First, a little back story: I recently built a new rifle in 260 Rem using a Bartlein barrel, Savage Target Action, and XLR Evolution chassis. I build cartridges using R-P brass trimmed to 2.025, charged with 43.0 grains H100-V for 2860 FPS and 140gn Hornady BTHP Match bullets to 2.36" BTO/2.93 COAL. I brought the rifle out to a local match last weekend, and got good data for targets at 330, 425, and 650 yards. I had only this morning to get data for the remaining 550-yard targets, so I grabbed my spare/left-over ammo and got out early while the wind was barely moving.
After three warm-up groups, my last produced 1.216" (1.480" -0.264 diameter bullet) 5-shot group fired from only bipod support at 550 yards distance. I had no idea what the group looked like until I drove back to the targets, and was pleasantly surprised by a sub-1/4 MOA group! Unfortunately this would be the only good news of the day.
The bad news is that immediately after firing my last round to produce this group, I noticed the muzzle brake was canted. Upon close inspection, the barrel nut had loosened enough for the barrel to travel out a quarter turn. The entire chassis system had to be disassembled to re-tighten, so now my zero is likely off and my match is the day after I return home. I'm crossing my fingers that things will be good, since I didn't remove the scope or mount, only action from chassis.
After three warm-up groups, my last produced 1.216" (1.480" -0.264 diameter bullet) 5-shot group fired from only bipod support at 550 yards distance. I had no idea what the group looked like until I drove back to the targets, and was pleasantly surprised by a sub-1/4 MOA group! Unfortunately this would be the only good news of the day.
The bad news is that immediately after firing my last round to produce this group, I noticed the muzzle brake was canted. Upon close inspection, the barrel nut had loosened enough for the barrel to travel out a quarter turn. The entire chassis system had to be disassembled to re-tighten, so now my zero is likely off and my match is the day after I return home. I'm crossing my fingers that things will be good, since I didn't remove the scope or mount, only action from chassis.
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