Originally Posted By: varminter .223Yes I understand the deflector is why they end up where they do but without having one on the side charg Im assuming they'll be in a different place when properly gassed. I'm just curious if anybody's tuned on that. My friend has a 6 x 6. 8 that is throwing them at 10 oclock and he is left-handed. They are fairly hot loads on carbine buffer and spring and he says it isn't locking back on an empty mag. The gas block is non-adjustable as well. I hope to get my hands on the rifle tonight to see what I can figure out.
Yeah, it can be tough to diagnose without getting hands on at the range. If they are throwing at 10 o'clock AND it's not locking back, it might be overrunning and bouncing the buffer off the end of the buffer tube. Sounds like the BCG is probably coming forward right as it is losing the shell and slapping them forward. That can cause damage if he doesn't tone down the loads or throw an adjustable block on it. He might shear off his bolt catch for starters.
His pattern should be the exact opposite of a normal side charger. Normal pressure at about 7-8 o'clock at about 5-10 feet, undergassed at the 9 o'clock, but falling almost straight down.
Cell phones work pretty good these days shooting some higher speed footage to help with diagnostics.