6.5x55mm 143gr ELD-X weird results

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Fox

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I am loading 143gr ELD-X in 6.5x55mm, I was loading PPU brass with the bullet seated out to the max magazine length with 42.0gr of IMR 4831 but when it warmed up a bit you could see the extractor groove and the bolt was a little tight. I decided to back it down and load to the Nosler numbers, starting at 40.5gr and working up. The velocity is really low (2350fps), under factory PPU 139gr (2390fps) with a 24in barrel and the head mark is there again with a very minimal load, 41gr.

I have a bunch of Remington brass as well, I know that PPU brass is thick, would it make any sense to get a higher velocity with the Remington brass, more volume, more powder, same pressure?

I also loaded these new ones today to the COAL that Nosler claims, thinking that I needed a bit more jump to reduce the pressure some, that did not work, the rounds in the magazine would jump forward in the mag and then not cycle, pain in the butt.

All shooting today was in the wind but the groups were a lot worse than the wind, this gun was a 1/2 MOA when I was loading long, which I plan to go back to, but the weird marks on the brass caused me to back down from that load.
 
No pics, there is a small mark on the rim of the factory PPU, I cleaned the gun and made sure the chamber was dry and there is still a touch of a mark on the factory PPU but there is a definite mark on the reloads, hence why I backed down. The mark does not flatten out the lettering though and the Win LR primers are not really flattened out, but they still do not make me feel comfortable.

I just looked, I probably have 200 Remington brass, and 250 bullets, I think it is probably worth the test but range time is limited and I really would like to get this rifle ready for the deer hunt in November.
 
mikeelliot said:
How far from the lands?
Load the COL for your rifle. Jump the ELDX at least 0.030”
Click to expand...

I was loading to the magazine length, which is the length of the original military ammo (3.150"), that shot well but slow. I then pushed the bullets in to fit the COAL Nosler claims (3.025"), stuff would not cycle and the shots were slower with the same powder and showing pressure signs on the brass earlier.

I have not measured the distance to the lands but the RN 160gr military ammo will not chamber at 3.150" in length but the ELD-X will chamber at 3.150" in length, so the tip of the bullet is past the start of the lands.

This is an M38, short throat compared to an M96, one way I know it is a true M38 and not a cut down M96, designed for spitzer ammo.
 
It's been my experience with those ELDX bullets that they need quite a bit more velocity than you're getting to initially stabilize.

I found anything under 2600 fps muzzle velocity didn't group well in any of my rifles that I used them in. The rifles I used them in were a sported M38 and a Tikka T3.

The 2600fps loads are on the HOT side for the M38 IMHO

TURF THE LIBERALS IN 2019
 
bearhunter said:
It's been my experience with those ELDX bullets that they need quite a bit more velocity than you're getting to initially stabilize.

I found anything under 2600 fps muzzle velocity didn't group well in any of my rifles that I used them in. The rifles I used them in were a sported M38 and a Tikka T3.

The 2600fps loads are on the HOT side for the M38 IMHO

TURF THE LIBERALS IN 2019
Click to expand...

Not trying to hit 2600fps at all, just a decent group on a 2400-2450fps load.

The loads I did before were loaded long and grouped well, I will be loading long again, but the head swipe has me concerned.

When I say grouped well, I was shooting 2500fps and getting 1/2 MOA at 100 yards.

Would the case capacity going to Remington brass potentially reduce pressure and hold that 2500fps velocity? I guess I really will have to just try it out.
 
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