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

Okay, sorry about the delay but my recreation time is limited.Got out this morning to try duplicate the last ladder test but with clearing the bolt handle from rubbing on the chassis and also re torquing the action screws.

All is the same as last test, here is todays results:







Hardly a duplication of the last results , however I still haven't decided on new barrel or not, maybe try some groupings with the 79,80,81 , there does seem to be a tightening of the vertical dispersion.

Also, ran 10 more factory loads of Hornady through it, not awful but not record setting.
 
yes there does seem to be a node at 79 to 81 gr. I would load up 10 rounds of each and shoot 2 five shot groups of each powder charge
 
My thinking as well, I will also chronograph the loads and check consistency, if I can get 3 shot groups with one powder load as close as 79,80 and 81 are I will be satisfied.

Also have some equipment coming from Jerry to help confirm and rule out brass issues.

r204 said:
yes there does seem to be a node at 79 to 81 gr. I would load up 10 rounds of each and shoot 2 five shot groups of each powder charge
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So what kind of equipment are we talking about , if you don't mind me asking. What brand of brass are you using?
 
The components that I am currently trying is:
IMR 7828
Lapua Brass
215 Primer
300Gr SMK

I have also tried Lapua Scenars and Berger OTM Tactical
Also have tried H1000

You can check my other thread on this rifle which I started last year and had some major accuracy issues, didn't want it to take this long but I only get out about once a month to load test.


r204 said:
So what kind of equipment are we talking about , if you don't mind me asking. What brand of brass are you using?
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If your absolutely certain it's not bedding related (lot's of clearance around screw holes?, no binding or tight spots forcing the recoil lug to move, even a thou., forward and off of it's seat?.)
Certain the bases are locked down super tight under that LM recoil?.

Then, I'd be guessing .. dog barrel.

Shoot another couple hundred expensive handloads chasing unicorns? ... well that there's the cost of the new barrel it seems to me you're needing.

There's gotta be a limit as to how much hair a fella's willing to pull on a non-wanna-shooter. Frustration trumps determination at some point.
 
Instead of the ladder test try using Dan Newberrys Optimal Charge Weight. This method may get U on target quicker with a more accurate load.
 
I'm shooting a 110BA. I would suggest you go back and try the H1000. Do the ladder test again now that you have the action screws at a more reasonable torque setting. I think the torque may (and the bolt handle) have been your issue. I'm using 35" pounds for my action screws. I have done the "action screw tuning" procedure someone posted here and it worked for me.

I would start at min and work up with the H1000 seated at .010 off the lands.

For reference my load is:
Lapua brass
CCI 250 primers
H1000 @ 91.0g
Sierra 300g SMK
Seated .030 jump

Good luck and keep us posted.
 
I always do my ladder tests in 1/3 grain increments, maybe a tighter cluster would appear if you tried that? I've found .5 grain to make all the difference sometimes.
 
1/3 of a grain with a case capacity of oh 90ish is a pretty small amount IMO , that is less than 0.4 %

I would however prefer to have the H1000 be the winning powder , but if I can get the 7828 to be consistent it won't break my heart.

79,80 and 81 are about 1/2 MOA if they will group under MOA with group tests I will tweak a tad and be satisfied.I am not running nor do I expect an f-class rig.

264winmag said:
I always do my ladder tests in 1/3 grain increments, maybe a tighter cluster would appear if you tried that? I've found .5 grain to make all the difference sometimes.
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I think it would be worth your while to retest with the H1000. I did my load development in .5g increments and had no issues. I tested at 200yds since that's the most I had to work with. Went out shooting with a couple cgn'ers on Friday and first shot at 675 yds was center of target. First shot at 950yds was on tgt.
 
I have finally decided that I cannot get the consistent accuracy from this barrel that I want.

This morning I went to try some group tests derived from my last ladder test, it did not go well.

This morning was perfect conditions when I arrived at my spot:



Then shortly after it all went to hell, I chronographed the loads as well, here are the results.Necks were turned as well to ensure consistency and even tension.Neck sized with Redding bushing die.Meticulous brass prep was involved.300Gr SMK , Lapua brass, 215 primer

245 yards, no wind and 11-13 degrees.

79 grains of 7828:
2541
2534
2531
2555
2504



2516
2524
2520
2524
2520



80 grains:
2554
2548
2552
2564
2554



2552
2579
2564
2539
2576



81 grains:
2591
2595
2574
2582
2595



2592
2592
2601
2582
2579



First shot was low, so I corrected and finished with a 4 shot group.

