New ladder test results.I have conceeded, New barrel is needed.Last post update.

Kelly Timoffee

Kelly Timoffee

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Well, last year I struggled with developing a new load for a new rifle.

I finally ditched all the components for new stuff to try again.Now after today , it doesn't look like it is going to be an easy battle again.

So I have switched to 300gr SMK's and 7828 powder.

Here is today's initial ladder test , 200 yards , 6 C minimal wind.

Not a node or cluster to be found.No poor shots or pulls, all felt and went well.The only thing consistent is inconsistency!

Already tested and confirmed operation of optics and assembly of rifle.

Just can't get any consistency going on.

 
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Ladder testing isn't working.... so try something different.

Start at mimumum and working to max in one grain increments. Seat the bullet .010 off the lands. Load 5 of each and shoot 5 shot groups. See what it tells you. Maybe something will jump out at you then.
 
I may have to try that.

Last year when I found nodes I did just that but couldn't get a group to save my hide.I did get what looked promising, but when trying to duplicate , couldn't even come close.Even had another shooter try , eliminate my unskilled bones.

jethunter said:
Ladder testing isn't working.... so try something different.

Start at mimumum and working to max in one grain increments. Seat the bullet .010 off the lands. Load 5 of each and shoot 5 shot groups. See what it tells you. Maybe something will jump out at you then.
Click to expand...
 
I would guess that you are shooting 338 Lapua, turns out that my Savage FCP likes a 0.20" jump to the lands, I had also tried 0.010", 0.015" and 0.025". Just another thing to consider. I started using Vihtavuori N570 High Energy Powder last year and it works great with the 300 grain Scenars, using the Vihtavuori factory load data and the maximum load I am getting 2804 fps, average of 5 shots over the chronograph. The maximum load turned out to be the most accurate as well.

If you are interested here is some info on N570: http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2010/02/vihtavuori-releases-new-n570-powder-for-magnums/
 
New powder, new bullet, no closer!

I'd take 80, 81, 78, and 83, and load 3 round of each, same OAL and try round robin shots. Or try your ladder test at a longer range
 
Your targets and descriptions of your shooting, shows every indication of the rifle---
A) Having a poor barrel, that will not shoot, or,
B) Having a good barrel, but the action and/or the barrel are badly in need of proper bedding.
 
H4831 said:
Your targets and descriptions of your shooting, shows every indication of the rifle---
A) Having a poor barrel, that will not shoot, or,
B) Having a good barrel, but the action and/or the barrel are badly in need of proper bedding.
Click to expand...

Bingo. I usually just assume that people striving for accuracy would bed it as a matter of course. Some barrels just don't want to shoot; and with a big .338 it doesn't take long to waste the price of a good barrel in components. A .338 Lapua better do some serious impressing within the first couple of shooting sessions or you might just be throwing money down the pipe.
 
This was my fear last year.

Did the bedding , as much as the chassis system would allow.(last year)

I tried and tried and tried and no so much as a hint of a pattern , I am far from a world class shooter but It just seems as I may have gone as far as I could with this adventure.


H4831 said:
Your targets and descriptions of your shooting, shows every indication of the rifle---
A) Having a poor barrel, that will not shoot, or,
B) Having a good barrel, but the action and/or the barrel are badly in need of proper bedding.
Click to expand...
 
What kind of rest are you using? Use a sand bag.
All the screws tight?
Did you ever have a group with factory ammo before you started mucking with the rifle? If you never had an group with factory ammo it's something with the rifle. Bedding, screws, trigger et al .
All those shots have the same load? If not you're wasting your time. I'd be thinking about changing powders too.
Do what jethunter says, but use the max OAL given in your manual and change targets between loads. The OAL just off the lands thing is a load tweaking technique and you don't have a load.
 
Tried H1000 , tried scenars, tried vld's now smk's.Tried Hornady factory ammo.

Seated the bullets to fit the magazine if they were too long or just right with the SMK's.

Rock BR front rest , bag rear rest. Screws have been checked multiple times.





sunray said:
What kind of rest are you using? Use a sand bag.
All the screws tight?
Did you ever have a group with factory ammo before you started mucking with the rifle? If you never had an group with factory ammo it's something with the rifle. Bedding, screws, trigger et al .
All those shots have the same load? If not you're wasting your time. I'd be thinking about changing powders too.
Do what jethunter says, but use the max OAL given in your manual and change targets between loads. The OAL just off the lands thing is a load tweaking technique and you don't have a load.
Click to expand...
 
Correct.

Scope has also been verified on another rifle.And impressively so.Tracks unbelievably well.

Im assuming you are single feeding these and not filling the mag and feeding from it?
 
It's time to pony up the money for a new tube. A few hundred now will save you future head aches from beating your head agains the wall.

Mystic precision would be a great call to make.
 
Kelly Timoffee said:
Tried H1000 , tried scenars, tried vld's now smk's.Tried Hornady factory ammo.

Seated the bullets to fit the magazine if they were too long or just right with the SMK's.

Rock BR front rest , bag rear rest. Screws have been checked multiple times.



Click to expand...


That is a really nice looking set up. It should shoot very well. I sent you a PM about some issues I've experienced with different 338s.

They can be extremely fussy. What twist rate do you have? I have had issues with a Rem custom shop rifle that was over stabilizing bullets below 225 grains to the point they turned to a puff of smoke at just under 200 yards. Same issue with a 338 RUM and later a Lapua Mag.

I think that rifle wants to shoot. It just hasn't been fed what it wants. If you have a 1-12 twist rate, it may not like the 300 SMKs. Try a lighter bullet.

Personally your groups really look like inconsistent ignition or powder burn. I get that from varying elevations from shot to shot.

You do have a group. A vertical group about 2 inches wide and 8 inches tall. That is almost always an indication of poor burn/ignition.
 
She is a 9 twist.

I figured I may have incomplete ignition with the shorter barrel, had extremely similar results with the H1000.

Maybe I need a slightly faster burn but I can't see it at this point.

When SMK's can shoot out of a paper towel tube you know something is a miss when they won't group.

Maybe try a hotter day, see what changes that makes or signs it indicates.

bearhunter said:
That is a really nice looking set up. It should shoot very well. I sent you a PM about some issues I've experienced with different 338s.

They can be extremely fussy. What twist rate do you have? I have had issues with a Rem custom shop rifle that was over stabilizing bullets below 225 grains to the point they turned to a puff of smoke at just under 200 yards. Same issue with a 338 RUM and later a Lapua Mag.

I think that rifle wants to shoot. It just hasn't been fed what it wants. If you have a 1-12 twist rate, it may not like the 300 SMKs. Try a lighter bullet.

Personally your groups really look like inconsistent ignition or powder burn. I get that from varying elevations from shot to shot.

You do have a group. A vertical group about 2 inches wide and 8 inches tall. That is almost always an indication of poor burn/ignition.
Click to expand...
 
Kelly Timoffee said:
Tried H1000 , tried scenars, tried vld's now smk's.Tried Hornady factory ammo.

Seated the bullets to fit the magazine if they were too long or just right with the SMK's.

Rock BR front rest , bag rear rest. Screws have been checked multiple times.



Click to expand...

Had I known this was the rifle you were talking about, I would not have commented on it. Please disregard my post.
Bruce
 
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