Light loads for piston guns?
With the adjutable gas systems, has anyone tried to tailor a light load for competitions. I see many pistol shooters using 147gr loads in their 9mm's because of the lowered recoil. Just seems like you could run a soft load by changing the gas setting and still have the gun cycle correctly. Not that 5.56 is an ass kicker, but the timer does count by the hundredth of a second, and it's only cardboard anyway.
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If my theory is correct, pistons might become real popular in competition circles which would cement their place on the market.
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Well if it's a dumb idea say so, or is there a lack of answers because everyone went off to experiment?
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Originally Posted By sixnine:
Well if it's a dumb idea say so, or is there a lack of answers because everyone went off to experiment?
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Not really following the logic.
If I wanted to reduce recoil for fast follow up shots, and reliability wasnt a concern, Id install a heavier buffer, a stronger spring, and a compensator at the end of the barrel. I wouldnt bother with dialing gas pressures or fool around with bullets lighter than 55gr.
I would think increasing gas to cycle a lower powered load wouldnt get you much of an improvement. If I overgas my FAL by adjusting the regulator, allI get is more recoil and torn case rims.
The point I was making was that many guys who shoot handgun competitions use their own hand loads to have just enough power to get by. I was wondering if you could run light loads and use a different gas setting, in conjunction with the common upgrades that are made. Hell, I don't even reload myself, I was just wondering if anybody had tried it.
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Since piston companies with adjustable systems only have standard, suppressed, and off settings, it seems they would have to make a special block/piston for your purpose to have an "oversized" setting for the underload. Not sure if the demand is there for a company to make them. Plus, you would need an oversized gas port on your barrel as well.
Originally Posted By sixnine:
The point I was making was that many guys who shoot handgun competitions use their own hand loads to have just enough power to get by. I was wondering if you could run light loads and use a different gas setting, in conjunction with the common upgrades that are made. Hell, I don't even reload myself, I was just wondering if anybody had tried it.
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Don't reload either.
I do notice a slight recoil/muzzle flip difference between M855 and 55gr Tulammo (The Tulammo being weaker).
Originally Posted By ragingyeti:
Since piston companies with adjustable systems only have standard, suppressed, and off settings, it seems they would have to make a special block/piston for your purpose to have an "oversized" setting for the underload. Not sure if the demand is there for a company to make them. Plus, you would need an oversized gas port on your barrel as well.
The Ruger has a 3 and 0 gas key. 1 is for a suppresor, 2 is for normal, 3 is a larger setting for weak ammo/gun getting sluggish due to fouling, and of course 0=off. Setting the gun on 3 with a low power load might work.
Posted Via AR15.Com MobileOriginally Posted By sixnine:
Originally Posted By ragingyeti:
Since piston companies with adjustable systems only have standard, suppressed, and off settings, it seems they would have to make a special block/piston for your purpose to have an "oversized" setting for the underload. Not sure if the demand is there for a company to make them. Plus, you would need an oversized gas port on your barrel as well.
The Ruger has a 3 and 0 gas key. 1 is for a suppresor, 2 is for normal, 3 is a larger setting for weak ammo/gun getting sluggish due to fouling, and of course 0=off. Setting the gun on 3 with a low power load might work.
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I did not know the Ruger had that setting. If you want to try it, I say go for it and let us know how it works out for you. I don't see how it would hurt anything.
I just run a good muzzle brake. I do not lose my site picture.
I loose more time to not being able to practice double taps than I do for re sighting.
I run a gas piston system (older PWS conversion) with the PWS break. It shoots so flat I hadnt considred tuning a load for it.
I do know my Ruger SR-556E is crazy soft on Setting One with Tula 55gr. The downside is this ammo won't always lock the bolt back. The gun runs fine with other ammo on Setting One but there is a noticeable increase in felt recoil with the hotter ammo and increased bolt force.
I'm running an AAC Brakeout on the gun now and have previously used a PWS brake.
Kind of along these same lines; it might be fun to get an undrilled gas regulator from Ruger and experiment with different sized ports until you get reliable function with whatever pet load you wanted ot try. I wonder what the chance of getting an undrilled gas regulator is...
Originally Posted By ragingyeti:
Originally Posted By sixnine:
Originally Posted By ragingyeti:
Since piston companies with adjustable systems only have standard, suppressed, and off settings, it seems they would have to make a special block/piston for your purpose to have an "oversized" setting for the underload. Not sure if the demand is there for a company to make them. Plus, you would need an oversized gas port on your barrel as well.
The Ruger has a 3 and 0 gas key. 1 is for a suppresor, 2 is for normal, 3 is a larger setting for weak ammo/gun getting sluggish due to fouling, and of course 0=off. Setting the gun on 3 with a low power load might work.
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I did not know the Ruger had that setting. If you want to try it, I say go for it and let us know how it works out for you. I don't see how it would hurt anything.
Unfortunately I don't reload so I can't test loads myself. Does Winchester still sell those 40grn varmint rounds? That might be a first step. IIRC they wouldn't cycle in a DI AR.
Posted Via AR15.Com MobileCzech company Pro-Arms makes piston AR-15 (PAR Mk3) with 4 position adjustable gas block. I had chance to try this rifle on factory testing range and it could be set to shoot very, very soft. Actually if I would not know what I shoot, I could mistake it with shooting well tuned rifle length DI. So I think it is possible to make adjustable system for piston guns that will allow hand tailoring and matching ammo for competition use.
Originally Posted By BigMac:
I just run a good muzzle brake. I do not lose my site picture.
I loose more time to not being able to practice double taps than I do for re sighting.
I run a gas piston system (older PWS conversion) with the PWS break. It shoots so flat I hadnt considred tuning a load for it.
Yep. I run a FSC 556 comp on the end of my LMT's muzzle. Reduces recoil to nearly .22 lr levels. It has really spoiled me to the point where I get really bad trigger flinch when I go to shoot my .308 FAL.
