Jackie Schmidt Rail Gun Project
- Thread starter jackieschmidt
- Start date
Hey, Jackie!
First, THANK YOU for your investment in this project! Your lack of bias regarding the cartridge/powders/bullets is a valuable attribute.
I must confess my surprise at your results with the 105 Berger VLD: I simply did not believe the VLD design capable of true BR type precision; so, I'm eating crow! Also, this is evidence of the QUALITY of BERGER products, which I never doubt; your results just increase my respect for their efforts . . . it's just those confangled VLDs I don't like!
Oh, and if Paul allows the WHOPPER test, don't be wearin' my throater out getting it "right" . . . make sure ya spit on it once or twice before ya run it in that far! R.G.
First, THANK YOU for your investment in this project! Your lack of bias regarding the cartridge/powders/bullets is a valuable attribute.
I must confess my surprise at your results with the 105 Berger VLD: I simply did not believe the VLD design capable of true BR type precision; so, I'm eating crow! Also, this is evidence of the QUALITY of BERGER products, which I never doubt; your results just increase my respect for their efforts . . . it's just those confangled VLDs I don't like!
Oh, and if Paul allows the WHOPPER test, don't be wearin' my throater out getting it "right" . . . make sure ya spit on it once or twice before ya run it in that far!
R.G.
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Administrator
I just got all the cut-down data from Jackie. I've got more complete data now so I've updated the chart on the BLOG.
Bottom line: Average Velocities rose 8 FPS per inch all the way from 28" to 33". We actually had a lower Average at 29" than 28" but that was an anomoly caused by one very slow speed shot,2932 fps). The 8 fps gain per inch otherwise held pretty steady all the way down the line otherwise.
Of some interest, the lowest ES,24) and SD,7) was at 28". This is pretty close to the average ES/SDs we got from the primer tests using 10-shot strings. For 5-shot strings, the better loads are showing ES in the mid-teens with SD being 5 to 7.
The bad news is that the Lapua 105s are just not shooting in this barrel at all well. We are getting vertical strings at 200 yards up to an inch. NOTE: the Scenars are known to shoot very well from .236" land barrels with an odd number of lands/grooves. This is a 6-groove .237. This puts the max groove diameter opposite each other, and the Lapuas, at .2327" diameter are just too loose in this barrel. The Berger 105s which are shooting so well, measure at .2433" diameter and the BIBs are even fatter at the pressure ring.
Jackie hopes to test the BIB 95s, SMK 107s, Berger 105 LTB, and Berger 105 VLD at 600 yards next weekend.
Note, Jackie also tested Hodgdon H-4895. I asked him to load SMK 107s in the 2880 range. He did, and it shot well. Then he tried some Berger 105s at 2880 and produced a .240 MOA agg at 200. So... this is a good option, and Jackie say it showed no pressure signs.
Bottom line: Average Velocities rose 8 FPS per inch all the way from 28" to 33". We actually had a lower Average at 29" than 28" but that was an anomoly caused by one very slow speed shot,2932 fps). The 8 fps gain per inch otherwise held pretty steady all the way down the line otherwise.
Of some interest, the lowest ES,24) and SD,7) was at 28". This is pretty close to the average ES/SDs we got from the primer tests using 10-shot strings. For 5-shot strings, the better loads are showing ES in the mid-teens with SD being 5 to 7.
The bad news is that the Lapua 105s are just not shooting in this barrel at all well. We are getting vertical strings at 200 yards up to an inch. NOTE: the Scenars are known to shoot very well from .236" land barrels with an odd number of lands/grooves. This is a 6-groove .237. This puts the max groove diameter opposite each other, and the Lapuas, at .2327" diameter are just too loose in this barrel. The Berger 105s which are shooting so well, measure at .2433" diameter and the BIBs are even fatter at the pressure ring.
Jackie hopes to test the BIB 95s, SMK 107s, Berger 105 LTB, and Berger 105 VLD at 600 yards next weekend.
