New 10" barrel, bullet stability problems

[buffetdestroyer]

Originally Posted by snipecatcher

I've used 3 different powders, at many charge weights, trying many combinations of bullet/seating depth. So far, the only bullet that appears to work in this barrel is the 208 Amax. I took some with me this weekend and shot them at 150 yards, and they were stable, BUT, my load was a consistent 1120 fps. I mis-judged the charge weight a bit. I'm going to load up some more at 1050 fps and see how they shoot. It sucks being stuck with one bullet, which is perpetually out of stock, but if they work, I'll make the 200 or so that I have last.
-Dan

Snipecatcher,that really sucks that you are still having stability issues, but maybe 175, 180, 190 or 200 gr. might work if you are just barely stabilizing the 220+ grain bullets. It should have the same effect of tumbling at that point but won't have as much overall energy if you are using them for hunting.

You might also try fire lapping the barrel and see if it is just something from in the rifling that needs to be polished out. Shoot me a PM if you need some lapping compound for making DIY fire lapping bullets and I can let you borrow mine.


I have yet to see 208 Amax's in stock since I have been loading my .300 WTF so I don't know if I can believe that they really exist yet!

[snipecatcher]

Even 168 SMK's were not 100% stable. I know what you mean about the 208's! I bought 500 of them for $20/100 when Midway had its' last big Blem bullets sale. Thanks for the offer on the lapping compound. I'm going to keep playing with it, and if I can't get anything else to work, I may take you up on that.
Regards,
-Dan

[Retooferab]

What powders are you using and what velocities are you loading to?

[snipecatcher]

I've documented a lot of it in this thread, but I'm using AA1680, VVN110, and Alliant 2400, and I've tried everything from 900-1200 fps. I've tried lots of combinations/charge weights/etc., burned through probably $100-200 worth of components, and I arrive at the same result. I'm going to keep experimenting though. In fact, as I'm typing this, my Chargemaster is metering out 2400 for supersonic loads. The supersonics are great. I killed a pig with them on Saturday. This may end up being a supersonic only rifle.

[Retooferab]

You will get it worked out. These guns are simple and there is something that is just a little off. I am going to read through the thread again. I am no expert but I am pretty good at figuring things out or I might know the right person to ask.

[snipecatcher]

150 Nosler Ballistic tips are the worst yet. They are unstable at 1300 fps, and from 1050-1200 fps, they are hitting the target at about a 45* angle. Shot some more of the 208's today at 100 yards, and got a 10 shot group that measured 2.5", with only about an inch of vertical dispersion. This was shot at a blank sheet of paper, so the horizontal dispersion could have either been my aiming ability or the 10-15 mph wind.

So far, all of the 208 A-max loads appear stable, but this one is the winner:
OAL: 2.265"
8.8 grains VVN-110
Velocity:
High: 1052
Low: 998
Average: 1020
SD: 14.79

[snipecatcher]

Update:

Had a baffle strike in my suppressor, and the only thing I had been shooting that day was 110 V-max's supersonic, and 90 XTP's subsonic. The 90 XTP is the shortest/lightest bullet you can load. The can was on tight the whole time, I check it often. SOMETHING kicked out and knocked a baffle out of place. I have concluded that my barrel does not stabilize ANY bullet at subsonic velocity to a degree that is safe to shoot through a suppressor. When I get my can back, I'll just stick to supersonic loads. Aaron at Delta Company Arms heard about my situation and has agreed to cut me a deal on one of his 300 BLK barrels in the next few months when he has some in stock.
-Dan