Massive Muzzle Flash From SCAR17S
At the FNH USA 3Gun Championships two weeks ago, I was using my SCAR 17S. I used exclusively PMC Brass 147 gr bt fmj for the match. I have used this ammo in the past but have never witnessed muzzle flash of this magnitude from my SCAR17S. I was shooting at steel targets over 100 yards away and was noticing muzzle flash through my Nikon M-308 scope. You can see some of the muzzle flash at the end of the video when i engage the 100+ yard steel targets. My SCAR17S is still rocking the factory installed PWS muzzle brake. Other than the Midwest Industries extended handguard, some rail covers and a Geissele Scar Super Trigger, the gun is the same as when I bought it in 2012. At first I thought the muzzle flash may have been due to the proximity of my muzzle to the tree I was shooting off of, but I can see muzzle flash in the 3rd person video (which I edited out for the youtube video) when I engage the last array of paper targets with my angled irons.
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I had a similar large flash experience when using some ZQI (Turkish) ammo, along with a noticeably stronger recoil with my FN FAL Para (16" bbl, A2 hider). I had several others shoot a mix of ammo manuf. with the same impression when using ZQI. I think some of the foreign ammo manuf. are using powders with significantly different burn rates in some lots. Maybe they are pushing the limits on meeting NATO Spec.?
My first guess, without further examination, would be the powder charge was off or a mistake with the wrong powder being used. Both easy to check if you still have a couple rounds to pull down.