CBI 25" Varmint 260 Rem Match-- Lack of Muzzle Velocity

Hi All,

So, I finally got my barrel from Criterion and have been working up loads the last couple weekends. I'm finding that no matter what powder I use (with the 143 ELD-X) My barrel will not give me more than 2650 FPS. This is really disappointing me as I was hoping to see at least 2750 fps out of a 25" barrel.... With that being said, It is perhaps the most accurate barrel I've ever owned. H4831, H4350, IMR 7828, & Vit N560, all grouped really well with the H4831 and IMR 7828 being the best of the groups... IMR 7828 was one ragged hole @ 100 yards.

So my question is, Will I gain speed on the barrel eventually? Or am I just stuck with a really accurate, but very slow barrel?

Thanks guys,

Barrels typically pick up a bit of speed around the 150-200rds or so. My 6.5x47 picked 25 fps between 50-100rds down the tube. Have you tried H4350 or IMR 4451 yet?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

Barrels typically pick up a bit of speed around the 150-200rds or so. My 6.5x47 picked 25 fps between 50-100rds down the tube. Have you tried H4350 or IMR 4451 yet?

---

I've tried the H4350, H4831, RL-17, RL-19, RL-22, IMR 7828, Ramshot Hunter, & Vhit N560. I just reached the 100 round count this weekend.... The H4831 & IMR 7828 where one hole groups (5 shots). I have a can of IMR 4451 but haven't tried it as it's posted velocities were lower than any of the other loads I've tried thus far. Book is saying that I should be getting 2800 fps with a 140 gr. pill using the 7828 load, but I only get 2650-2660 fps with the 143 ELDX.

I hope you're right about gaining a little speed. My drop @ 1000 yards with the current MV puts me at 32.3 MOA.... :frusty:

Can you give your recipe's for each powder with max grains?

Is it the SAAMI or the Match Chamber? Have you checked your actual drops to the chrono velocity?

All your sites belong to us.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Robinhood

Can you give your recipe's for each powder with max grains?

---

H4350= 42.5 & 43.0 grains each-- Hornady Brass-- Winchester LR primer-- (It was a nice group maybe .5")
H4831= 46.5 (compressed) Hornady brass-- Winchester LR Primer-- (Darn near a one hole group)
IMR 7828= 45.5 CCI mag primer Lapua Brass-- (Literally a one hole group... the hole kept getting bigger because I couldn't hold the same spot every time)
Rl-17= 40 & 41 grain (CCI BR Primer)
Rl-19= 45 grains (CCI BR Primer)
RL-22= Can't remember on this one, but the group was 2.5" (it sucked).
Vhit N560= Can remember exactly but I want to say around 44 grains. group was good enough to try it again, but it didn't stick in my head like the 7828 and H4831 did.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Robinhood

All your sites belong to us.

---

RH,

Not sure I'm following you here? What are trying to say?

I have the Match chamber... Does that change anything other than my seating depth?

I have no confirmed drops yet as I'm still trying to find my "load".

I sorta double posted, kinda. So I deleted one and used the old China Hack Moto.

The match chamber could effect velocity

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SageRat Shooter

H4350= 42.5 & 43.0 grains each-.

---

By Hodgdon data, you are right where you should be for velocity. Remembering that lots vary and no one states what lot was tested, you can go north of that load if you only want speed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by darkker

By Hodgdon data, you are right where you should be for velocity. Remembering that lots vary and no one states what lot was tested, you can go north of that load if you only want speed.

---

Darkker,

I want BOTH speed and accuracy.... It doesn't appear that I'm going to get both however.... I will be HBNing my bullets from now on, so I may get a little more velocity, if I can add more powder to keep the pressure the same as it is now that is...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SageRat Shooter

Darkker,
I will be HBNing my bullets from now on, so I may get a little more velocity, if I can add more powder to keep the pressure the same as it is now that is...

---

I've shot out a couple of 6mm's with HBN coated bullets. I never saw more speed from it in either 243win or 6 Creedmoor. If you want more speed, shoot the 130 Hybrid. You may just have got a "slow" Barrel as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

If you want more speed, shoot the 130 Hybrid.

---

That's not what I wanted to hear... (I do appreciate the honesty though) I built the gun so I could shoot the High BC 6.5 Pills at long range (800-1000 yards) Dropping down to a 130 defeats the entire purpose of the build. the 130 BC drops clear down to .5 something from .625... :(

My load is 140gr Berger Hybrid with 43.5gr H4350 which is pushing 2850fps out of a 26" CBI barrel.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by psharon97

My load is 140gr Berger Hybrid with 43.5gr H4350 which is pushing 2850fps out of a 26" CBI barrel.

