I have virgin starline to try but have been using once fired federal from AE 75’s in my load workup. Seems to be holding up fine. Sized and trimmed after first firing then sized after second firing and no case stretch, all are measuring 1.590-1.591”. See how many reloads I’ll get before the pockets go.
- Thread starter Niles Coyote
- Start date
I have 400pcs Federal brass. Most of it is still going strong. I've probably lost about 20 or so to split necks and even after 5 reloads on some, primer pockets are still intact (feel very loose but they hold primers).
Would like to try Starline also. I've got 300 PC's of Hornady which seem to be holding up great also.
I'm not 100% sure if the carbide bushings are that much better than the stainless but I got mine on a deal so I grabbed it up anyways. It's definitely smooth though. I'd say give the stainless a try and see if it works for you. I still use a lube...it's actually imperial sizing wax that I use.
I will have 200 pieces of Federal Brass on the 24th but just sold my .224 V upper and looking to buy an upper or rifle in 1:6.5 twist for the 88 and 90 grain pills.
Thanks for the info, helps the rest of us with decision making.
A lot of ppl say that 1-7 is great for those bullets. But 1-6.5 will cover from what I have shot....60grain on up, I had seen it stabilized lower but can’t remember how low.
95’s are a different story, unless you plan to shoot 95’s it’s really not necessary.
Update on my gas port: I decided to open it up to 0.089” and now cycles my handloads using imr4320 at 15 clicks from seated instead of wide open at 20 clicks using an Odinworks adjustable gas block. Looks like I can turn it down a little as well using cfe223. Looked for pressure using 77 LRX from Barnes here’s my workup so far.
24JAN2019 34.5F, 96%H, 29.75inhg
224 Valkyrie virgin starline, Rem 7 1/2, CFE 223, HbN coated 77 LRX @ 2.265”
24.7-2562
24.9-2662
25.1-2653
25.3-2685
25.5-2710
25.7-2695
25.9-2745
26.1-2760
26.3-2844
26.5-2815, 2791
26.7-2844
26.9-2858
27.1-2878
27.3-2925
Thinking a working load of 2900-2950fps should be easily attained as these were all mild looking with no marks and round primers. Fairly windy but the last five grouped about 1.5moa. Still waiting on my comparator to adjust jump to lands. Smartpost to Alaska is about the slowest shipping method ever devised. Got suckered into free shipping from cabelas. Never again using smart post.
Going to load three each at 27.2, 27.3, 27.4 to test tomorrow. Here are pics of the brass (left to right low to high charge) and group from the last five shots 26.5-27.3.
24JAN2019 34.5F, 96%H, 29.75inhg
224 Valkyrie virgin starline, Rem 7 1/2, CFE 223, HbN coated 77 LRX @ 2.265”
24.7-2562
24.9-2662
25.1-2653
25.3-2685
25.5-2710
25.7-2695
25.9-2745
26.1-2760
26.3-2844
26.5-2815, 2791
26.7-2844
26.9-2858
27.1-2878
27.3-2925
Thinking a working load of 2900-2950fps should be easily attained as these were all mild looking with no marks and round primers. Fairly windy but the last five grouped about 1.5moa. Still waiting on my comparator to adjust jump to lands. Smartpost to Alaska is about the slowest shipping method ever devised. Got suckered into free shipping from cabelas. Never again using smart post.
Going to load three each at 27.2, 27.3, 27.4 to test tomorrow. Here are pics of the brass (left to right low to high charge) and group from the last five shots 26.5-27.3.
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I have the same barrel, would be really interested to hear your measurement once you get the guage.
As soon as it gets here I will post an update for oal for lands contact with bullets I have.
