Well, with the Model One Sales upper in hand, I slapped it onto my Colt 6920 lower and went out shooting. I did all my reading, and having no one in the area with another .300 Whipser/.300 Fireball/ .300-.221/ 7.62x34 I had to somewhat guess what would work. So I grabbed a set of Hodgdon H110, as some of you all suggest and loaded up a series of Tester rounds.
So, my suggested load was 17.2grs of Hodgdon H110 sitting under a 168 grain bullet for 1,958FPS. So, with no OAL I think I got it somewhat close, and all were pressed to 2.238" OAL As no one has informed me otherwise. This was just off the lan the best I could tell, but with the way some stuck at this length I should have known better. I jacked a round into the gun, and then attempted to eject it, unfired. It required some tapping on the charging handel to get the gun to release.
So, not seeing any lan marks on the round I didn't know why it was sticking so I rechambered it and let the lead fly....
First round was 16.2gr, Underloaded of course with a lighter 165gr bullet. Boom.... Gun fired, round went down range, bolt slammed back. A touch harder then I think it appropreiate for an AR15 but nothing that would make you go "Holy Balls!". But I don't know if this is correct, as I have never shot a .30 cal AR15.
So anyway, inspecting my brass like a good reloader would, the primers looked ok, not flat or anything, the only problem I saw was the brass was flattened on one end. I attributed this to impact on my brass deflector. The other thing I noticed, which was slightly more alarming is it appears that the extractor was really yanking on the brass as it raised and gouged the rim pretty decently. Anywho, four more 16.2gr H110 loads down range, all the same effect and problems.
So, I figure I have over 10.0gr to go before I reach the suggested load so I jacked in 16.4gr H110 load. Boom, round goes down range, bolt slams about the same, shell comes out. Go to check the primer, and it's not there.
So now here is my delima. Is the load bunk and too hot at only 16.4grs, or is the OAL creating too much pressure and causing the problems??
I would really apperciate it if you all could help me trouble shoot this. What my plan is right now is to load some 15.6, 15.8, 16.0, and then some more 16.2's but lower the OAL. I don't want to be too far off the lans, but I think I am too long right now. I mean come on, The gun should cycle the rounds without me have to yank on the charging handle. So Im thinking about going to an OAL in the 2.215" range and seeing how that works.
Suggestions???
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