Note, Jackie also tested Hodgdon H-4895. I asked him to load SMK 107s in the 2880 range. He did, and it shot well. Then he tried some Berger 105s at 2880 and produced a .240 MOA agg at 200. So... this is a good option, and Jackie say it showed no pressure signs.
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
I had a good day at the range yesterday, great weather, and while the conditions were not light, they were very readable.
The main thing I got accomplished was a accuracy agg test on the Berger 105 match,non-VLD) and the Sierra 107 Match king.
I shot the velocities that Paul suggested, just fine tuning to get a base line agg capability. This involves shooting three shot groups as quickly as I can cycle the Rail Gun, looking for a good pattern.
The baseline velocity average came out at around 2880, using H-4895 and CCI BR-4 Primers. In my opinion, this is a load that could be shot in any Rifle that is designed for modern loads. The primers had no hint of crater, and the outside radius was still nice and round. Bolt lift was effortless, and this is with cases fired no less than 10 times.
I measured the groups this morning, and the agg is actually .230. That is sub .250 agging capability. I do not know what you all are expecting, but I consider this a pretty darned good agg, shot in the real world with no 'gimmee's". The groups measured .598, .437, .456, .371, and .438. As you can see, group one was a agg killer, and it was the only one shot in a predominate right-to-left condition. The other groups, all shot in left-to-right, have a much better pattern. the SD.s and ES's are pretty good as well.
The Sierras are a real challenge. I spent quite a bit of time on three shot groups and just settled on what Paul suggested, a load of Varget at the mid-2800's. Keep in mind, I am not sorting anything. This is a test to see how these shoot out of the box, with a manageable load. The agg ended up at .288. I know many of you think that seems big, but just go to the range, sit down at 200 yards, and shoot a five group agg under .300 with these. It ain't that easy.
The groups measured .655,.561,.663,.486,. and .514. All have about as much vertical as windage, several shots went 'against the condition", which is something you have to accept in what I consider a mass production bullet. All in all, they did pretty good.
I plan on shooting the 95 BIB next week end. I do not know if I will have access to the Golden Triangle Gun Club's 600 yard line next week end, if I do, we will be there.
I hope we are garnering some usefull info from all of this. Sometimes peoples expectations out reach the realities of actually going to the range and shooting, but I am trying to give all of this as good of an effort as I can. ......jackie.
The main thing I got accomplished was a accuracy agg test on the Berger 105 match,non-VLD) and the Sierra 107 Match king.
I shot the velocities that Paul suggested, just fine tuning to get a base line agg capability. This involves shooting three shot groups as quickly as I can cycle the Rail Gun, looking for a good pattern.
The baseline velocity average came out at around 2880, using H-4895 and CCI BR-4 Primers. In my opinion, this is a load that could be shot in any Rifle that is designed for modern loads. The primers had no hint of crater, and the outside radius was still nice and round. Bolt lift was effortless, and this is with cases fired no less than 10 times.
I measured the groups this morning, and the agg is actually .230. That is sub .250 agging capability. I do not know what you all are expecting, but I consider this a pretty darned good agg, shot in the real world with no 'gimmee's". The groups measured .598, .437, .456, .371, and .438. As you can see, group one was a agg killer, and it was the only one shot in a predominate right-to-left condition. The other groups, all shot in left-to-right, have a much better pattern. the SD.s and ES's are pretty good as well.
The Sierras are a real challenge. I spent quite a bit of time on three shot groups and just settled on what Paul suggested, a load of Varget at the mid-2800's. Keep in mind, I am not sorting anything. This is a test to see how these shoot out of the box, with a manageable load. The agg ended up at .288. I know many of you think that seems big, but just go to the range, sit down at 200 yards, and shoot a five group agg under .300 with these. It ain't that easy.
The groups measured .655,.561,.663,.486,. and .514. All have about as much vertical as windage, several shots went 'against the condition", which is something you have to accept in what I consider a mass production bullet. All in all, they did pretty good.
I plan on shooting the 95 BIB next week end. I do not know if I will have access to the Golden Triangle Gun Club's 600 yard line next week end, if I do, we will be there.