Morning gents! I have read through most of the posts here but did not find what I was looking for. Is anyone getting cloverleafs, or at most .250 groups at 100 out of their 224 gas guns with heavy bullets and good velocities? I have been messing with this for about 6 months and am disappointed in the results. Running a 6.5 twist 22" Critereon barrel in a JP platform. Tried everything from 69gr bullets to the new 95s and the best group has been with the 69TMKs, a great group but sort of a waste of effort in this caliber IMHO. 88s, 90s and 95s have been 1.25-3 inches. Tried powders from fast to slow from .010 to .030 off the lands (Criterion has done a great job chambering this barrel and I can get to the lands in a standard p-mag), just nothing to write home about with heavy bullets at 2600+ FPS. Only powder I have not tried is 2000MR because it is too temp sensitive for the varying conditions I shoot in. IF I am going to have to spend big $$$ on brass there are too many other choices for 5.56-6.5mm rounds in this platfiorm that perform really well to waste a ton of time on this one. Thanks!
I’m not sure you have read every post. 100 and 1000
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Check out the FB page Valkyrie Ascending and look up CJ James....he's having very good luck with H4895, 8208xbr, 80 gr eld-m, fed brass cci br4 primer .010" off the lands. He said on there that he was getting .23" groups at 2900-3010fps , but this is all with a 24.5" 1-7 twist barrel too so.....
I run a 1-6.5 barrel in a bolt gun and plan to try the 80's but right now I'm constructing my reloading room so I haven't reloaded the Valkyrie in a while but watching for others with 1-6.5 reloading progress in the mean time.
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I also have the Rock Creek 20" and full upper from Paul Craddock. I have been trolling these forums for a few days looking at starting load points. I have not spent any range time yet. I am waiting on a few more components before I get the rifle finished. I think I am going to start out with 88ELDs and CFE.
I bought this set as well. I am haven't loaded anything yet, tomorrow looks like the big day. Its my first set of Redding dies. I will post up once I get some loaded and rounds down range.
You will need the vld seating stem 09183. I like them so far, the amount I've used them. After I get my own reloading room/man cave done I've got some new techniques and tools to help with consistency/runout, and es, sd numbers. I've had good luck with cfe accuracy but its a temp sensitive powder and I haven't played with it enough yet. If I was to do it again I would get different dies, like a forester seating die, FL bushing die of some sort.
I have my cave set up. I have few additional items I apparently need to pick up. I have been prepping 224 brass this morning. Looks like I need to get the seating stem ordered, hopefully it will come in this week.
I guess I will hold off going to far and load some other stuff.
Thanks for the input.
I guess I will hold off going to far and load some other stuff.
Thanks for the input.
Just finished my first range trip with reloads with my Craddock 24” 1-6.7 bartlein upper. I think there are some promising results. Everythkng is real conservative nothing over max. No pressure signs observed.
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Settled on my hunting load using 77 Barnes LRX and CFE223. Here are my specs:
24” Bison Armory 6.5 twist, 0.089” gas port, Odinworks adjustable gas block at 13 clicks from seated allows lock back.
26JAN2019 39.9F, 78%H, 30.17inhg
224 Valkyrie virgin starline
Rem 7 1/2
CFE 223 @ 27.2 grains for 2942fps, sd8
HbN coated 77 LRX @ 2.265”
Again I will measure the jump when my oal gauge gets here but I am guessing it is 0.040-0.050” off the lands.
24” Bison Armory 6.5 twist, 0.089” gas port, Odinworks adjustable gas block at 13 clicks from seated allows lock back.
26JAN2019 39.9F, 78%H, 30.17inhg
224 Valkyrie virgin starline
Rem 7 1/2
CFE 223 @ 27.2 grains for 2942fps, sd8
HbN coated 77 LRX @ 2.265”
Again I will measure the jump when my oal gauge gets here but I am guessing it is 0.040-0.050” off the lands.
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Settled my 88 eld-m load as well today. Hoping the sd will drop with once fired but she shoots well enough.
24” Bison Armory 6.5 twist, 0.089” gas port, Odinworks adjustable gas block 15 clicks from seated for lock back
28JAN2019 33.8F, 99%H, 30.39inhg
Virgin starline run through forester sizing die and chamfered
Imr4320 @ 24.5 grains
Rem 7 1/2
88 eld-m @2.320” I am guessing 0.030” jump
2705fps, sd25
Without the pulled shot the group is .55” and the cluster of three are .23”. Thinking I can get this shooting more consistent once I start using once fired brass. Still waiting on oal gauge to confirm jumps. I have 90 and 95 smk’s to work up next but waiting on the gauge.
