11-05-2018, 03:17 AM
Obviously the 1 O'clock is too much pressure in the gas system. That does not necessarily mean the loads are too hot however, you may be OK. The case dents are also not necessarily a sign of over-pressure and is fixed by cutting a couple of coils off the ejector spring. I agree, an adjustable gas system will give you control of that gas at the source.
Those other guns you reload for are mostly bolt guns, yes? In that case you can be fairly cavalier about pressure given good quality/reputable receivers can take more than SAAMI. We used to deliberately overload Rem700 actions to reach 1,000 yards with .223. Those receivers took the punishment without a problem. In that situation the brass is the weakest link and you see signs of overpressure with flat primers and hardening of brass but without damage to the rest of the gun. In an AR we don't have that luxury. It's a flimsy, light-weight receiver with smaller bolt lugs. Overpressure will break bolt lugs before it shows up on brass...Just saying.
Those other guns you reload for are mostly bolt guns, yes? In that case you can be fairly cavalier about pressure given good quality/reputable receivers can take more than SAAMI. We used to deliberately overload Rem700 actions to reach 1,000 yards with .223. Those receivers took the punishment without a problem. In that situation the brass is the weakest link and you see signs of overpressure with flat primers and hardening of brass but without damage to the rest of the gun. In an AR we don't have that luxury. It's a flimsy, light-weight receiver with smaller bolt lugs. Overpressure will break bolt lugs before it shows up on brass...Just saying.