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Ejector swipes from my SASS?

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pepperbelly

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 7, 2006
871
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Fort Worth, Texas
I took my DPMS LR 308 SASS to the range today- more to function test as anything else but I shot about 50 rounds.
I noticed shiny marks on some of the cases- maybe half. I think it comes from the ejector.
I was shooting handloads- 43gr RL15 under a 175gr SMK. This is a load I settled on about a year ago or more, and I haven't had time to really develop an accurate load. This is just OK.
With the marks, some fairly sharp, I was thinking the load might be too hot for the AR platform, but after a search I found an article that this isn't uncommon- that the edges of the ejector is sharp and can cause this. I also found references to a gassing problem that can cause this.
I also found some small brass pieces on on the PMag follower, so I will probably find some in the rifle's lower too as well as the chamber.

For those shooting this rifle or other AR 308 does this load sound like it is too much for an AR? I think I remember trying it due to it being similar to the M118 load, and that load was developed for a bolt rifle.
I need to know if I need to back the load off before I start developing a load for accuracy, and especially need to know what would be considered a max load for an AR so I stay under it.
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

My DPMS LR 308 would tear up the brass regardles of the load. It would leave a half moon ejector mark on about 1/2 the brass or more.
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

I get identical marks on some brass from my OBR. Especially SSA brass, but I've seen it on everything.

I took a picture of the worst one. The SSA brass seems especially soft and prone to the swiping.

ssaobrbrass2.jpg


That was when it was brand new, and definitely the worst example. Most are less pronounced.
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

As I understand it, this is caused by an Ejector that protrudes from the bolt face when a round is chambered. Its either because the ejector hole is too shallow, the spring is not compressing fully, the ejector is too long, or a tolerance stack from all 3.
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

If it's a straight shiny line from the primer to the edge of the case head that's primer leakage usually overpressure. You can try switching brass types, different primers, seating depth, or load lighter.

FWIW when I had my SASS i settled on a lighter load, around 2400fps with a 178amax and it was scary accurate out to 600 yards.
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If it's a straight shiny line from the primer to the edge of the case head that's primer leakage usually overpressure. You can try switching brass types, different primers, seating depth, or load lighter.

FWIW when I had my SASS i settled on a lighter load, around 2400fps with a 178amax and it was scary accurate out to 600 yards. </div></div>

It isn't from the primer to the edge. The primers look OK.
I plan on loading lighter. This load isn't as accurate as I would like, but to be honest the wind yesterday was blowing about 20mph gusting to 25mph and my range is notorious for the wind. The baffles and walls on the sides, plus the berms, makes wind do strange things. I almost shot through a couple of dust devils that moved across the range.

What powder and load were you using? I will go through my load books and find something to start over with. I have RL-15 and Varget on hand right now. I will stay with my 175gr SMKs.
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rubicon1996</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My DPMS LR 308 would tear up the brass regardles of the load. It would leave a half moon ejector mark on about 1/2 the brass or more. </div></div>

I had overlooked your post here. From what I can find this rifle seems to do this a lot.
I have a couple of cases with a half moon, some others with the straight line, a very few with shiny spots on the case face and most with no marks at all.
I am loading a 175gr SMK over 43gr RL-15. That powder charge is not max, and I am surprised I am getting marks that look like overpressure signs.
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

I used varget, 43.5 grains in win brass with 178 amax. Experiment with seating depth until it shoots well, mine was great @ 2.78" COAL. Another good one was 42.2 varget in win brass with 175smk and I think 2.81"
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

My SASS is a brass eater, doesnt matter the load,hot,mild doesnt matter it eats it. I get 5 or 6 loads outta Win brass before I load the final load for the FAL which destroys it.
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

You'll get higher pressures from FC brass, it has less case capacity than others. FC brass is also softer than others. I usually chuck or give away my FC brass.

Switch to Winchester brass and get an adjustable gas block.

 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?


When you say yours eats brass- what does it look like? Is it the marks like mine?
I shot more today. Out of 15 rounds 3 had the shiny mark from the ejector. If it's just the rifle I won't sweat it.
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: pepperbelly</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
When you say yours eats brass- what does it look like? Is it the marks like mine?
I shot more today. Out of 15 rounds 3 had the shiny mark from the ejector. If it's just the rifle I won't sweat it. </div></div>
Adjustable gas block made no difference in mine whatsoever as far as the marks on the brass but rest assured your DPMS is overgassed
My brass looks exactly like your's, bothered me a lil at first but its just the nature of the beast. Shoot it load it and shoot it again.
DSC00070.jpg

measurement.jpg
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?


I was worried that maybe the load was too hot. I used 43gr of RL-15 and a 175gr SMK. That load is similar to the M118LR, which I think I remember as being what I was trying for.
My current Sierra manual shows a max load of 41.7 for that powder and bullet. I am trying loads closer to the manual's recommended load- unless the 43gr load is much better. In that case I just won't worry about it. The marks are not on every case- not on even half of them. The primers are not flattened and the case isn't shiny. There are no signs of pressure other than the mark from the ejector. I read one article where the author smoothed the edges of his ejector and the marks were eliminated. His had marks even after dropping 2gr in his load.
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

I dont make it a habbit of shooting hot loads outta my gas guns personally I see no need in it but some love to chase velocity. me I like little groups! I have achieved some of my best groups using book loads outta my SASS and most under max.
If I get time I will post up some pics of some brass.
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DougW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I dont make it a habbit of shooting hot loads outta my gas guns personally I see no need in it but some love to chase velocity. me I like little groups! I have achieved some of my best groups using book loads outta my SASS and most under max.
If I get time I will post up some pics of some brass. </div></div>

I am not looking for speed. I too am looking for itty bitty groups.
It surprised me when I saw the Sierra load data. I will stay with that. Since I doubt I will ever shoot past 500 yards velocity really won't be a big concern. In fact most of my shooting will be at 200 yards.
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

Pepper, my SASS eats FC brass 3 meals a day, even with slow-ish GMM rounds. Any time I load by hand near the upper end of the spectrum, I pretty much hope I don't chamber brass the same way twice, just in case it decides to eat through the case head or some equally horrific thing. Not that there's a huge chance of that, but still...

I'm going to 150 sierras to see if I can alter port pressures before I go to an adjustable gas block myself. I'd be curious to know from those who've tried it, if/how much it alters shot-to-shot consistency.
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?


About the Federal brass. I traded with a guy a while back and have several hundred Federal cases, so I will be using them for a while. After I use them up I will go with Win or other good brass.
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

I'd say it's more important to have a quantity of brass from the same manufacturer than anything else but safety. I'm sure the FC stuff will do just fine, it's just going to lose cosmetic smurfiness sooner than later...
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

I have the Adj gas block but it didnt seem to make any difference with my brass, but a huge difference in running suppressed.
I have run a bunch of FGMM brass through mine with some as many as 10 firings and only trashed them then as the rim was getting chewed up pretty bad.
BTW, Mine doesnt like anything 150, really likes the 168's and 175's.
sass1.jpg
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: insight3b</div><div class="ubbcode-body">One way to trick a AR is with a Tubb carrier weigh system. I run one in my SPR

http://www.davidtubb.com/ar-15-carrier-weight-system

</div></div>

The guy I traded with had tricked up this SASS with a FC30 muzzle brake and a hydraulic buffer. That Tubb carrier weight looks good though.
 
Re: Ejector swipes from my SASS?

Tried a heavier buffer as well as a heavier spring but the Adj Gas block was my answer.
 
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