View Full Version : Need help - Battlecomp baffle strike
I have a good buddy who had, what appears to be, a series of baffle strikes at a recent carbine match. Up to this point, rifle had about 200 rounds through it. Battlecomp was brand new. Rifle is a factory Noveske MK18, M249 barrel, 1:7 twist. Ammo are reloads: 24.5 tac, 55gr montana gold, tula SMRM primers. Here are the results:
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/4410/battlecompfailure005.jpg
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/672/battlecompfailure002.jpg
Another buddy and I were shooting the same ammo, both 16" BCM BFH rifles, both with Battlecomps. Both shot great (infact, I took 3rd overall). I verified after the match that my Battlecomp was free of strikes and it looked like new.
I have shot that ammo since then on the range with a chrono, but no rifle matches. Well, I took a look tonight and this is what I found:
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/6339/img4369800x600.jpg
http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/4803/img4370800x600.jpg
http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/472/img4368800x600.jpg
It had to have happened during chrono. I see a ton of people using this load and I couldn't find a single other instance. I worked this load up with both my 16" BCM and my 18" Loki and 24.5 was most accurate. I was hoping that this would be my go to round for 3-gun for anything shy of 200 yards.
What do you guys think? I need some help on this one. Doesn't sound like this is that common of an incurrance. Yet it seems to have happened to both us of. Common denominator: 55gr through 1:7 barrels.
Just curious, what was your chrono speed?
Just curious, what was your chrono speed?
His MK18 with the M249 barrel averaged 2715, but with a horrible spread.
My mk18 with a stainless noveske barrel averaged a very consistant 2450.
My 16" BCM averaged around 2800.
My 18" Loki average around 2840, but it much colder weather.
His MK18 with the M249 barrel averaged 2715, but with a horrible spread.
My mk18 with a stainless noveske barrel averaged a very consistant 2450.
My 16" BCM averaged around 2800.
My 18" Loki average around 2840, but it much colder weather.
Your SS barrel was slower than your CL barrel of the same length?
Your SS barrel was slower than your CL barrel of the same length?
Yes, but he had some very high spikes in velocity and only put 4 shots through the chrono with a lot of inconcsistancy.
With my SS barrel, I had a 15 shot group that was very consistant, avg speed of 2456, Std Dev of 55.
In other words, I'm not trusting his results to be true.
Yes, but he had some very high spikes in velocity and only put 4 shots through the chrono with a lot of inconcsistancy.
With my SS barrel, I had a 15 shot group that was very consistant, avg speed of 2456, Std Dev of 55.
In other words, I'm not trusting his results to be true.
Sounds like that might be a problem.
Sounds like that might be a problem.
That Noveske barrel shoots XM193 like a dream though. It would appear as if the bullet was either starting to come apart as it exits the muzzle or immediately begins to wobble.
24.5 of TAC in a short barrel might be too wonky. I shot that load for a long time to be cheap with powder... but have found that a hotter load performs better.
A guy here went from that load up to like 26.7 grains and cut his group to 1/3 of what he was seeing.
My thoughts are...
Either those bullets are complete crap, or the load need to be stepped up at least a full grain... maybe 1.5 grains.... or a total powder switchout.
Boxerglocker
05-10-13, 11:55
24.5 of TAC in a short barrel might be too wonky. I shot that load for a long time to be cheap with powder... but have found that a hotter load performs better.
A guy here went from that load up to like 26.7 grains and cut his group to 1/3 of what he was seeing.
My thoughts are...
Either those bullets are complete crap, or the load need to be stepped up at least a full grain... maybe 1.5 grains.... or a total powder switchout.
I agree with MarkM.
24.5 TAC with a 55 MG does 2660 average in my 14.5, 2800 in my 16 and 2920 in my 18.
I run a Battlecomp 1.0 on my 16 inch DDM4 with no issues with that 24.5 TAC load.
I would be curious about crimp how much if you are crimping?
I agree with MarkM.
24.5 TAC with a 55 MG does 2660 average in my 14.5, 2800 in my 16 and 2920 in my 18.
I run a Battlecomp 1.0 on my 16 inch DDM4 with no issues with that 24.5 TAC load.
I would be curious about crimp how much if you are crimping?
Crimp is very little if any. I'm just barely touching the case mouth. I'm not belling the case mouth at all either. So I've thought about just removing crimp all together since the bullet is pressed in. If I were to add a bullet feeder, I'd have to bell the case mouth and then add the crimp die back in. I will redevelop this load for the SBRs though. I was just trying to redevelop an XM193 load that runs in everything.
