Recent content by hybridspecies

No, I had the firing pin hole bushed to a smaller diameter, which helped minimize primer cratering.

No, not really. I ended up settling on 40.7 grains of H4350 and the pressure signs went away, but velocity was a little anemic. Accuracy was still good though. I had the bolt face machined with a smaller firing pin hole upon recommendation. This did help reduce the primer flattening and...

Thanks for the confirmation on the bolt face - I still think mine was poorly machined though. Primers used were CCI BR2. I like your idea about getting a bushing installed in the bolt head. Any recommendation on where I can get this done (forum members?)? I'm not sure if I understand your...

I get different headspace readings depending on whether I use the Hornady or Sinclair comparator so I'm not sure how meaningful the actual measurements are with respect to accurately determining headspace (datum position is different for each I believe). Besides that I'm sure the primer is...

I'm not seeing anything on the spent brass to indicate machining defects, but I'll post some pictures soon. The brass was virgin so I didn't set the shoulder back at all. I just used an expanding mandrel to uniform neck tension at 0.263". Using a Hornady headspace comparator, I measured the...

I'm having some pressure issues with a new Savage Model 12 LRP in 6.5CR. I put 101 handloaded rounds through it and all of them were flattening primers. A few of the cases even have faint ejector rings. The loads consisted of virgin Lapua LR cases, H4350, Berger 140 Hybrids, and CCI BR2...

The gun is new and bolt operation is the opposite of smooth, very disappointing. I did notice increased hard lift as the powder charge of the rounds increased, but bolt operation was rough even with the lower powdered rounds. Do you think the lubrication would have burned off after intial...

I just read an article explaining that lubrication in the chamber can result in flattened primers (and higher pressure) by reducing the friction between the case and chamber wall during firing, resulting in the case head being pushed back against the bolt face harder than it should. I left in...

I don't have a borescope, but the possibility of an obstruction or machining marks crossed my mind also. I gave the bore a thorough cleaning on Saturday and am hoping that the 101 rounds I put through it on Thursday smoothed things out enough that so when I use the tool to remeasure seating...

Great advice. I will do that next time I assemble the loads. I didn't see any scratches or markings previously from the lands, but using a sharpie makes total sense. Thank you.

A couple other thoughts as I work through this, first, Berger 6.5 mm Creedmoor 140gr Hybrid Target Rifle Ammunition uses Lapua brass and their stated muzzle velocity of 2850 fps is very close to what I was getting with 41.8 grains of H4350 (2842 fps) using the exact same bullet and brass, so I'm...

The only other large rifle primers I currently posses are Winchester 8 1/2 magnums and I don't see much for sale at the moment either. I haven't deprimed yet, but assumming the primer pockets are still in good shape I plan to reload the spent brass shortly with the same bullet and powder...

Correct. I'm sure Hornady used Hornady brass in that load. Any idea how thick hornady brass runs?

Could part of the pressure issue be because I'm using thick walled Lapua brass (0.014" wall thickness)?

So the longer CBTO (2.2500") is the correct measure? I was wondering if maybe the higher pressures were coming from the bullet being jammed into the rifling at ignition. This is a long range shooter (1000 yards plus) so I was hoping to maintain 2800 fps muzzle velocity, which I wouldn't be...