I had a .308 built with a Bighorn action/Bartlein barrel. I have had issues with factory 168g SMK GMM sticking in the lands as well as my 175g SMK seated to 2.800 (which is what Sierra recommends). On the other hand, Win Silvertip hunting ammo loads with no issues whatsoever.
I sent the barreled action back to the builder to check the throat and he ran the go/no go gauges through it and said there are no problems, it is in spec, and he is going to ship it back. When I asked about the throat depth, he suggested seating the bullet deeper than 2.8. Or for $75, he would ream the throat deeper if I provide him with 3 dummy loads.
When I load these rounds that stick, the bolt closes snuggly without much effort. It requires a good lick with my hand to open the bolt. I'm tired of getting a handful of powder when the bullet sticks and I having to tap the bullet out.
My questions are when the smith reams the chamber, how do they decide how deep to cut the throat and go/no gauge doesn't measure the throat depth, does it?
I'm not very happy not being able to load my 175g smk, my go to bullet, to 2.800, so I guess I'll send him my dummy loads and $75.
I sent the barreled action back to the builder to check the throat and he ran the go/no go gauges through it and said there are no problems, it is in spec, and he is going to ship it back. When I asked about the throat depth, he suggested seating the bullet deeper than 2.8. Or for $75, he would ream the throat deeper if I provide him with 3 dummy loads.
When I load these rounds that stick, the bolt closes snuggly without much effort. It requires a good lick with my hand to open the bolt. I'm tired of getting a handful of powder when the bullet sticks and I having to tap the bullet out.
My questions are when the smith reams the chamber, how do they decide how deep to cut the throat and go/no gauge doesn't measure the throat depth, does it?
I'm not very happy not being able to load my 175g smk, my go to bullet, to 2.800, so I guess I'll send him my dummy loads and $75.