New Gas Gun is it safe to run Bolt gun Loads

[backyardsniper]

I just got a new LR308 today one of the carbine versions. Took it to the range and just ran some of the loads I use for my bolt gun through it. Gun shot excellent sub moa and I expect it to improve when I get to put a new trigger in it. I checked the brass everything looked Kosher and the rifle functioned properly. I just want to make sure that you can run loads that hot in a gas gun. I know in M1A's you have to tone it down on account of bending the oprod. I'm running Win bras CCI br2 primmers, 44.5 gr varget and 175 nosler custom comp bullets, FL sized brass so i can use them in any of my 308 rifles in a pinch. Anyway like I said no signs of any pressure problems with the brass and everything extracted fine just wanted to make sure that there wasn't some gas gun rules I did't know about.

Thanks

 

[TripleD]

Re: New Gas Gun is it safe to run Bolt gun Loads

I never hesitate to run full chimpanzee strength loads in a gas gun. Some times you get some scarring on the case head & occasionally a popped primer. Its not hurting anything though. Adjustable gas really helps regulate things. I have found there are times when I want/need a really hot load to get the external ballistics worthwhile in some situations & popped primers at a rate of about 90%. What I did (after I'd turned the gas down as much as possible) was order cases with crimped in primers. It upped the cost of my ammo somewhat, but it gets you through matches. Now, if you're popping crimped in primers, I think you should back off. I would consider that outside the practical realm of safety. *(for scrupulous readers- I'm not talking about doing it once, I do it in 1000rd lots)

 

[BCP]

Re: New Gas Gun is it safe to run Bolt gun Loads

If you didn't see any pressure signs then you're fine.

 

[K_4c]

Re: New Gas Gun is it safe to run Bolt gun Loads



Along with what already has been mentioned... The location of your spent brass (once fired) is a good indicator (1-3 o'clock to 5-6 o'clock).

I tend to side with the lower node with my gas guns as more wear and tear is inevitable by its inherent design.

 

[CanSniper]

Re: New Gas Gun is it safe to run Bolt gun Loads

I wasted alot of time trying to find a load that was on the light side that I was happy with out my MWS because every one was saying not to run the gas guns as hard. One day I threw my go to bolt gun load in the mag, and BAM! come to find all my load development had stopped short of a good load just for the sake of keeping it on the light side. My bolt gun load was 45grns of Varget behind a 178 Amax in Win brass, and will be fine tuning from there. I never recommend just starting with a full bore load, but I had worked up pretty close to that before, but stopped short.

 

[backyardsniper]

Re: New Gas Gun is it safe to run Bolt gun Loads

Thanks guys that seems to be what I had gathered just wanted.to get some opinions from you guys that run them on a regular basis

 

[leadbullet]

Re: New Gas Gun is it safe to run Bolt gun Loads

I cannot with mine, my bolt load is 45 gr of varget with a 175 SMk and if ran through my AR10 all the primers are out the cases. I have to download to 43 gr of varget to avoid automatic depriming.
factory loads are all safe though.
test for yourself.

 

[backyardsniper]

Re: New Gas Gun is it safe to run Bolt gun Loads

So far 44.5 varget win case br2 and 175 nosler are shooting good no problems

 

[AXEMAN]

Re: New Gas Gun is it safe to run Bolt gun Loads

the only thing i found was that the bolt gun loads i use for 168s were too long for a PMAG. i havent tried to load 175s or anything else really. i had hoped for at least the ability to shoot my bolt loads knowing they may not be optimized for a gas gun, but still useable. now i have to work up a standard "size" load for the gasser

 

[K_4c]

Re: New Gas Gun is it safe to run Bolt gun Loads

I recommend 43.3-43.7 of varget/175 smk @2.800".... 2615 fps out of my 20" OBR and no pressure issues.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: New Gas Gun is it safe to run Bolt gun Loads

There are no absolutes.

Work up the load IN the rifle you intend to use it in.

However you do not need to worry about the same issues M1A/M1 Garands have. That is one of the nice things about direct impingement rifles.