Berger .264 140gr VLD COAL 2.970 to the lands AR10

[Bennybone]

Guys -

I wanted to shoot 140gr Berger VLD in a <span style="font-weight: bold">6.5 Creedmoor</span> DPMS profile <span style="font-weight: bold">semi auto gun.</span>

I spent all day on this and I am stunned at the results:

Took a brand new Hornady case and sized it with an RCBS small base full length die.

Then I drilled out the flash hole and cut 2 slits opposite of eachother on the case neck down to the shoulder.

I placed a bullet in the case and slid it deep to make contact with a wooden dowl pushed through the bottom of the case to contact the bottom of the bullet.

I placed the dummy cartridge into the chamber and fully seated the brass first.

I then lightly tapped the wooden dowl until the bullet stopped moving forward - seating the bullet OGIVE in to the lands (jammed into the lands).

At this point I marked where the base of the case rim was even with the dowel.

Using a rod I popped out the cartridge.

Reassembled the bullet into the case and dowl through the bottom to the line I marked above.

Measured from the base of the case to the tip of the bullet for C.O.A.L

<span style="font-weight: bold">2.970</span>

<span style="color: #CC0000"><span style="font-weight: bold">So employing the data below I don't see how I will be able to fit any of the bullets into a PMAG or standard DPMS mag.</span></span>
Load 24 rounds at the following COAL if you are a hunter (pulling a bullet out of the case with your rifling while in the field can be a hunt ending event which must be avoided) or a competition shooter who worries about pulling a bullet during a match:

.010 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds Which would be 2.960
.050 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds Would be 2.920
.090 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds Would sit at 2.880
.130 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds I could maybe squeeze in at 2.840

The barrel is a 20" Criterion with a 6.5 Creedmoor chamber, bought from Fulton-Armory.

Is my method sound?

Those of you shooting VLDs in a gas gun, did you come up with the same COAL measurements?

Thanks in advance -

BB

 

[bricktop]

Re: WTF??? Berger VLD COAL 2.970 to the lands !!!

That is just one of the drawbacks of the VLDs - long lengths between contact of bearing surface and lands to point of bullet. I run a 260 rem and for their 140 LRBT to hit the lands it needs about 2.950" COAL, but only 2.850" for the 123 Amax. If you plan on running VLDs, you usually need a custom reamer/freebore length for utmost accuracy (i.e. jamming the bullet).

 

[Bennybone]

Re: WTF??? Berger VLD COAL 2.970 to the lands !!!

I have decided not to shoot these bullets, returned them.

I will await the Hybrid design and hope they like to jump to the lands.

BB