Update:
Checked the rifle, cleaned chamber( it was already clean)...then I fired off 40 rounds with Federal, Winchester & Remington ammo.
No issues and rifle was behaving fine.I must have had a bad box of Barnes Vort-X? or maybe Barnes makes the loads too hot?
Can Factory loads get messed up?
I've used some of their ammo. I picked up several boxes during a trade. They aren't cheap.
I took some to the range this morning to try. I used a magnetospeed to check velocities of the 150 grain ttsx bullets fired from the Antonio Zoli made bolt action (Husqvarna licence) which is an extremely smooth and proven rifle I have chambered in 30-06. It's one of those hard to find rifles that doesn't care what you feed it. Factory or hand loads all group well when sighted in for whichever.
The rifle didn't disappoint me. It grouped ten rounds into appx 1 inch from the bench, while resting on rigid bags. It is topped with a very reliable Leupold VX IV.
Velocities were very close to their advertised 3000fps with around 30fps variance from shot to shot. The average velocities were 2960 fps from a 22 inch barrel. There were two different lots. I didn't have to change any scope settings. POIs were identical between the lots as were velocities.
All of the primers were slightly cratered. Bolt lift was slightly stiff but not out of line. Extraction was easy. All of the cases had expansion rings about 2 cm from their base and all cases had noticeably stretched in length when compared to new brass. The load was HOT IMHO. Not over maximum but HOT.
IMHO, these are excellent hunting rounds and would be suitable for anything in North America.
Ganderite, good on you for mentioning greasing the bolt lugs. Many shooters just don't comprehend the pressures produced and absorbed between the lug and receiver surfaces.
I've never been a fan of greasing jacketed bullets when I'm using them for hunting. The grease tends to gather crud no matter how careful I am.
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