New member, long time creeper. After placing an order for a 26" m24 contour creedmoor barrel from X-Caliber, i learned that i could just buy a PMR rifle from MPA for likely less than I could build it myself - so i did. It arrived significantly earlier than expected and boy was the wait worth it. 
The rifle is just beautiful, fit and finish is pristine and screams money well spent. Only thing I was not real happy with was the case they sent with it, doesn't provide enough space for the gun once it's scoped up. A nice drag-bag fixed that and a homeless shotgun found refuge in the too-small case from MPA.
Was lucky enough to take the gun out this last saturday to shoot a few ladder tests and break the barrel in. I'm not new to reloading but the results have me scratching my head. I loaded up this ladder to 1. search for a velocity node and 2. find the upper limits of pressure. I can semi-confidently say I might've found what i was looking for?
Loaded ladders with H4350 and 140gr elds as well as 123gr elds that I shoot through my grendel. I've attached pictures of the velocity findings from the ladders.
With the 140 grs I loaded up 40.9 - 43.8, .3 gr increments except for 43.8, 43.4 and 43.0. The test didn't produce as clear of a velocity node(s) as I would've liked, but told me the h4350/140gr eld was going to be a good combo. 1st, I was blown away by the velocities achieved. 2nd terrified by the huge velocity drop at 43.8. At the high end, primers were in tact and minimal ejector marks / bolt lift. Does not mean I am going to push any further or that those charge weights are safe, but interesting. 7 out of the 10 ladder charges grouped in a nice little .45 moa bug hole. I went and loaded up more at 42.7 and have attached the group and velocity data from that as well. Not happy with the ES or the two fliers, but i suspect if I had loaded them up at the bench and not the bed of my truck the SD/ES would've been tighter.
The velocities and group from the 123gr ladder test also were better than expected. I did find very defined velocity nodes with this, and wish pressure signs were a little more friendly at the top of my test. Pressure signs were minimal but don't feel like subjecting the gun to that hot of a load. A 123gr load going ~3100 would be a bad ass predator/pig load. Don't think I will explore this load any more outside of using up old bullet stock for plinking.
I topped the rifle up with an Athlon Ares ETR and I could not be happier with the scope and its performance, so far. Beautiful clarity and excellent low-light performance.
I'm kinda confused by my 140gr eld ladder test data, but know that with a little oal work the 42.7 load will shoot lights out. Please provide any insight/recommendations.
Overall I am blown away by the MPA PMR performance and would recommend anyone that is on the fence to go ahead and pull the trigger on it - it is worth it.
The rifle is just beautiful, fit and finish is pristine and screams money well spent. Only thing I was not real happy with was the case they sent with it, doesn't provide enough space for the gun once it's scoped up. A nice drag-bag fixed that and a homeless shotgun found refuge in the too-small case from MPA.
Was lucky enough to take the gun out this last saturday to shoot a few ladder tests and break the barrel in. I'm not new to reloading but the results have me scratching my head. I loaded up this ladder to 1. search for a velocity node and 2. find the upper limits of pressure. I can semi-confidently say I might've found what i was looking for?
Loaded ladders with H4350 and 140gr elds as well as 123gr elds that I shoot through my grendel. I've attached pictures of the velocity findings from the ladders.
With the 140 grs I loaded up 40.9 - 43.8, .3 gr increments except for 43.8, 43.4 and 43.0. The test didn't produce as clear of a velocity node(s) as I would've liked, but told me the h4350/140gr eld was going to be a good combo. 1st, I was blown away by the velocities achieved. 2nd terrified by the huge velocity drop at 43.8. At the high end, primers were in tact and minimal ejector marks / bolt lift. Does not mean I am going to push any further or that those charge weights are safe, but interesting. 7 out of the 10 ladder charges grouped in a nice little .45 moa bug hole. I went and loaded up more at 42.7 and have attached the group and velocity data from that as well. Not happy with the ES or the two fliers, but i suspect if I had loaded them up at the bench and not the bed of my truck the SD/ES would've been tighter.
The velocities and group from the 123gr ladder test also were better than expected. I did find very defined velocity nodes with this, and wish pressure signs were a little more friendly at the top of my test. Pressure signs were minimal but don't feel like subjecting the gun to that hot of a load. A 123gr load going ~3100 would be a bad ass predator/pig load. Don't think I will explore this load any more outside of using up old bullet stock for plinking.
I topped the rifle up with an Athlon Ares ETR and I could not be happier with the scope and its performance, so far. Beautiful clarity and excellent low-light performance.
I'm kinda confused by my 140gr eld ladder test data, but know that with a little oal work the 42.7 load will shoot lights out. Please provide any insight/recommendations.
Overall I am blown away by the MPA PMR performance and would recommend anyone that is on the fence to go ahead and pull the trigger on it - it is worth it.
