.224 Valkyrie Journal

[SouthernCoyote]

First range session with my hand loads. New Federal brass, Hornady 75gr ELD-M Winchester 748 Powder.

My ladder test basically confirms this is in the middle of the node. (Won't have any pictures of the ladder just had to deal with using my spotting scope. I actually had to use my locking differential to get out of the mud at the 300yd range)

I'm not seeing any pressure concerns at this charge. I had some odd ejector marks across the range of charges I'm going to chalk that up to the gas system since gun seemed really over gassed. Once I settle on a load I will have to tune it in better.

So far this load seems promising should stay super to 1100-1200 depending on environmentals.

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Try a heavier buffer. I was having ejector smears in one of my ARs in .223 no matter the load with heavier projectiles. The pressure builds differently with heavier bullets, so my bolt was unlocking too early while the case was still under enough pressure to have it expanded to the chamber walls. So the bolt was turning while the cases were expanded to the chamber and the ejector was smearing in the head of the brass. Moved to an H3 buffer so I could have the weights to swap around to find what worked better. Turns out the H3 worked wonders. No more smearing on my loads that I push a lil hard. It also helped smooth out the recoil impulse. Seems like the timing issue with the bolt unlocking too early is fixed now. The ejector smearing never happened with the 62 grain and lower stuff, but the 65 grain stuff it would occasionally and over 65 grains it was very regular. Maybe that's why yours is leaving them? Mine did it on light charged loads when using the heavier bullets.

[duqjeep2010]

Try a heavier buffer. I was having ejector smears in one of my ARs in .223 no matter the load with heavier projectiles. The pressure builds differently with heavier bullets, so my bolt was unlocking too early while the case was still under enough pressure to have it expanded to the chamber walls. So the bolt was turning while the cases were expanded to the chamber and the ejector was smearing in the head of the brass. Moved to an H3 buffer so I could have the weights to swap around to find what worked better. Turns out the H3 worked wonders. No more smearing on my loads that I push a lil hard. It also helped smooth out the recoil impulse. Seems like the timing issue with the bolt unlocking too early is fixed now. The ejector smearing never happened with the 62 grain and lower stuff, but the 65 grain stuff it would occasionally and over 65 grains it was very regular. Maybe that's why yours is leaving them? Mine did it on light charged loads when using the heavier bullets.

I have a rifle tube and buffer.

I have a superlative arms blow off gas block the mirage/ blow off was screwing with me today. I think I will tune it as a regular adjustable block. Hopefully that will help with the smears and I won't have to wait for the blow off to clear at higher magnifications.

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