FNAR reloads

[SpringfieldM1A]

I put a few reloads through a fnar I got a month ago. The grouping was excellent, cycled through the rounds perfectly, just had one oddity. I noticed a small amount of smoke coming from the gas system. Seemed to happen the first two shots then quit. Is this normal? I don't remember seeing it when I was using factory loads. It's also much colder today then the last time I shot the rifle.

When the cases ejected the mouths were slightly bent which also seemed odd?

Could the smoke be from carbon?

I'm using Winchester cases, 40 gr of h4895, and 168 gr bthp sierras

This is .1 gr over sierras listed max but the poi was spot on for me.

 

[Trent]

It'll bend the brass - it's from impacting the receiver. They "spin" and smack the side of the receiver when they exit.

Smoke might have been from oil that got in the gas port when you cleaned it (I'm assuming you cleaned & oiled the barrel at some point)

I usually see some smoke first couple of shots after a cleaning then nothing after that.

EDIT: you can solve the "case mouth dent" problem with some cotton and duct tape in the appropriate spot. Pads the receiver so they have something soft to bounce off of.

 

[SpringfieldM1A]

Just looked over the receiver and your right I can see a mark where the brass was hitting. Your probably also right about the smoke if I clean the weapon upside down I probably won't have that problem anymore.

Thanks for the info, and putting my mind at ease.

When I get around to it ill post some pics of what the rifle will do at 300 yards, just for kicks.

 

[Trent]

They're sure nice, aren't they.

Bandaids work in a pinch for a receiver brass cushion, BTW. But depending on what adhesive backing you get (waterproof/normal/etc) they may not stick very well to the metal when it's cold out.

Have to do the same thing with my G3 and CETME's if I want to reload the brass afterwards without involving pliers to get the case necks "roundish" again...