Barrel break in first groups 20 Tactical

[mikeinct]

pretty uneventful two outings with the 20 Tac.. The very first 3 shot group was .500 with the 32 gr V-Max bullet using LC 02 neck turned brass.The barrel break in & first three shot groups sighter target really impressed me all the differant loads from a clean barrel fell under .750.odd no?? Sighters looked like a group..These cases were not the best choice as more than 50 % were just under neck spec to start..The first clue I had after trimming was the neck turning tool only touched the brass near the shoulder junction..Humm...yet he kept forming cases...The commercial stuff was not much better in my sizing die..One lot of WCC 03 worked well with the die but the internal capacity was not as large...This showed up with increased pressures on primers...The first 5 shot groups don't show alot of promise [YET] .750 edge to edge couple were nice & round..First impression was the 39 Gr sierra blitz king was best ...second look showed 2 groups with the 40 gr nosler was not as round but same size .750..I'm waiting on some new brass from some of you guys here...Thanks in advance...If I load any more ammo in those less than perfect cases I think backing down on the powder charges will be my first order...mike in ct..oh yeah the gun writers lied you cant see the hits on paper targets at 100yds with my 32 power scope..The little sucker still bounces the sight picture..I put a few down range at 200yds & could see some of the bullet strikes on steel but not everytime,the inch square box on my 200yd woodchuck target was an easy mark with this gun nontheless..ML

 

[tbeasley]

hey mike
what powder are using for break in and typical shooting?
RL10x I've found to be the best, H4198 is pretty good too.
I've got the Redding form die, one pass with it,using Imperial Die Wax) with Winchester Brass, 32gr Vmax, using RL10x .4-.5's isn't a problem. After forming .3's is easy to obtain. IMI SS109 brass is the idea if u can find it, but IMI Match brass works fine too. My gun isn't to particular with brass,Winchester is the best economical brass to use,IMO).
My rifle is: 28"Pac-Nor SS match 1-12 barrel
Remington Action, Firing Pin has been bushed to avoid piercing primers. Shilen 2-6oz trigger. Leupold 6.5-20-50 LR.
Fixn to really see what this gun can do, just a 36x and neck turner, time to play hard core. Also just my observation measuring bullets and there ogives, Hornaday is very hard to pass up. I've found Sierra's to be to inconsistent,maybe that's why they shot poorly in my rifle) anyhow

Let me know If I can help, I'll go out and find my loads that work best.

 

[mikeinct]

I'm using Benchmark..25.8 grains seems HOT with the 32 gr v-max..I'm using 25 to 25.6 with the heavier bullets...Still I think thats on the warm side...Primer shows some flattening...more later, mike

 

[tominboise]

Howdy, I have a cooper in 20 Tac. Have you guys had to turn necks often? I have,inherited with the rifle) IMI brass, and also I have reformed some new Winchester commercial brass. What neck thickness are you shooting for? I haven't turned a neck yet, but am wondering if I need to, as the fireforming loads I started with were way high on pressure,40 gr vmax, 24.3 gr RL 10X). I pulled down the lot after 4 shots, and will reload them with 22.4 gr RL10X. Any other adice?

Tom

 

[mikeinct]

I'll have better handle on this project after the next outing..So far the cases I've formed did not need neck turning the chamber is not a tight neck in my barrel 1 in 11 Pac-nor 3 groove..I did neck turn a small quantity & very lightly just to see how good the brass was/is..The starting loads I found were too hot in my gun...25.8 with benchmark & 32 gr bullet put a good flat on the primer..not hard to extract but I start paying careful attention..next loads will be with slower powders...varget & even a test with H-380 & the heavier 40 gr bullets...more later, mike in ct

 

[Buzzbee]

Every chamber is different, sometimes even when cut with the same reamer. You should make a cast of your chamber and measure the neck area dia. to determent that. Assuming its a tight chamber, in most cases, I would have the out side neck with the bullet seated at .003~.002 smaller then the chamber.

So, on a .228 neck, i would like to see the out side neck of my brass,with a bullet seated) at about .226~.225

hope that helps

 

[mikeinct]

thanks buzz..

 

[tbeasley]

Mike
I think you will profit from this info, Lord know's I did, My gun also shot the same load info pretty darn good.
Also, u shouldn't be neck turning unless u just want to OR had a special reamer made for you.
Info from a 1-12 Lilja 26' barrel

32 V-Max
25.4 RL-10x
Rem 7.5 BR Primer,I use CCI BR Primers)
Winchester brass trimmed to 1.7550
OAL 2.2430
MV 4250 fps

40 V-Max
24.6 RL-10X
CCI 450 M Primer,I still use CCI BR small rifle primer)
Winchester brass trimmed to 1.7550
OAL 2.2515
MV 3970 fps

Hope this helps
Remember what they say, start out slow and work up...also these sub calibers can change FPS alot with just a .3-.5 charge weight. Work up very slow.