I installed a new LMT 20” 6.5mm Creedmoor barrel on my LMT MWS and took it out to the range yesterday. No malfunctions, but I am concerned about the RCBS case gauge readings I obtained.
Ammo: Hornady American Gunner 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr HPBT
I measured ten random cases with a RCBS Case Gauge
Measurements Before Firing
Four at +0.001
Three at 0.000
One at -0.001
Two at -0.002
Three at -0.003
Measurements After Firing
Four at +0.005
Four at +0.007
Two at +0.008
I don’t have a No Go gauge for 6.5 mm Creedmoor and I am wondering if +0.007 and above is heading in the No Go area.
Also, I cycled several unfired cartridges through the rifle and it was difficult to retract the bolt with the charging handle. I removed the barrel from the rifle and dropped a loaded cartridge in. It was a snug fit and did not drop out when I turned the barrel over. If I do this with my other MWS 7.62mm barrels a cartridge will drop in all the way freely and drop right back out again when I turn the barrel over.
Update: I did a thorough cleaning of the barrel and a loaded cartridge will now fall free of the barrel if I turn it upside down. I will not be able to cycle a loaded cartridge until I can get to the range again. Could the chamber have been that dirty. The bolt and carrier were caked with carbon. I have never seen so much build up after only 50 rounds. The bolt and carrier also had what looked like copper oxide mixed in with the carbon deposits. I cleaned the rifle thoroughly before going to the range for the first time and it was spotless.
Ammo: Hornady American Gunner 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr HPBT
I measured ten random cases with a RCBS Case Gauge
Measurements Before Firing
Four at +0.001
Three at 0.000
One at -0.001
Two at -0.002
Three at -0.003
Measurements After Firing
Four at +0.005
Four at +0.007
Two at +0.008
I don’t have a No Go gauge for 6.5 mm Creedmoor and I am wondering if +0.007 and above is heading in the No Go area.
Also, I cycled several unfired cartridges through the rifle and it was difficult to retract the bolt with the charging handle. I removed the barrel from the rifle and dropped a loaded cartridge in. It was a snug fit and did not drop out when I turned the barrel over. If I do this with my other MWS 7.62mm barrels a cartridge will drop in all the way freely and drop right back out again when I turn the barrel over.
Update: I did a thorough cleaning of the barrel and a loaded cartridge will now fall free of the barrel if I turn it upside down. I will not be able to cycle a loaded cartridge until I can get to the range again. Could the chamber have been that dirty. The bolt and carrier were caked with carbon. I have never seen so much build up after only 50 rounds. The bolt and carrier also had what looked like copper oxide mixed in with the carbon deposits. I cleaned the rifle thoroughly before going to the range for the first time and it was spotless.
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