PoPo3
Active Member
I finally got a load developed for this rifle. It has turned in to a pretty decent shooter. I am currently running the 147 ELD-M at 3000 fps. My load is 56.5 grains of R-26 with an OAL of 3.000". The biggest setback with this cartridge is the brass. I first bought Hornady brass and it sucked. I wasn't getting consistent neck tension at all. Five pieces of the first 35 I played with would not even hold a bullet. It fell completely through the neck AFTER sizing. I was using a .290 neck bushing, which worked for the other 30, but I would have easily needed a .288 for the other five. Pretty inconsistent in my book.
I could see that it would want to shoot because I would get these phenomenal groups and then a crazy flier (1-1.5 moa out of the group). The chronograph helped when I ran some loads over it. I just couldn't figure out what was going on. I ordered Bertram brass and the problem all but stopped. Once fired/prepped Bertram brass started showing the rifle's potential. Fliers were gone and most groups were sitting in the .3-.5 range.
That's enough about the brass. I hear some really good companies are following suit and are going to be making brass so that will hopefully be a moot point in the coming months.
The rifle shoots well (.5 moa at my testing distance of 350) and the recoil is manageable (I do not run a brake). Can't give a lifespan of the barrel at this point, but hoping to get somewhere in the neighborhood of 1500 rounds before it goes **** up. For unknown distance type stuff I can really see the advantage with this round. I'm getting 275 FPS faster than my creedmoor (I run the 147s in it as well) and I am not running hot loads in either. If you fancied a brake, I'm assuming the recoil would be negligible as well.
I could see that it would want to shoot because I would get these phenomenal groups and then a crazy flier (1-1.5 moa out of the group). The chronograph helped when I ran some loads over it. I just couldn't figure out what was going on. I ordered Bertram brass and the problem all but stopped. Once fired/prepped Bertram brass started showing the rifle's potential. Fliers were gone and most groups were sitting in the .3-.5 range.
That's enough about the brass. I hear some really good companies are following suit and are going to be making brass so that will hopefully be a moot point in the coming months.
The rifle shoots well (.5 moa at my testing distance of 350) and the recoil is manageable (I do not run a brake). Can't give a lifespan of the barrel at this point, but hoping to get somewhere in the neighborhood of 1500 rounds before it goes **** up. For unknown distance type stuff I can really see the advantage with this round. I'm getting 275 FPS faster than my creedmoor (I run the 147s in it as well) and I am not running hot loads in either. If you fancied a brake, I'm assuming the recoil would be negligible as well.
