Load Gone Bad

[Ben Keller]

Has anyone experienced a good 1/2 MOA load during barrel break in turn bad? I had a load that shot really well in my custom 28 nosler, but once I got around 100 rounds it has gone down hill. I am an experienced reloader and never had this happen. I found the load quite easily and it shot around 2827fps, once I got around 85 rounds through the barrel it sped up to 2877 and the accuracy has fallen apart. Velocities all over the place also (measured with garmin). Of course I will start over with my load, but I've never had this happen before. Usually a good load stays good from my experience.

For more background. The throat on the gun hasn't changed since it was new. Remington trued action, Manners stock, Proof lite barrel, trigger tech trigger, Nightforce NX8, Nightforce rings and bases, ADG brass, Retumbo 79.0 grains, Federal 215s, 180 ELDMs seated 20 off. Yes, the barrel has been cleaned.

Any thoughts welcomed!

 

[dustbag]

My 28 Nosler did same thing. Just get rid of some powder to slow down to original speed and recheck your lands so you're still at .020 off.

 

[zr600]

I have had that happen. I was shooting 165gamechangers shot really well about 2950ish. Went to make sure I was dialed for deer season and load wasn't shooting as good broke out the megneto speed at the time pre garmin times and load speed up almost 100fps. Still was shooting sub moa so I just sighted it in and went hunting. I think your moving a little slow for a 28nosler. I shoot 67.3 retumbo with a 180 Berger hvld and they are going 2950.

 

[Ben Keller]

I have had that happen. I was shooting 165gamechangers shot really well about 2950ish. Went to make sure I was dialed for deer season and load wasn't shooting as good broke out the megneto speed at the time pre garmin times and load speed up almost 100fps. Still was shooting sub moa so I just sighted it in and went hunting. I think you're moving a little slow for a 28nosler. I shoot 67.3 retumbo with a 180 Berger hvld and they are going 2950.

My barrel is 22 inches. Glad I'm not the only one this has happened to.

 

[MagnumManiac]

This is not uncommon.
Tell tale signs are barrel speeding up and failure to adjust accordingly.
You have 2 options, go up to the next node or go down to the previous one.
Third option, most likely unfeasible, is to keep the load as is and adjust seating depth. This is backwards to what I do, but, it may just be feasible if everything falls in place…

Cheers.

 

[jseandsje]

Has anyone experienced a good 1/2 MOA load during barrel break in turn bad? I had a load that shot really well in my custom 28 nosler, but once I got around 100 rounds it has gone down hill. I am an experienced reloader and never had this happen. I found the load quite easily and it shot around 2827fps, once I got around 85 rounds through the barrel it sped up to 2877 and the accuracy has fallen apart. Velocities all over the place also (measured with garmin). Of course I will start over with my load, but I've never had this happen before. Usually a good load stays good from my experience.

For more background. The throat on the gun hasn't changed since it was new. Remington trued action, Manners stock, Proof lite barrel, trigger tech trigger, Nightforce NX8, Nightforce rings and bases, ADG brass, Retumbo 79.0 grains, Federal 215s, 180 ELDMs seated 20 off. Yes, the barrel has been cleaned.

Any thoughts welcomed!View attachment 707860

You said 100 rounds. That's a box of bullets. Did you change lot #s on bullets.

If velocities all over the place, then pressure is all over the place.
Carbon Ring?
50 cases? That's 2 loads on cases. Have you annealed? Case hardened neck/shoulders more neck tension.

 

[Ben Keller]

This is not uncommon.
Tell tale signs are barrel speeding up and failure to adjust accordingly.
You have 2 options, go up to the next node or go down to the previous one.
Third option, most likely unfeasible, is to keep the load as is and adjust seating depth. This is backwards to what I do, but, it may just be feasible if everything falls in place…

Cheers.

Well the question is will other loads that I previously found work or not? I have one or two others that showed promise or has the barrel break in changed where all those nodes may be.

 

[Ben Keller]

You said 100 rounds. That's a box of bullets. Did you change lot #s on bullets.

If velocities all over the place, then pressure is all over the place.
Carbon Ring?
50 cases? That's 2 loads on cases. Have you annealed? Case hardened neck/shoulders more neck tension.

Same lot of bullets. I don't have a scope to look for the carbon build up but I have cleaned the **** out of it since. I do not anneal but the brass is only on its second reload.

 

[MagnumManiac]

Well the question is will other loads that I previously found work or not? I have one or two others that showed promise or has the barrel break in changed where all those nodes may be.

More than likely they all will have changed.
When the barrel speeds up, it changes barrel time, which changes barrel whip and bullet exit point in that whip.
If it's oscillating wildly due to erratic pressure then yes, your loads will not be consistent and will be all over the place.

Cheers.

 

[Browninglover1]

In my 7 SAUM I had the same thing happen. All I had to do was drop the powder charge until the velocity got back to the original velocity and everything came back together.

 

[Beluebow]

As others have said....Totally not unusual for a new barrel to speed up and take you out of the node. Drop down and rework your powder charge. The accuracy will come back......usually.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

Was all the brass virgin when you did load development for break in? If so, I have had to back off with some cases after for the next round with fireformed cases.

Barrel speed up, has not been a problem with accuracy, but the fireformed brass had to be backed off just a touch. Perhaps you were on the edge of the node for this barrel.

As it is a 28 Nosler and barrel life a premium, I would drop half a grain and keep all else the same. Just load up five and see if it settles down. If it doesn't, may have to start all over.

I do think you have a lot more velocity potential with that 180 though.

 

[ButterBean]

More than likely they all will have changed.
When the barrel speeds up, it changes barrel time, which changes barrel whip and bullet exit point in that whip.
If it's oscillating wildly due to erratic pressure then yes, your loads will not be consistent and will be all over the place.

Cheers.

 

[jseandsje]

Same lot of bullets. I don't have a scope to look for the carbon build up but I have cleaned the **** out of it since. I do not anneal but the brass is only on its second reload.

Never had this happen either. But I'm searching for things that would give you erratic pressure thus velocity.

Have you checked case length?

Use a sharpie and paint the bullet and neck of a round. Chamber it then extract. Look for marks on bullet or on case neck.

Get some wipeout foam and soak barrel overnight then patch. Repeat for 3 nights.

Before I changed the load I'd check for powder ring even if I had to go to GS.

You're not chasing lands. In 85 rounds what could have changed?

Were you in the middle of a batch of reloaded cartridges, or at the beginning.

If you're not near max, I just can't see it being a load issue.