24” Bison Armory 6.5 twist, 0.089” gas port, Odinworks adjustable gas block 15 clicks from seated for lock back
28JAN2019 33.8F, 99%H, 30.39inhg
Virgin starline run through forester sizing die and chamfered
Imr4320 @ 24.5 grains
Rem 7 1/2
88 eld-m @2.320” I am guessing 0.030” jump
2705fps, sd25
Without the pulled shot the group is .55” and the cluster of three are .23”. Thinking I can get this shooting more consistent once I start using once fired brass. Still waiting on oal gauge to confirm jumps. I have 90 and 95 smk’s to work up next but waiting on the gauge.
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Go over to the facebook group Valkyrie Ascending and sign up to join. It has the best information currently available for the Valk. I have the 22 inch Criterian also and have had groups at.5 and .6 with PP2000MR and 88s and 90 SMK. Currently working up a load with H4895 to have a temp stable load. You will want the 88s And 90s to be 2675 fps or more. The 80 eld around 2850. I’m jumping the 88 and 80 eld at.035 and the SMK at .020. Just remember that the Pressure spec for the Valk is 55k so work up slowly. Some have been able to get their gas guns to group 80s at .3. Good luck
I'm in the same boat for the most part. CFE223 and 80gr ELDM, as well as PP2000-MR have showed the best. Even with the 75gr ELDM and 27.3gr of PP2000-MR in Starline brass and CCI450 and Wolf Mag Primers I have gotten a few clovers with the occasional flyer. I have a 20" Craddock Precision 6.7t +2 gas and this is my 3rd barrel. Had a Rainier 18" rifle +1 and a Bison 1/7 rifle +1...believe it or not the bison was shooting the best but I only tested with the 75gr ELDM at the time. I didn't have the 80's back when I had the other two barrels but now I'm thinking to get rid of the 88's and just stick to the 75's and 80's. PP2000-MR has been the best so far for me in those barrels though. All loaded between 2.270" to 2.280" has shown the best accuracy. My 6.5 Grendel 12" with 107gr TMK and 120gr ELDM shoots clovers under 8208xbr with a Rugged Razor 7.62.
First 2 are 224 Valkyrie factory 88gr ELDM, 3rd is 90gr Fusion, and last is the Grendel shorty. All in 45 degree clear low wind weather.
Also the Grendel with 120gr ELDM with PP2000-MR shot this last group at my indoor range at 84y...with a 12"!
I spoke to Paul and he advised that the factory 88gr ELDM is only shooting 1 MOA for most people and that the 88's like 26gr of Reloader 17 at 2.280" COAL. I'll give this combo a try but I'm leaning more towards the 80gr ELDM and 80gr CC which he also mentioned the Nosler 80gr CC's like 25.5gr of Reloader 15 at 2.260" COAL. If this works great then the 80gr CC's, and the 80gr ELDM's will be my go to 600y to 1000y bullets and I'm hoping to get a decent load with the 75gr Speer GD for antelope, hogs, and maybe whitetails.
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I'd also like to hear what find about the chamber dimensions. I have the 20", 6.5T Bison Arms.
AK, I have the 20" Bison with a 6.5T and I also use the 88 ELD. I think your estimate is right on. I can seat my 88s out to 2.350" (I also have a lower that will allow me to feed them from a windowed mag at that length). If you're at 2.320, you will have a .030" jump.
I chambered a fired round with an 88 eld-m in the neck and got a measurement of 2.350”. I am still waiting on the darn gauge. It also shot well at 2.315” when I tested this length as well. I’ve been hearing good things about 80 eld-m’s and h4985 and hope to try this combo if I can get my hands on some of this powder as it is hard to come by in my neck of the woods. Has your 20” Bison been shooting decent for you? I have 90 and 95 smk’s to load as well but I want to wait on the gauge before starting development. Figure I will start with r17 and h414 with these bullets.
