What weight and what type of projectile are you loading with? O.A.L? What sorts of pressure signs are you looking for?
I am still working with 130gn Berger target VLD's. I am currently @ 29gn of CFE with a light crimp - OAL 2.295, and as soon as it stops raining, I intend to work up to 31gn of CFE with an OAL of 2.300
What velocities are you getting with the Berger 130's? Barrel length? The VLD's can be loaded as long as your mag will tolerate, since the narrow ogive won't engage the lands unless you load them really long, past mag length.
Things I look for with pressure signs by escapation of pressure indications:
1) Chronograph data: Erratic velocities, extreme spikes in velocities
2) Flattening of primers
3) Cratering of primers
4) Ejector shadow
5) Ejector swipes
6) Ejector Extrusion
7) Case web bulging-the area above the extractor groove
8) Pierced primers
9) Blown primers
10) Eschar from primer pocket
From there we go into split cases, separated case heads, and catastrophic malfs.
Last edited by bwaites; 03-30-2012 at 09:24 PM.
I don't have any chrono data yet for the 130's. I have a 24" Stainless Steel Bull barrel. The magazine I have will allow an OAL of 2.285 with reliable function, a 130gn VLD with an OAL of 2.350 will get stuck in the lands of the rifling so with out causing extra pressure issues I'm sticking with a Max OAL of 2.300. For now my goal is to get them to impact within at least two inches lower from where 120gn Sierra Spitzers impact @ 200yds. Current POI for the 130 VLD over 29gn of CFE is 4 1/2" below the Sierras. I will chrono the load that gets me close to my goal before moving on to RL15.
If you could run the 130gr VLD's at 2500fps, that would be a no-BS 800yd load. I use them in my .260 Rem, but at 2840fps, which is a 1200-1300yd load easy. 1000yds is almost boring with them.
I had been working on CFE223 but haven't for the past month because of health issues. I'll be getting back to it soon. So far, I've worked loads in my 16 inch gas piston gun because it shows pressure signs before my DI guns do. I've been using Lapua brass, the old silver WSR primers, COAL 2.260, 120gr Barnes TTSX. Data thus far (without groups yet). No crimp.
30gr CFE223 2400fps
31gr CFE223 2490fps
32gr CFE223 2550fps
Nice work!! If I get these 130gn VLD's to 2500 fps, I'm going to work with 130gn Norma GT's and 123gn Nosler Custom Comp's next. I may even try some Power Pro 2000MR and RL15.
Last edited by Bwild97; 03-31-2012 at 03:12 AM.
CFE 223 powder, Hornady 6.5 Grendel brass, 123 gr SIE HPBT, CCI BR4 small rifle primers, COL 2.250. No crono for velocity. Info for all loads tested. Shot from a AR 15, piston op, 18" AA BBL.
Last edited by big g fan; 03-31-2012 at 02:29 AM. Reason: additional info
I’m not surrounded I’m in the middle of a target rich environment!
Thanx Big G!
I would not recommend using CFE223 in the 6.5 round. It is too slow burning to get top velocity and your pressure will be low and cause poor ignition and lard standard deviations. I'd stick with BLC or 8208.
Interesting. Not the results that many are experiencing!Originally Posted by Kal-El33
“The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles.”
Jeff Cooper
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