Built my own 7mm SAUM using Savage SA action. Shilen barrel, match grade stainless in 26" heavy sporter, custom throated to allow me to seat 180 VLD Berger to lands, assuming magazine max of 2.990 COAL.
Was very pleased that Shilen seems to have truely gotten the throat EXACTLY to what I wanted it, based on measurements with my Hornady OAL guage.
Seated the 180's .005 off lands initially. Cases are Remington, weight sorted, trimmed, deburred, FL resized on Forster Co-Ax. Seated with Forster Micrometer seating die. Did NOT turn the necks -- too lazy and have read that its not necessary in a standard throat diameter gun.
Researched powder and primer combos -- Decided to try H4831sc with CCI BR-2 initially.
Sarted with about 5 rounds to sight in. Cleaned after every shot. (nevermind controversy if that really matters...)
Started strings of 3 from 57 gr, 0.5 increments. Went to 61 gr. Cleaned after 6 and fired fouling round after each cleaning.
Conditions were not great, very hot so that I was always waiting for barrel to cool. And I am more jittery when hot...
Seems like all the groups were pretty much the same 1 - 1.25 inch.
Had hoped for better, even though I recognise that this is a new barrel. Its my first custom hand lapped barrel, and I am not sure what to expect or do next:
1) repeat the whole exercise, assuming that the problem is break in, combined with shooter (me) quality.
2) Try a different powder (H1000, or H4350), researched in detail as good choices as well, all in my stash....
3) try a different seating depth (VLD Berger are reputed to be finnicky about depth..)
Perhaps you should just tell me to buck it up and recognise that those posts of guys that get .25" groups from the get go are full of it.... Guess my fantasies had me in one of those dreams for once....
Was very pleased that Shilen seems to have truely gotten the throat EXACTLY to what I wanted it, based on measurements with my Hornady OAL guage.
Seated the 180's .005 off lands initially. Cases are Remington, weight sorted, trimmed, deburred, FL resized on Forster Co-Ax. Seated with Forster Micrometer seating die. Did NOT turn the necks -- too lazy and have read that its not necessary in a standard throat diameter gun.
Researched powder and primer combos -- Decided to try H4831sc with CCI BR-2 initially.
Sarted with about 5 rounds to sight in. Cleaned after every shot. (nevermind controversy if that really matters...)
Started strings of 3 from 57 gr, 0.5 increments. Went to 61 gr. Cleaned after 6 and fired fouling round after each cleaning.
Conditions were not great, very hot so that I was always waiting for barrel to cool. And I am more jittery when hot...
Seems like all the groups were pretty much the same 1 - 1.25 inch.
Had hoped for better, even though I recognise that this is a new barrel. Its my first custom hand lapped barrel, and I am not sure what to expect or do next:
1) repeat the whole exercise, assuming that the problem is break in, combined with shooter (me) quality.
2) Try a different powder (H1000, or H4350), researched in detail as good choices as well, all in my stash....
3) try a different seating depth (VLD Berger are reputed to be finnicky about depth..)
Perhaps you should just tell me to buck it up and recognise that those posts of guys that get .25" groups from the get go are full of it.... Guess my fantasies had me in one of those dreams for once....
