25 prc issue

[Jakeweb09]

I ordered and received a 25 prc preferred barrel blanks prefit for my origin, and so far can't get it to shoot at all. 2-3" groups are the norm, I had a 1" group once but didn't repeat. Tried h1000, and n565 with 3 different primers and the 135 lrht from Berger. Brass is prepped fully lapua 6.5 prc brass. I'm using whidden gun works dies with a .283 bushing then expanding with a Sinclair expander mandrel. So the only inconsistency issue I can find is the seating depth varying a few thou, concentricity is .001 and under. While I don't feel like the small variation in seating depth should impact groups to that extent I suppose it's possible..preferred barrels says I need to get custom 25 prc dies, and whidden says a .257 stem won't help and that I need full custom seater to fix the issue. What y'all think? Worth the custom dies? Or barrel issue?

 

[kevin0270]

I would try another bullet before I bought custom dies.Hammer bullets are not picky when it comes to seating depth in my guns.Good luck.

 

[Andrew Massi]

What does that 283 bushing give you for neck tension?

 

[willfrye027]

I would run through all of your setup checking action screws, scope mounts, rings, etc. tough when you can't test factory ammo. I have a 25-284 PBB that is not picky at all with the 135gr Bergers.

Have you run a powder and seating depth ladder?

Could also try the 133gr Bergers but it seems like you may have more of a mechanical issue.

 

[crystalgayleguy]

Try a 285 bushing a

 

[Jakeweb09]

I'm running a Sinclair mandrel to set neck tension at .002 so bushing change isn't going to change anything. I did do a seating depth test and from .002 off to .090 off nothing shot under 2". I've run a powder work up too..h1k I couldn't get anything with a decent ES/SD. N565 had a ES of 4 FPS over 6 rounds. But still 2" group. Only other bullet to really try is the 133 bergers as it's a 7 twist and will be spinning the lighter stuff at some crazy rpm's lol. And hammers are not the best for what this rifles built for. It's built for nrl hunter. I've checked every screw on it and pulled the barrel to check everything too.

 

[Jakeweb09]

Also I just don't see what custom 25 prc dies are going to gain me over 6.5 prc bushing dies in this case

 

[Elk Hunter 338]

Also I just don't see what custom 25 prc dies are going to gain me over 6.5 prc bushing dies in this case

sorry but they wont give you anything better, you are literally talking .007" in bullet dia difference!!! .... .. its not the dies fault if it wont shoot less than 3" .. I have a couple 300 win mag based wild cats that I used the redding 300 wm dies to load ammo with and they drive tacks 25-300, 7-300 6.5-300 ..

 

[B-LOT Banga]

Jake I can send you some 131 blackjacks and 133 elites just to see if they at least work so you can eliminate a bullet issue. Good luck

 

[cjl2010]

Did you check twist rate?

 

[Andrew Massi]

I have a preferred prefit in 6mm, it's a shooter but it also fouls bad and fast.

 

[lancetkenyon]

What speed are you running them?
Maybe see about slowing them down a bit? Even at 3000, you will more than meet NRL specs. With a 25PRC, I personally would have probably gone with a 1:7.5" twist unless you are already running something like a 20" at 3k?

 

[Jakeweb09]

What speed are you running them?
Maybe see about slowing them down a bit? Even at 3000, you will more than meet NRL specs. With a 25PRC, I personally would have probably gone with a 1:7.5" twist unless you are already running something like a 20" at 3k?

It's a 22" and I've ran them from 2950-3120..3150 started showing some pressure in the form of occasional bolt lift but.

Will double check twist later today. I've always ran bartlein benchmark and proofs and never had one off so I suppose it's possible.

 

[Jakeweb09]

Jake I can send you some 131 blackjacks and 133 elites just to see if they at least work so you can eliminate a bullet issue. Good luck

B-lot I appreciate that, that would be amazing. Hopefully it doesn't like the 131s as I know they are basically gone it this point