90 VLDs blowing up
- Thread starter Fuzzy1968
- Start date
I have been shooting Lot# A993, and have lot #A258 coming up. So far been through almost 500 rds total in this barrel. Im pushing them with Varget at 2900 fps, 3rd reload on Lapua brass without any pocket issues, and just shot the AZ State Midrange (150 rds) and the John Martin Cup (75 rds) recently, and have not had any blow up. I clean my barrel after every match day...squeeky clean. I am using a 1:7 twist 31" Kreiger and they shoot great!
JB
JB
Last edited:
Well today was a very informative day at range 117 at Camp Pendleton 1000 yd shoot. I kept the gun dirty from last weekends shoot on purpose, where my problems all occurred with Lot # 9881, to see if I could duplicate the issues with a B series lot #loaded to the same specs. The reason I kept it dirty was to rule out the "carbon build up" as many suggested.
My first three shots with the suspected lot were complete misses on the target. I then switched ammo to a different lot and successfully shot 75 rounds without a single incident and even ended up with some very good scores (Mid 190's isn't too bad for Range 117' crazy wind).
Conclusion - that after last weekends shoot of 75+ rounds and todays shoot of 75 rounds with a different lot #'s, its the bullet coming apart all on its own and I can't blame the barrel or load.
My first three shots with the suspected lot were complete misses on the target. I then switched ammo to a different lot and successfully shot 75 rounds without a single incident and even ended up with some very good scores (Mid 190's isn't too bad for Range 117' crazy wind).
Conclusion - that after last weekends shoot of 75+ rounds and todays shoot of 75 rounds with a different lot #'s, its the bullet coming apart all on its own and I can't blame the barrel or load.
I have 1500 of the lot #9881 I will have to shoot some and see what happens I got the off a forum member maybe he knew something I didn't will give them a go after the lot I have now runs out.I wonder if Berger would make this right if they had a bad lot of bullets?
BP1-I contacted Berger last week and they were ready to help in any way. I told them to give me one more weekend to do my super duper hi-tech scientific experiment and would give them a call on monday to let them know my results. I have no doubt they will make things right but ill let you know. Good luck with your lot. I am in no way calling out all bullets in that lot but I do know what they did in my gun.
Sounds good,let me know what they do just in case I end up having the same problem.
XTR
F-TR obssessed shooting junkie
Looks like I have 1000 #9881's here too. I'll have to load up some and go see what happens. My current barrel is a 3 groove button rifled Lilja, it may not be as hard on them as the 4 groove cut barrels. I seem to recall hearing Mr. Whidden comment once that his 243s were button rifled barrels, and he felt it helped him keep from blowing up bullets when some others were having that problem.
Shot up the last of my 90s from lot 6974 at FCN in Sept and with Spring weather appearing, I just pulled out my new lot of 90s to start testing...Lot #9881..........
With Fuzzy's last test I'm a bit concerned.
Drew
The way you shoot that 223 everybody else needs 1 or 2 to blow up just to stand a chance
Jdne5b
Gold $$ Contributor
I'm not one to wish misfortune on anyone, Karma is a B.. but it sure made things interesting when Gene was experiencing disappearing 80gr JLKs.
Lot #9881 is what I have many of. Guessing it Was the first lot made after the great shortage to fill all the outstanding back orders. I had 3 orders on backorder for about a year and a half. All 3 backorders were filled with this lot# all at the same time. Bet they made tons of them and hopefully their isn't a problem with them. I have not tried them yet. Still have a few from my remaining stash. Fingers Crossed............
Just checked, I shot 9881 all last year and didn't have any blow up. 6.5 twist at 2850.
I have been shooting Lot No. 9881s for about the last 8 months through my 1:7 Bartlein 5R which is now approaching 1200rds and I have not had a single one blow up, the rifle is cleaned after each match, so max about 100rds normally more like every 50.
Bringing this up to ask if anybody that bought a bunch of lot #9881 that they can spare to sale a few. About 500 would do me till the end of this shooting season.
eric n
Silver $$ Contributor
I have 300 to get you started if you would like.
Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
Lee - I just saw this follow-up post to your OP regarding switching to the new Lot# of 90s. Just curious as to whether they have been behaving well for you since then. I recently experienced what I'm pretty sure was a jacket failure in the new .223 with a 6.8-twist barrel. So far it's only happened once, but it was a pretty costly one. In addition, I'm now wondering in the back of my mind every time I shoot the rifle whether it might happen again. Mentally not where you want to be. Just curious to know whether the new Lot # of 90s has continued to perform without any issues for you.
GT
I recently talked to whoever answered the Berger phone about the VLD 90's and their 1:6 recommended twist rate. He explained to me that the 90 VLD's should not be shot above 300,000 RPM. That's 2500 fps out of a 1:6 barrel and that seems rather slow for a 600 yard F/TR round. I'm shooting the 90's out of my 30" 1:6.5 twist barrel at 2825 fps which results in almost 313,000 RPM.
It's interesting to note that the OP is suffering bullet failure shooting at 315692 RPM, so perhaps the Berger rep's limit of 300K has some merit. My last F/TR match resulted in a mystery "no hit" in the middle of an otherwise good string. The puller was a first timer, this was a very low key local match, and there was no evidence of a cross fire. Therefore, they allowed me to launch an extra round and I didn't give it any more thought until now. I suspect I may have had a jacket failure. The bullet was either lot # A164 or # 9870, unfortunately I'm not sure which.
It's interesting to note that the OP is suffering bullet failure shooting at 315692 RPM, so perhaps the Berger rep's limit of 300K has some merit. My last F/TR match resulted in a mystery "no hit" in the middle of an otherwise good string. The puller was a first timer, this was a very low key local match, and there was no evidence of a cross fire. Therefore, they allowed me to launch an extra round and I didn't give it any more thought until now. I suspect I may have had a jacket failure. The bullet was either lot # A164 or # 9870, unfortunately I'm not sure which.
Greg, I have not had a single problem with either of my 223's since switching lots. They are both 6.5 twist (one a 4 grove and one a 5) and I have shot them clean, dirty and in some pretty warm weather right around the 2850 fps mark. I should take the time and load a few of the suspect lot and try them again but as you know, the only long range practice we get is during sighters at a match and its just not worth getting into my own head to prove what I am 90% sure of.
Lee
Lee
Interesting read on the 90s and the study you guys did on them coming apart. Lots do vary enough to certainly make a difference in more than just accuracy.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.