Range Report First Time out with Magnetospeed - Unexpected Results?

[bassmaster07]

So I finally picked up a Magnetospeed V1 and finally got out to test it at the range. I got some very unexpected results. These were not cold bore as I had been shooting to confirm zero and zero offset on these factory loads already.

Specs:
Tikka CTR 24" Blued
6.5 Creedmoor
Factory Rounds: 143 ELDx and 140 American Gunner

Results:
143 ELDx
String #1: 10 shots (5 shots then another 5)
2571 ave
2537 low
2601 high
17 SD (this seemed high but then thought oh well it is factory stuff)
64 ES

String #2: 5 shots
2579 ave
2555 low
2609 high
19 sd
54 es
I was surprised with these results given close to $1.5 per shot for "match" level hunting round. Groups with out the MS on where 3/4" which is about as good as I can shoot.

Following the eldx I ran some American Gunner:
American gunner
String #1:10 shots
2654 ave
2643 low
2667 high
8 sd
24 es
What? this could not be right could it.


String #2: 5 shots
2653 ave
2642 low
2661 hi
8 sd
19 es

I triple checked to make sure I shot the eldx first because these results seemed backwards. The MS picked up every round with no problems. Am I missing something or did I do something wrong. These results do not line up with other info here. The gunner velocity matches what others have reported. But I must have gotten the best 15 out of the box of 200 for this to get a SD of 8 for both sets. Then the SD seems really high for ELDx?

 

[leftyk82]

My experience with factory match ammo....

"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get." - Forrest Gump

 

[ShtrRdy]

The numbers don't lie.

 

[hlee]

Hornady match 147 eldm out of my rpr, 5 shot string averaged 2699 with an SD of 10 and an ES of 25.

I really heard some really good reports from the Hornady American gunner, though.

 

[lennyo3034]

Seems awfully slow from a 24” barrel. Maybe there is something wrong with the magnetospeed?

 

[niteshooter]

Seems normal.
Mirrors my observations using magnetospeeds and various factory ammo.
Seen similar things posted other places on the inter webs.

I’ve chronographed some brands of soft point hunting ammo that ran SD in the mid teens and ES in the 30’s.
Next batch might be not so good or 100 fps slow, or nuts on and the rave of the shooting community.

‘‘Tis the world of factory ammo.
Monday ammo, Friday ammo, machine not greased/worn.
Maybe a slow earnings quarter so turn the powdering machine down a grain on the next million round batch to beef up the bottom line.
Bean counters, lawyers. New semi autos coming out so need to tone down the pressure. Who knows.
Plenty of watered down factory ammo, it’s nothing new. Just look at some of the 7mm rem mag factory stuff vs a load manual.

On the plus side the barrel could last longer with the lower pressure.

 

[fxdrider]

Seems awfully slow from a 24” barrel. Maybe there is something wrong with the magnetospeed?

Tikka barrels have a reputation for producing velocities a bit on the slow side. Usually pretty accurate guns, just slow.

 

[Sixfivesavage]

Two things...its a Tikka, aka it's slow. Second thing....its hornady ammo, aka it's inconsistent.

 

[bassmaster07]

Tikka barrels have a reputation for producing velocities a bit on the slow side. Usually pretty accurate guns, just slow.

The American Gunner ammo velocity did not surprise me. I have seen 2650ish reported for Tikkas in a couple places here. The SD seemed crazy low. Most have reported upper teens, which is why people only like it out to 600 or 800. The ELDx was the surprising one to me. Seemed very very slow with a highish SD. Was hoping that it would be in the low teens not high teens.

I have about 275 rounds through the gun right now. Will it speed up any more?

 

[fxdrider]

The American Gunner ammo velocity did not surprise me. I have seen 2650ish reported for Tikkas in a couple places here. The SD seemed crazy low. Most have reported upper teens, which is why people only like it out to 600 or 800. The ELDx was the surprising one to me. Seemed very very slow with a highish SD. Was hoping that it would be in the low teens not high teens.

I have about 275 rounds through the gun right now. Will it speed up any more?

I've never chrono'd ELD-X. I've shot some groups with it, and it was very accurate. Just no data I can compare.
I mostly reload. My favorite is 147 gr ELD-M, Star-Line brass, CCI primers(Large Rifle), 42.0 gr. H4350. From my Tikka CTR 24" barrel I'm getting around 2700 fps average - 7.6 SD, 25 ES. I was hoping for more velocity, but with Tikka barrels being on the slow side I guess that's not to bad. I'm able to wack steel reliably at 1000 with it, so I'm happy.

