First tests of Tom Jacob's VT-Tac 103 gr. bullets

[jamesdmock]

The weather finally gave me a chance to test these Vapor Trail machine-made bullets. I shot a series of 2-shot groups at 200 yards with an ascending charge of Reloder 15. I did this with two primers, CCI 400 and CCI 450. With both primers, I started with 31.4 gr. and went up by two-tenths until I got to 32.2 gr. These were shot on a cool day with ~6 mph wind and some mirage. I wanted to see how much Re 15 I could load without pressure. The rifle used was my BAT with 8-twist Brux barrel (28 inches long). I did not set up my old Oehler because of the cool weather.
My test showed the following: First, I shot all loads with the CCI 400 primers. 31.4 gr = .131"; 31.6gr= .613" ; 31.8 gr = .632" ; 32.0gr = .333; 32.2 gr = .226 "
Next I shot the same loads with CCI 450 primers. 31.4= .257 ; 31.6= .612 ; 31.8= .612 ; 32.0= .836 and 32.2= .913".
None of the loads showed excessive pressure in MY RIFLE. Please work up from below in Your rifle.

All of the above featured the bullets seated .005 INTO the lands. I realize that 2-shot groups mean very little, but it seemed obvious that the loads with CCI 400 primers outperformed the magnum 450's. The loads with 400 primers averaged .387" and the magnums averaged .662. The 31.4 gr load did well with both primers. More testing is needed but I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that all the loads stayed INSIDE of an inch. Thank you Tom for providing these bullets for testing. When I get a chance, I will try them at 600 yards.

PS-
These were fired in a 6 BR Improved. The chamber was reamed with a 6mm Norma Dasher reamer run in short and the chamber is about .026" longer in the body than is a "standard" 6 BRA.

 

[JEFFPPC]

James, I do all my load development with 2 shot groups. A third shot will not tighten it up. Trick is to have good groups back to back several times in a row.

 

[jamesdmock]

The weather finally gave me a chance to test these Vapor Trail machine-made bullets. I shot a series of 2-shot groups at 200 yards with an ascending charge of Reloder 15. I did this with two primers, CCI 400 and CCI 450. With both primers, I started with 31.4 gr. and went up by two-tenths until I got to 32.2 gr. These were shot on a cool day with ~6 mph wind and some mirage. I wanted to see how much Re 15 I could load without pressure. The rifle used was my BAT with 8-twist Brux barrel (28 inches long). I did not set up my old Oehler because of the cool weather.
My test showed the following: First, I shot all loads with the CCI 400 primers. 31.4 gr = .131"; 31.6gr= .613" ; 31.8 gr = .632" ; 32.0gr = .333; 32.2 gr = .226 "
Next I shot the same loads with CCI 450 primers. 31.4= .257 ; 31.6= .612 ; 31.8= .612 ; 32.0= .836 and 32.2= .913".
None of the loads showed excessive pressure in MY RIFLE. Please work up from below in Your rifle.

All of the above featured the bullets seated .005 INTO the lands. I realize that 2-shot groups mean very little, but it seemed obvious that the loads with CCI 400 primers outperformed the magnum 450's. The loads with 400 primers averaged .387" and the magnums averaged .662. The 31.4 gr load did well with both primers. More testing is needed but I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that all the loads stayed INSIDE of an inch. Thank you Tom for providing these bullets for testing. When I get a chance, I will try them at 600 yards.

PS-
These were fired in a 6 BR Improved. The chamber was reamed with a 6mm Norma Dasher reamer run in short and the chamber is about .026" longer in the body than is a "standard" 6 BRA.

Here is the target shot at 200 yards. The group on the lower left is a 3-shot shot with 30.6 grains of XBR powder and a Berger Hybrid bullet. Sort of a "control" group.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I would do a seating depth test first. I'm pretty sure that one isn't it.

 

[jamesdmock]

I would do a seating depth test first. I'm pretty sure that one isn't it.

