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Hey guys, I'm new to black rifles altogether...but recently bought a new XCR-L in .223 and got it out yesterday for a test shoot! Loads of fun....and BOY does it toss the brass on #4 during the break in! Anyhow, the farm I hunt on (groundhogs) has a little space...and is far enough away from it's neighbors that I had no hesitation letting the XCR-L run free. Unfortunately, the hay was crazy high...and still there...so with only a so-so spot to get set-up on, so the results of the load testing are only an indication of what the rifle is capable of. And results were VERY encouraging. Had everything from 53gr. ballistic tips up to 69gr. Sierra matchkings. Anyhow...I didn't photograph the targets (and might not considering the doubters) but will once I've had a chance to get this thing on a solid bench. Suffice to say, it has real manners on gas setting #1, and seems to shoot straight!
The reason I'm posting though...has to do with the state of the brass I picked-up. (the stuff that didn't get launched into outer space) I DID have a plywood target up to keep the empties somewhere near where I was shooting but I can't believe this kind of damage could come from the shell casings smashing that...? Maybe...?
And...well...who doesn't like looking at gun photos! Guess I'll need a shell catcher to know for sure if it's the gun, or what the cases were smacking into. Thanks for taking a moment to reply. Wondering if there is another explanation ....?
You can get a dirt cheap functional brass catcher on ebay for about 15 bucks. I think one of the dealers here may sell the same one actually but I cannot remember who it was.
Unfortunately I cannot shed any light on the damaged brass, but it is not uncommon with semi autos. I have also been very impressed with my XCR-L so far (minus the bolt catch wearing down).
My XCR does that to brass as well. The best I could figure was that they spin so fast once ejected, they dent when they hit the earth/cement of the range. Its odd that yours are that dented from wood but its possible. I have lots of rounds through my xcr and theres no major signs of wear anywhere.
Some rifles are just hard on brass but it's usually caused by to much gas. Keep reducing your gas setting till it doesn't cycle any more then go back up one setting. This may need to be adjusted each time you change ammo and can usually be reduced as the rifle breaks in and things smooth out. If you get to the lowest setting and it is still cycling well then just leave it there.
Rob Arms wants you to run lots of gas during the first 100 rounds for break-in but too much will wear out the bolt buffer quickly.
All of my brass used to look like that as well. I was cleaning my rifle one time and noticed my ejector was crooked. When i looked closely at it there were rub marks on it from hitting the bolt. I leved it and my brass seems to have a lot less neck flat spots now. Have a look at yours, let me know what yours looks like and if you do level it if any thing changes. Cause that it's the only thing I changed and my brass looks way better now.
Thanks guys! I will look at the extractor, and report back. It was ON setting #1 after the break in and still had this happening. I bought this rifle as a hunter, so brass consumption isn't a huge issue...but I was just a little surprised. I did go for a walk after the range time...looking for any groundhogs curious about the noise. Since I never carry a rifle with a round in the chamber, I hit the bolt release, took my shot, then dropped the mag...cleared the chamber, round back in the mag, back in the gun. whew! Safety first, especially when you have uneven ground 99% of the time, electric cattle fences, that sort of thing. Looking for multiple targets once the hay gets cut.
