Happy Sunday everyone. Came across this forum while researching the AR10. I just recently assembled the T model and gave it it's shakedown last weekend. Things went fairly well. It fired but had numerous jams. I'm all but sure it was due to some of the reloads not quite fully resized. These were loaded for an FAL and performed flawlessly in that rifle. On the plus side, the AR10 shot very well using loads for a Savage 10. These were new Lapua brass, 178g A-Max and Varget. This is a relatively heavy rifle and all I had was my range bag as a rest. Accuracy at 100 yards was typical of my shaky self. I used a VX-R 3x9x40 scope. Ring height was also an issue so I've since put on a set of Seekins AR Height rings (1.45") and that pretty much put my good eye at the scope's center and also added a bipod. We'll see (I hope) next time.... And that folks is my story for today.
Welcome MTM and congrats on the rifle. Were the jams on reloads then? If so whatwas the powder load, and were they loaded using small base dies? Also what was the COL? If not reloads what were they?
An AR10T needs about 200 break in rounds .
Thanks for the welcome! Yes, all the ammo was reloads. Those that jammed were from a batch using 42g of WC846 in mixed headstamps mostly of LCC and WCC. The COL was 2.780 and a SB Forster die was used. As I mentioned earlier, these same loads ran perfect in the FAL all day long. The other loads were from Lapua brass, 40g Varget, and 178g A-MAX. No issues there. I still believe I could do better during the sizing. Nonetheless, this was only a shakedown and not the loads I plan for the AR10. I want to try it with Sierra 155g Matchkings and either Varget or 4895. I prefer to reload on the lighter end rather than pushing it.
:welcome: I'd get a 100 rounds of M80 ball for break-in, then you'll have a better idea if it was an ammo issue. I'm betting the T has a bit tighter tolerances than the FAL.
MTM wrote: Thanks for the welcome! Yes, all the ammo was reloads. Those that jammed were from a batch using 42g of WC846 in mixed headstamps mostly of LCC and WCC. The COL was 2.780 and a SB Forster die was used. As I mentioned earlier, these same loads ran perfect in the FAL all day long. The other loads were from Lapua brass, 40g Varget, and 178g A-MAX. No issues there. I still believe I could do better during the sizing. Nonetheless, this was only a shakedown and not the loads I plan for the AR10. I want to try it with Sierra 155g Matchkings and either Varget or 4895. I prefer to reload on the lighter end rather than pushing it.
Understand the not pushing it. An FAL has an adjustable gas block, which gives you a bit more leeway in your reloads. Even though AR's are generally overgassed, so I doubt it was a gas issue. I am guessing you are right. The AR10T has a precise chamber, I am guessing the FAL probably less so. If the sizing die was not properly adjusted, that would cause a new round not to fully chamber, but it might slip into the FAL chamber. O
Absolutely, the FAL has a more forgiving chamber. I measured a couple of the cases about 3/8" from the case head versus the same with the Lapua brass. The difference in size averaged about 2 thousandths larger than the Lapua. Still, I will take JTA83's and NightForce's advice and run some commercial stuff through it.
I have a feeling that once you are reloading brass from that factory ammo that has been fired through your AR10T, this problem will disappear. :thumbs:
Thank You MTM for the introduction and the range report. Looking forwards to a couple a pics. of Your rifle too.
As stated, use only a " Small Base Die Set " when reloading and make sure that it is properly adjusted.
I have yet to try it, but, I have been picking up some of the Hornady 168gr BTHPs and now have several hundred booolits that I can put into reloads.
I`ve read in the forum that the 168s work very well in these rifles.
I too am wanting a load that will work well in My M1A and also in the Ishapore .308 rifle too. I might be asking too much there but I will try.
Welcome to the forum MTM. :welcome: :cheers:
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