M305 feeding: steel cases sticky, brass OK

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Metman2

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I have a case of Norinco steel-case ammo (from CanadaAmmo :D), as well as a pile of 1970's and 1980's NATO stuff in brass cases. It all shoots real nice in my mostly unmod'd m305. Never a problem with the brass case ammo. However, I notice that the steel cases don't feed as smoothly, and every once in a while one sticks, i.e. never makes it completely out of the magazine. I have 3 mags: a 5-round, 2 20-round pinned and one has the spot-welded follower extension, and it seems to happen with all three.

I notice pronounced scratches on the used cases, which makes me wonder if there isn't the magazine ears that is the cause of this. Since the brass is softer, it just gets gouged and feeds OK, but the harder steel cases don't scratch as easily and stick. I'm wondering if some metal on the mag ears could be shaved off or maybe they just need to be smoothed out a little.

Anyone with experience or ideas?
 
It's possible that the friction of the cases effects their being stripped from the mag. I thought that was causing me some issues with a certain ammunition that had rough cases. I was finding the bolt not closing all the way, and a round still partly gripped by the magazine. If the loading of the ammo causes the bolt not to go back as far, that would also impede the forward force it generates. If it doesn't happen when you drop the op rod on a round (in the mag of course), but it does during firing, it makes me wonder if there isn't a shorter stroke issue.

Not that this is the cause, but I've heard that steel cases don't expand and seal like brass does, and it results in more carbon buildup in the chamber. They say it can especially cause a problem if you shoot a lot of steel cased ammo first, then switch to brass without cleaning the chamber.
 
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