BillLarson
Well-Known Member
WOW...... LESSON THERE FOR US ALL....
Barrel Harmonics Testing
- Thread starter FEENIX
- Start date
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3 round groups are wholely inadequate for testing either precision or velocity spread. They're useful for discarding loads that are unacceptable, not determining how precise a load is. 10 rounds will give you a pretty good idea of the true performance of a load. It's entirely possible what you saw was just a fluke, and repeating the test with meaningful groups would yield different results.
This is also true if you decide to try a tuner. I have found they look good with small groups, but once I shoot a meaningful sample size the difference is insignificant.
If you're getting unacceptable precision and don't want to change your powder charge adjusting the seating depth may help.
Mikecr
Well-Known Member
No, don't do that. Seating is not tuning.
It's different than trying to tune barrel harmonics, but it can have a significant impact on precision.
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People hated the "sound blast" with the brake, did not take the time to understand it and work with it, or thye just hated it because they could not make it (pattent). If you do research, some opponents of the BOSS are now promting tuners.
I have been using the BOSS on Win M70 from .22-250 to .338 WM since the 90's. Happy with it. Like @Mikecr said, it works great with factory ammo. I use that recoomended setting as a starting point for my handloads, and fine tune from there.
Its the same with barrel harmonics. So many people called BS when Chris Long wrote about it. Now everyone is talking about it.
Always leave the magneto speed off the barrel when testing for groups.
I am amazed at how little you must move a tuner in or out to change group size and location. You are in effect, shortening and lengthening the barrel with a tuner, and by very little lengths. I have Harrells, EC, RASS, and Mike Ezel tuners. ON an old savage pump in 30/30, I put one of those Limbsaver doughnuts on it and started moving the doughnut in 1/2" increments. I tuned that old 30/30 pump to shoot 1" groups with a Swift 4x12 scope where it was shooting 3.5" groups without the Limbsaver doughnut.
Years ago when I was shooting a lot of p. dogs, we shot unturned blanks on barrels dia choice to minimize muzzle flip, allowing us to see the bullet impacts. I made a 3" collar to slide up and down on the barrel with a very tight fit, using three plastic tip screws to hold the collar in place. I noticed that I could tune the barrel by sliding the large sleeve ever so slightly up and down the barrel. With little effort, I tuned the already tight grouping load to shoot into a single bullet hole.
No doubt that every long-range shooter could dramatically improve his groups by using a Harrells tunner for $95 plus the barrel threading fee. No doubt that Harrell's set the industry standard on customer service.
Basic instructions on how to use a tuner is simple, work up your load first with the tuner installed and the adjustment screwed all the way to the rear. Then start moving the tuner OUT no more than two graduations at a time, shooting two shot groups. You are working with a Bell curve when using a runner. The groups will be open, close up real tight, and open up again. The trick is to find the setting with the widest spread in adjustments that will give bug-hole groups. On my benchrest rifles, which shot 1/4" and less, I cut the group size in half with tuners, and I am still shocked at how long it took me to get to the point of trying a tuner.
I am amazed at how little you must move a tuner in or out to change group size and location. You are in effect, shortening and lengthening the barrel with a tuner, and by very little lengths. I have Harrells, EC, RASS, and Mike Ezel tuners. ON an old savage pump in 30/30, I put one of those Limbsaver doughnuts on it and started moving the doughnut in 1/2" increments. I tuned that old 30/30 pump to shoot 1" groups with a Swift 4x12 scope where it was shooting 3.5" groups without the Limbsaver doughnut.
Years ago when I was shooting a lot of p. dogs, we shot unturned blanks on barrels dia choice to minimize muzzle flip, allowing us to see the bullet impacts. I made a 3" collar to slide up and down on the barrel with a very tight fit, using three plastic tip screws to hold the collar in place. I noticed that I could tune the barrel by sliding the large sleeve ever so slightly up and down the barrel. With little effort, I tuned the already tight grouping load to shoot into a single bullet hole.
No doubt that every long-range shooter could dramatically improve his groups by using a Harrells tunner for $95 plus the barrel threading fee. No doubt that Harrell's set the industry standard on customer service.
Basic instructions on how to use a tuner is simple, work up your load first with the tuner installed and the adjustment screwed all the way to the rear. Then start moving the tuner OUT no more than two graduations at a time, shooting two shot groups. You are working with a Bell curve when using a runner. The groups will be open, close up real tight, and open up again. The trick is to find the setting with the widest spread in adjustments that will give bug-hole groups. On my benchrest rifles, which shot 1/4" and less, I cut the group size in half with tuners, and I am still shocked at how long it took me to get to the point of trying a tuner.
I remember those old rubber dougnuts. They worked!
I still have mine somewhere. I got it when it first came out and have not used it since.
no. please read my post
ripzip
Well-Known Member
I have a tuner and you start with it screwed in all the way. Then start turning it out 3 notches at a time. Go out at least 1 full turn and see where your best groups are, then fine tune from there.
floyd kittrell
Well-Known Member
I am using the ATS barrel tuner on my hunting rifles , they are magic.
I did, and also read EC's directions. I was surprised on how little they offer, but with so many different configurations, I understand why. Browing/Winchester offered a lot more, though given it was for three rifle models, M70, X-Bolt abd BAR.
Ashamed to say I did that too, though, mine was a piston type black rifle, only damaged the barrel. Got lucky.
Bought the AimShot Bore lazer after that. It takes the place of a "case". Cannot have a loaded round in even by accident.
