I'm going to start smoking crack

[gdragon34]

This thing is driving me nuts! I have a Savage 10 single shot, timed and trued, Pac-Nor 1.125x28x8 6mmBR barrel. It is very similar to the Moderator's "Poor Man's Hammer."

Anyway, working up a load with 87 gr. V-maxes, Lapua brass, CCI 450, and Varget. I have had good results in the past with 107SMK's but had some fliers. With the Vmaxes, I'm also getting the fliers. I was working up a load in .3 grain increments at 100 yards and in 5/5 loads I punched 2 rounds through a ragged hole with a third shot going 1/4-3/4" away from them. It is not the loose nut behind the trigger, hot barrel, there is little to no wind, all charges weighed. Anyone have any bright ideas?

I'm too young to be pulling all my hair out already.

 

[Forum Boss]

GDragon--

What is your seating depth. Try .015" in, .005" in, and .015" out if you have not done so already.

The 87gr V-max didn't shoot particularly well in my barrel. My PacNor has a very tight bore and just loves the Scenar 105s which have a smaller shank,bearing surface) diameter than the Hornadys.

What is the tension on your action screws. I eliminated a "split-group" phenomenon,when the gun was a .260) by cranking real hard on the action screws--adding tension front and back a little at a time. Sorry, I don't have a torque number for you, but I crank 'em nearly as hard as I can with a 4" Allen wrench.

Also, look at your rear bag. If is is swiveling at all,away from straight with bore axis), this can push your shots left or right. If you have a straight 1.25 bbl, your gun will also be nose-heavy. This can cause hop and vertical. Try adding weight in the rear. Also, I found that my laminated stock has some flex and "springboard effect" if I put front rest under the very end of the fore-arm. I get better results with the rest positioned about 5-6" back from the end of the fore-arm. Unfortunately that will make your gun even MORE front heavy, so weighting the rear may be in order.

Having said all that, I suggest you try some 90gr Lapuas and 80gr Bergers. I think you'll see the groups close up. IMHO the 87 V-Max is a cut below either of those.

My stock has a light skim-bedding done by Fred Moreo at SSS. If you haven't done this yet, I'd recommend it.

 

[gdragon34]

Actually was messing with seating depth yesterday afternoon. Will shoot them today or tomorrow. My action screws are torqued to 65 inch pounds. The butt stock has 3 pounds of lead in it.

It's just frustrating me that every group has two shots in the same hole and then a 3rd one just doing its own thing. I'll shoot these new ones then I'll start looking at different bullets. I need a decent bullet for groundhogs and was hoping this was it.

 

[AlNyhus]

Do you see the same problem with all powders?

 

[gdragon34]

Only have Varget right now. This week I'm planning on picking up some RL15 and some rehular SR primers.

 

[AlNyhus]

Don't be too worried w/o trying some other powders and bullets. Trying to 'make' a gun like a certain powder/bullet combo,even if that powder has worked with other bullets of a different weight/config.) can be frustrating at best. Don't forget the Nosler 70gr. BTip over N135.

For example, I never could get the 87 VMax'es to shoot well from my 243 Ackley, no matter what powders I tried but others have had better luck in their rifles.

Keep us posted, okay? -Al

 

[gdragon34]

Got back to the range. These V-maxes are shooting better with a slight jam. Group came back in, has a little horizontal now but that could be wind or just the loose nut behind the trigger. I'll get in some more time with the rifle at longer range and see how it does.