Great accuracy but getting ejector marks

[zap]

I have been working on a short range load for my Savage target rifle. This is the target action, custom barrel (8 twist 30”). Yes, I do plan on working to get the berger 105’s shooting.

But for now, these 80 gr Bergers are shooting great , so I want to focus on them.
I am shooting at 200 yards at my house range. My current load that shot very well was
29.8gr of V N135
80 Berger
Cci450
1.725 ogive which is back, (.010 jump)

The accuracy was incredible, (4 shot group in high one’s), but i noticed very slight ejector marks on all 4 cases. And another 4 cases also had them with the same load but with an ogive that put it just touching the lands, ( 1.735 )
So , my question,
Where do I go from here ?
Try same ogive that produced best accuracy (1.725) ,and backing the powder charge off and working up to slightly below the 29.8 ??
I suppose I have several options here, but want to see if you all have a common trend to direct me to not wasting components in doing so.
As you will see in the below pic, by backing off the lands that .010, the group really tightened up.
But, i don't want to be stressing my brass, or gun. Please give me your thoughts here.
Thank you
Edit:
Another question,
Why can I not get the photo to appear at the bottom ? It always posts at the top for some reason, lol

 

[Rocketvapor]

You can cut and paste it to the bottom

 

[338 dude]

Keep the same cartridge base to ogive length and start backing down powder charge 2/10 of a grain at a time and see where that takes you

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The pictures post wherever your cursor is when you insert the photo

 

[zap]

The pictures post wherever your cursor is when you insert the photo

My cursor was at the bottom. At least it is on the thread iguess.

 

[D-4297]

Because you're working with a case that has a smaller over-all volume , your adjusts should be smaller also . You might even consider another powder , especially when going to the 105's . Case marks usually indicate your load may be near the edge , or head-space issues .

 

[MGYSGT]

Don't know if it applies, but I read somewhere that a fellow had the same problem. Turned out his ejector was too long. He removed just a bit and problem went away.

 

[NorCalMikie]

29.8 is getting real close to HOT!! IF it was me, I'd back off to 29.5 and work back up. AND, only change one thing at a time.

 

[zap]

29.8 is getting real close to HOT!! IF it was me, I'd back off to 29.5 and work back up. AND, only change one thing at a time.

This sounds like what i should prolly do. I worked up to that charge slowly, watching for signs of pressure. The ejector marks were so slight, that i had to confirm with my eye loop. They are there for sure.
Ok, I will back it down. Hopefully, the ogive length is where i need to be and lowering the charge will keep me in the node, and keep the vertical out. I don't want to have to start over. I do think I'm close.
Thanks

 

[AckleymanII]

Hot weather will bring on more challenges with N135, get ready to adjust your load, again. I would try AR comp or bust!

Also, changing to less Magnum primer will lower pressure. I went to a Rem 7 1/2 and CCI br4 several times when I saw pressure on the top end, and cured this ejector problem.

Shooting this kind of pressure, I am not sure your pockets are going to last, and the cure will be a change in powders.

 

[Burnt Powder]

How many of those nice close 4 shot groups in a row on several different days and conditions have you shot? Until you do way more than a few you’re just treeing the ‘coon, you haven’t got him yet! 5 shots a group makes, I’ve seen and blown a lot of 3 and 4 shot groups with those last shots. Your group isn’t bad, it’s just not ready to take to the bank yet. What brass are you using, what is your bolt to case head clearance?

 

[Poor Shot 65]

How many of those nice close 4 shot groups in a row on several different days and conditions have you shot? Until you do way more than a few you’re just treeing the ‘coon, you haven’t got him yet! 5 shots a group makes, I’ve seen and blown a lot of 3 and 4 shot groups with those last shots. Your group isn’t bad, it’s just not ready to take to the bank yet. What brass are you using, what is your bolt to case head clearance?

^^^^^^

Is it repeatable ? That is the first thing that I would check.

 

[zap]

^^^^^^

Is it repeatable ? That is the first thing that I would check.

Im not going to use that powder charge again , too hot, unfortunately. No, i have not tested enough to goto 5 shot groups anyway. I only had 8 cases left that were prepped, so i had to go with two 4 shot groups the other day.

 

[zap]

Hot weather will bring on more challenges with N135, get ready to adjust your load, again. I would try AR comp or bust!

Also, changing to less Magnum primer will lower pressure. I went to a Rem 7 1/2 and CCI br4 several times when I saw pressure on the top end, and cured this ejector problem.

Shooting this kind of pressure, I am not sure your pockets are going to last, and the cure will be a change in powders.

This will be worth trying.

 

[BoydAllen]

If you are at a node, there is probably another one that is a grain or so below it. The problem with most guys is that they see things get worse as they gradually back off the powder and do not keep going. Keep every thing the same and do tests backing down .3 at a time. Let us know what happens.

 

[243winxb]

The ejector marks were so slight, that i had to confirm with my eye loop.

Lower powder charge.

Or fire the same brass/load 5 time to see if primer pockets expand. If ok after 5 loadings, pressure should be ok.

How is the bolt lift. Harder to open.
Primer flowing into firing pin hole?

 

[T-shooter]

Try backing off the lands in .005" increments. Then maybe powder in 1/10 increments. Hopefully you can find a load that shoots that well. How large are the ejector marks?

 

[Flouncer]

Post the pics !! Top or bottom of page. Of the ejector marks !!

Edit: nice shooting by the way !!!

 

[zap]

If you are at a node, there is probably another one that is a grain or so below it. The problem with most guys is that they see things get worse as they gradually back off the powder and do not keep going. Keep every thing the same and do tests backing down .3 at a time. Let us know what happens.

This is going to be my 1st thing to try.
Thank you all, some great ideas here. I will update with my findings.
Thank you, all !
Lee

 

[zap]

29.8 is getting real close to HOT!! IF it was me, I'd back off to 29.5 and work back up. AND, only change one thing at a time.

Does anyone have data as to the max with this combo ? I am curious at where the max in published data is at.