When do I throw in the towel on a bullet?

[montana_native]

At what point do most of you give up on a bullet? I’ve got a 6.5x47 that seemingly refuses to shoot the 140 Amax. I’ve tried H4350, RL17 and Varget, many charges, primers and seating depths, etc. One day it might shoot a respectable group, then when I try to reconfirm on another day it is dismal.

Something I’ve noticed is that when it does print a decent group, it’s random. Most of the time when I have done load development, I’ve seen the groups shrink as I get close to a node. This thing will shoot a good group in the middle of two poor groups which makes me think it’s a fluke.

This rifle is a consistent shooter with the 140 hybrid, I just have sooooo many Amaxes, I really wanted it to shoot them.

Thanks.

 

[jpretle]

The 150 hybrid it is, then.

 

[Terry]

Remember the song "if it don't come easy"...let it go.

 

[CaptainMal]

You will stop testing when you see the throat worn out.

Nuts to those A Maxes. They are costing you more in components, equipment and time than they are worth.

 

[Sniper338]

Ha im in the same kind of boat sort of... I have one rifle that shoots AMAXs like a dream.. made me think man ill try amaxs again in this caliber.. (fart)

 

[LRPV]

Remember the song "if it don't come easy"...let it go.

+1

 

[SG4247]

I have two 47L rifles that refuse to shoot the 140 Amax.

Those Hornady boxes are now getting pretty dusty....

 

[Ringostar]

What seating depth have you tried? I just started experimenting with a 47L. I found the A max shot good with .010 jump, but another .004 either direction and the groups open up. That doesn't give very much of a window for throat erotion. Have you tried sorting base to ogive? That can help with them.

 

[Patch700]

As mentioned above , try wieght sorting along with surface area sorting... If their anything like the 140 A-Max i used in a 6.5x284 you will probably have a lot less of them to shoot than you think lol.

I had more than my share of the same lot and spent more time than i care to remember sorting.. Gave up and called them good enough for minute of magpie or badger.

 

[dryhumor]

I found a good load with Berger VLD (hunting) and never looked back. I can't recall if I tried Amax's or not.

Bet you could sell em off and stock up on some more Bergers.....

 

[searcher]

If it were me, with a lot of something I'd like to get rid of, I'd try some additional powders - being sure to include a faster powder.

 

[bdale]

Drop back to the 130's and you will probably see a world of difference :

 

[Thud]

Bergers 130's are the best. Don't waste your time with anything else.

 

[DHD]

I did the same thing with 130 Norma's. I wasted more than I should have on them. Finally I just let them go to someone else. I won't waste much time anymore on a bullet begging it to shoot.

Lucky for me, everything I have now will shoot Berger's at least good enough to put a smile on my face.

 

[montana_native]

Thanks for the advice all. You all reinforced what I think I already knew...but didn't want to hear. ;D

 

[DennisH]

Been there, done that . . . then 123 Scenar's came in the picture for my 6.5x47

Middle target, my mistake on the bottom hole with the X mark. I have several targets that have the same groups using the 123 Scenars. Interestingly, the 120 smk's wll shoot the same group. Any bullet bigger, and FORGET it.



Just for kicks, here is the target using 120 smk's.

 

[DHD]

I agree with Dennis about the 120 SMK's. They are not sexy with a long boattail, super long nose, or some odd weight (117.83 grains would be a good one ), but they have always been consistent out of any 6.5 I have put them in.