Help with .408 CheyTac & RL25

[chuck plissken]

I have been looking for data on a starting load for my custom .408 cheytac rifle. wanting to use 415gr Cutting Edge projectiles or 420gr projectiles like Rocky Mountian bullets. Not decided yet. Will be used for hunting black bear at medium to long ranges here in AZ. 500-1200yrds.

any data to start would be helpful

im gussing 120.0 to start and work up?

 

[winks]

Im using 400 grain moly coated lehigh projectiles and couldnt find any data so i had to go through the expense of load n fire through chronograph. I just started 3 weeks ago and my tightest group so far is one and five eights inches at 400 yards thats what im zeroed at. I wanted to use 50 bmg powder and did till i had a super compressed load at 150 grains and was getting an average of 2900 fps with no pressure signs at all. I went to the next available powder which is retumbo and im at 139 grains with a bit of crater on the primer, thats where the one and five eights group came in. Im still playing with the load but my shoulder has taken an *** whooping so im gonna lay off for a couple days. My rifle was built locally by a good friend of mine, its a stiller action with a 1-13 lilja barrel and a jewel trigger, i think i will try a 1-14 next time.
Thanks wink

 

[TH]

131 grains of reloader 25 with a 419 grain bullet is a max load in my gun. Hope this helps

 

[SaltDogLLC]

If it helps any, here is my set-up for the 408's we build in-house:

Stiller's TAC-408 receiver
1:14 29" PACNOR barrel (no brake installed)
Timney R700 bottom safety trigger
Baer Customs' DBM/Mag
McMillan A5 "wide body" stock (lug bedded)
419gr projectile (LeHigh or CheyTac)
505 Gibbs brass retro'ed into 408 CT
CCI LRM primers
140gr Hodgdon 50BMG
set with custom dies made by LEE Precision and crimped with one of their Factory Crimp dies.

@ 1000 yard zero, using sand bags under the forearm, we're seeing an average 5-shot group of 11.25". That was recorded with an average temp of 65 degrees, ~20% humidity, 29.95 mmHg, wind negligable, and an elevation of 400ft.

 

[Bravo 4]

What kind of velocity are you getting?

 

[SaltDogLLC]

~2900 w/ SD of 17fps

 

[FAIRCHASE]

Every one of your 10 posts shows that you are a dick .... but you already knew that, right?

 

[rwest]

Anyone running reloader 33 in a 408 or 375 cheytac?

 

[Bravo 4]

I think I have a pretty decent load for my .408; 147 grains of RL33 behind a 415 Cutting Edge MTH (Fed215M primer). It is running 2900 fps and seems to have really good accuracy so far, only fired it out to 400 yards. I ran it up to 153 grains before I seen any pressure signs and hit almost 3100 fps. With Jamison brass the 153 gr load showed an ejector swipe and the bolt got a little stiff. Bertram brass showed no signs of pressure with the same load. I backed it down several grains anyways.
I told myself I would be happy with 2900 and good accuracy, plus the brass should last a while at this load.

Rifle is a Cheytac M310 with 28" barrel.

 

[FAIRCHASE]

Every one of your 10 posts shows that you are a dick .... but you already knew that, right?

My post was for Bros but original 'quote' didn't carry over.

 

[rwest]

Thanks for the info. Going to try some 33 in a improved 375 with 350 smk once the weather cooperates

 

[BIGJOHNT]

Rocky mountain bullets 420 gr copper with 131 grains of Retumbo . Hsm will sell this load to you, it's not on their web site. You have to call them and ask about it.