I'm considering sending my Bergara HMR bolt in for a bush job. I recently switched to Lapua cases with the small flash hole. So far cratering has not been an issue (it is there but not excessive) but my current pet load for the gun is pretty mild (41.6 gr H4350 under a 140 ELDM). This gets me about 2700 FPS average. I would eventually like to explore some higher speed loads but I'm worried the cratering issue would become a problem then. How long can I expect to be without my gun if I send it in to ,say, Gretan? I hear they do great work. I would hate to wait for weeks as I am used to hitting the range at least once weekly.
Bush job turnaround times?
- Thread starter Cerwinski
- Start date
Wow that's a big difference. On a side note, how do I know the cratering is getting excessive (other than pierced primers)? I think I can sometimes feel a bit more difficult bolt lift with the Lapua cases compared to my old Hornady stuff. Am I correct to blame this on the cratering? Another question (sorry). Does the bushing procedure compromise the bolt strength in any way? I assume they drill out the center of the bolt face then braze or weld the bushing in. My gun is a 6.5 CM BTW.
There are multiple reasons and combinations of possible reasons for this issues. I know many people that have this issue and never address it. To me it’s simple. By eliminating the known issue I mitigate the possibility of a Pierced primer.
The brass is not the issue, it’s the different primers and or pressures that are causing your cratering. Added to your over sized firing pin hole or under sized firing pin.
Sticky bolt lift is most often over pressure load, poorly resized brass, excessively dirty chamber.
No issue with bolt strength, or head space change.
The brass is not the issue, it’s the different primers and or pressures that are causing your cratering. Added to your over sized firing pin hole or under sized firing pin.
Sticky bolt lift is most often over pressure load, poorly resized brass, excessively dirty chamber.
No issue with bolt strength, or head space change.
I'm told by several that Bergara has excellent customer service, i wonder if they might be of assistance?
They may be but I think they would just say it's in spec. This is a known issue with this gun using small rifle primers with 6.5 Creed. As it stands it is tolerable but I'm wondering what would happen if I tried some warmer loads. Zero cratering was noted at all using Hornady brass and up to 42.2 grains 4350.
I'd trust lri, as they are one of the few, or only, that are brave/confident enough to work on a 925.00 ai bolt.
