Range Report Range Report: 6.5CM, SAS Arbiter, Hornady factory 140gr.

[earthquake]

I made it out to CRC (Colorado Rifle Club) today to test out my new Creedmoor, shoot my SAS Arbiter suppressor for the first time, and get some speeds on Hornady factory 140 Amax. Before I get around to putting up the target photos etc. I wanted to quickly lay out the results.

Rifle didn't group very well off the batt. Cold bore was 0.5 high and right, so I adjusted and it was 0.5 low and left?!? Seemed to be bracketing the bullseye. I ran a few patches through it and then it grouped fine. Go figure. Now it was time to attach the suppressor. POI was 0.2 mils low, no change in L or R. VERY repeatable. Groups tightened up as well.

I did all this testing on the 100 yd Schutzen Range. We then moved to the high-power range and shot at 600 yards. Wind was shifting 10 - 12 mph from 180 to 90 degrees (S - E) or from my back to from the right to left. Temp was mid to upper 80's, bright sun.

I was dialing between 3.2 and 3.7 mils and 0.3 - 0.7 mil wind. I was worried about the elevation changing so much and was concentrating on my position and fundamentals etc. So then I broke out the chrony. I was getting between 3,012 and 3,086 fps! That's an ES of 74 fps. I think my ammo got hot. Does that sound right for such a high MV and larger ES?

*Edit to add a few photos.


All three are 5-shot groups at 100 yards. Group one sucked...well, so did group 2 IMO. Was 0.2 mil down and 0.2 L on group one. Zeroed/adjusted for group 2. Suppressor shifted POI down 0.2 mil.


600 yard line with Chrony. Is it too far away?


Shutzen Range (100Yd)

 

[Pusher591]

What's your barrel length? I highly doubt you are getting over 2900 fps with factory 140's unless you are running a 29"-30" barrel. I really doubt you are getting 3000fps. The spread is not THAT bad for factory stuff but all my Factory 140's have had a smaller spread.

Let us know what you find out, I'm very interested.

 

[earthquake]

25" or 24" in front of the lug. I was surprised as shit. It was hot, but I kept the ammo out of the direct sun. Not sure what is going on. Will have to try again with the chrony somewhere else maybe.

 

[Rob01]

I would use another chrono. I highly doubt those numbers for both velocity and spread. Never had anywhere near that high of a spread from factory 140s and velocity in the 2870 range. Also accuracy has been great. They are all I use at matches.

 

[earthquake]

OK, I was wondering if my old chrono was starting to act klugy. It would register each shot, 1 - 5, then on shots 6, 7, 8 I got an 'E'. Shots 9 and 10 registered. BUT, after it gave a reading, with velocities between what I stated above, the display would show stuff like 5,739 a few seconds after reading the shot. It would stay there until I shot again, then read 3,000+ and then read 5k something a few seconds again later. Maybe direct overhead bright sun had something to do with it? I did use those plastic cover things that attach to the end of the rods which I thought was supposed to eliminate glare or whatever. Probably the chrony because 1. It's old. 2. I'd used a friends chrony before I got the suppressor and I was getting ~2,850 from the 140 Amax. Different ranges though.

 

[Pusher591]

2850 is still great for factory stuff. I got three different lots right now and two lots are definately slower then the other. My favorite lot is FAST for my barrel length. Just curious but what lot number are you currently running?

 

[earthquake]

<strike>Is the lot # printed on the box end under the giant H in Hornady and left of the caliber/grain info? If so, it's #81494.</strike> I just bought this stuff in Tucson last week.

 

[earthquake]

Nevermind...just found it: 3120878

 

[Aimsmall55]

Absolutely no way in hell he's getting 3000 fps. I don't care if he's got a 35" barrel. 2845 is what I'm getting from a 27" bartlein. And the spread. Well it's good. Check your box... See if it says 120 amax

 

[earthquake]

Definitely 140 Amax. I don't believe the chrono readout either. Hopefully I can get out soon with another shooting partner that has a chronograph to confirm. I was surprised and worried about what the chrono was telling me.

 

[VKC]

You chrono must be off. That's too fast with factory 140amax with that length barrel.

 

[J.A. Hamilton]

What does your dope say for the day? Does it match up with a velocity of 2850 or 3050?

If your scope has adjustments at are true, you should be easy enough to tell the difference between 200fps at that range.

 

[Killswitch Engage]

Throw that piece of shit in the trash can and shoot the gun. Do a trajectory validation with your ballistic program with at least 3 known distances from 500yd and beyond. Then you will know.

Fwiw. My 26" creedmoor ran 2850 with factory 140amax. My hand load is 42.9 with the 140amax running 2860.