Well my rifle showed up yesterday and after inspection they had indeed replaced the barrel. So I took it out to the range with several boxes of ammo (1-Federal XM80 ball, 2-FGMM 168gr., 1-FGMM 175gr., 1-Hornady Match 168gr., and 2-Hornady Match 178gr.) to see how it would do.
- I started with the XM80 149gr. to get it sited in and then shot groups with the remaining rounds- averaged about 1MOA- It functioned with out issue at gas block position 14.
- Next were the FGMM 168gr. (which on the paper work that came back with the rifle is what they said it was tested with)- averaged just under 1MOA - after each of the first couple rounds the rifle failed to cycle and failed to feed (round jammed between bolt face and barrel extension) the third and forth round at position 14. I turned the gas block to position 16 for another 5 rounds with same results. I then turned gas block to position 18 for another 5 rounds and yet again fail to cycle and fail to feed. I then turn the gas block all the way to position 20 and same results. I then screwed the gas block adjustment screw all the way out and wiped it down and inspected for clogged ports or damage-nothing, it had a little carbon on it but looked fine. screwed back in. I then set to position 16 and put another 5 rounds through it with same results as before, failure to cycle and failure to feed. I tried another 5 rounds at position 20 once more but still the same problems occurred. I then turned to position 0 with the gas off and shot the last 10 rounds by shooting the round then cycling the bolt by hand via charging handle and bolt release in which rounds ejected fine when the charging handle was pulled rearward and it chambered the rounds fine when the bolt release was pushed (best groups with this ammo were a result of cycling by hand).
- Then I moved on to the Hornady Match 168gr. rounds which my rifle previously had several issues with chambering and failing to fire before the rifle was sent to LWRC for repairs.- averaged 1-1 1/4MOA - I set the gas block to position 14 and fired a 3 rounds and then it failed to cycle, I then adjusted the gas block to position 16 and shot the remaining 2 rounds for that groups with no issues. After that I was able to shoot another 3 groups of 5 rounds with no issues what so ever.
- I then moved on to the Hornady Match 178gr. rounds which were by far the most problematic rounds before the rifle was sent in for repairs.- averaged around 3/4MOA - ( best group with this ammo 1/2MOA) With the position still at 16 I was able to shot 8 consecutive 5 round groups no issues what so ever.
- Finally I moved to the FGMM 175gr. - averaged 1MOA (could have been better but quit shooting after 2 groups do to functioning issues)- With the gas block still at position 16 I loaded up 5 rounds and fired a shot and it failed to cycle. I then adjusted the gas block to position 20 with no improvement, just the same issues I had before with the FGMM 168gr. rounds. So I the turned gas block to 0 and shot one more 5 round group with the rifle by cycling it by hand as I ended up doing with the FGMM 168gr. rounds previously. As it did previously, the group shot by manually cycling the rifle was just over 1/2MOA .
I took the rifle home cleaned it up a bit. Now I will see if they will send me some replacement components for the adjustable gas block or if I will once again have to send them the rifle... Also just a note, When I got my rifle back it was filthy with carbon build up in the break, hand guard, and chamber from not being cleaned after testing. Also the new barrel had tool makers all the way down the flutes were the ball nosed end mill being used was chipped (not a big deal and on a different note it shot great compared to the first barrel that came on the rifle), but for a $4200 rifle I would expect better quality.
update- I just talked to Rodney at LWRC about the issues with the FGMM and he gave me a few suggestions to try out tomorrow to see if I can get it working properly. I will let you all know how it goes