Building Confidence

[Caleb]

It’s well worth it to be able to line up the gas block with the port. I would spend the mo why on it, then on your next build you will already have it in your arsenal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FfNJGTFO]

Originally Posted by Caleb

It’s well worth it to be able to line up the gas block with the port. I would spend the mo why on it, then on your next build you will already have it in your arsenal.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Update: I have begun to do some practice in "Prone" in preparation for my Long Range course coming up (I moved it to 09/18). So I'm just practicing scope sighting now. I'm wearing my long distance glasses when I practice, hopefully to offset the astigmatism. Eventually, I'll probably have to get a new eye exam and get new sets of glasses.



I re-aligned the gas block and barrel port on my AR-15 and will test it once again. I'm also ordering a dimple jig as well, but I have to make sure it's he right one for that block. I'll call the block's manufacturer for a recommendation.



I'll post again after the class.

[Caleb]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FfNJGTFO]

Originally Posted by Caleb

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Update: Dimpling Jig received. I used it this afternoon and successfully dimpled the barrel. It went reasonably well. I was able to feel the dimple as I was attaching the gas block and I could verify that the one set screw (I did only one dimple... the one closest to the back end of the block) did seat a little lower than the other set screw, as described in one of my YT videos. Everything else checks out in terms of the gas path. I can blow well on the barrel port and feel good pressure out of the muzzle side. Same with the gas tube to the block (and I visually note the tube is properly aligned to the block). The only other issue that might happen now is if the tube and the gas key (on the BCG) are misaligned. I don't think so, but that is a possibility. Much easier to fix, I think, though. Another thing could be the buffer and spring but, again, I don't think so as I believe I got the carbine buffer/spring set. I'll measure the spring so we'll see (10.5" it's supposed to be).



I will be taking my long range course this Saturday at JTAC. I had a little "prone practice" and think I got the proper eye relief to see the reticle in perfect shape. Now, I just have to work on the Parallax and then start zeroing in. After class, I will test the AR and see if my dimpling helped the situation. Hope so!




I'll provide an "after action" report after class.

[Caleb]

Sounds like you should be in good shape now. Have fun at that long range course and can’t wait for the RR.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FfNJGTFO]

Originally Posted by Caleb

Sounds like you should be in good shape now. Have fun at that long range course and can’t wait for the RR.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It was. I had the best time doing the class. I learned quite a bit from it. I hope I can remember it all. The main things I do remember are



1) When in "prone" position, bring the rifle to you. Don't move your body towards the rifle. This, in re: eye relief and finding the sweet spot



2) Shoot with your dominant eye. I'm right handed and left eye dominant, so I had to learn how to do that quickly. I'm still learning. I've found, though, that doing so with the RPR isn't a huge deal as I control the bolt action. I really didn't feel so bad because my instructor is as well, and he's going blind in that Rt. eye. Thankfully, I'm not quite there just yet.



3) Don't "come off" the rifle. That is, after firing, don't lift your head but keep it on the target and as focused as possible, even when racking the bolt. An acquired skill, yes, but one worth learning.


4) Don't be scared when it goes BANG! You know when it will happen by your trigger pull.



Most of today's course was about getting zeroed at 100 yds, which he got me, reasonably quickly. But I'll have a lot of practice to do as holding that RPR is a heavy weight, even when prone It was way too high. He even recommended switching from the Harris 9- 13" Bipod to the 4-6" bipod, just to keep the rifle a little lower when prone. He also recommend that I shoot from the seated position (i.e. not prone) while I learn how to relax and not let my breathing cause my body to move and compromise my aim. Also, he recommended some different "rear bags" to support the rifle better and keep still. It was a fantastic course. He will teach the 2nd "Long Range 201" course, so I'll go back to him, where we will learn how to go beyond 100 yards, how ti "true" a firing position. how to use a Ballistics computer, etc. (he called my Mil-Dot master "old school" and strongly recommended a Kestrel, I might get there before I go to that course, but we'll see. Also, if anything changes in your formula (different ammo, different positions) you need to re-zero. Always carry a torque wrench with you to make adjustments and keep everything in proper torque.



Towards the end of the day, we also did some "aiming drills" that were designed to build confidence in being able to get on the weapon aim and fire, then get off the weapon, relax and then get right back on. We also shot at different sized targets (progressively smaller) to promote better accuracy. It was working. And, of course, in between firing live rounds, we had to "dry fire" 5 times to keep in good shape. All, very good practice.