AK, I received the BA barrel two weeks ago and have had two 100 yard range sessions with it thus far. Results with 75s and 80s that I've tried are not conclusive yet. I've got several 88 (all my bullets are ELDs) loads and will be going to NC today to a 1000 yard range to see how the dope works out. In general, I've found that jumping very little or not at all gives best results. I'll be working with 26.7 of CFE, BR4, Starline brass (many times fired and still good) and the 88s seated at 2.345". My magneto tells me that is moving at 2705 with acceptable SD and ES for now. Strelok says I'm super out to 1100. Since I use it for PRS matches and not hunting, that's good enough. My hope is that the BA barrel will shoot all the ELDs well. Range report to follow.
BA 24" 6.5t, I started with the 95 smk's, as that was all the hype at the start. Honestly it didn't go well, it was before I had a Chrono, but I tried 4-5 powders and my smallest groups were maybe 2 moa. Moved to the 88 elds, started to get some really good groups, as good as .4 moa, best luck with cfe223. But not consistent speeds, SD - 20, es - 40. Finally now moving to 80 eld's. With cfe223 getting ridiculously low SD of 3-5, and groups around .5 moa. I see all the comments about using h4985 with the 80's too, I'll probably try that next.
Also, my "seating a fired round with loose bullet" with the 88's test showed around 2.35" as well. Nice to see y'all are seeing the same, will let AK confirm if he ever gets his shipment haha. I'm usually loading both eld's at 2.330", in a shallow windowed mag.
JP, good to hear that you're seeing what AK and I are with the BA barrels. I promised a range report and the 88s worked out very well. Shot all steel today out to 1K. Can't go downrange, so no way to shoot a group and confirm. All I can say is that where I pointed it per my dope, other than left or right from wind, it matched up perfect. 33 moa at 1K and multiple hits. 5/8" at 100 currently. I will see if this load prints consistently, but I was very pleased with the initial results today. I have 75 and 80 ELDs and haven't had a chance to do much with them with this barrel, but the 75s have done very well in my "old" PSA, 20" 7T at 2900 fps. AR COMP works very well with the 75s and it may, with a little tweeking, do well with the 88s. 2800 and little more with good accuracy wouldn't be a bad thing with the 88s. We'll see.
I gather from your comments that maybe I might be wasting time trying the 95s with this 20" 6.5T but if I don't do it I won't know.
For grins I had 10, 88 eld-m’s left and loaded them up with some cfe223. Here is how it went. I’m tempted to pull my imr4320 loads and try 26.6 and 26.7 grains as the brass and primers looked great. They look much lower pressured than my imr loads and matching speed with accuracy as well. Nice rounded primers with slight plunger mark (less of a mark than factory). I will let it be for now and put another order in for some 88’s.
01FEB2019 19F, 92%H, 30.21inhg
Virgin starline, cfe223, Rem 7 1/2, HbN coated 88 eld-m @2.320”
26.5-2728avg, sd16, ten shot avg
01FEB2019 19F, 92%H, 30.21inhg
Virgin starline, cfe223, Rem 7 1/2, HbN coated 88 eld-m @2.320”
26.5-2728avg, sd16, ten shot avg
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In my 20", as I mentioned, 26.7 of CFE223 with the 88 seated to 2.345" gives 2705 fps. I crono'd the same components with the exception of 27 of CFE223 and got 2745 fps. No difference that I could tell regarding the brass (rounded primers and no swipe) between one load and the other. It suggests there is still room for more powder in this combo and will be worth it if the accuracy and SD are acceptable. I haven't put the 27 grain load on paper yet, but I will this week.
I have a 50rd box of 90 smk’s and worked up a load today using cfe223. There were two flat spots in my rig as you can see at 25.3-.5 and 26.3-.5. Using bare bullets I would assume that 0.2 grains lower would yield the velocity I’m getting. The last test was 26.4 and I didn’t let them get down to ambient air temp. I just loaded and ran to the range that’s two minutes away. I am sure that’s why the higher velocity but sd was great with no pressure signs. I think I just have to fine tune the depth to get best accuracy as it shot about .75” which isn’t bad but I think it can be better. I just wish they were cheaper as Sierra is proud of the 90’s.