I hope we are garnering some usefull info from all of this. Sometimes peoples expectations out reach the realities of actually going to the range and shooting, but I am trying to give all of this as good of an effort as I can. ......jackie.
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The Lapuas have shot great in my PacNor at all seating depths and a friends Hart 6-284 at about .010" in the lands.
I honestly think with a slightly tighter bore, and maybe a 5-groove we would be OK. Flip side of that is Jackie is getting the Berger 105 VLDs to shoot in the .3s,actual inch measurement) at 200 yards and velocity is remarkably good with this barrel. 2990 is very doable with RL15.
Next up are the BIB 95s. Then, if Jackie has time, we'll do another primer test in a lower velocity range.
INITIAL Primer tests, Varget Powder, 28" bbl, 10-shot strings, all shots counted:
Fed 205 ES=21 SD=7 Mean=2939 fps
CCI BR4 ES=49 SD=14 Mean=2941 fps
CCI 450 ES=23 SD=7 Mean=2942
PMC Std ES=23 SD=7 Mean=2949
PMC Mag ES=29 SD=12 Mean=2942
I think the numbers would be a little lower with a lower charge. But what is significant is that the results are ALL really close except for the BR4s, and there one shot threw off the ES. But if you compare the Mean,averge) Velocities, all the primer types are within 10 fps of one another.
I think this points to the fact that the CCI 450 is not necessarily the "magic" primer for Varget. People probably need to do their own tests.
We've really got to express BIG Thanks to Jackie. He's been working REALLY hard, trying load after load. It is very exhausting and time-consuming. But we have learned some important things already.
1. Expect only 8-10 fps per inch past 28"
2. Barrel to bullet "fit" is critical to accuracy. A few ten-thousandths make a big difference on the target. Land/groove configuration probably DOES matter.
3. H4895 and RL15 may rate "faster" on the burn rate charts, but they behave like a slower powder. I would say, right now, RL15 looks to extend the effective velocity range at least 50 fps.
4. Lapua brass is awesome. Jackie's turned brass is on its 10th to 12th firing and still producing good groups.
5. At least with SMALL flash-holes, the sm rifle magnum primers perform about the same as regular sm rifle primers of the same brand.
6. .010" or so in the lands has, thus far been a good setting for all the bullets.
I honestly think with a slightly tighter bore, and maybe a 5-groove we would be OK. Flip side of that is Jackie is getting the Berger 105 VLDs to shoot in the .3s,actual inch measurement) at 200 yards and velocity is remarkably good with this barrel. 2990 is very doable with RL15.
Next up are the BIB 95s. Then, if Jackie has time, we'll do another primer test in a lower velocity range.
INITIAL Primer tests, Varget Powder, 28" bbl, 10-shot strings, all shots counted:
Fed 205 ES=21 SD=7 Mean=2939 fps
CCI BR4 ES=49 SD=14 Mean=2941 fps
CCI 450 ES=23 SD=7 Mean=2942
PMC Std ES=23 SD=7 Mean=2949
PMC Mag ES=29 SD=12 Mean=2942
I think the numbers would be a little lower with a lower charge. But what is significant is that the results are ALL really close except for the BR4s, and there one shot threw off the ES. But if you compare the Mean,averge) Velocities, all the primer types are within 10 fps of one another.
I think this points to the fact that the CCI 450 is not necessarily the "magic" primer for Varget. People probably need to do their own tests.
We've really got to express BIG Thanks to Jackie. He's been working REALLY hard, trying load after load. It is very exhausting and time-consuming. But we have learned some important things already.
1. Expect only 8-10 fps per inch past 28"
2. Barrel to bullet "fit" is critical to accuracy. A few ten-thousandths make a big difference on the target. Land/groove configuration probably DOES matter.
3. H4895 and RL15 may rate "faster" on the burn rate charts, but they behave like a slower powder. I would say, right now, RL15 looks to extend the effective velocity range at least 50 fps.
