I have had a Bushmaster Predator for approx. 2 years. I do my own reloading for it and use the following load: 25gr of H335 with a 55gr V-Max. I have had numerous problems with the gun missing the next round out of the magazine after I have fired a round. I will shoot and the round will get ejected and then I will pull the trigger again for the next shot and no round will be in the chamber. I have tried 3 different mags wondering if it the magazine's fault and they all have the same problem. It seems like the problem gets worse when the gun gets dirty so I'll clean it and it definately gets better but still misses appros 1 in 10-15 rounds when it's clean. When it's dirtier (but definately not extremely dirty, maybe 50-100 rounds through the gun) I've seen it miss every other round to 1 in 3 rounds. People have told me to check the gas tube which I did the last time I had it completely disassembled and it seemed to be open. I did not remove the tube but took a pipe cleaner and shoved it up as far as I could and it seemed to be open. I've also been told that I should be using a small base resizing die when sizing the brass, which I don't have yet. I have noticed it will miss the rounds on once used brass (that has been full length sized before being reloaded) and brand new brass that's been reloaded. This makes me wonder if it's really the brass's fault and makes me question if I need a SB die. I questioned someone... is it possible that my brass is under loaded with powder and doesn't have enough power to push the action back after a shot and he said he didn't think so. My Nosler manual says that 25gr of H335 with a 55gr bullet is the max load so I don't think that is the problem either. Anyways if there is any advice from anyone on what I could try next I would greatly appreciate it cause I'm just about ready to send the gun back to Bushmaster and see if there is a factory defect in it. Thanks to all!
Chech
P.S. My brother has a Bushmaster Target rifle (SS barrel) that he purchased approximately the same time I bought mine and with the exact same load his rifle performs flawlessly.
Chech
P.S. My brother has a Bushmaster Target rifle (SS barrel) that he purchased approximately the same time I bought mine and with the exact same load his rifle performs flawlessly.