6.5 CM Berger 140's Aero Solus Rifle

[ev780]

"Just dump 41 or so grains of H4350 behind a Berger 140 gr hybrid." They say

Supposed to be the easy button for the 6.5 man bun. But my new Solus Bravo was grouping like a Mini 14 with factory sights. Here is my seating depth test. I shot more than needed to call the failure just to get some rounds on the rifle.



Because of the chamber and mag restrictions, I am jumping the grand canyon. Probably close to 1/4 inch! Scope checked out on another rifle so it had to be the rifle, ammo or the trigger nut. Picked up a box of Remington hunting ammo at Wally World and it shot a little better. Ordered some factory match ammo and shot two five shot groups below. Hornady 140 ELDM and a box of Winchester 140 gr HPBT Match.




I wasn't super focused this morning and a bit of grape juice with my steak last night or I suspect those could have been much better. End result is the rifle shoots OK for now. I am a capable reloader so I'm guessing that it just doesn't like the Bergers. Sacrilege! blasphemy! Or the jump tolerance of the Bergers only goes so far.

Maybe the barrel is settling down a bit but that seems a far fetched explanation.

I have a box of 142 SMK's, that I ordered with the factory ammo, next up. We shall see how that goes.

Anyone with a factory barrel Solus have any insight? I'll update when I shoot the Sierras.

 

[jlorenzo]

I would try not removing the copper from the barrel for awhile. Try other bullets and seating depths. Hopefully the Sierras work for you. I am zero experience with the Solus.

 

[ev780]

No one really cared about my post but the 142 SMK's shoot much better. Here is the depth test if you believe in such things. I am getting closer at least. I need to shoot some bigger groups and see if things are improving.

 

[X-Caveman]

A buddy shoots a Solus with a 20” Aero 6.5 CM barrel and a trigger tech duty in a aero chassis. He runs about a grain more than you of H4350 under a 142 SMK @ mag length. His 7-8 shot 100 yard groups look about like your Winchester group. Maven 15x scope, bipod, squeeze bag. About 2,600 FPS. He’s a good shot, but very inexperienced reloader.

He has a second Solus and is dicking around with 8.6BLK for some reason. That one is a struggle. Lots of FTF. I was helping him last night and strongly suspect it’s a trigger compatibility issue. With the Timney 510, it has under .200 pin fall and the dry firing is super lame compared to the TT. The top sear spring pressure is so stiff it arrests the bolt closing, not to mention the cocking piece/ firing pin when released. I mention this on the off chance you’re running a Timney.

 

[ev780]

It actually shoots pretty really nice. I have hope that I can get 1" 20 shot groups at 100. We'll see.

 

[ronsatspokane]

I'm shooting 41.5 grains of H4350 using Berger 140 grain Hybrid Targets. Those are set about 20 thousands off the lands. It shoots 1/2 MOA. But this is a shouldered barrel that measures 1.25 at the breach end and after 5 inches begins to taper. If you are using a Savage small shank with the nut, make sure your headspace is good then check the jump to the lands. You may need a single shot "Bob Sled" depending on whether they fit in the mag once set out.

 

[ev780]

I'm shooting 41.5 grains of H4350 using Berger 140 grain Hybrid Targets. Those are set about 20 thousands off the lands. It shoots 1/2 MOA. But this is a shouldered barrel that measures 1.25 at the breach end and after 5 inches begins to taper. If you are using a Savage small shank with the nut, make sure your headspace is good then check the jump to the lands. You may need a single shot "Bob Sled" depending on whether they fit in the mag once set out.

I can't get anywhere close to the lands with the Bergers. (or any bullet for that matter) There isn't enough bullet left to seat! Not to mention mag length restriction. I just have to live with massive jump until I shoot out the factory barrel.

 

[ronsatspokane]

I can't get anywhere close to the lands with the Bergers. (or any bullet for that matter) There isn't enough bullet left to seat! Not to mention mag length restriction. I just have to live with massive jump until I shoot out the factory barrel.

Or just bite the bullet (so to speak) and get another barrel.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I thought the Carolina secret load was 4831sc with 140's.

 

[ebb]

I am not gen z or gen x, I am gen O (old), I was shooting 4831 in my 6.5-284 10 years before there was such a thing as a 6.5 Creedmoor. Secret load my butt, these kids are legends in their own minds.