Which load?

Sam Aspacher

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2012
Messages
119
50 rounds into this new rifle and things appear to be settling in. For a 6 pound gun off a bipod with 18 power scope, hard for me to picture doing anything better really. I'm considering staying with the jammed load. Better numbers on the jumped but don't typically trust my chronograph that much. Low vertical on both, slightly better on the jammed. What do you guys think?
KIMG0338.JPG
shot_1585072476597.jpg
KIMG0322.JPG
 
50 rounds into this new rifle and things appear to be settling in. For a 6 pound gun off a bipod with 18 power scope, hard for me to picture doing anything better really. I'm considering staying with the jammed load. Better numbers on the jumped but don't typically trust my chronograph that much. Low vertical on both, slightly better on the jammed. What do you guys think?View attachment 183540View attachment 183541View attachment 183542
What length barrel for that weight?
 
You have to listen to what your rifle is telling you. I could not the get my SAUM to shoot the ELD-X very well, but it shot the Berger 140 Hybrids exceptionally well at about .030 off the lands.
I shot 140 and 130 hvlds some with similar results but really want to try the ELD-x on game so settled on it. In other guns I've seen mixed results on terminal ballistic from the Berger's. Lots of rapid expansion hits but had a few with minimal expansion too. Hoping for more predictable results from the ELD-x.
 
I would never jam a load again ever after having a separation in the field once.

On another note I'd do a full seating depth test and expect .020 for the eld to be about right but I've had them shoot very well at .100 too.
What were the conditions when you had separation? Cold or wet or anything? Any specific neck tension?
I tested with a dummy round seated .050 into lands and after many load/eject cycles no separation and same coal.
Thinking about pulling the bullet, putting a new one in loading it once then letting it sit for a day or two before trying to eject.
 
I noticed your two loads only very by 2 fps average.
How close are you to max with your jump load?
You may be possibly just outside of the node.
I would increase your powder charge on your jump load .1 to .2 of a grain if not experiencing pressure.

I agree with Brent. If you haven't played with seating depth yet, I would do a seating ladder test at 400 yards to find that flat spot of 3 to 4 bullet seating depths.
 
What were the conditions when you had separation? Cold or wet or anything? Any specific neck tension?
I tested with a dummy round seated .050 into lands and after many load/eject cycles no separation and same coal.
Thinking about pulling the bullet, putting a new one in loading it once then letting it sit for a day or two before trying to eject.
It was a normal fall hunt. Dry and cool. Loaded to .005 in with berger 140. Lapau brass. .002'neck tension via bushing die. Buddy shot a deer and reloaded. Deer was drt so ejected the round and boom, mess. Luckily the bullet wasn't hard lodged and was tapped out.
I didn't have a comp rifle pull one too. 243 used for prs. I was jamming 110's .007. I switched to the 108 and .020.
 
All you have to do to see this is leave a loaded round in the chamber overnight in hunting camp. Even if its not raining or snowing, condensation will form around the bullet/throat and blend with the carbon, etc. You can even see the green of the oxidized copper from the caustic chemicals (sulphur maybe?)
This has to cause a potential GLUE and increase the tension needed to pull a touching bullet out of the lands!
Ive had it happen and If I cant find a load that shoots well without jamming, Ill go to a different load (for hunting).
 
Personally, I rely more on target placement for nodes than chrono numbers. From the groups, I can't see a load to chase. Lots of opinions on this though. Keep us updated
 
What were the conditions when you had separation? Cold or wet or anything? Any specific neck tension?
I tested with a dummy round seated .050 into lands and after many load/eject cycles no separation and same coal.
Thinking about pulling the bullet, putting a new one in loading it once then letting it sit for a day or two before trying to eject.
Was that on a clean or fouled chamber?
 
I noticed your two loads only very by 2 fps average.
How close are you to max with your jump load?
You may be possibly just outside of the node.
I would increase your powder charge on your jump load .1 to .2 of a grain if not experiencing pressure.

I agree with Brent. If you haven't played with seating depth yet, I would do a seating ladder test at 400 yards to find that flat spot of 3 to 4 bullet seating depths.
I don't think I'm close to Max. Easy bolt lift, plenty of radius left on primers. You may be right here but trying to be cautious and stay on the lower end. Don't have published data or quick load. Compared a lot of other results and some very similar quick load data posted on the forum on order to get a starting point.
 
Warning! This thread is more than 5 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.
Top