Re: Just picked up my new BigHorn action rifle
Shot the rifle the last couple of days.
I do the barrel break-in procedure more from the standpoint of how well it cleans later on. 1 shot & clean for 4 rounds, 2 shots & clean, 2 shots & clean is all it took. Pretty much NO copper fouling now when I clean it, and that is with Sweet's cleaner.
Today I shot sub .3 groups with 3 different loads. Full case prep on Winchester cases, OAL 2.805" on all. I also use a Bersin tool on each round to check concentricity. Don't know if it helps but by the looks of the results it sure isn't hurting things.
175 SMK's (43.5 grains XBR8208 powder) .200"
SD 6.1 ES 14.5 2787 fps
178 AMAX's (42.5 grains XBR8208 powder) .151"
SD 4.5 ES 11.8 2698 fps
190 SMK's (42.0 grains IMR 4895 powder) .280"
SD 8.5 ES 15.2 2640 fps
Granted these are not 10 shot groups - that will come later after I settle on a load.
Loaded up some more ammo tonight and bracketed the best charges from today. Hopefully they'll all shoot well.
So far 65 rounds down the barrel and it just keeps shooting better.
Damn fine rifle, glad I bought it.
175 SMK
190 SMK
178 AMAX