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Posted: 4/21/2003 7:32:27 AM EDT
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I have a new AR-15 that I assembled myself with a kit from Model 1 sales. I am having problems with some of the ammo loading properly. It doesn't chamber completely. The bolt carrier won't close completely. It happened with FMJ and HP. It doesn't seem to be a magazine issue. The cartriges measured 2.25 COL. I thought that is the industry standard for 223cal. Am I having headspace problems or is it something else? Thanks for your help. PS the shells that did fire and load properly were from the same box that some didn't load properly. I used Alltrimax ammo and some of my own reloads. |
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First off this is a Troubleshooting Forum issue not an ammo issue. You might get more/better responses over there. (also if your' using 'shells' you might want to 'cartridges' instead. Shells are used for shotguns not rifles [;)] ) But I will say this - first check the rifle using quality ammo ( Winchester or Federal). I've not head of Alltrimax (some local remanufacturer?) and I've seen plenty of reloads that won't work in semi-auto rifles. If you don't use the right powders you don't get the proper pressure at the port to cycle the weapon. |
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Is there an obstruction in the chamber? Like maybe part of a cartridge case that separated? When you built the rifle what process did you use to determine if the headspace was set correctly? Did you use a NO GO and a GO headspace gage? Did you try original factory loaded ammo in addition to the commercial and personal reloads? Assuming the chamber is clear, can you insert a cartridge by hand and close and rotate the bolt? By this I mean strip the bolt out of the carrier, insert the cartridge in the chamber, and then place the bolt behind the case head and rotate the bolt to lock the lugs. I infer from your post that some cartridges did feed and fire, and others did not. I do not recommend troubleshooting the problem with commercial or personal reloads since it is possible that not all of the cases have been properly resized, trimmed to length, etc. Improper or variable resizing, and excessive case length can cause chambering issues in addition to incorrect headspace. If you did not use gages to set up the headspace, I strongly urge you to do so, or take the upper to an experienced AR-15 gunsmith before firing it any more. Noah |
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If you are reloading you need a CASE GUAGE. This is the only way to correctly adjust your resizing die for reloading ammo intended for automatic arms, or ammo that may be used in more than one arm. These guages run less than $15. Take the ammo you are having problems chambering and drop it into the guage. If it won't drop all the way in on its own weight your reloads are not sized correctly. Believe me it only takes a thousandths of an inch one way or another to cause a problem....ECS |
| Problem solved. After I had the chambering problem I completely disassembled the gun and did a good cleaning. I seemed to be very dirty. After cleaning and lubing all the necesssary parts and reassembling I haven't had any problems. Factory, commercial and my reloads fire without any hang ups this afternoon. I do thank you for the suggestions. |
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