01-16-2020, 09:25 AM
Brian,
You've got me thinking this is like when I reload for 9mm handgun. I take the barrel out and use it as a 'rifle gauge'. I hold it upright, drop the loaded round in, place my thumb over the base and give a gentle press; this to simulate going into battery. The turn it upside down and see if it drops out freely. Factory rounds always do. Reloads will only di that if I size the bejeezus out of the case. I have learnt that just because it doesn;t fall out freely doesn't mean it's not going to cycle. As long as my I can pinch it back out reasonably easily it is going to function.
In your case it would be the chamber being tight, not the ammo, and as long as the bolt goes completely into battery it is safe to fire (bearing in mind an AR is not supposed to fire unless in battery, but there are degrees of being in battery). If that chamber gets filthy it won't be as forgiving as if there's plenty of slop around the case....but in theory it should actually aid accuracy being held tightly and concentrically to the bore. As long as bullets are not getting pulled when pulling back on the handle, the gun cycles fine when fired, and the bolt goes completely into battery under it's own steam then I would look at the accuracy and decide whether it's a keeper or not.
You've got me thinking this is like when I reload for 9mm handgun. I take the barrel out and use it as a 'rifle gauge'. I hold it upright, drop the loaded round in, place my thumb over the base and give a gentle press; this to simulate going into battery. The turn it upside down and see if it drops out freely. Factory rounds always do. Reloads will only di that if I size the bejeezus out of the case. I have learnt that just because it doesn;t fall out freely doesn't mean it's not going to cycle. As long as my I can pinch it back out reasonably easily it is going to function.
In your case it would be the chamber being tight, not the ammo, and as long as the bolt goes completely into battery it is safe to fire (bearing in mind an AR is not supposed to fire unless in battery, but there are degrees of being in battery). If that chamber gets filthy it won't be as forgiving as if there's plenty of slop around the case....but in theory it should actually aid accuracy being held tightly and concentrically to the bore. As long as bullets are not getting pulled when pulling back on the handle, the gun cycles fine when fired, and the bolt goes completely into battery under it's own steam then I would look at the accuracy and decide whether it's a keeper or not.