Winter 30BR load tuning

[Doublejake]

Just got my new Borden 30BR, I fire formed 145 rounds with a normal 35.3 N130. Showed pressure signs on brass and some stickers on bolt lift. It was 23F. This is my 3rd 30BR. That load normally is not to much.
I loaded some up after getting my Die set for shoulder bump of two thousand. I did 34.8 and 35 grains of N130. The 34.8 just seems low in my experience. I am waiting for a day to get back to the range. Any thoughts?

 

[Doublejake]

Loaded neck is .328 for the .330 chamber. Necks carbon pattern wave is 3/4s down the neck.

 

[Ccrider]

New barrel? May not handle same load. Sometimes it takes a couple of firings to fully form brass to chamber. Check brass length and final load measurements. Work up to see what that barrel likes.

 

[FNSafari]

If you find a very accurage load in the 2950-3050 range go with it. Accuracy trumps velocity and its tough to coax much more than 3050-3100 out of a unmodified 30BR.

 

[Doublejake]

New barrel? May not handle same load. Sometimes it takes a couple of firings to fully form brass to chamber. Check brass length and final load measurements. Work up to see what that barrel likes.

Brand new Brux 1/17. On a New Borden action

 

[Doublejake]

If you find a very accurage load in the 2950-3050 range go with it. Accuracy trumps velocity and its tough to coax much more than 3050-3100 out of a unmodified 30BR.

I will bring chrono next range trip. Didn’t bring it to fire form.

 

[Bill Norris]

Brand new Brux 1/17. On a New Borden action

Some barrels simply start out slow when new. Probably will see it speed up after about 100 to 200 rds. down the tube.

 

[Doublejake]

That’s why I loaded up 145 rounds to fire form, plenty enough if it’s going to change any speeds or accuracy. I will be checking speeds and tuning a load from here on out. I was just surprised that such a common load for the 30 BR was giving such pressure signs. Flat primers, extraction imprints on rims of cases, and some stiff opening bolts. Especially when it was only 23 F outside. It didn’t change from the first round up th the 145 th shot. It grouped ok for fire form, no flags and cold hands and watering eyes. Best target was a 50 4x.

 

[Doublejake]

I mean ejector marks not extractor.

 

[NC/Br Shooter]

Bills right, I know this one I got did. about 350rds down range. It changed. It started taking the higher charge weights like everyone told me it would do. I was getting good groups at the 34.5g charge with two different powders even. Still good groups at 35.5.
But after 350. The thing just liked the higher charges. I saw it on 3 range trips. 34.7 on one trip was best. the next trip 35 was best. The next 35.3 was best. And now the last few trips 35.5 I'd have to say is optional.
edit, I'm using V130 too

 

[JEFFPPC]

Here is an unscientific answer based on experience. Club I shoot at a lot has winter matches . Temps often in the teens or less. Matches are at 200 yards. When I shot my 30 BR at them I decided one year to add .1 for those matches. 5 shot groups were also measured and I did pretty well at plus .1. In over 60 years of competitive shooting I have kept three group targets one of them from that match on a cold winter day with the snow blowing sideways . I could not see the scoring rings and could barely make out the heavy black box. I decided to run 5. As I fired I could see no impacts. Group was in the black,upper line of the box and was .0129. So .1 when the trmp went below freezing certainly never hurt me.

 

[Lizzy49]

I'm curious what club has 200 yard matches in the winter?

 

[steve210]

Fairfax rod and gun does, have done so for years. Currently they shoot 200-100 2 yardage ubr matches for the winter league.