After several load tests and a great deal of time at the reloading bench I was able to get out this morning to test my most promising loads. (I apologize in advance for the crappy pics)
Rifle specs:
Badger M2008 Action (.308)
Kreiger 20" heavy flutes/ brake
AICS 2.0
Timney 510 trigger @ 2.75lbs
Premier 3-15x50
Badger 34mm USMC rings
Weather Conditions:
5200 ASL
Crystal clear skies
70 Degrees
30 Baro.
18% Hum.
15-20 Mph 1/2 value wind from the rear (WTF?!?)
When I woke up this morning the wind was howling (25-30), and I was unsure if it was worth it to get out and testing. I decided to go out on the basis that sitting home and studying Marx for my Critical Theory class would be much less enjoyable than slinging led in crappy wind conditions. It wasn't much of a choice really.
My spot is about a 15 minute drive, and 1.5 mile hike from 4500 ASL to 5400 ASL and down into a bowl at 5200 ASL, so with all my gear it takes about 45 minutes to get there and set everything up. Once it was all set up, the wind was down from 25-30 to 15-20 1/2 value. Still not very good, but doable. I set the targets at 477 yds. I wanted 500, but 477 is all I can get with a clear view.
I pulled out 5 rounds of some cheap factory loads to fowl my barrel and had 2 failures to fire. The primer strikes seemed pretty shallow on all rounds. I tried both of the failed rounds a second time and only 1 fired.
Figuring that 4 rounds is enough fowling, I decided to commence with the testing. I loaded 10 rounds of each load (44.0gn - 44.9gn) in 0.3gn increments using Hornady Match brass, Feder 210 Match primers, and 175 SMK's. I fired 5 rounds of each load per string, making 2 strings of 20, and 40 rounds total.
Results:
44.0 gn: (not worth showing)
44.3 gn: (not worth showing)
44.6 (String 1)
44.9 (String 2)
Conclusions:
I'm not super experienced in load testing, 44.9gn seemed to be the ticket (if you see something I don't please bring it to my attention). My chrony is down and I have no money to buy a new one, so I didn't get a velocity reading. After a playing with the velocity values on JBM I was able to match my dope to my impacts, giving me roughly 2750 fps. If you have an extra chrony that you want to get rid of for a decent price feel free to pm me (I am medically retired Marine, and now a starving student who relies on peoples generosity to keep shooting).
The action was very smooth, heavy and feels bomb proof, but the tolerances seemed a little tight for a tactical action and I could definitely feel an increase in resistance as the dust in the air settled on the bolt. I figure this could be remedied by fluting the bolt which has been suggested before.
Personally, I am not a big fan of the 60 degree bolt throw, but it really doesn't bother me that much. I have just spent the vast majority of my time behind a Rem. 700 and got used to it, and I'm sure I'll get there with this too.
Not great groups, but given the conditions, I am happy with her performance and would recommend this action to someone who wants a 60 degree bolt throw in a custom action for a reasonable price.
Rifle specs:
Badger M2008 Action (.308)
Kreiger 20" heavy flutes/ brake
AICS 2.0
Timney 510 trigger @ 2.75lbs
Premier 3-15x50
Badger 34mm USMC rings
Weather Conditions:
5200 ASL
Crystal clear skies
70 Degrees
30 Baro.
18% Hum.
15-20 Mph 1/2 value wind from the rear (WTF?!?)
When I woke up this morning the wind was howling (25-30), and I was unsure if it was worth it to get out and testing. I decided to go out on the basis that sitting home and studying Marx for my Critical Theory class would be much less enjoyable than slinging led in crappy wind conditions. It wasn't much of a choice really.
My spot is about a 15 minute drive, and 1.5 mile hike from 4500 ASL to 5400 ASL and down into a bowl at 5200 ASL, so with all my gear it takes about 45 minutes to get there and set everything up. Once it was all set up, the wind was down from 25-30 to 15-20 1/2 value. Still not very good, but doable. I set the targets at 477 yds. I wanted 500, but 477 is all I can get with a clear view.
I pulled out 5 rounds of some cheap factory loads to fowl my barrel and had 2 failures to fire. The primer strikes seemed pretty shallow on all rounds. I tried both of the failed rounds a second time and only 1 fired.
Figuring that 4 rounds is enough fowling, I decided to commence with the testing. I loaded 10 rounds of each load (44.0gn - 44.9gn) in 0.3gn increments using Hornady Match brass, Feder 210 Match primers, and 175 SMK's. I fired 5 rounds of each load per string, making 2 strings of 20, and 40 rounds total.
Results:
44.0 gn: (not worth showing)
44.3 gn: (not worth showing)
44.6 (String 1)
44.9 (String 2)
Conclusions:
I'm not super experienced in load testing, 44.9gn seemed to be the ticket (if you see something I don't please bring it to my attention). My chrony is down and I have no money to buy a new one, so I didn't get a velocity reading. After a playing with the velocity values on JBM I was able to match my dope to my impacts, giving me roughly 2750 fps. If you have an extra chrony that you want to get rid of for a decent price feel free to pm me (I am medically retired Marine, and now a starving student who relies on peoples generosity to keep shooting).
The action was very smooth, heavy and feels bomb proof, but the tolerances seemed a little tight for a tactical action and I could definitely feel an increase in resistance as the dust in the air settled on the bolt. I figure this could be remedied by fluting the bolt which has been suggested before.
Personally, I am not a big fan of the 60 degree bolt throw, but it really doesn't bother me that much. I have just spent the vast majority of my time behind a Rem. 700 and got used to it, and I'm sure I'll get there with this too.
Not great groups, but given the conditions, I am happy with her performance and would recommend this action to someone who wants a 60 degree bolt throw in a custom action for a reasonable price.