PRGGodfather
05-10-13, 13:16
Sorry about the busted up BC2.0, brother -- but I hope we're all clear this problem is caused by reloads and inconsistent ammunition. Your current BC2.0 is still serviceable. While ugly, it will work just fine.
Rmplstlskn
05-10-13, 13:38
I put my money on the bullet being crappy... Starting to separate...
Rmpl
Sorry about the busted up BC2.0, brother -- but I hope we're all clear this problem is caused by reloads and inconsistent ammunition. Your current BC2.0 is still serviceable. While ugly, it will work just fine.
There aint not doubt there's an ammo problem. No one's blaming the BC. ;)
Robb Jensen
05-10-13, 13:49
Looks to me like the jackets are separating from the core as they're leaving the barrel. I've seen this before with 'pulled' rifle bullets and caused baffle strikes in a suppressor.
Definately the bullet.
I used to love 55 gr Montana Golds, but the Nov. 2012 order I received had some of them tumbling as short as 25 yards out.
A 2010 order of the same bullet with the same loading will shoot sub-MOA at 100 yards consistently. The 2012 loading would have some not even hitting paper.
Check out Brian Enos' forum and you'll find similar issues with Montana Golds recent production 55 gr. bullets.
No more MG's for me. Hornady for 55's and Precision Delta for 124 gr JHPs in 9mm.
Definately the bullet.
I used to love 55 gr Montana Golds, but the Nov. 2012 order I received had some of them tumbling as short as 25 yards out.
A 2010 order of the same bullet with the same loading will shoot sub-MOA at 100 yards consistently. The 2012 loading would have some not even hitting paper.
Check out Brian Enos' forum and you'll find similar issues with Montana Golds recent production 55 gr. bullets.
No more MG's for me. Hornady for 55's and Precision Delta for 124 gr JHPs in 9mm.
Well, crap. I found a thread on Enos about it. I'm sitting on a decent amount of this stuff and it's the only 55gr I have. All my other stuff is nicer Sierra 69 and 77. Hopefully, if its true that MG knows this is an issue, they've fixed their QA issue and they'll replace my stock. I've tried to call them but keeping getting their voice mail.
Sorry about the busted up BC2.0, brother -- but I hope we're all clear this problem is caused by reloads and inconsistent ammunition. Your current BC2.0 is still serviceable. While ugly, it will work just fine.
So does the end of the BC act like the crown on a barrel? Will my one dimple want to push the bullet unevenly?
polymorpheous
05-11-13, 13:04
So does the end of the BC act like the crown on a barrel? Will my one dimple want to push the bullet unevenly?
Good question.
I'd like to know this as well.
steyrman13
05-11-13, 13:26
So does the end of the BC act like the crown on a barrel? Will my one dimple want to push the bullet unevenly?
It shouldn't because the bullet normally doesn't make contact with the MD like it actually does on the crown. If it makes it should differently you could try the brass screw recrown to even the hole and remove the dimple
PRGGodfather
05-12-13, 15:48
So does the end of the BC act like the crown on a barrel? Will my one dimple want to push the bullet unevenly?
No, because the bullet doesn't actually touch the exit orifice. A burr on the barrel crown will cause it to tip because of the physical contact the bullet and muzzle have. That is not the case with the BattleComp.
Be safe, and good luck!
I love the fact that this website has so many industry professionals in it that post and help regularly. Really says something IMO.
Reloads are the cause of all evil.
Reloads are the cause of all evil.
Yet essential to being able to compete on a regular basis.
No, because the bullet doesn't actually touch the exit orifice. A burr on the barrel crown will cause it to tip because of the physical contact the bullet and muzzle have. That is not the case with the BattleComp.
Be safe, and good luck!
Thank you for your reply and your time.
Boxerglocker
05-12-13, 22:24
Well, crap. I found a thread on Enos about it. I'm sitting on a decent amount of this stuff and it's the only 55gr I have. All my other stuff is nicer Sierra 69 and 77. Hopefully, if its true that MG knows this is an issue, they've fixed their QA issue and they'll replace my stock. I've tried to call them but keeping getting their voice mail.
I've recently note a issues with the 2 cases of MG 55 FMJs that I have gotten. With my brass trimmed right at 1.750 (-002/+0) when seated right at 2.200 OAL measured off the Ogive at 1.875. The cannelure is completely covered. Never use to be that way and definitely not with the Hornady's. I crimp lightly with a Dillon taper crimp for all my AR loads.
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