 

[Bantam1]

I have run a couple of different lots of 140 ELD-M through my 6.5 CM with a 26" Bartlein barrel. I have had 2650-2710 velocity according to the Magnetospeed. So it's consistently inconsistent with ES around 44. One box is 29, another is 44, another is 50+.

The odd thing is the velocity doesn't match what the bullet is doing inside of 800 yards. So now I am beginning to question the accuracy of the Magnetospeed. It was correct on my 223 and 308 rifles as far as truing the data, but the 6.5 showed about 70-140 fps off what my Kestrel was showing while truing the software for my new build.

Once I adjusted the velocity it was true to 1400 yards with only a slight tweak to the BC.

 

[Lowlight]

Those numbers look correct, there is no issue other than it’s a Tikka and it’s not a big fan of the Hornady from a rifle standpoint.

An SD around 18fps is pretty common no question there.

Ask me why none of my Tikkas have factory barrels on them, some call it a clue.

Now go back and read all the lame responses on my YouTube channel and you’ll understand how little people know about this stuff.

Your readings are normal, not all equipment is created equal,

 

[bassmaster07]

Ask me why none of my Tikkas have factory barrels on them, some call it a clue.

Your readings are normal, not all equipment is created equal,

I will be replacing the barrel at some point, but for now I will just shoot it and enjoy it. It still shoots way better than me, especially at anything over 100.

Lowlight, thanks for the response. I have learned tons from this site and binge watching all the online training videos a month or so ago. You mentioned above Tikkas not really liking the Hornady ammo...sugestions on others to try out? Really want to get into some Prime Ammo but seems like that might be awhile before it is back on the market.

Now to get out to my place where I can set up steel out to 600. I have shot there a few times already but was just playing around since i did not have a RF or chrono. Ready to go out and start the process of truing my calculators. I am sure I will be back with questions after screwing up my BCs and other adjustments, since I can not really push it out to over 1000. I really need to get down to Rifles Only and really learn what I am doing. Until then though, thank you all for the input and advice. This forum (range reports...) in particular has been super helpful!

 

[Lowlight]

Those SD numbers are not gonna effect you, if accuracy is good, just enjoy it. It’s just a number, you can solve the problem, just add more adjustment.

It’s not gonna be great for competition, but if you are just shooting for yourself, it’s just a number.

I use loads that hover around 18fps all the time, it works. It will show up as vertical spread after a certain distance, but otherwise it’s fine. Most targets will absorb the error 1000 yards and in, is not an issue.

 

[bassmaster07]

Those SD numbers are not gonna effect you, if accuracy is good, just enjoy it. It’s just a number, you can solve the problem, just add more adjustment.

It’s not gonna be great for competition, but if you are just shooting for yourself, it’s just a number.

I use loads that hover around 18fps all the time, it works. It will show up as vertical spread after a certain distance, but otherwise it’s fine. Most targets will absorb the error 1000 yards and in, is not an issue.

Thanks. I am just shooting for myself. Shot a bunch of skeet growing up and nothing more than deer rifles, so have never been good with a rifle due to bad fundamentals. Wanted to build confidence in my distance shooting for fun and hunting. Loving it so far.

 

[Fig]

It's not very challenging to make ammunition better than any "match grade" you can buy.

A bigger difference is it's not tuned to the rifle (unless you get very lucky). This matters more or less depending on the rifle. You ought to be trying a variety of ammunition.

You should join the online training. The focus is exactly where you need it.

 

[bassmaster07]

It's not very challenging to make ammunition better than any "match grade" you can buy.

A bigger difference is it's not tuned to the rifle (unless you get very lucky). This matters more or less depending on the rifle. You ought to be trying a variety of ammunition.

You should join the online training. The focus is exactly where you need it.

I did join online training and watched all the videos there and took some notes. Very very helpful. I have tried some different ammo but have stuck with what others had good results with in their tikkas. Gunner is 3/4” to 1” groups and ELDx is 1/2”-3/4” at 100. If I do my part. Have some eldm 147 I am going to try out next. Also might try some some others. Want to try Prime but can not find it right now.

 

[Lowlight]

With the Tikka you want lighter bullets and not heavier, the barrels are too slow for heavies unless you hand load.

