Hmm, BREN 2 MS gas tube removal

[armoredman]

Or, more appropriately, unable to remove...I turn the key to 0, depress the latch as far as it will go and it will not turn any farther. I have actually depressed the latch with objects to get that extra micron of height, still a no go. Ordinarily for me, gas tube cleaning is a non issue...but I am shooting cast lead here, and I have to make sure my lead/powder coat mix isn't shaving...

[Aries144]

Don't know what to say. I turn to "0," depress the latch, and continue turning it. It does seem to catch a little, even with the latch depressed. Once i get it turned past the "0" setting, I sometimes have to wiggle it a little in rotation to get it free.

[armoredman]

Turns out I was just babying it...a little force and it popped right out, no problem, AND I learned exactly what i needed to know, that my cast lead powder coated bullets are working just fine with no shavings in the port or on the piston. That was the number one reason for taking a peek.

[MeatAxe]

Turns out I was just babying it...a little force and it popped right out, no problem, AND I learned exactly what i needed to know, that my cast lead powder coated bullets are working just fine with no shavings in the port or on the piston. That was the number one reason for taking a peek.

Interesting...how much do you have to reduce the powder load to run lead bullets through a self loading rifle and still have it run? Any lead fouling issues?

[armoredman]

Well, the standard load I assemble for this caliber is the 123 gr Hornaday Spire Point, over 27 grains of Accurate Arms #1680 powder, chronoed just under 2200 FPS in the 11 inch BREN. The 129 gr cast, powder coated NOE slug is on top of 21.5 grains of AA# 1680, and chugs along at 1759 FPS in the BREN. Functioning is perfect - this is the same cast load I have run through three other rifles over the years. Not a real barn burner, but compared to 5.56mm, everything in 7.62x39mm is rather sedate. I hazard a guess it would do for coyote, (only thing I have hit with this load was a rabbit...little bugger exploded, whoops), or even "the most dangerous game", but I would rather upload into a high quality jacketed slug then. What is really important is I have components left over for the last several years, and shooting cast without issue means I'll have this baby on the line a LOT, and there is this private range up the street I am now allowed to use, respectfully.

[wags68]

Very nice, Armoredman! I have to get a BREN 2 in 7.62x39! Shooting cast bullets in that sounds awesome!

[armoredman]

No leading, no shaving. Melt is about 17 BH, and bullets are double powder coated.

[wags68]

No leading, no shaving. Melt is about 17 BH, and bullets are double powder coated.

Thanks!  Always great to have something proven to reference!