Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles How much does buffer weight effect accuracy?

How much does buffer weight effect accuracy?

Asking because my 6ARC is being finicky with factory ammo, and I think I may need to add buffer weight to increase lock time?

I’ve shot it with a carbine H1 buffer, and a rifle buffer.

You may also want to check the spring to see if it has taken a set. One of my AR rifles didn't seem quite right, but I couldn't figure it out as it was still reliable. Sluggish and weird feeling during recoil and return. Pulled the spring and it was worn, having taken a good set. I replaced it with a flatwire.

Will do.

Not enough difference to matter.

What makes you think that it affects accuracy at all?

MM

I think he said is affects "lock time". I don't know if he meant dwell time instead of lock time? I think if it were me, I'd be more focused on 100% reliable operation then start to focus on a good load. He may want to look into an AGB, like you run or different buffer weights. It needs to be reliable before it can be accurate.

Accuracy & the shooter being able to hit what he aiming at because of (???) lock time are 2 different things.

The buffer has nothing to do with lock time anyway; cycling faster or slower due to (big) buffer weight changes, will / could, affect movement of the rifle upon firing, but not lock time................that's a trigger / spring issue.

MM

I'm gonna guess he meant the time lapse before the bolt unlocks, not "lock time" of the trigger.

First off I’m hoping you used a different lower when you tried a rifle buffer and an H buffer. Just for those who don’t know;
A rifle buffer weighs 5.2 oz, is longer than a carbine buffer. The spring is 11.75-13.5” long.

Carbine H buffer weighs 3.8 oz and the spring is 10.0625-11.250”.

I’ve played with buffers on over gassed guns that pulled rims off and heavier buffers do increase the time spent for the case to drop enough pressure to release from the chamber wall. I’ve also played with buffer weights to try and make them shoot smoother. I’ve seen no improvements or even changes in accuracy.

That’s not to say a smoother system (think rifle gas, rifle buffer vs. carbine gas, carbine buffer) won’t be easier to shoot accurately. Could also change harmonics but I always look to make the gun shoot smooth and reliable then look elsewhere for accuracy tweaks.

And buffer weights are directly intended to reduce bolt bounce, not so much anything else, the rest should be dealt with at the gas port. Rifle weight matters when selecting buffer weight as long as the system is right.

David,

Can you compare the overall length of the spring from the rifle in question, with another rifle that doesn't have issues? Or simply check OAL? Perhaps just swap springs between rifles?

I would not be surprised if you found that the spring is worn, but that in itself may not address the accuracy problem.

What do you mean by "finicky". Rifle operation, accuracy, or something else?

Jason

FWIW, there have been some issues with 6 ARC's in getting their functioning dialed in.

Sounds like some of the barrel manufacturers may still have some work to do on gas port size for different gas system lengths to get consistent reliability with factory ammo available.

If you're overgassed, I'd strongly suggest looking at an adjustable gas block; I like SLR best.

If you're undergassed, then obviously you need to remove buffer weight, reduce spring rate or both...................last resort would be increasing gas port size.

Sprinco makes several different color coded springs with rates both above & below "standard".

None of those things have a direct effect on "accuracy" per se', but may have an effect on how the gun moves around (either more or less) when fired.

MM

Good post MM. I've been following the 6mm ARC. At first I thought it would be the bees knees, but after WOA posted the warnings about it, it made me research it a bit further. I examined the bolt face on some BCG's and that ring is awfully thin. I don't trust it for as much as I shoot. Generally I shoot approx 300+ rounds per weekend. Guys that don't shoot much, probably won't have issues, but there's definitely a deficiency or lack of robustness associated with the bolt on the 6 ARC. The ballistics are great, but you pay for it in longevity. Or lack thereof... Besides the fact that there have been other issues, like throat length and magazine length restrictions. Long bullet jump is a deficit of the design in an AR package. JMHO..

Thanks MM.

I have a 300 HAMR that we can use for deer. This is just a fun gun.

David, they are all "fun guns"...

I broke down and put an seeking adjustable gas block on my kids 6 ARC it was way over gassed. One day it shoot fine next day shoot shotgun groups. Get oddball flyers etc. Today it shot very consistent brass ejecting where it’s supposed to eject at 4 etc.

This has been my issue with my ARC build as well. I was just at the range this morning testing it out, and I'm done chasing my tail, I'm ordering an adjustable gas block the weekend we get back home form vacation. I recorded myself shooting and the thing was ejecting brass that would hit the brass deflector and then land about the 1 o'clock area, and destroying brass. I've finally been able to get reloading items for it, but the once fired factory brass is beat to crap.

Sportsmans warehouse (wasilla) has Odin works adjustable gas block. $51 I paid $59 for my seekins at arctic ammo. Unless that $51 is going to make or break your va ca ca I go get while they have it. Lol..

I guess my reply never got in before I hit enter.

In all seriousness I get it. Arctic ammo had this seekins one.. I’m pretty sure it was the only adjustable gas block they had. Unless they had other stashed somewhere else in that store..