Try some 123s or something around there, go a tick lighter, Prime is out right now, so unless you find some in stock somewhere, which they have very few dealers at all, you have to try to find some other brands with lighter bullets

 

[bassmaster07]

I will look into the lighter options.

 

[BallisticPrimate]

My pencil thin tikka 20' 6.5 Creed will push 147 Eldm's to 2650fps and do this at 500m. The throat is very long but the new m+ tikka mags will allow you to seat projectiles way out there and maximise case capacity.

 

[bassmaster07]

@BallisticPrimate
Thanks. If I reloaded I am sure I would fall down the hole of finding the mythical load with perfect everything.

Anybody know why the tikkas are slow? Is it just the barrel tolerance or something else. It seems like across the board the replacement barrels are much faster reguardless of manufacturer?

 

[Racer88]

I will look into the lighter options.

Have you tried Federal Gold Medal Match Berger Hybrid 130-gr? I found it to be good stuff. And, even Walmart carries it!

 

[bassmaster07]

Have you tried Federal Gold Medal Match Berger Hybrid 130-gr? I found it to be good stuff. And, even Walmart carries it!

No but I will. I have heard about it being the go to 308 round but have heard mixed reviews on the 6.5 stuff. I should pick some up.

 

[Racer88]

No but I will. I have heard about it being the go to 308 round but have heard mixed reviews on the 6.5 stuff. I should pick some up.

Here are some groups from my Ruger Precision Rifle 6.5CM with the Federal GMM Berger:

This one was still 0.757-MOA with the "flyer."

 

[bassmaster07]

@Racer88 that is some dang good shooting. I will have to try it out. The Hornady stuff has shot well for me. I was just surprised by the ELDx SD. Not what I expected. The slow velocity I can deal with since I only have access to 600 for now. But sound like I need to try something in the 130gr world.

 

[Racer88]

@Racer88 that is some dang good shooting. I will have to try it out. The Hornady stuff has shot well for me. I was just surprised by the ELDx SD. Not what I expected. The slow velocity I can deal with since I only have access to 600 for now. But sound like I need to try something in the 130gr world.

I have not tried ELD-X. But, I've tried ELD-M and gotten good results, as well. I've chrono'ed both ELD-M and the Federal GMM Bergers. Let me see if I can dig up the numbers.

With MagnetoSpeed V3... all out of a RPR with a stock barrel.

Hornady ELD-Match 140-gr
Shots: 20
Min: 2648
Max: 2675
Avg: 2662
S-D: 9.6
ES: 27

Federal Gold Medal Berger 130-gr
Shots: 20
Min: 2772
Max: 2833
Avg: 2796
S-D: 15.9
ES: 61

Hornady Black 140-gr (same as American Gunner)
Shots: 40
Min: 2614
Max: 2722
Avg: 2679
S-D: 23.1
ES: 108

 

[bassmaster07]

I have not tried ELD-X. But, I've tried ELD-M and gotten good results, as well. I've chrono'ed both ELD-M and the Federal GMM Bergers. Let me see if I can dig up the numbers.

View attachment 7029704

With MagnetoSpeed V3...

Hornady ELD-Match 140-gr
Shots: 20
Min: 2648
Max: 2675
Avg: 2662
S-D: 9.6
ES: 27

Federal Gold Medal Berger 130-gr
Shots: 20
Min: 2772
Max: 2833
Avg: 2796
S-D: 15.9
ES: 61

Hornady Black 140-gr (same as American Gunner)
Shots: 40
Min: 2614
Max: 2722
Avg: 2679
S-D: 23.1
ES: 108

Your results are much more what I was expecting to see. Match being good and gunner near 15-25 sd. I have a bunch of gunner so I guess I will continue to check it out along with some of the 130 stuff. Thanks for the info

 

[Racer88]

Your results are much more what I was expecting to see. Match being good and gunner near 15-25 sd. I have a bunch of gunner so I guess I will continue to check it out along with some of the 130 stuff. Thanks for the info

But, then with American Gunner / Black, I get groups like this:

Calculated with and without "flyer."

 

[Shootinsurveyor]

I just found the same data using 140gr Hornady Match and Precision Hunter 143gr. Match was pretty spot in for box velocity, but the ELDX was around 100fps slower than the box. I am hoping to hunt with the ELDX, but I’m not sure if I like 2600fps for that. May have to buy a set of dies and see what I can manufacture.