Range report, Custom Encore 6.5x47L

[robbin]

Custom shop Battling bucks Frame
Trigger job by Stratton custom
Match Grade Machine 28" .290 (neck turn) 6.5X47 Lapua
100 click adjustable Harmonic Balancer / Break
Hanger Bar by Stratton custom
Red splatter Leupould VXL 6.5X20X56 Long Range Varmint Hunter Reticule
Barrel was cut with my reamer from my Bench gun so I can shoot my BR custom
ammo in a hunting weight rifle. .

I put 30 rounds thru it, cleaning 3 times.

Using the same load I shoot in my bench gun, (140 Berger VLD, RL-17, 2850 fps) I back up to 200, changed my zero to 200 shot 4 groups but not under good conditions.

Despite the wind and the makeshift rest, I never broke over MOA except for one called pull.

The next day with good conditions, and my bipod and monopod, I backed up to 400 and got serious.

Even my fouler group was only .85 MOA, dialed up my Harmonic balancer 10 clicks for each group, noting the group size. They varied from .59 to .8. Two were identical at.59 so I dialed the ballacer back 15 clicks to fall directly between those. Fired 3, 3 shot 400 yard groups. They were . 47, .501 and .502.

So with about 70 rounds down the tube, I’m shooting solid .5 MOA groups at 400 yards. My experience has been that new barrels continue to improve for about 200 to 300 rounds so I expect that when the barrel if fully broken in, it will be a consistent, .5 MOA or better performer.

Next really nice day we get, I’ll take it to 800 and really see what it’s made of.

Robbin

 

[Clydehopper]

robbin, you're making me jealous.
I also have an encore w/ MGM 6.5x47 bbl. I've been trying different powders with 130 and 140 VLDs. I get sub-moa groups once in a while but a lot of vertical stringing.
Do you use any special bench techinque with the encore?
clydehopper

 

[robbin]

Index the cases, I mean, pick a spot on the cases and insert them the same way every time. Doesn't matter on a bolt, does on a breach.
I do everything to the case, including turning the necks. I NECK SIZE ONLY...
I use Small rifle mag primers, CCI 450s. RL 17 is simply the best... I use it in everything but my 223 and my mags. Everything in a 308 or 30-06 type case is RL 17 now. In the 6.5X47L you can get light compression which leads to very consistent MV.

I've found the 140 VLDs jammed are a lot better in my gun then the 130s. By the way, both my encores like that, I actually seat the bullet when I close the breach. It's a hassle when I hunt, as you can get a bullet stuck that way, but both my guns shoot .5 moa to 800 yards. So I can live with it.

Trigger job by stranton custom and a hanger bar by stranton custom.

You didn't mention the range on your vertical stringing. If it's long range could be your velocity spread, more likly its the barrel contacting the forearm. I've got two encores, one with a hanger bar, one without. The one without is more likely to string or move the POI based on how tight the forarm screws are. It can and does move around when you swap barrels. If you don't swap barrels, you can play with it some and get it to shoot right and then not touch it.
If you change barrels and are stringing. Get a hanger bar.

The balancers are for real, I've got them on both encores. Instead of tuning the load over 100s or rounds to the barrel, pick a good load and in 15 to 20 rounds tune the barrel to the bullet. But they are expensive to buy, and install. I think my last one cost 200 and then 70 to have MGM install it for me.

Didn't mean to write a book... Good luck!
Robbin

 

[Clydehopper]

Thanks for the suggestions - I will try them out.
I am shooting mostly at 200 yards and getting vertical stringing of 3" or more so I don't think it is a velocity issue.

Clydehopper