300 Norma Improved 35 degree

[rhovee]

Alex made me mine. If your smith has a resize reamer, you can order a blank.

 

[Dm6]

Just looking for a seating die. Could you get a blank seating die and use the chamber reamer?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

If you dont want to use an arbor press, the best setup would be to get a redding competition seating die in 300 norma and ream the sleeve with the improved chamber reamer. You can also use the universal type seating dies like the rcbs competition, those work with a bunch of different cases. Newlon precision makes a press mounted die blank as well. The dies that I use and provide with rifles are made by Hornady, they come with a basic seating die as well.

 

[Dm6]

What powder do you fire form with. Asking because I did not want to use up a bunch h1k, n570 etc to fire form since it is in short supply.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have only fire formed with H1000. But with hunting rifles I only make 50 pieces of brass. I would never load more than that and expect the tune to hold up.

 

[Dm6]

I will save the other 50 pieces for another rifle/barrel then.

 

[rhovee]

Just fire formed some today with an old jug of 7977. Just dropped a grain from my H1000 load. 7977,H1000,Retumbo,N565,RL26. Are all within 1.5 grains of each other.

 

[tom]

@GlennK

I'm patiently waiting on my stock to get one up and going for the 2,000 yard shoots. Did you ever get back to the 245s in yours?

Tom

 

[GlennK]

@GlennK

I'm patiently waiting on my stock to get one up and going for the 2,000 yard shoots. Did you ever get back to the 245s in yours?

Tom

They did not shootnas good as the a tips... tried them at 1 k and 1540. They were not as consistent with this barrel. Maybe if I learned to trim and point I could make them shine.

 

[Yote Hunter]

They did not shootnas good as the a tips... tried them at 1 k and 1540. They were not as consistent with this barrel. Maybe if I learned to trim and point I could make them shine.

What twist/groove configuration?

 

[GlennK]

What twist/groove configuration?

Rock creek 1 in 9, which is a gain twist. So probably around 8.75. 5R barrel

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Since our 2000yd match keeps getting a little more interesting we will be experimenting with barrels. Theres actually quite a bit of velocity to a barrel's volume. We need to pick up about 100 fps with the 245. The 30 Lapua imp is an option but a tuned barrel for the Norma would be ideal....

 

[mdbruce]

...we will be experimenting with barrels. Theres actually quite a bit of velocity to a barrel's volume...

What do you mean by a barrel’s volume?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

There are different land and groove configurations and that determines the volume of the bore, which has a huge impact on accuracy and velocity.

 

[Ranger188]

Alex, have you found that certain calibers or even bullets (weight) per caliber
shoot better consistently in certain bore sizes and or number of lands and grooves?
I've heard that 6mm normally shoot better in 4 groove than 5.
If so would you pass along a couple to us?
I know this is just your personal experience.
Sorry if this is getting off topic.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

So far as the number of lands, in a 6mm I do prefer a 4. In the larger bores, I do not have a preference really. I prefer to work with 4 grooves in the lathe, but couldnt say for sure there is an accuracy advantage. And I think there may be some benefit to a r configuration when jacket failure is a concern. So far as a certain bullet working better with certain barrel specs, absolutely.

 

[tom]

@GlennK

How many firings have you got on your brass? Any clicker problems yet? I only have about 5 on my 338 NMI, and the same on my 338 lap imp, but so far these are the first time I've had anything based on the lapua and actually have proper sizing!

Tom

 

[rhovee]

I am up to about 9 on mine and all good!

 

[GlennK]

@tom I am on 11 sizings on the 300 norma improved and they ran pressure very well today.

 

[tom]

@tom I am on 11 sizings on the 300 norma improved and they ran pressure very well today.

Awesome thanks!

Tom