Small, Black Spheres in BCG?

[The_Savage]

Hey all,

So I've been having some trouble with light primer strikes in my AR-15, and it appears to be alleviated when I take my bolt carrier group apart and clean it. However, after 20 more rounds, I get some more light primer strikes, and the rounds don't go off on the first shot. When I take the BCG apart, I find these small black spheres inside of it, and I believe they may be the culprit, but I have no idea where they come from. My barrel is a White Oak Armament 24", and it has a rifle-length gas system. Any help you guys could offer would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

What ammunition are you using? That looks to be way too much fouling on the firing pin and bolt tail to account for 2/3 of a magazine.

 

[The_Savage]

I'm using my own reloads with 24.6 grains of Varget.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

I think we've found your culprit. Varget is a slow burning powder and you are light on your load if you are shooting 55gr pills. I'm betting your little balls are bits of unburned powder rods.

Give it a thorough cleaning and put a couple of boxes of USA223R1L through it and I bet the problem goes away.

 

[The_Savage]

I think we've found your culprit. Varget is a slow burning powder and you are light on your load if you are shooting 55gr pills. I'm betting your little balls are bits of unburned powder rods.

Give it a thorough cleaning and put a couple of boxes of USA223R1L through it and I bet the problem goes away.

Ah that was my thought as well. Actually, I'm firing 75 grain bullets.

 

[Cemetery21]

Take a real close look at your fired primers. Are the firing pin strikes punctured? If so, those little spheres are bits of the primer blown into the bolt.
A friend had that trouble once with hot loads.

 

[The_Savage]

Was the solution to reduce the amount of powder?

 

[Cemetery21]

In our case, yes.
Hornady 9th edition shows Varget 24.6 max load for 5.56 (23.5 max for 223) 75 gr. That with a soft cup primer could produce a pierced primer. Pretty easy to see on the primer. Black hole.

 

[GunnyUSMC]

From. Your pic, your firing pin retaining pin looks to be bent. If it is, you need to replace it. The pin can turn in the carrier and keep the firing pin from going completely forward.

 

[The_Savage]

Gosh darn it I just bought that one. Well everyone thanks for the suggestions and I'll give them all a try.

 

[Blue68f100]

Piercing primes with a over sized FP hole in the bolt is going to cause that. Are you using the CCI #41 primers or some std SR?

Check your FP tip, it may be burnt with a sharp edge, it will only get worst. Replace the FP. You bending the retainer is a very good indicator of way over pressure.

 

[The_Savage]

Piercing primes with a over sized FP hole in the bolt is going to cause that. Are you using the CCI #41 primers or some std SR?

Check your FP tip, it may be burnt with a sharp edge, it will only get worst. Replace the FP. You bending the retainer is a very good indicator of way over pressure.

I'm using the CCI number 400 small rifle primers.

 

[The_Savage]

Alright, I ordered a new firing pin and firing pin retaining pin, and I've loaded up some 24.3 grain and 24.0 grain loads I'm going to try tomorrow.

 

[Nature Boy]

I wouldn’t use CCI400 for .223 and here’s why

https://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/primers-and-pressure-analysis/

How many rounds on this rifle? Is it new? What do these spheres look like they are made of?

I have a theory. They might be remnants of the manufacturing process, specifically the bead blasting media used for surface finishing

 

[The_Savage]

I wouldn’t use CCI400 for .223 and here’s why

https://www.accurateshooter.com/technical-articles/primers-and-pressure-analysis/

How many rounds on this rifle? Is it new? What do these spheres look like they are made of?

I have a theory. They might be remnants of the manufacturing process, specifically the bead blasting media used for surface finishing

The pellets look like they are made of metal. All parts of the rifle except the barrel, which has about 400 rounds through it, have shot about 2-3k rounds.

 

[The_Savage]

Should I use CCI 450s?

 

[troy fairweather]

Should I use CCI 450s?

Cci 41 primers.

 

[Nature Boy]

Should I use CCI 450s?

Cci 41 primers.

Yes, yes, and CCI BR4s, and Fed 205 and Rem 7 1/2

 

[Blue68f100]

Yes, yes, and CCI BR4s, and Fed 205 and Rem 7 1/2

Not the GM205M unless it's the GM205MAR. I've had GM205M slam fire on me, at a rate of near 90%. Did not pierce any but are too sensitive for a floating FP in the AR's I have.

The CCI #41 are the correct primer for AR's, heavier cap, different anvil, and a mag primer compound pellet. The Rem 7 1/2 have worked with no issues.

 

[Ramone]

Can you pick up the little balls with a magnet?

 

[The_Savage]

I no longer have the balls; I threw them away.

 

[armoredman]

Oh, you got married?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Oh, you got married?

 

[drobs]

Try some brass cased factory ammo after replacing the firing pin retainer pin.

 

[BBBBill]

our firing pin retaining pin looks to be bent. If it is, you need to replace it.

Gosh darn it I just bought that one.

If it is bending that quickly I would be looking for the reason. It should not be happening.