PSA 2nd Gen AR10 project ...

wquiles

Well-Known Member
From my test today, looks like I am just a little bit over .309" for sizing, which is about perfect for my 30 cal molds :)

10165


10166
 

Ian

Notorious member
It's a little easier to read if you make an impact impression of the whole thing:

20190803_173946.jpg

This from my M1A.
 

wquiles

Well-Known Member
Gotcha, yes. My impression was very poor/incomplete in that area. I will aim at .3095"-.310" sizing for when I go to cast bullets.

For the initial breaking-in, I loaded some Nolser 155gr HPBT over Varget at 40, 41, and 42 gr to get started (OL of 2.800"). These 30x rounds will let me start getting parts settle and I can start testing the adjustable gas block, first without the suppressor, and then with the suppressor in place.
 

Ian

Notorious member
Should be fine. I'll be interested to see how well it can shoot with jax, mine never saw one after it left the factory, just went straight to cast and had zero issues. My barrel and throat is really smooth, hope yours is too.
 

wquiles

Well-Known Member
Ian, I owe you a beer I think ;)

Here are the handloads I put together as well as some other ones with the equivalent 155 Sierra Palma bullet (all with Varget):
IMAG0020.jpg



Some loaded at 2.785" and others right at 2.800" - all fit in the magazine just fine:
IMAG0021.jpg



Testing at 50yards with no suppressor. I had the gas block fully open and with max venting forward (screw all of the way out) - got perfect functioning and no over-gassing:
IMAG0022.jpg



Best 50 yard group with that 4x scope with the Nosler bullet:
IMAG0025.jpg



Then moved to 100 yards, with the suppressor. Man, I had to go to almost fully "closed" in the gas block before I got no over-gassing and smooth functioning:
IMAG0028.jpg



Once I did, even with just a 4x at 100 yards, where I can hardly see the black dot I was aiming for, I still got "decent for me" 5-shot groupings with the Sierra Palma bullet, and perfect function:
IMAG0029.jpg



IMAG0030.jpg



I think I need to put the 10x scope I got for load development, but to say that I am pleased with this PSA rifle on its first outing doesn't quite cover it. Thanks Ian ;)

Will
 

Ian

Notorious member
Those uppers would have been a bargain at twice the price, glad yours is proving itself to be good. You can thank Freebullet too, he sorta pushed me over the edge into the LR-308 world and I got lucky choosing PSA on my own. My intent was to play with the .308 but still change the barrel to a .358 Winchester since the upper assembly was cheaper than I could buy an upper, bcg, name-brand handguard, barrel nut, gas system, etc. The .308 impressed me so much I bought a couple of MP moulds for it instead of .358 Win dies and barrel.

You found out I wasn't kidding about it being overgassed with the suppressor, eh? :rofl: Fhat gas block is great, again thank Freebullet for the tip. That particular one gives you lots of options depending on your setup.
 

wquiles

Well-Known Member
Yup, LOTS of gas :)

Thank you Freebullet as well then!

Cases without suppressor look ok:
IMAG0032.jpg



Of course a lot more filthy with the suppressor on:
IMAG0034.jpg




Brass does not look too beat-up, except for these scratches on the edge:
IMAG0035.jpg


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Will
 

Ian

Notorious member
Time to polish the burrs and sharp edges off of the barrel extension lugs. Pay particular attention to the ones on the right side and bottom.
 

wquiles

Well-Known Member
Time to polish the burrs and sharp edges off of the barrel extension lugs. Pay particular attention to the ones on the right side and bottom.

Great tip - thanks. I just finished touching up and lightly sanding those rough edges. I will report back once I get to go to the range again :)
 
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wquiles

Well-Known Member
Loaded a second batch of j-words to finish the break-in and try to establish a "baseline" to try cast bullets. Here is a short video:
308 powder and bullet seating on Mega press

And here is my first batch of cast using the Lee 312-155 GC, PC bullets (these were already sized .309"):
Lee_155gr.jpg

Still using Varget with these for now. Will see if these cast bullets do cycle the action or not :)

Will
 

popper

Well-Known Member
Those are caused by the ejector, put a drop of oil on it, really strong spring that slams the neck against the lugs. Debur the extension helps some but still fast (early) extraction (soot). Not so much a cut as a 'dent' from ejection. Can kinda 'backwashes' the soot. Heavier buffer may help. Or turn the gas down to just feed, no LRLB. The brass on the right needs to be tossed, shoulder problem! Both have lug dents on the shoulder so tinker with the mag lips too.
 

wquiles

Well-Known Member
Those are caused by the ejector, put a drop of oil on it, really strong spring that slams the neck against the lugs. Debur the extension helps some but still fast (early) extraction (soot). Not so much a cut as a 'dent' from ejection. Can kinda 'backwashes' the soot. Heavier buffer may help. Or turn the gas down to just feed, no LRLB. The brass on the right needs to be tossed, shoulder problem! Both have lug dents on the shoulder so tinker with the mag lips too.
Thanks for the advice and insight. Going to the range again this weekend, so I will take a look again at the brass :)
 

wquiles

Well-Known Member
Have not examined the brass yet, but had a 24x scope on the rifle for the range today, and tried both JHPBT and the Lee 155-312 cast at 50 yards.

Best group with the jacketed 155gr (45gr Varget):
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Best group with the Lee cast (PC and GC of course - 42gr Varget). I am probably too close the jacket speeds - will need to slow down some more, but it is a start:
10347
 

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
Yes, you have a good start!
You have an accuracy baseline, and a good starting point for your cast bullets. I agree, you will more likely find better accuracy at lower charge weight. Good luck!
 
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wquiles

Well-Known Member
Thank you guys :)

I just finished packaging the Mauser to send to JES to rebore for 358Win, so I will have several weeks "without distraction" to keep working on loads for the AR10 and 300BLK ;)

Will
 

wquiles

Well-Known Member
Now that I know these are safe cast loads, I started doing 10-shot groups around that 42gr I shot last time, and got this group today 100 yards, using 42.5gr Varget with the Lee 155gr. Nothing to brag about, but shows potential ....
10421


I tried less powder in the 41gr range, and the groups were a little larger, so I might be close to a "node" around 42-43gr. And these are sized to .3086" to .309", but I think that if I sized them closer to .310" I will potentially get smaller groups. Time to cast some more I guess ;)

Will
 
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