I am a frequent reader but very infrequent poster. I am in my second year back to LR BR after an 11 year gap. After struggling to tune my current 6BRA I got to thinking about reamers and bullets.
As I have gone from the most VLD to the least my rifle has been happier. In order I have tried: 110 SMKs, 105 Berger VLD Targets, 107 SMKs, and 108 Bergers. I'll find out at the match this Sunday if I am tuned, but the Berger 108s finally gave me a round 5-shot group of .32 at 200 yds with an ES of 11 fps. The best group with the 107 SMKs was 9/16" ES 20. The 105 Bergers VLDTs were 11/16" ES 13. The best 110 SMK load was 7/8" ES 8.
So my thought is that the reamer I spec'ed is going to like tangent ogive bullets like the Berger 108 in the barrel I use to cut my next chamber. It's a Manson reamer with a .267 neck, .125 freebore, and a 1.5 degree lead. I guess I could work up a load with my fireforming barrel--I cut it with the same reamer and set up the headspace the same.
Thoughts on the reamer determining the best bullet?
As I have gone from the most VLD to the least my rifle has been happier. In order I have tried: 110 SMKs, 105 Berger VLD Targets, 107 SMKs, and 108 Bergers. I'll find out at the match this Sunday if I am tuned, but the Berger 108s finally gave me a round 5-shot group of .32 at 200 yds with an ES of 11 fps. The best group with the 107 SMKs was 9/16" ES 20. The 105 Bergers VLDTs were 11/16" ES 13. The best 110 SMK load was 7/8" ES 8.
So my thought is that the reamer I spec'ed is going to like tangent ogive bullets like the Berger 108 in the barrel I use to cut my next chamber. It's a Manson reamer with a .267 neck, .125 freebore, and a 1.5 degree lead. I guess I could work up a load with my fireforming barrel--I cut it with the same reamer and set up the headspace the same.
Thoughts on the reamer determining the best bullet?