I am working on a load for my sako finnlight 85 chambered in 6.5x55.
bullet: 130 gr. berger VLD
barrel: 22" with 1:8 twist
Primer: Federal 210
Load: 43 gr. IMR 4350
OAL (measured with the 130 gr. berger) 2.560 (from ogive to base of cartridge)
Seating depth (COAL) began at .04 offset from the rifling, then proceeded to creep closer to the rifling in 0.005 increments.
I worked up five loads in groups of three with the different seating depths and cleaned and thoroughly rested the barrel in between each three shot group.
Here is the issue: My first group(upper left) produced two holes touching, with a flier 1 inch low, second group(upper right) was within an inch, third group (middle) had one hole inside the other with a flier 1 inch low, 4th group (lower left) gave me a 5/8 group and the 5th group (lower right) had two close with a flier 1 inch low.
the fliers in these groups were almost always the middle shot and group one loads had the deepest seating depth (0.04 off rifling) progressing to group 5 which was 0.02 off the rifling. No signs of excessive pressure were shown.
Where would you go from here?? different powder, or should I start increasing the charge? primer issue? I did not chrono these loads to see if the fliers were velocity issues or not....bad me!
I posted a pic of the target on LRH, but its too large to post here. still trying to figure it out. its 2.3 mg
Really appreciate any and all feedback you guys may have. thanks in advance
bullet: 130 gr. berger VLD
barrel: 22" with 1:8 twist
Primer: Federal 210
Load: 43 gr. IMR 4350
OAL (measured with the 130 gr. berger) 2.560 (from ogive to base of cartridge)
Seating depth (COAL) began at .04 offset from the rifling, then proceeded to creep closer to the rifling in 0.005 increments.
I worked up five loads in groups of three with the different seating depths and cleaned and thoroughly rested the barrel in between each three shot group.
Here is the issue: My first group(upper left) produced two holes touching, with a flier 1 inch low, second group(upper right) was within an inch, third group (middle) had one hole inside the other with a flier 1 inch low, 4th group (lower left) gave me a 5/8 group and the 5th group (lower right) had two close with a flier 1 inch low.
the fliers in these groups were almost always the middle shot and group one loads had the deepest seating depth (0.04 off rifling) progressing to group 5 which was 0.02 off the rifling. No signs of excessive pressure were shown.
Where would you go from here?? different powder, or should I start increasing the charge? primer issue? I did not chrono these loads to see if the fliers were velocity issues or not....bad me!
I posted a pic of the target on LRH, but its too large to post here. still trying to figure it out. its 2.3 mg
Really appreciate any and all feedback you guys may have. thanks in advance