First two shots with 80 wound up being too high so has to correct again as I feared going off the paper.So a 2 shot and a three shot group for this 5 shot group.

I shot 5 of 79, then 5 of 80, then 5 of 81 , then did this cycle again.

There is still no consistency, and I have gone to great lengths to ensure my loading is consistent, and my shooting( rifle placement, rifle is level, positioning is consistent)

That has been 3 different bullets and 2 different powders.

I have thrown in the towel.
 
Sorry to hear that Kelly. I've been following your load development for a long time now and feel for you that you don't have a good one cooking yet. I too have spent nearly as much as a new barrel trying to get a factory one to shoot. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
 
I quit a lot faster than I used to, esp on a barrel that is supposed to be used as a precision rig. My current thoughts are that if something needs 100 tries to make it work, it is barely working and wouldn't be working long. No use throwing good money after bad. More so now when components are in short supply.
 
Kelly Timoffee said:
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.
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You've been working on this long enough. Most new factory rifles shoot better than that right out of the box with factory ammo.

2 moa is ok if your not going to shoot/hunt more than a couple of hundred yards. Anything over that requires better accuracy.

A few years ago, while I could still get barrels with relative ease out of the US I picked up 4 HART match grade barrels. 2 were for me and 2 for a friend. The first barrel was a dream to shoot after is was installed. The second was just aggravation from day one.

I pulled that barrel twice and recut the chamber/threads and even ended up reprofiling it to sporter configuration for the third attempt. When I bought the barrels, they were around $400 each delivered and in .308 dia bores.

I checked each of the three different chambers for true to center and they were all less than .0001 off true. I spent a lot of time and care on them. The bore measured out .3075 and didn't have any loose or tight spots anywhere along its length.

This length started it's OAL at 36 in. It was marked about an inch from each end to show usable bore. IMHO, the one inch scrap on each end was just to make sure all was well. I left the full length of the useable rifle as long as possible. 33.5 inches and chambered it in 308 Palma Match with a proven reamer. The chambers were tight with .002 headspace. The stock was a McMillan bench rest model and was pillar bedded. The receiver was a Remington 700 SA. Jewel trigger set for 1.5 ounces.

This was the same action and stock the previous barrel, which performed so well, was set up on.

Just like your barrel, this barrel should have been a winner. It was anything but and nothing obvious to show why it wasn't. I did everything over completely four times in all. 2-3 moa was the best it would do. Obviously there were stresses somewhere creating the inaccuracy. Finally, I just gave up on it and pulled it. Obviously Hart wouldn't replace it after so much work but also by this time laws had changed and permits or a broker would be required and hardly worth the effort. I replaced it with a Gaillard barrel which shot every bit as well as any other custom barrel I have used.

By the way, the errant barrel was again cut down/reprofiled/rechambered/rethreaded to 30-30 Winchester and installed on a Model 94 that had a sewerpipe bore. It actually did very well there 1moa consistent groups were normal for this setup. GO FIGURE. I may have recouped a hundred bucks of my cost in the end.
 
I would try a lighter bullet. I have come across a few factory barrels that would not shoot heavyer bullets even though they had the proper twist for them. But in all cases they shot lighter bullets very well.
 
I thought of that but then asked myself why did I get the damn thing anyways unless I want to optimize distance and carry of the heavy .338 projectiles.

My full intention was to re-barrel after this one served it's life cycle, just looks like I will be doing that sooner rather than later.

I was stubborn and thought I could find a combo it liked, but to no avail.

I look at it this way though, anytime and experience loading and on the trigger is beneficial to education and knowledge.

So boys!! What barrel??? How long 28" 30" 32"??? What profile? ;)

r204 said:
I would try a lighter bullet. I have come across a few factory barrels that would not shoot heavyer bullets even though they had the proper twist for them. But in all cases they shot lighter bullets very well.
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your most economical route to go would be a Shilen Match Select Savage prefit. I have a few of them and all shoot very well. If you plan on hunting with it I would go with a 28" in either a S7 or S8 contour. If cost is of no concern then I would go with a Krieger
barrel.
 
Was just looking at those two, I have a Krieger on my 7-08, shoots amazing.

Prices don't really seem to be that far apart from what I am seeing, to be honest I would be more concerned with availability.

Would Ted Gaillard be worth looking at? He isn't very far away.

r204 said:
your most economical route to go would be a Shilen Match Select Savage prefit. I have a few of them and all shoot very well. If you plan on hunting with it I would go with a 28" in either a S7 or S8 contour. If cost is of no concern then I would go with a Krieger
barrel.
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