dstoenner
Silver $$ Contributor
So I managed to snag a box of 140 RDF's and decided to build up some in order to test them for accuracy in my gun. My go to load for 140 hybrid in Lapua brass, BR-2 primers and 42.5 H4350. I set my COL for this load at .010 less than jam. Right now it is 2.950.
In order to do the load I get my Hornady COL out and put the 140 RDF and run it into the lands. Pull it out and measure it and it is 2.910. HUH??? So I get a 140 Hybrid out and remeasure at 2.960 That's weird. So now I get interested and measure each bullet from base to ogive and sure enough the RDF is .060 longer than Berger. At least that checks out and is not a fluke.
I have 50 loaded up now at 2.900 and will do some testing. However some questions come to mind that I don't have answers for and maybe somebody else has bumped into this and has answers.
1) Since the boattail is basically the same, the RDF is .007 longer, that means the RDF has a longer bearing surface. What kind of velocity difference are you seeing between these 2 bullets for the same load?
2) The other minor impact is that also the rear of the bullet is sticking into the case .040 longer and taking up powder room. 42.5 isn't a very hot load but has anybody seen signs of more pressure than the hybrid?
3) The big one in my mind is how Nosler can claim this bullet has so much more BC than the Berger Hybrid when the shank of the bullet is so long. That necessitates a shorter nose which cannot be as sleek as the Hybrid. Right now this isn't squaring in my mind so maybe somebody has some insight.
Thanks
David
In order to do the load I get my Hornady COL out and put the 140 RDF and run it into the lands. Pull it out and measure it and it is 2.910. HUH??? So I get a 140 Hybrid out and remeasure at 2.960 That's weird. So now I get interested and measure each bullet from base to ogive and sure enough the RDF is .060 longer than Berger. At least that checks out and is not a fluke.
I have 50 loaded up now at 2.900 and will do some testing. However some questions come to mind that I don't have answers for and maybe somebody else has bumped into this and has answers.
1) Since the boattail is basically the same, the RDF is .007 longer, that means the RDF has a longer bearing surface. What kind of velocity difference are you seeing between these 2 bullets for the same load?
2) The other minor impact is that also the rear of the bullet is sticking into the case .040 longer and taking up powder room. 42.5 isn't a very hot load but has anybody seen signs of more pressure than the hybrid?
3) The big one in my mind is how Nosler can claim this bullet has so much more BC than the Berger Hybrid when the shank of the bullet is so long. That necessitates a shorter nose which cannot be as sleek as the Hybrid. Right now this isn't squaring in my mind so maybe somebody has some insight.
Thanks
David