More 30 Nosler testing and a ladder lesson

[jim_k]

Correct, the 215 is excellent for hunting. Look at the width. The node showed horizontal. You could look at that ladder and think you were done because the vertical was great. Wrong. That width is barrel harmonics not conditions. You can see it in the 1k group too. It needs further tuning with seating depth to make the group round.

Now I see what you're talking about. I didn't pick up the part about the width being more than you expected, based on wind. Thanks for the reply. This post is a real good example of the stuff that goes into "getting a load right."

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Not as good conditions today as the other ladder. Again shot off of a bipod and rear squeeze bag in the prone position. This is the next node up. I think this is probably where I will load this rifle for hunting season. It is a hot load but bolt lift is normal.

 

[JLT]

Not as good conditions today as the other ladder. Again shot off of a bipod and rear squeeze bag in the prone position. This is the next node up. I think this is probably where I will load this rifle for hunting season. It is a Hot Load but Bolt left is normal.View attachment 1022163 View attachment 1022164

Nice, wide node. Very nice rifle, Alex.

 

[Zero333]

3,150 from a 25" barrel with 215 BergHyb's from a cartridge that has less than 100 gr capacity ?

Did I read that right ?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Yep

 

[FURMAN]

Alex, are running a SAAMI chamber? If not what freebore?

 

[oakfig]

Why did you leave the other node? Did changing the seating depth get rid of the horizontal?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I didn't. This node proved to be too hard on brass. It was ok in cold mornings. I am selling the barreled action to "re-build" this rig into a heavier long range hunting rifle. I like the 30 Nosler enough I want to shoot a little more so I am going to go with a heavier barrel to take the heat. The throat seemed to hold up very well so it suites it self to shooting/practice unlike the 28, which has moved .020" now in about 125 rounds.

 

[JBT47]

Alex, do you like the .30 Nosler better than the .300 Norma Mag?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I never owned the Norma mag. But it requires a Lapua bolt face and I am not a big fan of lapuas on remington sized actions and 1 1/16 tenons. I know a lot of guys do it with no problems. If I am going to a lapua bolt there had better be some good reasons. None of the lapua bolt face cases seem to offer enough over rum type case for me to have an interest. I have a Lapua sized action here and have thought about doing something many times, but when I look at what those cases offer I just dont see it as much improvement over the rum cases. I will probably go to a 338 snipe tac on that action when Berger comes out with the big 338 bullet.

 

[JBT47]

Thank you Alex

 

[Curious]

Are one shot ladder tests really that reliable?

Would it not be better to do 3 shot tests and take average?

I appreciate this is a hunting rifle and not a LR BR rig, is that why you use only 1 shot or is that your method for every ladder test Alex?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Heavy barrels get 3 shots per charge. I would say one shot ladders are very reliable. But you need an accurate rifle and consistent shooter.

 

[Curious]

Heavy barrels get 3 shots per charge. I would say one shot ladders are very reliable. But you need an accurate rifle and consistent shooter.

Assuming the same consistent shooter;

Why would the heavy barrel get 3 shots per charge if 1 shot ladders are very reliable?

I can't really get my head around this. I appreciate that lighter barrels will overheat quickly but 1 shot seems too random. If as you say 1 shot ladders are then why waste time with 3 on the heavy barrels?

I would have thought 3 shots would be the way to go regardless and you would just have to accept that it will take longer with a slimmer barrel profile?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Assuming the same consistent shooter;

Why would the heavy barrel get 3 shots per charge if 1 shot ladders are very reliable?

I can't really get my head around this. I appreciate that lighter barrels will overheat quickly but 1 shot seems too random. If as you say 1 shot ladders are then why waste time with 3 on the heavy barrels?

I would have thought 3 shots would be the way to go regardless and you would just have to accept that it will take longer with a slimmer barrel profile?

With a heavy barrel BR rifle I will shoot a 12-15 shot 3x ladder as fast as I can run the gun. I will get them down in the same condition. With a hunting rifle the pace is far slower, they take longer to get on target and you cant shoot fast or you will overheat. A 1x ladder will never be as precise as a 3x ladder, but a 3x ladder in a hunting rifle is not possible, too much heat and the time frame is too long to shoot them all in the same condition. Plus the tunes we need in br are much finer than we need hunting.

 

[coffee cup]

Thank you Alex Wheeler for sharing your insights.

 

[Jeffvn]

Alex

Are you running a true 30 Nosler, or a 30 /28 Nosler to take advantage of the 28's touch more case capacity?

Jeffvn