Now, for the AR, which I got to shoot again after class. Well, good news/bad news. Good news is, my changes to the gas system seem to work to the point of being able to make the BCG move back and eject the spent brass. I can see it eject. And, since I'm shooting left eye, sometimes I can even feel it! Bad news is, it may not be enough gas, as I"m getting consistent failures to feed. A manual cycling often does resolve the issue, but I'm also seeing quite a bit of jamming, which I didn't see earlier. In fact, it's so jammed right now, and the only thing I can do is disassemble the upper and pull out the BCG to clear the jam. I can't even remove the mag as a result of this jam.



So, I'm now looking at a couple of things. 1) Is there enough gas not only to eject the round but, also, does the BCG go back far enough to allow a new round to feed? Is the BCG itself somehow not alligned well enough causing the feeds to miss? Could it also be a buffer/spring issue and do I have the right buffer/spring for the task at hand? Although, I'm not sure if I should go heavier or lighter. We'll see.


Anyway, that's the range report. Overall, a fantastic day on the long range. We'll fix the AR. At least I know it's getting gas, now. How much, TBD.

[Caleb]

Excellent RR! Sounds like your instructor knows what he is talking about. Just remember to practice the fundamentals and then later the accuracy will follow. I ditched the bipods and now only shoot from bags. I find them to be more stable for me, ymmv. I believe they make brass deflectors for left handed shooters but, I’m not 100% on that. While you are learning, I would shoot low brass till you get your fundamentals dialed in. The groups will be bigger but that’s ok. That’ll save you some money. You might have to readjust your scope fit bench shooting as I’m the eye relief will be a tad different than prone.

As far as the AR….. you can try a lighter buffer and spring and see if that fixes your cycling problems. I doubt alignment of the bcg is your issue, they usually line up pretty well with the gas tube. What loads where you shooting out of it? Maybe try a “hotter” load and see what happens. Whatever you do, change only one thing at a time so you know what did the trick.

Glad your class went well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FfNJGTFO]

Originally Posted by Caleb

Excellent RR! Sounds like your instructor knows what he is talking about. Just remember to practice the fundamentals and then later the accuracy will follow. I ditched the bipods and now only shoot from bags. I find them to be more stable for me, ymmv. I believe they make brass deflectors for left handed shooters but, I’m not 100% on that. While you are learning, I would shoot low brass till you get your fundamentals dialed in. The groups will be bigger but that’s ok. That’ll save you some money. You might have to readjust your scope fit bench shooting as I’m the eye relief will be a tad different than prone.

As far as the AR….. you can try a lighter buffer and spring and see if that fixes your cycling problems. I doubt alignment of the bcg is your issue, they usually line up pretty well with the gas tube. What loads where you shooting out of it? Maybe try a “hotter” load and see what happens. Whatever you do, change only one thing at a time so you know what did the trick.

Glad your class went well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was using XM855 Green Tip (62gr) as I had, always. Right now, there's a Jam I have to examine forensically. And we'll see what caused it. I'll have to split the upper and lower and remove the bcg that way to clear it, so I will analyze.


Thanks. I'll keep y'all posted.

[Caleb]

Originally Posted by FfNJGTFO

I was using XM855 Green Tip (62gr) as I had, always. Right now, there's a Jam I have to examine forensically. And we'll see what caused it. I'll have to split the upper and lower and remove the bcg that way to clear it, so I will analyze.


Thanks. I'll keep y'all posted.

Interesting. Definitely let me know what you find as I’m curious why you are having so much trouble with it. I’ve built 5-6 of these things without a single hiccup, guess I’ve been lucky.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FfNJGTFO]

Originally Posted by Caleb

Interesting. Definitely let me know what you find as I’m curious why you are having so much trouble with it. I’ve built 5-6 of these things without a single hiccup, guess I’ve been lucky.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

More like "experienced." How well was your 1st one done as opposed to your 5-6th one?


This one was my 1st. And I probably wasn't paying the appropriate attention to detail that one should. You can't cut corners or anything like that. You have to do everything right. I learned a lot, acquired a lot of equipment/tools I didn't have, and I'll make sure I do it right for the 2nd attempt.


I'll let you know what happens.