New to black guns, need a little advice please

sgtblu

sgtblu

New member
Need some advise from the seasoned AR users. I purchased a RRA Coyote carbine this week. Installed a M-223 scope on a Burris mount. I also put a Trueglow red/green dot on top. If the true glow doesn't hold up,I will upgrade to an EOTECH someday. I have a couple questions. First question. I need to upgrade my charging handle. Scope henders access! I am looking for recommendations. I am considering a Vltor BCM Gunfighter Mod 4 Medium Charging Handle. Are there problems with these or should I go with the larger size? Second question. I am currently using Hornady 55 grain 223 V-Max loads. I was wondering with the 16 inch barrel would I benefit by steping up to the Hornady Superformance 53 grain 223 rounds or should I stay with what I am sighted in for? With this rifle I don't expect to shoot out much past 200 yards or so. As information I also have a Savage model 10 predator rifle in a 22-250 with a Nikon Monarch 4x16x42 for those areas where long distance shooting is an option. That rifle is great, but it is heavy so I wanted a lighter weapon (AR platform) for hiking longer distances and for fast target aquisition.



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You dont need to upgrade the charging handle. You just need what they call a tactical latch. The piece is usually $15-$18 and brownells or midwayusa will have them. Cant think the companies that make them right off hand. It attaches to your charging handle you already have and sticks out to the side enough for you to grab onto next to the scope. I would shoot whatever grain bullet shot good in it. I have shot some of the Hornady 53 gr in a couple my AR's and it grouped them right about 1 MOA.. I shot the factory Hornady 55 gr loads and they shot under 3/4". Either would have been fine. I reload for mine most the time anyway but I would shoot whatever ammo you want. The yotes will nver know the difference between getting hit with a 53 grain or 55 grain hornady bullet. Lol.. But
 
As noted, just the tactical latch will work and save you about $30 over the cost of the BCM Gunfighter. I'm sure it's a quality CH, but it's not necessary for sporadic hunting applications. That being said, I only upgrade the latch on all my ARs.

For ammo - shoot what works.
 
Originally Posted By: orrbull48^badger tactical latch...it's a brand. Other companies make similar products

Badger.. Those are the ones I use as well. Think the last one I bought I got two on sale at midwayusa for $16.99 each or something like that.
 
Thanks guys! I plan on picking up a box of the 53 grain rounds. If they group well I will use them if not I will stick with the 55 grain rounds. I'm already looking online for the Badger tactical latches. Happy Holidays to you all!!!!!
 
Swapping out the latch is pretty easy. Badger does the job.

That gunfighter model is nice, but as noted above not completely necessary.

On ammo, you could try a box of super performance to see how it shoots in your rifle. To me the extra speed only makes sense if it gives you the best groups.

Sendit
 
I like the square Badger Tactical latch since it makes operating the charging handle much easier when wearing gloves...The only downside is that if you sling your rifle, the latch can dig into your back or belly, depending on how you carry it....Since I try to shoot more than carry, it really isn't that big of a deal...

As far as ammunition,,You don't indicate your barrel twist rate, but most will shoot 40-65gr bullets with reasonable accuracy...You can fine tune by experimenting with various brands and weights, unless you reload and then you can custom build the best for your rifle and uses...
 
forget the tach latch and get the mod 4 gunfighter!!! i have one and i think its a must have. I had a tach latch and hated it , a buddy had the mod 3 gunfighter and loves it but for me it sticks out too far


"The only downside is that if you sling your rifle, the latch can dig into your back or belly, depending on how you carry it...."

exact reason i hate it plus it makes ALOT of noise when your in the field as its diggin in and releasing
 
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And my r-25 has a 20 inch barrel which is the minimum for superformance ammo. And it still popped the primers.
 
Originally Posted By: Mark2http://www.hornady.com/ammunition/superformance-in-gas-operated-firearms


I had a problem with primers popping with my rem R-25 in 243. About 3 out of 10 rounds had this problem. I switched ammo and never happened again. I know you said 223. But when you read the info on this link it explains what can happen


Mark2

Hey Mark 2, I had the exact same issue with my 243 R25. I was using federal 100gr sp supershock or whatever they call it, blue box, sick accurate but the primers would pop out also..was your ammo federal also?
 
