Is this a 223 reloading problem or Mag problem?

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buenhec

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I shot my new Bargain Bin DPMS 223 a couple of weeks ago with no malfunctions after cleaning and lubing, about 100 rounds worth of factory ammo. Shot perfectly.

Today I went back out to the range with some reloaded ammo I got at the gun show this weekend and had two malfunctions in 40 rounds. The first time the bolt would not retract, when I took the bullet out it was bent to hell. Happened again with what seemed to be a double feed the next 20 rounds.

Does this look like a mag problem? Would reloads do this? The ammo (62g FMJ) measured fine at 2.22 and the case 1.73.

Thanks
 

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My little voice told me not to buy them, but I did not listen.

How would that affect the loading into the chamber though.....?
 
buenhec,

Most likely it is the reloads but there are other factors you need to rule out first such as: did you clean gun throughly and remove all carbon, also did you check the gas rings and make sure they were staggered. If the gun was clean and properly reassembled then check the reloads are they clean, properly resized, and trimmed between 1.750" to 1.760" with an OAL of 2.260”. Since you you didn't reload them there is no telling how hot the load was, most likely they are on the low side which could be affecting how your gun cycles and could cause mis-feeds. If in doubt buy some more factory ammunition and see if the gun still has feed issues.
 
Well, shot a couple hundred rounds to day using my new Magul Pmags and not one single malfunction. That was the whole problem. The reloads, questionable as they may be were not the culprits.
 
Idano,
I have heard that the gas rings do not have to be staggered. I was wondering if you actually had a problem occur from that.

I see some weird things on range brass pickup - none like that though. It does resemble the too much lube defects.

I crush the neck of cases (with pliers) when I find a bad one. With the amount of force required, I'm amazed at some of the defect I see.

Later,
WNTFW
 
Not sure if it helps but i have bent a case like that reloading .223s...
Could have been stressed in that spot during the reload and then the pressure of the bolt driving the round out of the mag finished the bend
 
I have heard that the gas rings do not have to be staggered.
Click to expand...
This is true.
The gas rings are continually moving in relation to each other when the gun is fired.
The law of averages, and Mr. Murphy, say that sooner or later, they will all get lined up.

Does that mean an AR or M-16 will suddenly just stop working when this happens?
No, of course not!

It is probably a good idea, especially on a brand new gun, to make sure they are not lined up.
Once broken in, it makes absolutely no difference.

If you have an AR that will not run with the gas rings lined up, there is something else wrong with it.

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rcmodel
 
You sure they weren't like that when you loaded them in the mag?

I've bought lake city bulk ammo and about 10 in 1000 are bent like that from the factory.

Try checking your ammo before loading it into the mag.
 
The first time I shot my Mini I bent up a round like that. I still don't know why. Probably cheap mag, and it didn't compress when I opened the bolt. So now I just load the mags in with the bolt open. That may be the only way you can do it.
 
That's odd. Those pictures look like case deformations caused by reloading mistakes. I've never heard of a magazine deforming cases like that. failures to feed and extract are commonly caused by crappy mags, but severely deformed cases is a new one to me.
 
WNTFW said:
I have heard that the gas rings do not have to be staggered. was wondering if you actually had a problem occur from that.
Click to expand...


rcmodel said:
This is true.
The gas rings are continually moving in relation to each other when the gun is fired.
The law of averages, and Mr. Murphy, say that sooner or later, they will all get lined up.

Does that mean an AR or M-16 will suddenly just stop working when this happens?
No, of course not!

It is probably a good idea, especially on a brand new gun, to make sure they are not lined up.
Once broken in, it makes absolutely no difference.

If you have an AR that will not run with the gas rings lined up, there is something else wrong with it.
Click to expand...

Since I have never had a feed issue with my AR the answer is no and I also use a variety of used military mags I got from a friend. I also can't confirm or repute rcmodel's comments since I haven't had a feed issue nor have I ever found the gas rings lined up when I cleaned the gun. I was originally taught to always stagger the rings and I have always done so without question, but I also keep the gun extremely clean and only slightly wet.
 
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