Great accuracy but getting ejector marks

[zap]

How many of those nice close 4 shot groups in a row on several different days and conditions have you shot? Until you do way more than a few you’re just treeing the ‘coon, you haven’t got him yet! 5 shots a group makes, I’ve seen and blown a lot of 3 and 4 shot groups with those last shots. Your group isn’t bad, it’s just not ready to take to the bank yet. What brass are you using, what is your bolt to case head clearance?

bolt to headspace is about .003

 

[zap]

I prepped all my 50 pcs of brass yesterday. pockets all felt tight still, which is good. I will back charge down a bit and work up again staying a bit lower than where I was the other day. I hope to shoot tomorrow if conditions allow. I will repost when done.

 

[Steve Ladino]

View attachment 1162548 I have been working on a short range load for my Savage target rifle. This is the target action, custom barrel (8 twist 30”). Yes, I do plan on working to get the berger 105’s shooting.

But for now, these 80 gr Bergers are shooting great , so I want to focus on them.
I am shooting at 200 yards at my house range. My current load that shot very well was
29.8gr of V N135
80 Berger
Cci450
1.725 ogive which is back, (.010 jump)

The accuracy was incredible, (4 shot group in high one’s), but i noticed very slight ejector marks on all 4 cases. And another 4 cases also had them with the same load but with an ogive that put it just touching the lands, ( 1.735 )
So , my question,
Where do I go from here ?
Try same ogive that produced best accuracy (1.725) ,and backing the powder charge off and working up to slightly below the 29.8 ??
I suppose I have several options here, but want to see if you all have a common trend to direct me to not wasting components in doing so.
As you will see in the below pic, by backing off the lands that .010, the group really tightened up.
But, i don't want to be stressing my brass, or gun. Please give me your thoughts here.
Thank you
Another question,
Why can I not get the photo to appear at the bottom ? It always posts at the top for some reason, lol

I like your targets.....an ingenious way to record load information.

 

[pertnear]

What brand of brass?

 

[bozo699]

I like your targets.....an ingenious way to record load information.

I second that!
Wayne

 

[243winxb]

The ejector marks were so slight, that i had to confirm with my eye loop.

Would yours appear to be low or higher? Note that its possible to see the "low" on factory loaded ammo in the 65,000 PSI range.

 

[bozo699]

View attachment 1162789
Would yours appear to be low or higher? Note that its possible to see the "low" on factory loaded ammo in the 65,000 PSI range.

I’m not being a smart ass but you don’t need a jewelers Loupe to see those ejector marks I would definitely back down a grain or two then work back up and stop way before here.
Wayne

 

[zap]

I’m not being a smart ass but you don’t need a jewelers Loupe to see those ejector marks I would definitely back down a grain or two then work back up and stop way before here.
Wayne

Bozo, that pic above was not from the original thread poster. I am the op and have not posted any pics yet.
But, since someone did post pics, thank you. Mine look like the pic on the far right, very light. I had no sticky bolt lift. Brass still in great shape. I thank you for your concern, and am not offended. Thanks

 

[zap]

What brand of brass?

Lapua brass

 

[zap]

I like your targets.....an ingenious way to record load information.

I normally don't shoot at those cards. I do like them for the fact that the holes punch thru very nicely. Much nicer to measure.

 

[Ccrider]

Does anyone have data as to the max with this combo ? I am curious at where the max in published data is at.

Data does not matter on your case. Your gun is telling you. Are you seeing other signs?

 

[Richard Jones]

Could there be a burr at the ejector hole?

 

[zap]

Could there be a burr at the ejector hole?

No burr. My case heads look like the last two that 243 xb posted the pics of.

 

[zap]

Data does not matter on your case. Your gun is telling you. Are you seeing other signs?

I would say that the primers are slightly flat, but I don't always go by that, as primers cups differ with thickness and hardness.

 

[zap]

I just noticed that my ogive numbers are 1 inch too long, lol
That would be a really long br case !
I do that all the time, ( forget to subtract the gage ).The numbers on the right side of the decimal are the important ones.

 

[Wild Willy]

Maybe I'm a madman but I don't see a pressure issue with the ejector mark on the right side brass.

Excellent accuracy, easy bolt lift and tight primer pockets, I think you're good to go...

 

[zap]

Well, I tried dropping the powder charge a little. No ejector marks at 29.4, but did have them at 29.6, VERY light. Accuracy was decent at 29.6 but not the lower charge of 29.4.
I am going to try a br4 primer next time, and drop down then work up and see what happens.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you go with the heavier load that barely shows the ejector, its fine for now but when it warms up be careful

 

[Old Navy]

I get very faint ejector circles when fire forming 6mm BR brass. You need a magnifier to see them. After the first firing, nothing.