What do you see wrong? All of these were shot at 200 yards in the cold with 2 different primers and varying the charge after each two shots. Not one of the groups exceeded 1 ''. I will do a seating depth test, but you said to do it "FIRST". First before testing for maximum charge??

 

[ridgeway]

I like to see where my load tops out before messing with seating. I start at a soft seat and see where the powder tops out.

 

[urbanrifleman]

What do you see wrong? All of these were shot at 200 yards in the cold with 2 different primers and varying the charge after each two shots. Not one of the groups exceeded 1 ''. I will do a seating depth test, but you said to do it "FIRST". First before testing for maximum charge??

You didn't say what distance you shot them at in the post, I assumed 100 yards.

Yes, I test seating depth first. Works a lot better, because the seating depth effects the final pressure limit.

 

[urbanrifleman]

R15 loads developed in the cold are going to take off like a March hare in the spring. Just FYI.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

What do you see wrong? All of these were shot at 200 yards in the cold with 2 different primers and varying the charge after each two shots. Not one of the groups exceeded 1 ''. I will do a seating depth test, but you said to do it "FIRST". First before testing for maximum charge??

Sometimes people dont know their audience

 

[mdbruce]

Sometimes people dont know their audience

I was reading this thread earlier and thought...”surely they know...”

 

[urbanrifleman]

The weather finally gave me a chance to test these Vapor Trail machine-made bullets. I shot a series of 2-shot groups at 200 yards with an ascending charge of Reloder 15. I did this with two primers, CCI 400 and CCI 450. With both primers, I started with 31.4 gr. and went up by two-tenths until I got to 32.2 gr. These were shot on a cool day with ~6 mph wind and some mirage. I wanted to see how much Re 15 I could load without pressure. The rifle used was my BAT with 8-twist Brux barrel (28 inches long). I did not set up my old Oehler because of the cool weather.
My test showed the following: First, I shot all loads with the CCI 400 primers. 31.4 gr = .131"; 31.6gr= .613" ; 31.8 gr = .632" ; 32.0gr = .333; 32.2 gr = .226 "
Next I shot the same loads with CCI 450 primers. 31.4= .257 ; 31.6= .612 ; 31.8= .612 ; 32.0= .836 and 32.2= .913".
None of the loads showed excessive pressure in MY RIFLE. Please work up from below in Your rifle.

All of the above featured the bullets seated .005 INTO the lands. I realize that 2-shot groups mean very little, but it seemed obvious that the loads with CCI 400 primers outperformed the magnum 450's. The loads with 400 primers averaged .387" and the magnums averaged .662. The 31.4 gr load did well with both primers. More testing is needed but I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that all the loads stayed INSIDE of an inch. Thank you Tom for providing these bullets for testing. When I get a chance, I will try them at 600 yards.

PS-
These were fired in a 6 BR Improved. The chamber was reamed with a 6mm Norma Dasher reamer run in short and the chamber is about .026" longer in the body than is a "standard" 6 BRA.

Like I said, I thought these were 100 yard groups. My apologies for misunderstanding. Being 200 yard tests, they really seem to shoot. I have seen similar tests by other people . I am actually VERY interested in buying some of these. Is there an online place to order? I called the number and he did not answer and his mailbox is full.

 

[jamesdmock]

Like I said, I thought these were 100 yard groups. My apologies for misunderstanding. Being 200 yard tests, they really seem to shoot. I have seen similar tests by other people . I am actually VERY interested in buying some of these. Is there an online place to order? I called the number and he did not answer and his mailbox is full.

Try: www.vaportrailbullets.com

 

[urbanrifleman]

I called Tom and he is a super cool guy. I pointed him in the right direction to get his website updated and credit card processing up to speed, so it will be even easier to order. Should be super easy as they have very few products. This is something I have experienced, so I can pass on the love of Bigcommerce.com!!!

 

[urbanrifleman]

Try: www.vaportrailbullets.com

I would not use that link. Something fishy going on there.