stupid newb question

[BoydAllen]

I was correcting this in your next to last post. "...added figures together and according to the instructions that number should be length from case bottom to the lands." You corrected yourself on your last post. Just remember that bullets vary in length and that is the reason for loading a round with the bullet you used for the measurements, and then measuring it with a tool that contacts the ogive. That measurement is a much more reliable one as far as setting up the die to come up with the same distance to the lands.

 

[nwflycaster]

I'll retake measurements and build a dummy from those components to double check, then load some up as above and barring much wind try them out this coming weekend.

 

[Witchhunter]

You can use a sharpie to mark your dummy bullet seated long, chamber it, and keep seating it shorter until the marks disappear, that is one way to double check. Or use your tool to kind "jam" and mark a dummy at that length chamber and look for rifling marks....

 

[nwflycaster]

I couldn't see well enough with the sharpie but the steel wool trick worked great. I got an exact on the lands and took my latest loads to the range with a chrony and found that my rifle likes the Berger 105 VLD's jumped 20/1000's. My test using 5 shots with 29.4 grains of Varget yielded just under a 3/4" group at 300 yards with speeds of 2777.8, 2773, 2761.5, 2768.2 and 2757.7. I will make up another batch of those and try them for a twenty shot string. If it holds up it's time to yank the scope back off and put the irons on and look for some mid range prone matches nearby. I'm looking forward to some new shooting opportunities while it's off season for xtc.

Thanks everyone for your help.
Jeff

 

[Jason Boersma]

5 shots under 3/4" at 300 is great

 

[Rtheurer]

Jeff Im glad you backed off that load a little. 30.6 or 30.4 seemed pretty warm for a No turnneck Non Full on Benchrest set up. Your now running almost exacly what I run in my prone rifle. 29.5gr Varget 105VLD. .002 neck tension. Im using both CCI450's and Tula SRM's. Norma Cases however. Only real diff is that Im seating them into the lands so I dont have to chase the seating depth. Just load and shoot. Shot a 599/600 couple or weeks ago with that set up in Mid Range Prone. So I guess its working. Set two National Records as well.

I bet you find that after your Barrel has 200 rounds on it that your speed has increased as well. That nice mild load should have your brass lasting a long long time.

Best of luck Jeff

RussT

 

[MarTay6]

Another newbie here- actually, newbie-to-be, as I haven't even got my gun yet! BUT.... I just received the first piece of my reloading setup VIA UPS this morning, the Hornady Lock-n-Load Straight O.A.L. gauge setup- and Berger Bullet reloading manual!! The dummy round to go with the Hornaday gauge rod (6.5mm Creedmoor) is backordered, but hopefully will have it when its my turn in the bucket!! Reading all this makes me glad I purchased these Hornady components to set up a good reloading basis for my gun. When I have it! (Probably 6 months down the road, by the time I figure out and get a stock for it)
BTW, would like to echo- no stupid questions here... especially with the wealth of experience and knowledge here! Having been in- and working for the Navy for 47 years, one of the first statements when I start training someone new- is- there are no stupid questions. The only stupid questions are the ones that go unasked.
Wes

 

[nwflycaster]

Thanks Russ, and congrats on setting a couple of new records. I hoping this rifle and shooting some mid range prone matches will improve my prone shooting. That and the new Creedmoor no pulse sling being delivered today can't hurt either, I've gotta tame that pulse beat.

Wes, I know that wait for the new rifle makes the time drag, but it will arrive before you know it. Spend the time acquiring components you will need to shoot it. That was my problem, I had my newly completed rifle in the safe for almost 6 months before I could start the loading process.

 

[MarTay6]

That's exactly what I'm doing... and studying... just got 2 new reloading manuals today- from Lee- and Berger... When the parts/pieces come, I plan on being ready! My first reloading venture in 40 years, sooo... a lot has changed since then!
Wes

 

[nwflycaster]

Thanks everyone for your help with this. My end product will be Lapua brass, Remington 7-1/2 primers, 28.8 grains of Varget and Berger Target 105 VLD's seated with a 20/1000 jump.

Here's a photo of what it did before the wind picked up (if I did the attachment right that is).

5 Shots at 300 yards

 

[gotcha]

Stupid newbie? I don't think so. Great shooting fly caster. Russ better start tightening up

 

[Rtheurer]

Indeed sir!!! Wow. YOu have now ineffect deleted all excuses for not shooting 200 cleans every time you shoot. It wont be the rifle or ammo that is for sure. Just the driver.

Very very nice

RussT

 

[nwflycaster]

The driver definitely needs to work on his prone position. That's my weakest link, I've got a pulse beat that I can't seem to tame down as much as I would like. This rifle will give me some good feedback and hopefully help me improve.

 

[DennisH]

Your definitely on the right track. Sometimes you can get too hot with your loads. I have several rifles where the groups started opening up and I had to back off the powder. COAL was adjusted after I felt I found the right powder load.

In the beginning of your post you stated you were having fliers.

I didn't see where anyone recommended a good barrel cleaning. A little carbon or carbon ring will cause a flier and will cause your groups to open up a little.

I personally give my barrels a thorough cleaning every 155 rounds.

This is one area that get's overlooked.

JMO and .02 cents worth,

Dennis

Start with all the above suggestions, then it really starts getting fun!

 

[nwflycaster]

Dennis, this is a new toy that hasn't even reached that high of a round count. It will be and has been cleaned after every range day, so the most it will ever see will be around 90 shots in a match before it gets cleaned again. The only rifle I own that doesn't get cleaned with every use is my AR-15, that one may go two or three trips before being cleaned.

Tonight the scope comes off and irons go on and I'll sight it in this weekend. There's a local 500 yard prone match coming up in a few weeks that I want to try. There's some really good prone shooters in this area, maybe they'll rub off on me a little bit.