When I had my 6XC built you couldn’t find brass and H-4350 wasn’t around so I learned to make brass from Lapua 22/250. Funny looking case, looked like a mushroom. A buddy suggested fire forming with 36 grs of H-4350. Where am I going to find that? So, I did the next best thing and used AA-4350. Wound up using 38grs inorder to fireform them the way I wanted. My barrel is a 1/8 so I got some Berger Hybrids to try. After doing a powder work up I settled on 40.5 grs. Off to the range. Tried several seating depths and the HB’s shot ok but not great. On a fluke I got some of the new Sierra 107’s , they came already pointed. WOW! What a difference. Groups shrank to just a little over 1/2” at 300 yds.
My barrel is a 30” Krieger 4 grove so that probably has something to do with the HB not shooting as well since they recommend a 7 or 7 1/2 twist. ( my next barrel will be a 7 1/2 5R ) The Lapua brass fire formed beautifully and now is on its 10 reloading and the primer pockets are still tight. I shoot Moly bullets so this load may be over pressure in your rifle. Work up slowly. I used Federal 210 LR primers for all loads. After fireforming the brass came out short. Won’t have to trim cases.
My action is a Gilles/Ross. A very strong 3 lug action.
So how does this load shoot?
Took it to the Texas State Mid-Range championship to find out. Now you have to understand “GOD” usually allows me 1 really good string of fire. I’m usually in the mid to upper 190’s with 8-12 X’s and this is where my scores fell except one relay, 200-15X. Guess “GOD” smiled on that one.
The moral of the story is their are certain powders and bullets that do well in most rifles but not all rifles. Sometimes trying a combination outside the box works.
My barrel is a 30” Krieger 4 grove so that probably has something to do with the HB not shooting as well since they recommend a 7 or 7 1/2 twist. ( my next barrel will be a 7 1/2 5R ) The Lapua brass fire formed beautifully and now is on its 10 reloading and the primer pockets are still tight. I shoot Moly bullets so this load may be over pressure in your rifle. Work up slowly. I used Federal 210 LR primers for all loads. After fireforming the brass came out short. Won’t have to trim cases.
My action is a Gilles/Ross. A very strong 3 lug action.
So how does this load shoot?
Took it to the Texas State Mid-Range championship to find out. Now you have to understand “GOD” usually allows me 1 really good string of fire. I’m usually in the mid to upper 190’s with 8-12 X’s and this is where my scores fell except one relay, 200-15X. Guess “GOD” smiled on that one.
The moral of the story is their are certain powders and bullets that do well in most rifles but not all rifles. Sometimes trying a combination outside the box works.
