So I had my local smith open up the barrel extension to fit my feedramp on my factory 26" DTA conversion 6.5 CM.
It does fit and I took it to the range to shoot some factory and some handloads to establish some kind of a baseline. Group sizes were merely eyeballed CTC using the reticle and the paper 1" squares. As long as I get 1/2" 5 shot or 0.75" 10 shot group at 100 yards and single digits SDs, I'm a happy camper. I'd rather be outside shooting than spend hours developing and tuning loads.
Anyhow, here's some MS3 chrono data.
- Factory Sako 136 Scenar - 2815 FPS, SD9. 3/8 MOA at 100 yards. Verified at 300 yards
- Factory Hornady 147 ELD-M - 2750 FPS, SD10, 1/2 MOA or better at 100 yards. Verified at 300 yards
- Factory FGMM Berger 130 - 2914 FPS, SD 15, 1-1.25 MOA MOA group - I think the barrel was too hot will have to shoot it again.
- Factory Hornady 143 ELD-X - 2720 FPS, 1-1.25 MOA group - Will also need to shoot more. Could have been me. But certainly wasn't impressed with the FGMM and the ELD-X. Worst case I'll just use it for steel and tripod practice and save the brass for reloading.
The Hornady 147 looked the most promising on paper, especially at 300 yards but knowing about the issues with the bullets blowing up, I can't really trust it but it was good to establish an accuracy baseline. Really loved the Sako stuff, might become my goto hunting ammo this fall since I bough a case for a pretty good price before the shortage). I just wish Sako used SRP instead of LRP since I think they use Lapua brass.
Handloads with new Lapua SRP brass that was only primed with CCI 450s, no resize or prep although I was surprised how bad the necks looked, still shot above expectation:
- Lapua SRP 40gr Varget, Scenar 123, 2.790" OAL, 3000 FPS, SD5 - 3/8 moa. Noticeably less recoil than the Hornady 147 ELD-M but even at 3000 FPS in a variable 5-10MPH crosswind it was loosing to the 140s at 300 yards. Still very nice alternative when I run out of H4350.
- Lapua SRP 42.0gr H4350, Berger 140, 2.840" OAL, 1/2 MOA. 2800 FPS SD 12.5
- Lapua SRP 42.5gr H4350, Berger 140, 2.840" OAL, 3/8 MOA or better. 2837 FPS SD 9.8 Verified at 300 yards
- Lapua SRP 42.5gr H4350, Scenar 139, 2.825" OAL, 3/8 MOA or better. 2840FPS SD 5. Verified at 300 yards
No pressure sign at 42.5 H4350 but it wasn't that hot. 15C at 4000' Density altitude
The only real issue I had yesterday was the return to zero. I would shoot couple of strings, barrel would get piping hot, so I would remove it and shoot the SAC 223 kit because it makes a mediocre shooter like me, groups 1/4 moa and build confidence. But then when I put the 6.5 conversion kit back, I was about off by about 0.5 mils both vertically and horizontally, as opposed to the SAC 223 barrel where to return to zero is within 0.1 mil or better, I can't even tell because I'm not a good enough shooter. So I think it could be due to the fact that the barrel extension is probably a wee bit looser so maybe there a method that I could use to minimize the POI, maybe putting some kind of pressure on the barrel while it's seated against the ramp?
Also any suggestion for a cheap fan/barrel cooling device to cool down the barrel once it's out of the rifle, ideally something that uses a USB battery or 18650.
And finally, if I had a time machine, I would have bought from SAC, or Special Purpose rifle or Primal Right and get a heavier contour than the factory. I'll probably go with a Krieger or Bartlein heavy varmint when I rebarrel next time although I'm satisfied with the factory DTA conv kit, just not with the company.