300 Norma Mag build, finally shooting

I put an ELR Elk rifle together and had a series of disappointments getting it to shoot..
I wanted to use the 225 ELDM's but they were terrible in my barrel, and copper fouled badly.
Switched to 215 VLD's and finally found a good load with Retumbo, I'll be extremely happy if this load continues to shoot.

Here's the specs
Mesa Crux Ti action
26" MGM 8 twist varmint contour "Remage" barrel
Beast Ti brake
Manners EH1
Leupold MK5 HD 5-25x56
weighs 9.75 lbs without bipod.

That's a nice combo! Try some 230 Bergers in it and utilize that case capacity. Shot this today with mine

That will work. Did you try getting to the next node. That is about where a .30 Nosler shoots them. I would think you could get up over 3100 with the Norma.

IdahoCTD said:

That will work. Did you try getting to the next node. That is about where a .30 Nosler shoots them. I would think you could get up over 3100 with the Norma.

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Yeah I shot 89.5 grains for 3020 the other day and it went 1/2 moa but bolt lift was VERY heavy.
It was kinda weird because at 88 grains the first shot was easy lift, the next 2 were heavy..
The last 2 rounds also chambered hard so I'm a little puzzled.
Lapua brass BTW

All new brass or once fired?

elkaholic said:

That's a nice combo! Try some 230 Bergers in it and utilize that case capacity. Shot this today with mineView attachment 135057 View attachment 135058

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That's pretty incredible with a good deal less powder!
I might give the 230's a try, I struggled to get the 225's over 2950 with retumbo

6th firing
I only have 20 from a box of loaded ammo

blackaj said:

That's pretty incredible with a good deal less powder!
I might give the 230's a try, I struggled to get the 225's over 2950 with retumbo

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I shot 85 grains at 3166' today just to test it. Don't know that I could run it there but 3050' runs very nicely. I figure I'll get about 8 firings on the PRC brass.
My barrel is 28""

How do you like the scope?

Brush buster said:

How do you like the scope?

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It's awesome!
I had it mounted on a 6.5 SAUM while building the Norma and I've shot with it quite a bit.
Tracking test was flawless up to 50 MOA, eye box is very forgiving, glass is excellent, and the turrets are great.
The PR-1 MOA reticle is really nice too.

Hmm I'm trying to decide between this and a couple others. You make it sound awfully tempting....

If the round is showing hard closing, you'll have bolt lift coming up. Your either
Not sizing the shoulder enough or your die isn't sizing the web.

blackaj said:

6th firing
I only have 20 from a box of loaded ammo

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With 6 firings, I bet your web dimension is large and not getting sized down enough. With higher psi loads guys are seeing web sizing issues w/ 3 firings. Some are taking a body die and machining off the top to size a bit lower. There is a lot of variation in chambers it seems. A custom die that sizes the base smaller is also an option.

highdrum said:

With 6 firings, I bet your web dimension is large and not getting sized down enough. With higher psi loads guys are seeing web sizing issues w/ 3 firings. Some are taking a body die and machining off the top to size a bit lower. There is a lot of variation in chambers it seems. A custom die that sizes the base smaller is also an option.

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Thank you!
I'll do some measurements this weekend and see if it's a sizing issue at the shoulder or web.