Thanks everyone for the help. I checked out my options with an upgrade to the charging handle. I purchased a model # 4 BCM Gunfighter charging handle. It seemed to feel the best to me. I also picked up a box of .223 Hornady superformance and what ever the rifle shoots the best that is what I will stick with. Happy Holidays everyone!!!!!!!!!
 
Good choice on the Gunfighter Mod 4. Not only will it make manipulating the charging handle easier with the optic, it's also more durable than the standard charging handle. I tried the stock AR CH, the Mod 3, the Mod 4 and the Mod 5. I settled on the Mod 4 for both my precision AR and my carbine.

Originally Posted By: Mark2And my r-25 has a 20 inch barrel which is the minimum for superformance ammo. And it still popped the primers.

Barrel length has nothing to do with popping the primers
 
Originally Posted By: Mark2And my r-25 has a 20 inch barrel which is the minimum for superformance ammo. And it still popped the primers.

never heard of such a thing. I have a Colt with a 16" barrel that I have run over 300 rounds of Super Performance 75 gr .556 through without a hitch so far. I liked it so much that I now have 1000 rounds in reserve.
 
INTERNAL BALLISTICS OF SUPERFORMANCE IN SEMI-AUTO / SELECT FIRE GUNS
Superformance ammunition is tested and is safely within SAAMI pressure guidelines. Gas operated (direct impingement or gas piston) firearms are perfectly safe to use with Superformance ammunition. However, Hornady ballisticians have conducted testing with a variety of guns (including guns equipped with suppressors), and our findings conclude that some systems work far better with Superformance ammunition than others.

It is recommended that to get the best functioning with Superformance ammunition in gas operated/gas piston semi-automatic or select fire guns, rifle length gas systems with 20 inch or longer barrel lengths are best for reliable firing and extraction. Any other configuration, particularly shorter barrels/gas systems are best served with the installation of an adjustable gas system, ESPECIALLY if a suppressor is to be installed.

Due to the longer duration of peak pressure produced by Superformance™, the post peak/declining port pressure at common carbine and mid-length gas port locations is still higher than that produced by standard propellant. This has a tendency to flood the system with a larger volume of gas, at a higher velocity, that tries to open the bolt of the gun too fast. It’s a timing issue. The cartridge case is still swollen from the application of pressure during firing while the gun is simultaneously trying to extract the cartridge case before it has had an opportunity to settle back to its original size, or more simply: the gun is still in the process or firing while it’s trying to extract the cartridge case.

If the firearm and the ammunition are not in sync, there can be what is commonly identified as “pressure signs” on the cartridge case. This is exhibited by the movement/marring of the head of the cartridge case, cratered primers, flat primers, ripped or ruptured cartridge cases, “popped primers”, and/or any combination of these effects. If any of these “pressure signs” are apparent, stop firing immediately. If an adjustable gas system is installed, it is advisable to reduce the amount of gas flowing through the system by closing the gas port until the gun operates correctly.

With the installation of an adjustable gas system, gas pressure can be metered to a point that enough gas is applied to open the bolt, but at a slower rate to allow the cartridge case to return to its original diameter prior to the movement of the bolt, and thus allow for proper extraction.
 
Originally Posted By: MistWolfGood choice on the Gunfighter Mod 4. Not only will it make manipulating the charging handle easier with the optic, it's also more durable than the standard charging handle. I tried the stock AR CH, the Mod 3, the Mod 4 and the Mod 5. I settled on the Mod 4 for both my precision AR and my carbine.

Originally Posted By: Mark2And my r-25 has a 20 inch barrel which is the minimum for superformance ammo. And it still popped the primers.

Barrel length has nothing to do with popping the primers


From my experience it did, and based on info from Hornady web site it described what happened exactly. I did not have an adjustable gas block, nor was I going to install one. I switched to federal 55 gr and it shot fine every time. Coincidence ?
 
Popped primers are the result of excessive pressure, soft brass or loose primer pockets. Barrel length has no affect on any of these.

I'm still contemplating the information posted from Hornady
 
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