4. Lapua brass is awesome. Jackie's turned brass is on its 10th to 12th firing and still producing good groups.
5. At least with SMALL flash-holes, the sm rifle magnum primers perform about the same as regular sm rifle primers of the same brand.
6. .010" or so in the lands has, thus far been a good setting for all the bullets.
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
Donovan, this is the first jug of Reloader 15 I have ever unscrewed the cap on. I had no idea what so ever as to what to expect from it. I can say that when shot in the upper load window, it is VERY clean, and seems to have a very consistent burn rate.
I did notice that with N140, you can achieve that 3000 fps velocity, but the pressure signs are quite present. That being, a distinct bolt feel upon opening, a small crater on the primer, and less radius on the outside of the primer. For some reason, the Reloader-15 exhibits none of this. But as I said before, this is my first experience with it.
I tried the N540 on several combinations, and while the agging capability and velocity with out pressure signs were acceptable, the SD and ES were pretty bad. I just decide to put it aside for another day and work with what looked good.
4895 might be the sleeper in this whole scenario. I hope I have time and enough barrel life left to try it with the VLD's Maybe I can get some time in with it and the 95 grn BIB.......jackie
I did notice that with N140, you can achieve that 3000 fps velocity, but the pressure signs are quite present. That being, a distinct bolt feel upon opening, a small crater on the primer, and less radius on the outside of the primer. For some reason, the Reloader-15 exhibits none of this. But as I said before, this is my first experience with it.
I tried the N540 on several combinations, and while the agging capability and velocity with out pressure signs were acceptable, the SD and ES were pretty bad. I just decide to put it aside for another day and work with what looked good.
4895 might be the sleeper in this whole scenario. I hope I have time and enough barrel life left to try it with the VLD's Maybe I can get some time in with it and the 95 grn BIB.......jackie
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
Danny, for what it is worth, the Alliant web site says that Reloader 15 is stable at all temperatures, and is what is used in the current military sniper program.
Of course, they also said that Reloader 10 was clean burning.......jackie
Of course, they also said that Reloader 10 was clean burning.......jackie
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Lynn,
The initial primer test was done with a VERY stout load of Varget where Jackie was seeing some bolt lift, running in the 2940-2950 range.
ES figures were high enough that I wanted Jackie to repeat the test at lower pressures. You might ask Jackie if he noticed any difference in the primer cups between the BR4 and CCI 450. The ES was actually higher with the BR4s, but that was due to one shot that was way off. The Averages for the two CCI primers were within 1 fps.
When I said the 450 was not necessarily the "magic" primer, I meant that it wasn't head and shoulders above the rest. But I will continue to buy and use the CCI 450s because they do hold pressure well and they are $3-5 cheaper per thousand than the BR4s.
The initial primer test was done with a VERY stout load of Varget where Jackie was seeing some bolt lift, running in the 2940-2950 range.
ES figures were high enough that I wanted Jackie to repeat the test at lower pressures. You might ask Jackie if he noticed any difference in the primer cups between the BR4 and CCI 450. The ES was actually higher with the BR4s, but that was due to one shot that was way off. The Averages for the two CCI primers were within 1 fps.
When I said the 450 was not necessarily the "magic" primer, I meant that it wasn't head and shoulders above the rest. But I will continue to buy and use the CCI 450s because they do hold pressure well and they are $3-5 cheaper per thousand than the BR4s.
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
Calvin, that will be one of the last things we do, simply because once we re-ream the chamber with the .272 neck reamer, that will be that, unless I set it back about 1/2 inch.
This is one test that I amvery curious about as well. The Lapua 6BR brass is some of the best I have ever seen. As an example, you can see the quality when turning the necks in the lathe.
In case you do not know, I turn necks in a lathe, on a machined madrel, with the neck pushed upon a mandrel that is machined to exact bullet size. When I press a 6BR Lapua case upon the mandrel, and place a .0001 indicator on the OD of the neck, I will typically only get about .0005 runout. That is as good, if not better, than the 220 Russian Lapua we use to make the 6PPC.
As you know,we are using a .269 reamer now. This only gives about .002 to machine off of the necks. I am yet to have one that did not clean up all the way.
