All,
Got a new 6GT barrel in from Patriot Valley Friday and thought I'd share some initial tests:
Stats:
Curtis Vector Action
26" 1/7.5 Twist
Fat Bastard Break
Barrel tuner (forget the name, I haven't done testing with the tuner yet--not sure I need to with the load I stumbled upon)
All shots were 109 Berger Long Range Hybrid Target with virgin Hornady brass
Varget: Overall, I couldn't get the velocities I wanted. Ladder test from 32.0-33.4. I started running into ejector swipes at 32.8 running 2851fps. High node was at 32.6 @ 2798. 3, 5 shot groups averaged 1/2" at 100m.
StaBall: Due to little data on staball in this caliber and with this pill, I started the ladder at 37.0 (2848fps) and went up to 40.8 (3061fps) where I finally got ejector swipes. The high node was wide at 40.2-40.8. I settled in on 40.6 running 3021fps. Over 15 rounds, the ES was 18 and SD of 6.4. Admittedly, I slapped the trigger on 3 of those 15 rounds, opening the group up to 1/2". Without those 3, it was one ragged 3/8" hole.
Going to test the same load with Alpha brass this week while playing with the tuner. Alpha is a little thicker than Hornady, so I'll probably back off 0.2 grains before trying 40.6.
As for seating length....I didn't have a modified case to measure. I did it the old fashioned way and just tested different seating depths until the bolt easily closed at 2.618". I tested 2.600" down to 2.555" and settled in on 2.575" OAL due to lowest ES and best group.
Anyway, really happy the results. I thought it would take longer to find a good load. Hope that helps someone headed down the same path.
Cheers,
Rumlover (when I can find brass)
Got a new 6GT barrel in from Patriot Valley Friday and thought I'd share some initial tests:
Stats:
Curtis Vector Action
26" 1/7.5 Twist
Fat Bastard Break
Barrel tuner (forget the name, I haven't done testing with the tuner yet--not sure I need to with the load I stumbled upon)
All shots were 109 Berger Long Range Hybrid Target with virgin Hornady brass
Varget: Overall, I couldn't get the velocities I wanted. Ladder test from 32.0-33.4. I started running into ejector swipes at 32.8 running 2851fps. High node was at 32.6 @ 2798. 3, 5 shot groups averaged 1/2" at 100m.
StaBall: Due to little data on staball in this caliber and with this pill, I started the ladder at 37.0 (2848fps) and went up to 40.8 (3061fps) where I finally got ejector swipes. The high node was wide at 40.2-40.8. I settled in on 40.6 running 3021fps. Over 15 rounds, the ES was 18 and SD of 6.4. Admittedly, I slapped the trigger on 3 of those 15 rounds, opening the group up to 1/2". Without those 3, it was one ragged 3/8" hole.
Going to test the same load with Alpha brass this week while playing with the tuner. Alpha is a little thicker than Hornady, so I'll probably back off 0.2 grains before trying 40.6.
As for seating length....I didn't have a modified case to measure. I did it the old fashioned way and just tested different seating depths until the bolt easily closed at 2.618". I tested 2.600" down to 2.555" and settled in on 2.575" OAL due to lowest ES and best group.
Anyway, really happy the results. I thought it would take longer to find a good load. Hope that helps someone headed down the same path.
Cheers,
Rumlover (when I can find brass)
