I shoot all of my ar15/10's suppressed. I am running h3 buffers in all to slow it down and most have adjustable gas blocks. Is there any downside to a h3 or any benefit to a lighter buffer if the rifles run fine with an h3 suppress or unsuppressed?
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More reciprocating mass equals more recoil. Other than that, if it's running how you like, don't change it.
Why does JP market an ultralight carrier system? How do 3 gunners set up their rifles for rapid follow ups?I’ve been playing around with this as a winter project and I’m not sure if I fully agree with this. I have a 16” PWS w/ can, and stock, it ships with an H2 buffer. Even with the gas port at the highest setting (or maybe it’s lowest, I’m still trying to wrap my brain around this), the system is still quite over gassed. I tried an H3 and it really smoothed the system out, and I’m going to try an H4 on my next range trip.
Though more mass is moving, if the lighter buffer is slamming back to the tube, I think recoil could be higher with a lighter buffer.
* my understanding and experience is subject to change
Let me add that if your system is overgassed with a light buffer, then going to a heavier buffer will smooth it out. But, reducing the amount of gas in the system with a good adjustable gas block- using the light buffer- will give you a lighter recoiling gun than adding a heavy buffer with the greater amount of gas.
Changing the buffer will necessitate a change to the gas setting on the adjustable gas block the OP says he has on his gun. If his gun is running how he wants it to run, then I wouldn't change it. But, he should be able to get a somewhat lighter recoiling rifle with a lighter buffer, but it is a system change- not just a part swap.
First off, I’m personally running a PWS gas piston system with adjustable gas block. There are 4 gassed settings (1-4) and a fifth setting that passes all gas and thus disables the semi-auto function. At the 4th setting, the setting that releases most of the gas possible, with a suppressor and hotter loads, I’m still over gassed.
This. If a gun has an adjustable gas block, I see zero reason to use an H3 buffer. The same rifle should be tunable for a C buffer or at most an H, for the same function and less movement at the shot. There is a really good reason some guys use light weight carriers and buffers.
That is an issue of a poorly matched "selectable" gas block on your rifle, and does not reflect what an adjustable gas block on a normal DI AR15 does. Your issue is specific to that rifle, and unfortunately you're pretty much at the mercy of the manufacturer or trying to swap buffers. That kind of thing is one good reason not to go with a piston system; if it was a DI system you'd have a huge selection of gas blocks to choose from that are able to restrict the gas as much as you need.
My gas port on my SPR barrel is .104.Never heard of a "gamer gas port", but most gamers do use AGB's..........................
And that's what the AGB's are for...................fine tuning a given setup & being able to tweak it on demand as circumstances may change.
On every Di gun that I own (double digits) that have an AGB, I run carbine (3 oz) buffers or lighter with either a full weight BCG of a reduced weight BCG, with never more spring weight than a standard Sprinco white spring.................never don't work, never.
On other guns w/o an AGB, then I will use an H1 or 2 buffer & a different spring as needed for that particular gun.
Never don't work either.
MM
My gas port on my SPR barrel is .104.
The two guys I know doing 3 gun I believe are running high80’s low 90’s with the same length and rifle gas.
both those rifles are incredibly smooth shooting.
I’m not sure I’d go to the extent of describing this as “poorly selected”. Just different ways to approach solving the problem; and yes, piston systems have a different set of things to tune. I’ve run DI guns with fully adjustable gas blocks (like JP) and I’ve run several different piston systems (Ruger and LWRC). PWS recommends and provides the parts to tune a system accordingly, and does recommend moving to an H4 buffer (from the stock H2) when running hot loads and a suppressor
Also, adding mass is something done by several of the national level shooters at my club. It was explained as a method to increase dwell time. Heck, obe of our clubs top competitive long range shooters was explaining why many of them are starting to use not only heavier buffered, but heavier BGCs for the sake of pushing 80gr bullets out to 1000y. Thus I’m experimenting and sharing some personal experience.
Heaver buffers were designed for the ar platform to control bolt bounce that caused light strikes during full auto fire.
Rifle +1 or +2 with an adjustable gas block are your friends in the AR platformAny extra heavy buffers (9 to 10 oz) were designed for guys like me, obsessed with shooting the heaviest bullet as fast as they can out of a AR.
I’m finding out that QuickLoads is your friend (and enemy) when it comes to reloading for an AR10/LR308.
With my 45 Raptors, I’m at the point where an Extra Heavy buffer (9-10oz), Tubbs Flatwire, and a standard weight BCG, are the only way to get the gun to operate when launching a 250 grain bullet at 2600-2700 FPS. A rifle gas system, or a +2 rifle, is also a must have when using longer barrels, due to dwell time.