Bear with us. We are trying to get as much done as possible before my Benchrest shooting season starts. I plan on shooting, for agg at 200, the 95 BIB this week end. I hope to head for the 600 yard range the next week end. Then we will ream the chamber to .272.......jackie
This is one test that I amvery curious about as well. The Lapua 6BR brass is some of the best I have ever seen. As an example, you can see the quality when turning the necks in the lathe.
In case you do not know, I turn necks in a lathe, on a machined madrel, with the neck pushed upon a mandrel that is machined to exact bullet size. When I press a 6BR Lapua case upon the mandrel, and place a .0001 indicator on the OD of the neck, I will typically only get about .0005 runout. That is as good, if not better, than the 220 Russian Lapua we use to make the 6PPC.
As you know,we are using a .269 reamer now. This only gives about .002 to machine off of the necks. I am yet to have one that did not clean up all the way.
Bear with us. We are trying to get as much done as possible before my Benchrest shooting season starts. I plan on shooting, for agg at 200, the 95 BIB this week end. I hope to head for the 600 yard range the next week end. Then we will ream the chamber to .272.......jackie
Jackie, Shoot your best this coming weekend and wring out the best results you can with those 95 BIBs. I've got faith in you my friend.
If all goes well with this portion of your test, I'll order a 1-10 twist barrel from Stiller and 1000 bullets from BIB and get my new project out of the planning stage and into the building stage.
By the way, watch out about getting your body in too much contact with those Tomball benches, they will and do move quite a bit on you. I noticed you weren't on it, but bench #1 is really bad about that.
Bill Dorsey
If all goes well with this portion of your test, I'll order a 1-10 twist barrel from Stiller and 1000 bullets from BIB and get my new project out of the planning stage and into the building stage.
By the way, watch out about getting your body in too much contact with those Tomball benches, they will and do move quite a bit on you. I noticed you weren't on it, but bench #1 is really bad about that.
Bill Dorsey
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
Bill, I am a little worried about the 1-8 twist. I have been told that the 95 BIB will come apart past 3200. A 1-10 is the ideal for it.
I have some 105 BIB's as well, but I will have to throat the barrel out quite a bit more to use them. I would suppose that the 1-8 would be perfect for them.
Randy also sent some 121 grn Flat Base BIB's. Good grief, you should see these things. I will really have to throat that baby out for those. But not right now.......jackie
I have some 105 BIB's as well, but I will have to throat the barrel out quite a bit more to use them. I would suppose that the 1-8 would be perfect for them.
Randy also sent some 121 grn Flat Base BIB's. Good grief, you should see these things. I will really have to throat that baby out for those. But not right now.......jackie
Out of my Krieger 7.5 twist barrel chambered in a 6 Dasher I tried the 95 BIB and they did come apart at 3198 fps, They seemed to really shine at 3036 fps and the next accuracy node was at 3174 fps but too close to the blown up velocity for my likings. I'm hoping to test the 108's this weekend some more and this tme taking the chronograph for some data. If all possible if I can pop a jacket before I get pressure I'll let you guys know how they hold up in an 8 Twist 6 Dasher and where they came apart at. If I build pressure before this happens I'll try them in my 6-284 and push them on up and see where they come apart at.
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
James, can you shoot the 105 BIB in the same throat as the 95. I am thinking about running the throater in just a tad more this afternoon, and maybe hit a compromise. I can't go in too far, because I do not want to kill it for the two 105 Bergers and the 107 Sierra Boatails, which I still have to shoot at 600.
With the throat I have now,,about .100-105), the 107 BIB will go past the neck shoulder junction, killing the neck tension, as that big gas ring is like running the case over an expander......jackie
With the throat I have now,,about .100-105), the 107 BIB will go past the neck shoulder junction, killing the neck tension, as that big gas ring is like running the case over an expander......jackie
Jackie, a "compromise" throat should work for both the 95 and 108 BIB 6mms, while accommodating the 107 Sierra and Berger 105; the 95 Gr. BIB approximates the VLDs sans the boat-tails. I have "throated" two [long-necked]6x250 Ackley Imp. barrels,0.360" long necks)to accept the 108, with the bullet base about 0.080" above the neck/shoulder junction where the ogive just contacts the lands,well, as close as I can determine), thus seated to the same land/ogive relationship, the base of the 95 Gr. BIB moves forward about 0.10". Again, visualizing the VLDs, minus the BT will provide a useful reference. R.G.