02FEB2019 31.5F, 94%H, 30.37inhg
Virgin starline, cfe223, Rem 7 1/2, HbN coated 90 smk @2.290”
25.1-2562
25.3-2613
25.5-2617
25.7-2652
25.9-2660
26.1-2669
26.2-2704
26.3-2718
26.4-2720
26.5-2721
Ten rounds at 26.4-2743, sd4
I will be working up a load with H414 and the 95 smk’s as well. Still waiting on the oal gauge but have found some info regarding bullets and oal to lands in a sammi spec chamber so I will keep testing. Here is what I scrounged up.
This it where the bullets are on the lands in a true SAAMI spec chamber. Measurements in barrels will be a little different due to headspace. They could be .005" longer. In my case 0.025” longer. Using the spent brass method I found 2.350” for 88 eld-m’s to be my lands contact. So I added 0.025” to all of these for my baseline
95gr SMK- 2.325”
88ELD-2.325" .415” bearing surface
90gr SMK-2.278”
75ELD- 2.322”
77TMK-2.236”
80gr Berger-2.274”
I will load a ladder using H414 and 95 smk’s @ 2.340” to test tomorrow
AK, great info and I'll be able to compare to my results once the 95s arrive later in the week. I did a "what if" in Strelok comparing the 88 load mentioned previously to a 95 load going, I assume, 2600 fps. One less MOA at 1K versus the 88 but no real difference in wind drift. On the other hand, if they move along a bit faster than I assume, the difference will be an advantage. The 75, 80 and 88 shoot well and out to 1K but they're so small that under certain conditions it's hard to call a hit - either they don't move the steel much and/or you can't hear the hit past about 800 yards. Not a problem at the distances one might shoot game, but in a PRS match it can be an issue.
Here is what I found with the 95’s and H414.
03FEB2019 36.3F, 99%H, 30.30inhg
Virgin starline, H414, Rem 7 1/2, HbN coated 95 smk @ 2.340” one click less gas for H414 for lock back compared to cfe223
25.4-2332, 25.6-2405, 25.8-2431, 26.0-2466
26.2-2466, 26.4-2500, 26.6-2521, 26.8-2535
27.0-2549, 27.2-2587, 27.4-2608, 27.6-2589
27.8-2592
5 shot averages
27.4-2604avg, sd6
27.6-2614avg, sd11
27.8-2611avg, sd11
28.0-2667avg, sd24
28.2-2665, sd14
I believe I will retest the 28.0 grain loads as they shot the best and also be more careful in the seating as I believe some of the 28.0-28.2 loads creeped out and touched the lands resulting in a higher es. These are compressed loads at the higher charges and I believe this also aided in the bullet creep along with the violent action of the bcg. Here’s a photo of the 28.0 charge group. I rushed these due to fading light and also it was so foggy it was hard to see the target. There were no signs of pressure but the last two charge weights showed slightly flattened primers, but the brass looked great.
03FEB2019 36.3F, 99%H, 30.30inhg
Virgin starline, H414, Rem 7 1/2, HbN coated 95 smk @ 2.340” one click less gas for H414 for lock back compared to cfe223
25.4-2332, 25.6-2405, 25.8-2431, 26.0-2466
26.2-2466, 26.4-2500, 26.6-2521, 26.8-2535
27.0-2549, 27.2-2587, 27.4-2608, 27.6-2589
27.8-2592
5 shot averages
27.4-2604avg, sd6
27.6-2614avg, sd11
27.8-2611avg, sd11
28.0-2667avg, sd24
28.2-2665, sd14
I believe I will retest the 28.0 grain loads as they shot the best and also be more careful in the seating as I believe some of the 28.0-28.2 loads creeped out and touched the lands resulting in a higher es. These are compressed loads at the higher charges and I believe this also aided in the bullet creep along with the violent action of the bcg. Here’s a photo of the 28.0 charge group. I rushed these due to fading light and also it was so foggy it was hard to see the target. There were no signs of pressure but the last two charge weights showed slightly flattened primers, but the brass looked great.
