Has anyone had any experience they can share about how gas blocks work?
I just started tinkering with load development with a Ruger Mini 7.62x39 and I've hit a few bumps. First off I have to say that I'm at a disadvantage because of my inexperience with semi's. In fact this is the first. And it sat in the back of the gun safe for over 2 years before I got the courage to give it a go. My old brain is conditioned to work a bolt, lever or a hammer.
Things like figuring out what bullets and their COAL that will clear the feed ramp and trying to get the action to cycle with suppressed have been some of the initial stumbling blocks. Before I started I did some trigger work and added an adjustable gas block. But I've shot it with both the adjustable gas block and with the factory gas block as I'm picking my way through the extraction issues.
And I may have been my worse enemy by starting with the OSS suppressor and 4227 powder. The 4227 was the quickest of the 5 powders I want to look at. With the factory gas block the action tried to function using but stove piped with 4227 @ 1895fps
Maybe the powder burn rate impacts the gas blocks ability to bleed pressure into cycling the action? Maybe too much too fast, or maybe not enough too late??? Are the lugs locking up because of the too much too fast scenario with the 4227?
I did see some daylight with 5744 @ 1931 fps allowing clean extractions and clean feeds with the suppressor. The cases ejected somewhere between 2:00 and 3:00. That was with the adjustable gas block fully open.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Bill Cook.