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
James, we have about a .100 tHroat in this thing right now. That will work great with the 95, but I am not going to mess with it right now. This length is working great with the other bullets, and I do not want to mess with it before I shoot the 600 yard leg. Tommorrow will be dedicated to the 95 BIB
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Jackie tested the BIB 95s this weekend with N540, N150, Varget and RL15. Again the RL15 yielded the best results. But Jackie and I were both a little disappointed. The 95s produced nice round groups, but they were running about .3 MOA .
For the heck of it, Jackie had some of Randy's new 108gr FB bullets. Even though our throat was maybe a bit short for them, Jackie was able to seat them .030" above the neck shoulder junction going .010-.015" into the lands,estimated).
The RL15 combo with the BIB 108s shot really well at about 2940 fps. Here is Jackie's target. He shot 7 groups because he had two "Four and Ones" were he felt he just missed the wind call. The four-shot measurements on those two groups were .300" and .295" respectively. That's .150 MOA folks.
Mind you, these results are with thrown,not weighed) charges and the wind was blowing 10-15 mph, full cross-wind:
For the heck of it, Jackie had some of Randy's new 108gr FB bullets. Even though our throat was maybe a bit short for them, Jackie was able to seat them .030" above the neck shoulder junction going .010-.015" into the lands,estimated).
The RL15 combo with the BIB 108s shot really well at about 2940 fps. Here is Jackie's target. He shot 7 groups because he had two "Four and Ones" were he felt he just missed the wind call. The four-shot measurements on those two groups were .300" and .295" respectively. That's .150 MOA folks.
Mind you, these results are with thrown,not weighed) charges and the wind was blowing 10-15 mph, full cross-wind:
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
As Paul said, I spent Saturday working with the 95 and the 107 BIB Flat Base bullets.I have had a good conversation with Randy Robinette, and told him what I am saying here.
First, for some reason, this 1-8 Krieger Barrel that I have does not particularly like the 95 gn. I base lined the load,,three shot groups), at about 3050 fps with Varget, and the thing just would not tighten up. I went both ways with the seating depth, with really bad results when I would jump the bullets more than .010 inch. I settled on about a .015 jam, and went all the way down in the 2900 range, but results still were not what I wanted. Shooting 5 shot groups, the agg potential was about .300, maybe a tad more.I did shoot some "fives", but most of the groups were just big globby "sixes".Mind you, this is not to say ANYTHING against the 95 BIB. Any experienced Benchrest Shooter will tell you that there are certain combinations that, for what ever reason, simply will not shoot at a competitive level in some barrels.
This was a little disappointing. I got to thinking that maybe the barrel was going south. I then thought about the 107 BIB's that Randy had sent us. I thought that they might seat too deep, but after setting one up at about .015 jam, it looked OK, in that the base of the bullet was a tad above the neck shoulder junction. So I said, "what the heck".
I started with Varget at just under 2900 fps. the results were similar to the 95's. then, I said why not try the Reloader-15 that had worked so well with the Berger 105 VLD. I base lined the the 107 with with the Reloader-15 at an average 2940. After several 3 shot groups that looked good, I decided to shoot an agg.
First, let me say that I was forced to shoot the most hated condition of all for me, a straight ac cross that was left to right. You can see by the position of the groups on the targets that Paul posted as to how much "push" I was fighting. That was the only consistent condition that the range would give. The groups,,this is 200 yards, actual measurements), that I included in the agg measured .405,.515,.515,.270,.and a .415. That come out to a nice agg of .212 moa!!! Pretty good for a straight across condition.
