KelTec SU-16: Recommended Brass Load?

[XtremeConditions]

So I've been mostly satisfied with my SU-16. It's accurate enough (with my crappy eyesight) and super reliable... When I'm shooting steel case ammo. I don't mind doing this, in fact I posted a video a number of months ago, basically debunking a lot of the myths involving steel case ammo, found below.



Still, with the three different loads of brass I've used, I've had a terrible number of stovepipes and the like. I believe it is some kind of gassing issue with these particular loads, as they're all federal. I would theorize that these loads may not be cycling all the way, leading to stovepipes. Loads I've used have been the "Tactical AE223", the bulk 100 pack, and even some soft points. Super expensive, but I just wanted to see if they'd run. Nope, same problem. Main issue being, I can't seem to find any other brand of .223 in my locale, mostly talking Walmart.

I have read of others having issues with stovepipes running Federal. Have any of you had this problem? If so, what solved it? I've been wanting to buy a can of Federal 5.56 with increased pressure, which would certainly help the issue with under-cycling, but again, Federal... Kinda torn. Any advice..?

 

[zaitcev]

I have read of others having issues with stovepipes running Federal. Have any of you had this problem? (...) Any advice..?

My Charlie is reliable with any common ammunition. So either something is making your gun undergassed or there is an undue friction somewhere. I hope Kel-Tec hasn't screwed up drilling the gas port on your unit. They first thing I would do is clean the gas block again. It is possible for carbon to prompt your symptom - although I only had it happen on SKS, and when it did I could really feel the piston binding. I presume you have tried cleaning the chamber already. On SU it's not easy, unfortunately - I use a .38 revolver brush.

 

[1stmarine]

I think the issue is not so much the steel vs brass but the round itself was designed to be made of brass.
like the 7.62x39 was designed to be made of steel and loose tolerances with a pronounced taper.
As technology evolves with all sort of materials including manufacturing of steel cased ammo the reliability increases.
I would be more worried about some of the eastern bi-metal / fmjs that are harder on the rifling.
Perhaps not so much a concern on easy to re-barrel rifles but that is not the case of the SU16 with its proprietary receiver / shank design epoxied in place.
Many eastern powders are also really dirty.

I have a couple of SUs for backpacking rifles and they area great for that role. As far as ammo they run with everything including PMC bronze that is one of the mildest 223
around and some ARs will short-stroke with those.
Maybe your barrel port is a tad undersized and with some of the milder loads it has problems but otherwise the SU is pretty reliable with the long stroke piston.

 

[XtremeConditions]

Sorry for super late reply, you guys. But thanks for all your insight. I haven't been able to get out to the range in a while, but I did do a couple things to hope things work out next time...

I stripped the thing - (the pin on the gas system was a PITA to get out...), have it a decent cleaning, and a decent oiling. I also did try to run a brush over the gas port. You do the best you can, ya' know?

Also last night, I bought a box of American Eagle bulk 5.56x45 at Walmart. Smokin' deal, like 35 cents a round, but not polished or anything. Anyway, from what I've heard, a lot of these steel-cased loads are actually on the hotter side. Of course I have no way to test that, but if the .223's I was using were under-gassing, I'm... Somewhat confident that 5.56 should be able to cycle it, or at least more reliably. I think I'll just run a few mags and see how things run...

I actually didn't run any patches through the thing, nor brush the bore, but now that you mention it, I think I will... Or at least as best as I can. Going to try and get out to the range on Monday and see how things work out I suppose.

 

[denton]

My SU16 serenely digests everything I have fed it, 223 or 5.56. It does well with M855 and with my hand loads. Never tried steel cased in it, because I reload almost everything I shoot.

 

[XtremeConditions]

My SU16 serenely digests everything I have fed it, 223 or 5.56. It does well with M855 and with my hand loads. Never tried steel cased in it, because I reload almost everything I shoot.

Yeah, I was thinking that it shouldn't have this problem... I suppose that if it doesn't work to my satisfaction on my next outing, maybe I should just sent it back to Kel-Tec?

 

[zaitcev]

I suppose that if it doesn't work to my satisfaction on my next outing, maybe I should just sent it back to Kel-Tec?

In short - unfortunately, yes. I had poor luck getting spares from them, but their repair shop seems to work all right.

 

[XtremeConditions]

How long do you suppose it would take to get the thing back? I've heard mixed results for that as well...

Also, could I tell them to fix the front sight too? Seems to shoot way left and I haven't even worried about it because of the terrible reliability...

 

[denton]

A short scope, like the Nikon M223 or P223 will greatly improve your enjoyment of the rifle. If they still make them, a fixed 3X is the cat's pajamas. It's bright, has a wide field of view, and is very rugged. Big improvement.

 

[zaitcev]

I remember that I had to adjust my irons when I got the gun. It wasn't on the center. However, it was well within the range of the adjustment.