Almost a decade ago, yours truly called Hugh Henriksen & ordered a 20 VarTarg reamer, which, about 30 months later, found its way to the dungeon. On the same day, two barrels were ordered - in that era, those were delivered promptly - 6-8 weeks. The idea, following abject "failures to finish" via my 20BR, was to halve the capacity, thus maintain the precision over enough shots to, respectably, finish a 100/'200 yard Bench-rest tournament - other than judgement errors, no excuses.
The intent was group shooting . . . time and circumstances went on.
When the reamer arrived (late fall, 2017), I promptly chambered both barrels (a PacNor 1:11" twist SSM, & brand - Y). Last summer, the brand-Y barrel was subjected to several load development sessions, however, despite a multitude of powders, "neck-tension", and seating-depth experimenting, proved less than suitable for BR competition - it would make a decent vermin exterminator . . . then, once again, time painted the project out of bounds.
So, since this shooting season was nearing the end, last Tuesday, BIG MIKE dropped by and decided we should try our luck with, "The PacNor", which according the the barrel inscription, had resided [unfired] in the barrel rack since it was, "fit and chambered", on 12/1/2017. There is NO arguing with BIG MIKE.
The barrel was installed on the Emma Creek (walnut laminate) stocked Borden action HV rifle, and the load development began.
Typical of PacNor barrels, this one sprang immediately into the, "promising" category and only got better - damn! The last home event was a NBRSA Score deal - so, the puny bullets were going to be sorely tested. I opted to shoot the 20VarTarg both Sat. & Sunday (100/200 VfS both days), which should provide a decent yardstick for comparing precision potential. That said, I'd have preferred a group event, but two Grand Aggs should shed a little light . . .
Saturday, only three of us opted to shoot VfS, while the remaining 14 souls brandished HUNTER CLASS (10 Lb. 6X scopes) rifles, mostly 30 BR chambered rigs. The other two VfS shooters - both usually competent - also shot 30 BRs. The Initial day, the 20 VarTarg delivered a semi-respectable 100 Yd. score of 250-9X (pretty weak X-count) and @ 200 Yd., 248-7x: 498-16X Grand Agg, and a sound thrashing of the two 30BRs . . . both four, or, more points behind the VarTarg. Yeah, a glimmer of hope . . .
Sunday was all VfS - total body-count: 18 - all but the VarTarg, being 30 BRs. With the auto-pilot employing a different strategy, the second 100 Yd. was a disappointing 249-16X - the dropped point being that damned, "it went right where I held it" shot, Actually, it went about 1/2 a bullet higher than the hold-off - but trusting the precision rewarded with a much better second day X-count - the capability is there.
During the 200 Yd. stage, I managed to have yet another, "right where I held it" miss-read! Despite my judgement error the 20 recorded a 249-2X: Grand Agg. 498-18x. Though disappointed with myself, the PacNor barrel and the load did their part. Out of the 18 shooters, the 20 VarTarg finished mid-pack: 7th place. Mike Bigelow posted a 500-27X for the win.
The load consisted of LAPUA .221 Fireball brass, CCI BR4 primer, 18.3 Gr. AA Lt-32, BIB 40 Gr. BT (moly -coated) 0.015" off the "just touch". The pic is of the best target (match) from Sunday - just nipping the 0.0625" dot (X) is a decent shot.
Keep 'em ON the X! RG
P.S. For each day the barrel was not cleaned until the Grand Aggregate was concluded: including the warm-up targets, or, twelve targets per day. Sat., the total round count was 96; Sun., 98. The NK bushing, stamped .226 is, via gauge pin, about 0.2254". The chamber neck is .232", with loaded round diameter @ .2287" across the shank/BT junction.
The intent was group shooting . . . time and circumstances went on.When the reamer arrived (late fall, 2017), I promptly chambered both barrels (a PacNor 1:11" twist SSM, & brand - Y). Last summer, the brand-Y barrel was subjected to several load development sessions, however, despite a multitude of powders, "neck-tension", and seating-depth experimenting, proved less than suitable for BR competition - it would make a decent vermin exterminator . . . then, once again, time painted the project out of bounds.
So, since this shooting season was nearing the end, last Tuesday, BIG MIKE dropped by and decided we should try our luck with, "The PacNor", which according the the barrel inscription, had resided [unfired] in the barrel rack since it was, "fit and chambered", on 12/1/2017. There is NO arguing with BIG MIKE.
The barrel was installed on the Emma Creek (walnut laminate) stocked Borden action HV rifle, and the load development began.
Typical of PacNor barrels, this one sprang immediately into the, "promising" category and only got better - damn!
The last home event was a NBRSA Score deal - so, the puny bullets were going to be sorely tested. I opted to shoot the 20VarTarg both Sat. & Sunday (100/200 VfS both days), which should provide a decent yardstick for comparing precision potential. That said, I'd have preferred a group event, but two Grand Aggs should shed a little light . . .Saturday, only three of us opted to shoot VfS, while the remaining 14 souls brandished HUNTER CLASS (10 Lb. 6X scopes) rifles, mostly 30 BR chambered rigs. The other two VfS shooters - both usually competent - also shot 30 BRs. The Initial day, the 20 VarTarg delivered a semi-respectable 100 Yd. score of 250-9X (pretty weak X-count) and @ 200 Yd., 248-7x: 498-16X Grand Agg, and a sound thrashing of the two 30BRs . . . both four, or, more points behind the VarTarg. Yeah, a glimmer of hope . . .
Sunday was all VfS - total body-count: 18 - all but the VarTarg, being 30 BRs. With the auto-pilot employing a different strategy, the second 100 Yd. was a disappointing 249-16X - the dropped point being that damned, "it went right where I held it" shot, Actually, it went about 1/2 a bullet higher than the hold-off - but trusting the precision rewarded with a much better second day X-count - the capability is there.
During the 200 Yd. stage, I managed to have yet another, "right where I held it" miss-read! Despite my judgement error the 20 recorded a 249-2X: Grand Agg. 498-18x. Though disappointed with myself, the PacNor barrel and the load did their part. Out of the 18 shooters, the 20 VarTarg finished mid-pack: 7th place. Mike Bigelow posted a 500-27X for the win.
The load consisted of LAPUA .221 Fireball brass, CCI BR4 primer, 18.3 Gr. AA Lt-32, BIB 40 Gr. BT (moly -coated) 0.015" off the "just touch". The pic is of the best target (match) from Sunday - just nipping the 0.0625" dot (X) is a decent shot.
Keep 'em ON the X! RG
P.S. For each day the barrel was not cleaned until the Grand Aggregate was concluded: including the warm-up targets, or, twelve targets per day. Sat., the total round count was 96; Sun., 98. The NK bushing, stamped .226 is, via gauge pin, about 0.2254". The chamber neck is .232", with loaded round diameter @ .2287" across the shank/BT junction.
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RG
Any thoughts on non-Lapua brass?