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AK, great info, thanks. My 95s won't get here until later in the week so it'll be at least a week before I get to test them. I've got H414 and CFE223 as well as PP2000MR. Too bad none of them are of the less temperature sensitive powders than others I'd prefer to use, like ARCOMP and H4895. On the plus side, ball powders like them make for good load density.
Roger that on the load density. I loaded up a bunch more at 28.1 grains and will test today. Cleaned the barrel and will test at 2.340” and 2.335”. Mainly testing to see if the sd will be better as I carefully seated the bullets and double checked them this morning. All loads look good with no bullet creep.
I have a range session tomorrow that will include some different CFE loads to see if they are accurate and have low SDs. I'm also testing to see if applying a factory crimp (which I always have done with semi rounds) or not makes a big difference. My expander ball consistently resizes the Starline necks to .222 so I got to thinking that maybe that was enough neck tension and was consistent whereas my factory crimp might not have been. We'll see.
I abandoned H414 as I couldn’t get the accuracy I wanted. The groups hovered right around 1”-1.25”. It produced some speed though. I had some R17 laying around and tinkered with that today. Here is my workup including H414 data. I’ve noticed my first shot after cleaning is always a little slower. I also used a vibrating toothbrush to settle the powder charges in all cases for these tests.
04FEB2019 34.3F, 99%H, 30.02inhg
Virgin starline, 28.1 of H414, Rem 7 1/2, HbN coated 95 smk @ 2.340” and 2.335”
2.340”-2657avg, sd21
2.335”-2689, 2680, 2708, 2672, 2658; 2681avg, sd13.8
2.360” with H414 @ 28.4-2677, sd10
05FEB2019 29.8F, 92%H, 30.16inhg
2.360” with H414 @ 28.6-2701, sd20
Cleaned barrel
Virgin starline, R17, Rem 7 1/2, HbN coated 95 smk @ 2.355”
26.0-2594 cold clean
26.2-2648
26.4-2668
26.6-2698
26.8-2683
27.0-2708
3 round average (running low on 95’s)
26.6-2682, sd22
26.8-2666, sd3
27.0-2694, sd23
I need to place another order for the 95’s as the groups are much better using R17. My first shot at the 26.6 charge registered 2701 and is the flyer but without it it measures 0.16”. I have 12 bullets left (thus the 3-shot groups) and will try and see if the groups continue to hold with them. 26.6, 26.8 and 27.0 from left to right.
04FEB2019 34.3F, 99%H, 30.02inhg
Virgin starline, 28.1 of H414, Rem 7 1/2, HbN coated 95 smk @ 2.340” and 2.335”
2.340”-2657avg, sd21
2.335”-2689, 2680, 2708, 2672, 2658; 2681avg, sd13.8
2.360” with H414 @ 28.4-2677, sd10
05FEB2019 29.8F, 92%H, 30.16inhg
2.360” with H414 @ 28.6-2701, sd20
Cleaned barrel
Virgin starline, R17, Rem 7 1/2, HbN coated 95 smk @ 2.355”
26.0-2594 cold clean
26.2-2648
26.4-2668
26.6-2698
26.8-2683
27.0-2708
3 round average (running low on 95’s)
26.6-2682, sd22
26.8-2666, sd3
27.0-2694, sd23
I need to place another order for the 95’s as the groups are much better using R17. My first shot at the 26.6 charge registered 2701 and is the flyer but without it it measures 0.16”. I have 12 bullets left (thus the 3-shot groups) and will try and see if the groups continue to hold with them. 26.6, 26.8 and 27.0 from left to right.
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Well, the range session didn't produce anything worth taking a picture of, but CRIMP versus NO CRIMP produced no difference in speed for the same load but the SD/ES numbers were a bit better for NO CRIMP. With an 88 seated to 2.340", there is a bit over .340" of the bullet in the case. I've been shooting them with NO CRIMP for the last week and no issues with the bullets moving one way or the other. Your 95 load data is very promising so thanks for posting it. My 95s are still sitting in TN and they won't get to me in VA this week it looks like.
