I'm the proud owner of a SFAR 308 win 16.1" barrel. So far, I've run a couple hundred rounds through it and it functions well but is hard on brass, it gouges the base of the case head. I've read lots feedback that this is due to over-gassing and recommendations to set the gas block to the #2 setting to prevent over gassing. When I set it to the #2 setting the brass isn't beat up as bad but the gun frequently gets ejection and feeding malfunctions. I've run several different factory loads and handloads through it and it malfunctions frequently with all types of ammo on the #2 setting. I don't mind leaving it on the #3 setting but don't like it damaging my brass.

Any recommendations on what I can do to fix this? Could it be a gas block alignment issue?

I have the full size Ruger 762

I run unsuppressed on 3 setting

Suppressed on 2 setting

It eats all ammo and functions 100% but it’s a tank (has to be 20 lbs )

Are you running a suppressor ?

Small frame AR10s are a whole different bucket of worms , I’ve owned several DPMS G2s and each behaved differently !

I believe the brass damage you’re referencing is EJECTOR gouges - how far is the brass being ejected from the gun in setting 3 and what direction (1 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 5 o’clock)?

What is the distance and timing when set to 2 (same question as above).

All in all if it were me:

I’d use setting 3 , unsuppressed, and dial down the gas to the minimum needed to cycle rounds (from a full mag - highest spring tension) and check your brass on that setting. If it’s still gouging then you either send it back to Ruger OR start tweaking on it yourself….

A gas block misalignment would primarily cause failures to eject and grab next round from mag - nothing to do with ejector gouges related to overpressure in chamber or mistiming of bcg.

Thanks for the feedback PP. I had a AR10 but I sold it to get the SFAR, it was just too heavy and clumsy for hunting. It was a great shooter though.

Answers to your questions:
No, I'm not running a suppressor, I may at some point.
Brass is ejection varies, at #3 setting it ejects mostly at 4:00 and about 8-10 ft.
I didn't notice where and how far it ejects on the #2 setting, I will check that during my next outing. It fails to eject or fails to pick up the next round about 40% of the time on #2 gas block setting.

I originally thought the brass gouging was a over-pressure issue but after doing some online research, a couple of knowledgeable people believe its an over-gas issue not a pressure issue. Factory 308 loads gouge worse than my handloads as I've reduced my handloads somewhat. I guess it could be either pressure or over gas. I would think if its over gassed it would cycle properly on #2 setting as most SFAR reports I've read say that the #2 setting works fine and is what most people use. That's why I was thinking the gas block me not be fully aligned.

I'm Gonna guess that it is not overgassed or undergassed at the #3 setting based on this statement. With an AR, ejection at 3:00 to 4:00 typically says that the gas block is correct for your setup. Can you post a pic of the brass? Maybe the Ruger SFAR is just hard on brass?

Yeah, I'm probably over thinking it but Ruger does recommend using the #2 gas block setting in their manual.

Ruger suggests the #2 as an ideal starting point. But, as your's does not reliably cycle in the #2 position, then you obviously need #3. Different ammo might require a different position. Also, did you clean before 1st firing? And how many rounds do you have on it? Possibly, as it breaks in, the #2 setting might suffice.

40% isn’t as bad as 75% failure on the #2 setting

I’m gonna guess your brass is going to be ejecting erratically between 3 and 5 o’clock and closer than on the #3 setting

So you’re close to operating , grab a spare buffer drive out the cross pin dump a couple of weights and replace with a spring or something light (lighter than the weights) but sturdy and refire.

You’ll probably see better function and you might get lucky and see less mangled brass.

Just don’t run the gun on #3 if you tune a buffer to #2

I'd clean the hell out of it, lube it up, and try again. I'd also call Ruger and see what they say.

Pig popper. Are you reading him correctly? I get that he has zero failures on #3, ejecting at 4:00, but that it's beating up his brass. Your post seems like he's getting 40% failures at #3

I think I’m tracking

40% failures on 2

I’m assuming he is happy with brass condition at the 2 setting so advising to tune the buffer to get 2 running 100%

Thanks for all the help guys!

Correct, #3 setting functions fine other than the brass damage. #2 setting malfunctions. Brass are not gouged on #2 setting.

I've cleaned and lubed the BCG and cleaned the barrel 4 times during the break-in process. I have not cleaned the gas system. Will do that this week.

Regarding the buffer, I was thinking about changing the buffer to H2 and just leaving it on #3. Thoughts on that?

What’s the latest on this

I’m thinking about swinging through Ruger’s booth at SHOT show and handling one.

I guess I can ask them what proof loads they used for the gas system setup …

I have one of these as well and managed to get a couple rounds through it last weekend. I turned the gas block down to 2 and have a heavy buffer in it. Shooting suppressed...2 was still slightly over gassed, but if functioned fine and locked the bolt back. Pretty impressed with the light recoil. I am going to mount a better scope on it and take it to the range before I try to turn the gas block down further.

What box store has these available?

DFW

I have been hitting dead ends

I cleaned the gas system and it still won't function consistently on the #2 gas setting. Runs fine on the #3 setting. I'm planning to call Ruger but I suspect they're going to say just run it on #3.

All in all, I really like the gun, its light weight, recoil is surprisingly light, its reasonably accurate with occasional 1 MOA groups but is generally 1.5 MOA accurate. Trigger is very nice for a factory trigger, my wheeler gauge shows 3.75 lbs pull weight.

You will probably have to buy it online and shipped to a local FFL. There are a few available online. Try searching Ammoseek and Gundeals. That's how I found mine. Cabelas gets them occasionally, just need to keep checking.

https://ammoseek.com/guns/308-winchester/Ruger?ikw=sfar
https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/sfar

Scheels had them in stock, their website said they didn't and I walked right in and they had one on display and more in the back

I handled one today at the DSC Convention

I like the material and styling

I wasn’t impressed with the barrel profile it looks to be on the thin (neutered) side of profiles and I suspect it will heat up very quickly

An oddity was the bolt , for those that own the rifles are they a stainless looking bolt ?

It seemed like it wasn’t fully coated black but not bright stainless either - it looked prototype-ish or like it had 10000 rounds on it already …

They had a MSRP price of 1349 on it - I placed it back on the shelf , will await user reports once they get in the hands of the customers

I like scheels. But thier website sucks. Never shows what's actually in stock.