From .5 MOA to .25 MOA with factory ammo

[ratbuster]

I put together a 6mm BR for my son-in-law for 500 yard target and windy day ground squirrel/prairie dog use. It is a heavy bench single shot Savage precision target action with Criterion pre-fit bull barrel. He does not have the time or interest in reloading so he bought 350 rounds of Lapua 90 grain ammo with Scenar bullets. It shot well considering factory ammo with 3 shot groups of 1/2" but I did testing with different bullet seating depths and ended up with the bullets closer to the lands to .010 off jam and now it shoots 1/4MOA.

The factory ammo came at approx .030 off jam and surprisingly inconsistent; I measured a dozen and the variation was .008! Pretty sad considering the cartridges sell for approx $2.00 each. OTOH the Scenar bullets are superb.

I think this technique has merit for those that want the best accuracy they can get without the time and expense of reloading. The only equip needed is a budget press, cam lock bullet puller, comparator and bullet seater. In this case the performance gain is huge considering the minimal time invested.

I have a new 17WSM coming and I'm hoping to improve the performance of that rifle by doing the same.

 

[ssv1761982]

So you pulled the bullets out a little and just reseated them?

 

[butchlambert]

WOW!!!!!

 

[ratbuster]

Yes, only pulled them up .1" or so. Doesn't take much time, well worth the effort. I'm sure there's combinations where it won't help but I think in most cases it will improve accuracy

 

[foxguy]

"I have a new 17WSM coming and I'm hoping to improve the performance of that rifle by doing the same."

Is the 17 WSM's Bullets crimped at the top of the case like other rimfire bullets?

Just wondering if I could try the same with 17HMR ??

 

[ratbuster]

"I have a new 17WSM coming and I'm hoping to improve the performance of that rifle by doing the same."

Is the 17 WSM's Bullets crimped at the top of the case like other rimfire bullets?

Just wondering if I could try the same with 17HMR ??

IDK if the HMR or WSM'S are crimped but I'll try it and report back.

 

[ratbuster]

I tried to pull a WSM bullet, no luck. There is too little bullet shank exposed and the jacket is too thin and soft. The jacket gets mangled. I don't have a shell holder small enough for HMR but the same issue as the WSM... not enough shank to grab and jacket too soft.

 

[geraldgee]

I also had very good results with the Lapua 6BR 90gr factory ammo as well. Without any changes to the ammo, the attached picture is a group from shots 2-4 (3 shots) from my then new 6BR (very low .100s). They have always shot really well from my rifle....glad I bought a bunch of them.



Gerald

 

[seymour fish]

I put together a 6mm BR for my son-in-law for 500 yard target and windy day ground squirrel/prairie dog use. It is a heavy bench single shot Savage precision target action with Criterion pre-fit bull barrel. He does not have the time or interest in reloading so he bought 350 rounds of Lapua 90 grain ammo with Scenar bullets. It shot well considering factory ammo with 3 shot groups of 1/2" but I did testing with different bullet seating depths and ended up with the bullets closer to the lands to .010 off jam and now it shoots 1/4MOA.

The factory ammo came at approx .030 off jam and surprisingly inconsistent; I measured a dozen and the variation was .008! Pretty sad considering the cartridges sell for approx $2.00 each. OTOH the Scenar bullets are superb.

I think this technique has merit for those that want the best accuracy they can get without the time and expense of reloading. The only equip needed is a budget press, cam lock bullet puller, comparator and bullet seater. In this case the performance gain is huge considering the minimal time invested.

I have a new 17WSM coming and I'm hoping to improve the performance of that rifle by doing the same.

Rat, dam fine proof seating depth “works”. Still two bucks a round. I see a business model (reload)