M&P10 feed issue

[tcutlermd]

I have a new M&P10 with the following mods prior to firing the first round:

(1) Troy TRX 13.5 free float tube
(2) VLTOR low profile gas block
(3) Geissele SSA-E trigger
(4) Nikon Monarch 4-16x on PEPR QD rings

The bolt was wet with Frog Lube when it came back from the gunsmith and I left it as it was.

Started with Hornady 125 gr custom lite in the factory steel mag (5 rounds per mag). Misfeed on the second round. First round extracted, 4-5 feet out about 90 degrees. The 2nd round was about half way up the ramp with the bolt jammed against it.

Switched to 10 round PMag. Tried again with same ammo. Same result. I assumed the "lite" loads were insufficient to properly cycle and I put them aside.

Swabbed the barrel. Switched to 10 round PMag with Hornady TAP 168gr AMAX. Scoped zeroed by the 3rd round. 1-2" groups. Four iterations, barrel swabbed after each set, 5 rounds each, no misfeeds.

Then factory mag with Federal Fusion 180 gr.
Four iterations, 5 rounds each, a few clicks up to re-zero and no misfeeds.

Now I was sure that the "wimpy girl loads" (my shooting buddy's choice of words) were the problem.

With scope near zero, it was time to step up the game. Loaded 5 rounds of Black Hills Match 150gr BTHP at $2 per round into the PMag. Much to my suprise, it behaved exactly like the Hornady 125gr Lite. The bolt jammed on the 2nd round half way up the ramp. With factory mag. Then the PMag. Then with more Frog Lube on everything except the scope. 2nd round failed to feed correctly each time (see picture of rounds below).

Switched to 10 round PMag with Hornady Whitetail 150gr Interlock. Four iterations, 5 rounds each, no misfeeds. Scoped zeroed by the 3rd round. Tightest groups yet 1-2" with many touching and some near same hole. She defintely loves this ammo. Good to know because (1) this is a hunting rifle and (2) it was the cheapest of the 5 that I tried.

So, I'm guessing she misbehaves with the Hornady 125gr Lite because it's underpowered. Is the same true of the heavenly ordained Black Hills 150gr Match?

Expert opinions, ponderings and pontifications welcomed.

 

[MistWolf]

I believe the Black Hills ammo is loaded to NATO pressures which is lower than commercial

 

[webfarmer]

I think our beloved M&P 10's are a bit fussy ammo wise. Just my opinion. I had the same FTE's your having but I hand load. I can't run my OAL at 2.780" - runs jam free at 2.735" (150 FMJBT Hornady). Mine also exhibits a better ejection pattern (4 out of 5 in one localized area at 4 o'clock) with the hotter loads (not hot - just hotter of those tested).

So the long story answer - I believe they're fussy which may work itself out after a few hundred rounds down range. I'm only at 190 myself. Good luck!

 

[tcgrmt]

I was having the same issue after 150 rounds on Saturday at the range. Last night I decided to give it one more try before sending it back to S&W. I completely cleaned the BCG and upper receiver and then coated them using my finger with oil. This morning when I grabbed the gun out of the safe to take it to the range oil was present on the seam between the upper and lower. At the range I started with 20 rounds of Remington 150 gr. and it ran perfectly. Then tried some M80 ball which I was having the same feed issues your having. 50 rounds not one problem. Next I fired 15 rounds of Federal 168 gr. match, what a beautiful round, my gun loves these.

Clean and heavy oil, worked for me

Here's the last 5 rounds of the Federal 168 gr. Match after I dialed my scope in some.

 

[Brianengy]

The first thing I notice about this rifle is the action is a little gritty out of the box. I lubed the hell out of it and cycled a bunch of dummy rounds and empty chamber bolt drops. I will admit I did about 500+ before it was nice and loosend up.

 

[copemech]

I have a new M&P10 with the following mods prior to firing the first round:

(1) Troy TRX 13.5 free float tube
(2) VLTOR low profile gas block
(3) Geissele SSA-E trigger
(4) Nikon Monarch 4-16x on PEPR QD rings

The bolt was wet with Frog Lube when it came back from the gunsmith and I left it as it was.

Started with Hornady 125 gr custom lite in the factory steel mag (5 rounds per mag). Misfeed on the second round. First round extracted, 4-5 feet out about 90 degrees. The 2nd round was about half way up the ramp with the bolt jammed against it.

Switched to 10 round PMag. Tried again with same ammo. Same result. I assumed the "lite" loads were insufficient to properly cycle and I put them aside.

Swabbed the barrel. Switched to 10 round PMag with Hornady TAP 168gr AMAX. Scoped zeroed by the 3rd round. 1-2" groups. Four iterations, barrel swabbed after each set, 5 rounds each, no misfeeds.

Then factory mag with Federal Fusion 180 gr.
Four iterations, 5 rounds each, a few clicks up to re-zero and no misfeeds.

Now I was sure that the "wimpy girl loads" (my shooting buddy's choice of words) were the problem.

With scope near zero, it was time to step up the game. Loaded 5 rounds of Black Hills Match 150gr BTHP at $2 per round into the PMag. Much to my suprise, it behaved exactly like the Hornady 125gr Lite. The bolt jammed on the 2nd round half way up the ramp. With factory mag. Then the PMag. Then with more Frog Lube on everything except the scope. 2nd round failed to feed correctly each time (see picture of rounds below).

Switched to 10 round PMag with Hornady Whitetail 150gr Interlock. Four iterations, 5 rounds each, no misfeeds. Scoped zeroed by the 3rd round. Tightest groups yet 1-2" with many touching and some near same hole. She defintely loves this ammo. Good to know because (1) this is a hunting rifle and (2) it was the cheapest of the 5 that I tried.

So, I'm guessing she misbehaves with the Hornady 125gr Lite because it's underpowered. Is the same true of the heavenly ordained Black Hills 150gr Match?

Expert opinions, ponderings and pontifications welcomed.

View attachment 150033

View attachment 150034

View attachment 150035

Although you made changes before wearing it in, sounds as though you have found some working ammo! They do not like some stuff! Does not mean it has to be overly expensive!

Keep up updated with your best picks!