Questions about loading .223 for the AR-15

[bigbossman]

I have an AR-15 that I'm working up loads for. It is a standard mach prepped service rifle configuration, and shoots commercial and milsurp without issue.

I have some Reloder RL-7 and 10x, and while I've been able to work up accurate loads with both powders, neither one will cycle the action reliably to pick up the next round from the magazine. I'm using a 50gr Hornady V-MAX bullet, and have run the powder charges up to max or near max - 22.5gr for RL-7, and 24gr for RL-20x. Brass is FC, and has been resized in a RCBS SB sizing die and chambers easily and without binding in the rifle. Primers don't look too flat, but I'm reluctant to go past the maximum published charges. I have not chronographed any of the loads.

I'd like to use these powders for the rifle as they are supposed to be good for this caliber, but maybe only in bolt guns?. Any suggestions?

[golfish]

Darn things can be finicky...

Have you tried a lighter buffer ?

[bigbossman]

Darn things can be finicky...

Have you tried a lighter buffer ?

Expand on that please. I am unfamiliar with the mechanics of an AR-15. Is it sort of like changing the spring on a 1911?

[bohoki]

ive never used those powders ive only ever used win748,ramshot tac,hogdon varget and 23 grains behind 55 or 62 becuase 23 grains lets me make an even 300 rounds

does it work ok with factory ammo? are your bolt rings grooves lined up?

[golfish]

Expand on that please. I am unfamiliar with the mechanics of an AR-15. Is it sort of like changing the spring on a 1911?

It's very easy, takes about 30 seconds...

Brownells has a video on changing buffers and buffer springs on YouTube. I'm not familiar with the powder your using but if you're finding data then it should be gtg. I'm sure you know that..

The weight on the buffer should be marked on the end..they're not very expensive.

Drilling out the gas port and using a adjustable gas block might be another option.

Good luck to you

[bigbossman]

does it work ok with factory ammo? are your bolt rings grooves lined up?

Yes, as stated in the OP, commercial and milsurp work just fine.

It's very easy, takes about 30 seconds...

Brownells has a video on changing buffers and buffer springs on YouTube. I'm not familiar with the powder your using but if you're finding data then it should be gtg. I'm sure you know that..

The weight on the buffer should be marked on the end..they're not very expensive.

I'm thinking you put me on the right track.

I bought this gun, used, from a competitor that was retiring from Highpower competition. Shot it a handful of times with factory ammo and Malaysian surplus, and it worked just fine. I just started reloading for it, and ran into this issue.

Now, you come along and talk about buffers and buffer springs.... I had no idea! So, I took the gun apart and took out the tube and spring (you're right, very easy). I could not find a number on the buffer tube........ BUT, I noticed that the tube rattled when I moved it around. So - I drove the pin out and removed the nylon end cap, and found a whole stack of cut steel round bar pieces inside.

I'm guessing that's not factory.

[bohoki]

are your empty cases sooty? compared to factory ammo?

if you want to use the rifle without any of the weights inside its fine the weights are just for reducing carrier bounce

[G38xOC]

I wonder how much all those buffer weights In at

[G38xOC]

I wonder how much all those buffer weights In at .

[bigbossman]

are your empty cases sooty? compared to factory ammo?

if you want to use the rifle without any of the weights inside its fine the weights are just for reducing carrier bounce

No - no soot, everything looked good. If there is no danger of battering the rifle, I'll pull the weights out and try again.

I wonder how much all those buffer weights In at

3.3 ounces.

[baih777]

What length are you loading to ?

[smoothy8500]

That looks like a standard buffer/weights for the A2 stock, don't know why it isn't working fine with near-max loads when it works well with factory 55gr.

[bigbossman]

That looks like a standard buffer/weights for the A2 stock, don't know why it isn't working fine with near-max loads when it works well with factory 55gr.

Must be the powder then. H4895 loads seeded to cycle fine, just not as accurate.

[kcheung2]

I'm going to go the opposite, I think your buffer is too light. If I recall, carbine weight buffers are 3 oz, but the rifle length buffers start at 5 oz. So I think the previous owner lightened it. (and those weights are supposed to be there, except maybe that long one is the lighter filler piece) That it was a previous competition gun lends further credence to that.

Continuing with this theory, with your near-max charges and overly light buffer, your bcg is moving too fast such that there isn't enough time for the magazine spring to move the next round up before the bolt is closed again. But that's just a guess.

If your max charges aren't working, then maybe move closer to min or middle charges and try again?

[G-forceJunkie]

I could not find a number on the buffer

Because people are talking about stuff they don't know about. Rifle length buffers come in one weight, with the rare exception of a low mass competition one made by JP and perhaps others. The "H1", "H2" etc buffers other have mentions are for carbine length buffer tubes, and they get heavier in weight as the number goes up.

tube........ BUT, I noticed that the tube rattled when I moved it around. So - I drove the pin out and removed the nylon end cap, and found a whole stack of cut steel round bar pieces inside.

I'm guessing that's not factory.

You guessed wrong.

It sounds like your loads are underpowered. What the velocity?