But I will admit that I fudged a bit. I actually shot 7 groups. The other two groups went .685 and .695. Both were a classic "four in, one out", with one shot killing each group, exactly straight to the right, with the condition. The other 4 shots in both groups were very good, in the "low three" to "high two" range. If I would have put those two shots in those two groups, the seven shot agg would have been "sub.200". Even with the two groups added in, the 7 group agg was still a .250, not bad for 7 groups with no "gimmes". But I was still VERY aggravated at myself for missing those two shots. You will just have to take my word that this is not as easy as many might think, even taking your time and concentrating to the best of ones ability.
From this, you can see that the 107's worked really well, much like the Berger VLD. However, when I shot that great agg with the Bergers, I had what I call my "dream condition", a 10 to 15 degree over my left shoulder. I will be the first to admit that I would rather suck rotten eggs than shoot a straight across condition at 200 yards, especially at Tomball, which is not known for giving away good aggs in the first place.
I did not mention what the exact load was with the 107 BIB and the Reloader-15. Suffice to say that the medium velocity was right at 2940. I could have easily pushed it past 3000, but the good agging capability seemed to be where I was at. This is a pretty darned good bullet in this barrel........jackie
First, for some reason, this 1-8 Krieger Barrel that I have does not particularly like the 95 gn. I base lined the load,,three shot groups), at about 3050 fps with Varget, and the thing just would not tighten up. I went both ways with the seating depth, with really bad results when I would jump the bullets more than .010 inch. I settled on about a .015 jam, and went all the way down in the 2900 range, but results still were not what I wanted. Shooting 5 shot groups, the agg potential was about .300, maybe a tad more.I did shoot some "fives", but most of the groups were just big globby "sixes".Mind you, this is not to say ANYTHING against the 95 BIB. Any experienced Benchrest Shooter will tell you that there are certain combinations that, for what ever reason, simply will not shoot at a competitive level in some barrels.
This was a little disappointing. I got to thinking that maybe the barrel was going south. I then thought about the 107 BIB's that Randy had sent us. I thought that they might seat too deep, but after setting one up at about .015 jam, it looked OK, in that the base of the bullet was a tad above the neck shoulder junction. So I said, "what the heck".
I started with Varget at just under 2900 fps. the results were similar to the 95's. then, I said why not try the Reloader-15 that had worked so well with the Berger 105 VLD. I base lined the the 107 with with the Reloader-15 at an average 2940. After several 3 shot groups that looked good, I decided to shoot an agg.
First, let me say that I was forced to shoot the most hated condition of all for me, a straight ac cross that was left to right. You can see by the position of the groups on the targets that Paul posted as to how much "push" I was fighting. That was the only consistent condition that the range would give. The groups,,this is 200 yards, actual measurements), that I included in the agg measured .405,.515,.515,.270,.and a .415. That come out to a nice agg of .212 moa!!! Pretty good for a straight across condition.
But I will admit that I fudged a bit. I actually shot 7 groups. The other two groups went .685 and .695. Both were a classic "four in, one out", with one shot killing each group, exactly straight to the right, with the condition. The other 4 shots in both groups were very good, in the "low three" to "high two" range. If I would have put those two shots in those two groups, the seven shot agg would have been "sub.200". Even with the two groups added in, the 7 group agg was still a .250, not bad for 7 groups with no "gimmes". But I was still VERY aggravated at myself for missing those two shots. You will just have to take my word that this is not as easy as many might think, even taking your time and concentrating to the best of ones ability.
From this, you can see that the 107's worked really well, much like the Berger VLD. However, when I shot that great agg with the Bergers, I had what I call my "dream condition", a 10 to 15 degree over my left shoulder. I will be the first to admit that I would rather suck rotten eggs than shoot a straight across condition at 200 yards, especially at Tomball, which is not known for giving away good aggs in the first place.
I did not mention what the exact load was with the 107 BIB and the Reloader-15. Suffice to say that the medium velocity was right at 2940. I could have easily pushed it past 3000, but the good agging capability seemed to be where I was at. This is a pretty darned good bullet in this barrel........jackie
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