Shilen Chrome Moly Barrels

[barrel-nut]

That's not bad at all. Go choot that thing man!! Give us a report..

[GaCop]

Got back from the range a short while ago. Windy as hell today, 15 mph gusting to 20 mph. Wind was varying between 11 0'clock and 1 o'clock so basically a head wind. Temperature 44 degrees, RH: 42%.

Sighted in with loads I threw together with H-414 and 140 grain Hornady interlock's (2659 fps). Got on paper at 200 so started testing 140 grain A-Max bullets pushed by Win 760. Bullets seated .010" OTL @ 2.240".

42.6 grains, MV: 2782 fps, ES-53, SD-19, 5 shot group at 200 yards was 2.458" with 4 rounds going into 1.640".

42.9 grains, MV: 2794 fps, ES-64, SD-23 " " " " " " " " " " " 1.347" with 4 rounds into .437".

43.2 grains, MV: 2793 fps, ES-35, SD- 14 " " " " " " " " " " 1.284".

43.5 grains MV: 2811 fps, ES-47, SD-17, " " " " " " " " " " " 1.077" with 4 rounds into .841".

Loads were assembled with the Lee collet die set's dead length bullet seater. I've ordered a Forster competition seater die which, I believe, will improve groups overall.

Nothing to brag about but not real disappointing for the first range trip either. :eagerness:

[barrel-nut]

Looks promising. Confident you'll get it sorted out!

[Dave Hoback]

I'd say that holding 1/2"MOA on your first outing, in bad conditions is a little more than "OK"! I will be thrilled if I can duplicate those results with the same barrel. Good stuff bud!

[GaCop]

I'd say that holding 1/2"MOA on your first outing, in bad conditions is a little more than "OK"! I will be thrilled if I can duplicate those results with the same barrel. Good stuff bud!
Well that makes me feel a bit better! Shot the rifle again yesterday at my club range at 200 yards. Temperature was 38 degrees with a strong cross wind between 15 and 25 mph (blowing things off the bench like my glasses)! Relative Humidity (RH) of 65%. Bullet was Nosler Custom Comp 140gr BTHP's pushed by 760 powder in new Nosler cases and BR-2 primers. Length to ogive was 2.343" (bullet .006" OTL).

42.3 grains - 2714 fps, ES-44, SD-17, 5 shot group: 1.863" (4 rounds into 1.316").

43.0 grains - 2764 fps, ES-23, SD-10, " " " " " " " " " 2.099" (4 into 1.749").

43.3 grains - 2781 fps, ES-17, SD-7, " " " " " " " " " " 2.307" ????

43.6 grains - 2783 fps, ES-18, SD-6, " " " " " " " " " " 1.572" (4 into 1.242"). Some angled vertical stringing.

The somewhat poor performance was most likely because I was freezing my butt off in that wind. We southern boys don't handle the cold well!

[Dave Hoback]

GaCop, one thing has me stumped. Your listing OAL at 2.343", while SAAMI spec is a max of 2.800". I have the same bullets as well, the Nosler CC. Other bullets alone are about 1.5" long. While 2.800" is maximum, I just don't see how it's possible to have an OAL less than 2.400". Was this a typo?

[GaCop]

GaCop, one thing has me stumped. Your listing OAL at 2.343", while SAAMI spec is a max of 2.800". I have the same bullets as well, the Nosler CC. Other bullets alone are about 1.5" long. While 2.800" is maximum, I just don't see how it's possible to have an OAL less than 2.400". Was this a typo?
No not a typo. That measurement is to the ogive, not tip. Sorry, I should have clarified that.

[Dave Hoback]

Got it. Yes, that makes sense now. Just threw me off as you listed it as OAL.

[GaCop]

Heading back to the range this morning to test some 120 grain SMK loads. The Forster comp seating die came in so it will be interesting to see if the groups improve.

[GaCop]

Not a nice day at the range yet again, 32 degrees with a 3 o'clock cross wind of 15 to 20 mph the whole time I was out there. Tested Both Nosler 120 grain Ballistic Tips and 120 grain SMK's. I only had 10 SMK's left and tested those with Win 760 - 44.2 and 44.4 grains. Seated to 2.255"(ogive), RP 7/08 annealed brass.

44.2 grains was nothing to brag about, 2.4" at 200 yards.

44.4 grains, 2951 fps, SD-5, ES-13, 1.270" at 200 yards.

Next up was the 120 grain Nosler BT's pushed by H-414, seated to ogive @ 2.270" Nosler brass, BR-2's.

44 grains, 2987 fps, SD-12, ES-27, 200 yard group of 1.889" with four into 1.167".

44.2 grains, 3003 fps, SD-11, ES-27 " " " " 2,192", four into 1,521".

44.4 grains, 3009 fps, SD-9, ES-27, " " " " 1.320".

44.6 grains, 3024 fps, SD-11, ES-41 " " " " 1.511".

Sadly, I'm now out of the Noslers too. I have some 130 grain TMK's coming in Wednesday and will resume testing later in the week.