Finding the correct seating depth in my Custom AR15 Faxon Firearms 224 Valkyrie
AK, well the 95s just arrived and the COAL on the Bison 20" is 3.360". I gather that the ones you've loaded with R17 at 3.355" were single fed. I can seat mine out to 2.348" and mag feed them. I'll try your R17 loads, probably starting with 26.8 since I won't get your velocity numbers with a 20" barrel, but I'd sure like to get 2600 or very close to it. I'll crono some tomorrow and we'll see. Again, thanks for the load data.
I think your COAL is a bit off. Maybe I’m wrong. You could have one heck of a free bore done to that thing. Just being funny.
I do appreciate you guys posting what you are getting for results. I’m hoping to be posting some of my own soon. Been seeing some pretty crazy stuff out of the .224 read a post last night where a guy got the 88gr a little over 2950 that’s crazy fast.
And a 88 at 2950 - where can I get one of those barrels?
Sent you a PM
I think you could get to 2600 without running into pressure. I think the average loss is about 20fps per inch with the Valkyrie.
I ran out of 95’s and have 500 more on the way. If they continue to hold the accuracy I was getting they will be my go to for paper and steel. I may try to see if they shoot well jumping more too, as feeding wasn’t the best that long. In my ten round mags I have found loading eight works much better for the first two rounds. When loaded to ten I was hanging up on the first two. I got them to mag feed at 2.355” but had to bang the back of the mag against my palm to settle all rounds to the back and jiggle it just right to lock in place. Okay for what I do but in prs it wouldn’t be good. Hope the 95’s shoot for you they are a slick bullet.
I’d start at 26.0 or 26.2 to be safe as I coat my bullets in HbN and this lowers the pressure a tad. Then you can compare your velocities to mine. 27.0 was max in my rifle if I want to reload the brass with this particular lot of R17. It is a few years old and not sure how consistent the lot to lot variations are for R17.
You may need more or less than 26.8 to get to 2600 but I’m sure you will safely get there even in the 20” Bison. I have read that they also like 0.050”-0.060” jump which is what I’ll try when I get my next batch in.
AK, just back from the range (100 yards) and some promising results and surprising numbers with the 95s and the 20" Bison 6.5T.
Since you already blazed the trail, I went right for 26.8 / R17, bullets seated to 2.345", BR4 primer, many times fired Starline. The barrel was cold and clean for the first shot which was 2" above POA. The next four were .75". Not so great SD19 and ES48 but the brass was ok and the AVG was 2580 which is good. You were right on with your 20 fps / inch differential. I think this is max for this barrel but the load can be tweeked. It's super out to 1300. This is one to work with even though I don't like R17 due to its temperature sensitivity. I've got a lot of experience with it from my early 243 loads especially during the summer.
Next up was a 27.1 of PP 2K seated to 2.300", BR4 primer, etc. I may have pulled the fourth shot which made the five shots 1.25" but the other four measured . .70", AVG 2626, SD 12 and ES 31. Also one that can be improved. Brass ok but close to max it looks like. This one I can seat out farther and lessen the pressure a bit.
The 28.4 H414 load was all over the place but the AVG for five was 2693 - never expected that out of a 20" with a 95. Otherwise a loser as loaded.
Last was 26.9 of CFE223 seated to 2.345", BR4, etc.. Six shots at 1" even, AVG 2710 (wow), SD 18, ES 51. This load appears to be at max so I believe dropping it at least several tenths will improve it. We'll get to that next week.
Powder temp = 60, Air temp = 66 today. DA would be in the low hundreds, but at 100 yards not important.
Just ordered 200 more 95s. Looks like the way to go with the Bison.
I forgot to ask: are you experiencing any bullet deformation when seating, especially with R17? My first round was really dented, so I went and got the lapping compound I ordered and it helped quite a bit. I really don't think it has any effect on accuracy, but it just shouldn't be there.
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