11. Buffer Spring Tuning
What we are doing here is adjusting your Buffer Spring rate to your individual gun and load. Stock springs are a "one size fits all" and are almost always much heavier than needed.
This mod, coupled with an Adjustable Gas Block (AGB), will allow you to adjust both the amount of rearward movement (w/ AGB), and forward movement (by adjusting Buffer Spring) of the Bolt Carrier Group.
The recoil feel, smoothness, and gun movement will be considerably lessened when these 2 forces are balanced properly.
FIRST: Do all the other mods (1-10) I've outlined in the last few weeks. Click on my Username in the upper left corner, and then hit "View Posts" to look them up.
SECOND: You MUST have your load worked up and finalized and your adjustable gas block (if equipped) adjusted properly (per directions with gas block).
If you are gonna be shooting a bunch of different loads, don't do this mod, as you may need to buy a new spring and start over if your load changes very much in either gas pressure or recoil energy.
THIRD: Only do this with a chrome silicone spring (I use Tubb's CSS) as a normal spring will change rates as the spring wears.
Now, on to the tuning.
Load up 20 rounds with 1/2 grain LESS powder than your normal, finalized load; OR, as an alternate, or if you shoot factory loads, remove your scope. I usually pull my scope off, or, if you have a heavy stock, like a PRS, pull it off.
What you are doing here is either reducing the recoil/gas pressure input OR reducing the mass the recoil spring has to work against. This makes sure the spring cutting will be on the safe side and not cut too much.
Load a magazine full of your loads and ready the gun for firing.
Now, while holding the rifle VERY LOOSELY at arms length (let the rifle free recoil as much as possible, NOT against your shoulder) shoot a couple of rounds.
If the rifle functions properly, remove the buffer spring and cut a full coil off the buffer spring (not counting the first flat coil).
I use a Dremel tool with a thin cutoff wheel to cut the spring. Replace the spring with the cut end towards the butt of the rifle.
Reassemble the rifle and repeat this process, 1 coil at a time, until the rifle malfunctions, or you remove 6 coils maximum, whichever comes first.
Make sure you always hold the rifle at arms length, loosely, as you do this.
My guns, which are slicked up, always go the full 6 coils (plus the flat coil, which does not count).
Now, go back to your normal load and readjust your AGB, if equipped.
What we are doing here is adjusting your Buffer Spring rate to your individual gun and load. Stock springs are a "one size fits all" and are almost always much heavier than needed.
This mod, coupled with an Adjustable Gas Block (AGB), will allow you to adjust both the amount of rearward movement (w/ AGB), and forward movement (by adjusting Buffer Spring) of the Bolt Carrier Group.
The recoil feel, smoothness, and gun movement will be considerably lessened when these 2 forces are balanced properly.
FIRST: Do all the other mods (1-10) I've outlined in the last few weeks. Click on my Username in the upper left corner, and then hit "View Posts" to look them up.
SECOND: You MUST have your load worked up and finalized and your adjustable gas block (if equipped) adjusted properly (per directions with gas block).
If you are gonna be shooting a bunch of different loads, don't do this mod, as you may need to buy a new spring and start over if your load changes very much in either gas pressure or recoil energy.
THIRD: Only do this with a chrome silicone spring (I use Tubb's CSS) as a normal spring will change rates as the spring wears.
Now, on to the tuning.
Load up 20 rounds with 1/2 grain LESS powder than your normal, finalized load; OR, as an alternate, or if you shoot factory loads, remove your scope. I usually pull my scope off, or, if you have a heavy stock, like a PRS, pull it off.
What you are doing here is either reducing the recoil/gas pressure input OR reducing the mass the recoil spring has to work against. This makes sure the spring cutting will be on the safe side and not cut too much.
Load a magazine full of your loads and ready the gun for firing.
Now, while holding the rifle VERY LOOSELY at arms length (let the rifle free recoil as much as possible, NOT against your shoulder) shoot a couple of rounds.
If the rifle functions properly, remove the buffer spring and cut a full coil off the buffer spring (not counting the first flat coil).
I use a Dremel tool with a thin cutoff wheel to cut the spring. Replace the spring with the cut end towards the butt of the rifle.
Reassemble the rifle and repeat this process, 1 coil at a time, until the rifle malfunctions, or you remove 6 coils maximum, whichever comes first.
Make sure you always hold the rifle at arms length, loosely, as you do this.
My guns, which are slicked up, always go the full 6 coils (plus the flat coil, which does not count).
Now, go back to your normal load and readjust your AGB, if equipped.
