First match barrel, need clarification

[Danger_Close]

First post, full time lurker.
I purchased an LRI drop in barrel for my Ruger precision rifle and am having trouble getting an answer I can comprehend. Although this is not my first replacement barrel, it’s the first one I had “options” when purchased.

The chambering is 6.5CM, Berger hybrid-*

Of the 2 offerings, I chose the Berger hybrid in lieu of the Hornady ELD, as I was told over the phone that the Berger selection was optimized for hand loading vs factory ammo.

I am partial to the ELDs and loaded them exclusively for this rifle prior to the barrel swap. I also load them for 2 additional rifles I own.

Question:
Do I need to switch to Berger projectiles to take advantage of this new barrel? Or will the ELDs do well also? Am I limited to handloads only?

Some clarification is greatly appreciated.

 

[Temper]

Should shoot either or well.

 

[308pirate]

Did you ask LRI?

 

[b6graham]

they'll likely shoot just fine. find your lands and do load development like normal

 

[Danger_Close]

Did you ask LRI?

I did and they were so busy at the time I didn’t push the conversation. Which is my fault for sure. There is no doubt they would take the time had I professed my ignorance and confusion. I heard “best for hand loads” and sent it. My brain shut off.

I was able to find a thread here a few minutes ago with some creative key word searching that addresses my exact question. I am satisfied I am in good shape now.

 

[308pirate]

I did and they were so busy at the time I didn’t push the conversation. Which is my fault for sure. There is no doubt they would take the time had I professed my ignorance and confusion. I heard “best for hand loads” and sent it. My brain shut off.

I was able to find a thread here a few minutes ago with some creative key word searching that addresses my exact question. I am satisfied I am in good shape now.

Good deal.

 

[Danger_Close]

Basically, the Berger reamer is -030” freebore vs the VLD reamer from what I understand. Guys are finding that factory ELDs have to be re-seated a bit or the bullet jambs the lands and increased pressure signs are evident.

This should help a ton actually as I was COAL limited by the mag before and stuck at -069” off with ELDMs.

 

[Steel head]

Shoot either.
Barrel probably won’t care.

 

[Ranger188]

D_C sounds like you found your answer. Nice job
Either bullet will shoot in your new barrel.
You just need to find the right jump for each bullet that works with your
new barrel and load. All part of the fun.

 

[Danger_Close]

Thank you, I can’t wait. Honestly that is where my OCD is actually encouraged and I have a lot of fun developing. I have high expectations for this new barrel and cannot wait to see what it is capable of.
Just resized 250 Norma Prime and 200 Lapua virgin cases, barrel is getting headspaced tonight, and to the range this weekend to start the journey.

 

[Sheldon N]

Just resized 250 Norma Prime and 200 Lapua virgin cases

Check your headspace before you fire those, usually virgin brass does not need to be resized or have the shoulder pushed back.

 

[Ledzep]

The "berger" reamer has a shorter throat that can interfere with some factory ammo-- especially blunter nosed hunting ammo, but allows low drag (long nose) bullets to be seated within magazine length. However, most folks now are running magazines that allow for 2.930-.2960" COAL so that's mostly a non-issue. You'll probably end up at 2.860" or so COAL or shorter with that reamer.

The Hornady/SAAMI reamer has quite a bit of free bore that should be .0005" over bullet diameter that is there to 1) Get the bullet out of the case for better powder volume and 2) align the bullet in the bore to help reduce risk of damaging the projectile.

Subtle differences either way and neither is outright right or wrong. You just may jam into the lands pretty hard with some factory ammo with the shorter throat.

This all assumes a Manson/JGS reamer, or the off chance PTG pulls their poop into a group and grinds the reamer to print.

 

[Danger_Close]

I actually spot checked both lots and, as expected, found very little deviation. I know there is a debate on resizing virgin brass and I have always done it just to make sure, as I’ve found fairly big inconsistencies with federal/Winchester and hornady brass. Not so much with Norma/Starline/Lapua. I do not have a fireformed case to compare yet for this new barrel so I’m kind of limited to verifying case dimension per the book and or dimensions based on the average across a few different factory ammos. I guess?

 

[spife7980]

I do not have a fireformed case to compare yet for this new barrel so I’m kind of limited to verifying case dimension per the book and or dimensions based on the average across a few different factory ammos. I guess?

If its a ruger precison barrel dont you have to use a go gauge to set the headspace? If so measure that and compare it to your brass.

 

[Danger_Close]

The "berger" reamer has a shorter throat that can interfere with some factory ammo-- especially blunter nosed hunting ammo, but allows low drag (long nose) bullets to be seated within magazine length. However, most folks now are running magazines that allow for 2.930-.2960" COAL so that's mostly a non-issue. You'll probably end up at 2.860" or so COAL or shorter with that reamer.

The Hornady/SAAMI reamer has quite a bit of free bore that should be .0005" over bullet diameter that is there to 1) Get the bullet out of the case for better powder volume and 2) align the bullet in the bore to help reduce risk of damaging the projectile.

Subtle differences either way and neither is outright right or wrong. You just may jam into the lands pretty hard with some factory ammo with the shorter throat.

This all assumes a Manson/JGS reamer, or the off chance PTG pulls their poop into a group and grinds the reamer to print.

This is the issue I had prior. I’m still running the Magpul mag that was supplied with the rifle. No modifications to the mag.

I have a modified case and OAL gauge for this caliber so the plan is to bump it and back out 15 thou to start. I’m hoping I can stay inside 30 off and still fit the mag. That has not been the case previously.

 

[Danger_Close]

If its a ruger precison barrel dont you have to use a go gauge to set the headspace? If so measure that and compare it to your brass.

Heh. I guess your right. Didn’t think about that. Good call

 

[spife7980]

This is the issue I had prior. I’m still running the Magpul mag that was supplied with the rifle. No modifications to the mag.

I have a modified case and OAL gauge for this caliber so the plan is to bump it and back out 15 thou to start. I’m hoping I can stay inside 30 off and still fit the mag. That has not been the case previously.

Get a good mag. An AICS pattern magpul for 35 bucks, not that lr/sr crap one. Youll enjoy life much more.

 

[Sheldon N]

I do not have a fireformed case to compare yet for this new barrel so I’m kind of limited to verifying case dimension per the book and or dimensions based on the average across a few different factory ammos. I guess?

I've usually found Lapua brass to be around 0.006 headspace on virgin firing depending on the chambering. Wouldn't want to push it further than that.

My suggestion would be to go fire 10 cases and measure them for headspace with a Hornady comparator against the virgin brass that you already resized. Depending on how much headspace there was you could determine how to proceed. My own approach would probably be to just fire them if it was 0.008 or less headspace. If it was 0.010 or more I might consider jamming bullets with a moderate charge weight on the first firing of the brass to avoid excess case stretch and premature case head separation.

Or just set the barrel headspace short to match the brass and use that for the life of the barrel, assuming you're not going to use factory ammo anyway since the freebore is shorter.