What is my rifle telling me and how do I fix it? The build is Anderson upper/lower/parts kits, mil spec BGC, 24" barrel with a rifle length + 2" gas tube, SA adjustable gas block set at full open, JP silent capture spring with standard weights and spring. I was running 29.3 gn Lever with 105 gn Bergers at about 2770 fps using Hornady brass. The main issue I had with the Hornady brass was flat spots on the neck and an occasional cratered primer. Flat necks were the same for factory ammo and reloads. I recently got a batch of Alpha brass and tried some Varget and StaBall Match and had no pressure signs but did have flat necks. I then tried Lever charges of 27.2, 27.5, 27.8, 28.1, 28.4, 28.7, and 29.0 gn. All these were the first firing for the Alpha. The pictures show ejector marks and raised burrs on the case head and flattened necks. Ejection patterns are 4-5 o'clock. I think these are contradictory since the ejection pattern indicates an under gassed condition and the head damage indicates over pressure. I do not know what the flattened necks mean and where the brass hits to cause this. I am riding the struggle bus with this right now. Did I cause myself problems with the long gas tube resulting a need for faster burning powder?
Thanks for any advice offered.
Terry
Thanks for any advice offered.
Terry