---

I remember... I was using your results when I was ordering my barrel because we only had an inch difference in barrel length. but you're getting 200 more fps with only a half grain difference in the H4350 load. I just got a "SLOW" barrel I think.... Figures!!! It's the story of my Life... (If it can go wrong.... IT WILL)

I know not getting the speed you want sucks but when it shoots really well it's hard to get too mad about it. Just remember a slow hit is always better than a fast miss.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stomp442

I know not getting the speed you want sucks but when it shoots really well it's hard to get too mad about it. Just remember a slow hit is always better than a fast miss.

---

I'm trying to look at it that way.... I really am!! I was just thinking I was building myself a flat shooting laser that I was hoping to someday push to a mile... Not the rainbow of .308 fruit flavors... I guess I'll just have to burn this one up and maybe choose the Shilen next time or have the barrel made at a different time of year.

Have you tried any other bullets? Maybe look into the Berger VLD or Hybrid with a little bit shorter bearing surface and see if that improves velocity any.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SageRat Shooter

I want BOTH speed and accuracy....

---

Don't we all... but it rarely happens that way. I find that most of my rifle loads are typically their most accurate around 100-200fps below book max... it is what it is, they like what they like, and there ain't much you can really do about it other than either being happy with it or keep experimenting to the point of burning up a barrel just trying to find something better.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SageRat Shooter

I hope you're right about gaining a little speed. My drop @ 1000 yards with the current MV puts me at 32.3 MOA.... :frusty:

---

So.... If I have to dial an extra Mil or so for a shot that I know is going to be more accurate than a "laser" that may hit or may not, I'll take accuracy every time. :thumb:

I'll give ya a hundred for it. ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stomp442

Have you tried any other bullets? Maybe look into the Berger VLD or Hybrid with a little bit shorter bearing surface and see if that improves velocity any.

---

Stomp,
I haven't tried any other bullet yet. I have another 200 ELD-X to load up, and am getting ridiculous accuracy with them. I di tell myself that if the ELDX didn't shoot for me then I'd try the Berger or SMK. I'm still new to reloading and not aware of the things that can affect load velocities other than charge, primer, seating depth, and what grain pill is being used. That may explain a little, as PSharon97 is getting so much more velocity from a barrel only 1 inch longer. I know all barrels are different, I just didn't think it would be that much different.

Thanks for the suggestion (as well as the bearing surface information) I'll look into it and give them a try after I've got the ELDXs shot up.

Phrangue,

I've found 3 loads that are acceptable for "go to loads"... and the IMR 7828 load was"lights out" accurate. So I've pretty much narrowed it down to H4350, H4831, IMR 7828. I'll take those to the field/range/hunt whatever it may be and live with the velocity that I have with them. As Stomp said earlier... "A Slow hit beats a Fast miss any day of the week".

LOL!! I just saw the other posts from Phranque and Foxx... :peace: I think I'll keep her guys... Thanks for the humor I do appreciate it!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by foxx

I'll give ya a hundred for it. ;)

---

LMAO.... back off, I'm at a buck-twenty five.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SageRat Shooter

So I've pretty much narrowed it down to H4350, H4831, IMR 7828. I'll take those to the field/range/hunt whatever it may be and live with the velocity that I have with them. As Stomp said earlier... "A Slow hit beats a Fast miss any day of the week".

---

Dang... I wish I could just find some freakin' H4350 around here.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SageRat Shooter

That's not what I wanted to hear... (I do appreciate the honesty though) I built the gun so I could shoot the High BC 6.5 Pills at long range (800-1000 yards) Dropping down to a 130 defeats the entire purpose of the build. the 130 BC drops clear down to .5 something from .625... :(

---

The 130 is solid with its additional velocity. Similar bridges the gap between 6 & 6.5.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You should try that in another chronograph. Just to make sure. I'm running a cbi 26" barrel (260 Rem match) with 142 smk in lapua brass using h4350 running 2835 fps. 10 ft from muzzle. Your numbers seem pretty low. Maybe use a different brass. Hornady was always softer than lapua in the rifled I've used.

I run 42.5 gr and could have went higher but went with 42.5 to save some barrel and brass life. Shot over a mile with mine