Load suggestions for a chopped m14?

[Dark Alley Dan]

Howdy, all.

Since I chopped my M14, it doesn't want to eject our current handloads. The empties just don't make it out of the gun, and often hang up between the op rod hump and the bottom of the front scope ring. I've since moved the ring, but that hasn't helped. I reckon I'm dealing with a deficit of "oomph".

What recipes can you lot recommend that will work reliably while not flinging brass eight miles to starboard or beating up the gun?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[Boomer]

What is your load, and did it function 100% of the time prior to cutting the barrel?

 

[rnbra-shooter]

Hmmm.... how well does it eject a piece of empty brass, when you promptly open the action by hand? If that is sluggish, perhaps the ejector spring isn't working as well as it should be?

 

[Dark Alley Dan]

Current load:
40 grains of IMR3031
165 grain Hornady BTSP
IVI case
LR primer

Prior to barrel chop, functioning was 100%, with no FTE in several hundred rounds. Ejection was a bit gentle - if I placed the cartridge box 8" ahead and 8" to the right of the action, the gun would drop maybe 40% of the empties back in the box for me. A gentle .308 load, but it functioned 100% of the time.

Dan

 

[Ganderite]

That is a snappy load. You could increase the port pressure a bit by going one grade slower powder - 4895.

 

[alberta tactical rifle]

I am using 43.5 gr BLC2 with the 155gr SMKs. Shoots .75moa and functions flawlessly.
Your mileage may vary.