Now that I’m getting into reloading for my (2) 6.5 Cm AR’s, I’m finding that the more I push the envelope...the more I need a Extra Heavy Buffer...and wish I had a +2 Rifle gas system, on my 22” and 24” 6.5 CM barrels.
Using QuickLoads, it shows you that even with the same barrel length, the bore/load pressure is much higher in a 6.5 Cm than a 45 Raptor.
BUT...I’m shooting a 250 grain bullet in the Raptor, and a 140 grain bullet in the 6.5 CM.
What I’m seeing between the 6.5CM and the 45 Raptor, is that dwell time and unlock time are my 2 greatest variables to account for.
Here’s the challenge I’m facing... using (2) Xanthos guns (lightweight), using Titanium BCG’s, and JP-SCS or Armaspec buffers...
In the 6.5 CMs, the titanium BCG’s, along with the JP-SCS/Armaspec, the guns can be tuned pretty good with standard Hornady loads.
But with reloading, a lot of that goes out the window.
With reloading in the 6.5 CM, (yes, for speed and accuracy...ok but I’m looking for speed mainly...the barrel pressures atthe gas block increase. And the unlock time SEEMS to decrease. And what is fixing it?...extra heavy buffers and full weight BCGs.
It’s to the point now, that when it comes to reloading for an AR10/LR308, the +2 Rifle gas system, should be a pre-requisite..and a +3 Rifle would be even better
Because when it comes to reloading for speed (yes, and accuracy) with the 6.5 CM in the AR platform, the rifle gas system is difficult to tune for.
My 6.5 cm 24" Christensen Arms CF barrel, came with a .068" gas port. (Rifle gas system)
I opened it up to .078"
You only need an AGB if your gas port is the wrong size. It’s only advantage is that it’s cheaper than R&D.
Aaaand that's why you are having to use heavy buffers in it now.
Heavy buffers were primarily designed to delay unlocking in applications where people don't want to or can't tune the gas system correctly. Tuning the gas system is still the better option when possible. It doesn't matter if you want to shoot weak 223 ammo, or "the heaviest bullet at the fastest speed" as you put it; the gas can be tuned correctly for either one without resorting to really heavy buffers.
It's your rifle, but IMO it's a crying shame that you've taken a Xanthos with a Ti carrier and installed a heavy buffer and full mass carrier, instead of adjusting the gas to match your loads. That's like driving around in a Ferrari and holding the brakes down the whole time to control your speed.
News flash - there is no perfect gas port size to work with every load and rifle configuration. If you and I have the same barrel, I might choose to use a powder like Lever that produces more gas, and you might choose Varget. My barrel will need a smaller gas port to be perfect. Or maybe I'll choose to use the same ammo as you, but also use a suppressor; I'll need a smaller gas port.
This idea that gas adjustment is only necessary if you bought junk is ignorant BS.
Rifle gas in a 6.5 CM shouldn’t be used in a barrel longer than 16”.How about the 24” 6.5 CM with rifle gas, pushing 140 ELDs at 2850?
No worries about unlock time?
I agree...tell that to Christensen...Rifle gas in a 6.5 CM shouldn’t be used in a barrel longer than 16”.
20” .260 Rifle +2 JP Full Mass BCG and SCS with superlative arms AGB. Shoots Prime 130’s around 2775 suppressed and unsuppressed.I’m using a full size BCG, and the 9 oz buffer with the 45 Raptors
With the 6.5 CMs, 24” barrel rifle gas barrel, and reloads, I’m learning that the 9oz buffer is required with the Titanium BCGs, or I have problems and trashed brass...
What would you guys recommend I use in my 24” 45 Raptor barrels?
How about the 24” 6.5 CM with rifle gas, pushing 140 ELDs at 2850?
Factory Hornady 6.5 CM with 140 ELDs are right at 2750 FPS..
No worries about unlock time with reloads?
I’m using a full size BCG, and the 9 oz buffer with the 45 Raptors
With the 6.5 CMs, 24” barrel rifle gas barrel, and reloads, I’m learning that the 9oz buffer is required with the Titanium BCGs, or I have problems and trashed brass...
What would you guys recommend I use in my 24” 45 Raptor barrels?
How about the 24” 6.5 CM with rifle gas, pushing 140 ELDs at 2850?
Factory Hornady 6.5 CM with 140 ELDs are right at 2750 FPS..
No worries about unlock time with reloads?
Most of the little differences are lost in the noise by the time you have a port that works in the cold. Just pick a pressure and stick to it.
Everything I do is set up for 5.56 ammo, and only a few loads.
.875 would be the standard for a 6.5What are some of the sizes for gas ports on 6.5 CM barrels, from various manufacturers?
Port size?.875 would be the standard for a 6.5
Oh shit. My badPort size?
Your talking gas block size
Made an edit, but .076 is what sticks out in it mindPort size?
Your talking gas block size