor, you really need to stop and re-evaluate.

Yep, run some commercial 5.56 through it and eliminate the rifle as the problem OR confirm that it is. Just logical to start with the easiest test.

 

[Deaj]

Yep, run some commercial 5.56 through it and eliminate the rifle as the problem OR confirm that it is. Just logical to start with the easiest test.

I concur.

Going back to the range with the same rifle and the same reloads = chasing your tail.

Test firing the rifle with reliable factory loads will isolate the trouble to either the rifle or the reloads. From there you may concentrate your efforts determining the root cause and finding a solution.

Best of luck. Be sure to post your findings.

 

[ciPeterF]

Okay guys.. "not" that stupid.. yes I went back to the range with lots of ammo (new reloads, factory, etc).. all ran fine till round "46".. ripped the rim off again..

Did some more surfing and there seems to be some consensus that Federal cases are soft? Anybody have any experience with them?

How logical is... a soft case not springing back properly, causing extra force to remove and rip the rim off?

 

[MPDC]

My experience with a few thousand rounds of Federal Lake City has resulted in no problems at all. Never had a case torn or an FTE. Might try replacing the extractor and try again.

Never tried to imply you were not knowledgable but responded to the literal meaning of your post. Sorry, no condescention was intended.

 

[turbo38gn]

My experience with a few thousand rounds of Federal Lake City has resulted in no problems at all. Never had a case torn or an FTE. Might try replacing the extractor and try again.

Never tried to imply you were not knowledgable but responded to the literal meaning of your post. Sorry, no condescention was intended.

Are you kidding me, he didn't answer the question... said he used NEW RELOADS, factory, ETC.. NEVER SAID WHAT NUMBER 46 WAS...

 

[Dragon88]

Yes, Federal commercial cases are pretty soft. However, I have shot and reloaded thousands and thousands of them and never had a rim pull off. The Federal brass is not the issue here.

What was round 46? Reload or factory? What load are you using?

 

[ciPeterF]

46 was a Federal reload.. I think I do have a brass issue.. Looking at the rims of other cases in the run with a magnifying glass, some have what I'd call "voids" in the brass on the back inside rim right at the bottom (sort of thing that would happen if the cutter wasn't clearing.)..

I'm away for a week, but will add to the post in a couple weeks.. I have to load a couple thousand rounds and I'll make sure there's a batch of ICC, a Federal, and some Win..

Load is 55 gr FMJ , 23 gr Ramshot TAC, OAL 2.220 (center of canalure), Redding body die, neck bushing size .244

 

[Dragon88]

Do your handloads have proper neck tension and crimp to prevent bullet setback?

When you say "voids", are you referring to extractor marks from previous firing? Those are normal.

A couple thousands rounds to load? Yeah, you might want to hold off on that until you fix your load.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

I have to load a couple thousand rounds and I'll make sure there's a batch of ICC, a Federal, and some Win..

I am far from being an expert reloader, but I do know that I would not load another round until I found out what is causing your problem. It's not fun pulling bullets and dumping powder. I found that out when I accidentally used pistol primers on 50 rounds of .223 .

 

[RainDodger]

I've been reloading Federal cases for years - (I probably have 3,000 Federal 5.56 cases) with no problems like you describe. I highly doubt that there is a case irregularity causing it.

 

[Jswiney9]

no problems with federal here either.