Well, FedEx finally delivered the dies, so I have been able to do some work with the barrel. And although it's early in the game, it certainly looks like the 24" Contender barrel from Match Grade Machine will be a shooter.

For fireforming loads, I started with new WW 30-30 brass (I could have started with 25-35 brass but elected not to do so)and ran them through a Redding 7mm International Rimmed die before sizing them in the CH-4D 25-35 Ackley Improved dies. The intermediate step was necessary to prevent crushed cases and also left a slight "bump" in the shoulder to aid in the fireforming process. I used H4831SC and the Hornady 120 grain HP and formed 30 cases this morning. With the FF loads, I fired a 10-shot group that went .995 -- that with just a 6x Burris Signature sitting atop the barrel. No cases were lost, and all formed fully with the slightly-compressed load of H4831SC and the bullet seated to engage the rifling.


I cleaned the barrel only twice during this 30-round session as I firmly believe that a quality custom barrel does not need a break-in period where one cleans after every shot.

A couple of the case mouths were slightly out-of-round, so I trimmed them and then proceeded to try a couple of loads (and used only one powder). With the Nosler 85 grain BT, I worked up to 34 grains Re-15. The 34 grain load is still quite mild but churns up just over 2900 fps from the 24" tube. Accuracy was in the 3/4" range for 3 shots at 100 yards, and I've yet to toy with the load to fine tune it. I simply started at 32 grains and, due to the mildness of the loads, then went to 33 and then 34 grains.


So the barrel definitely shows great promise. My only disappointment with it is the extremely short throat.At 2.687 OAL, the 85 grain BT is touching the lands. The barrel has a 1:9, and I planned to concentrate on the 100 grain BT, so I'll more than likely get the throat portion lengthened slightly.

As to the CH-4D dies, the interiors are fine. The exteriors, though, are pretty rough -- and the locking ring has to be a second. Someone ground down one side into the knurled area to give it a "hammered down" look. Cosmetics on working gear aren't a great concern to me, and I do plan to leave it as-is, but QC did fall asleep on this one...

I'll post additional results later on as I do more work with the barrel.

Glad to hear that, Bobby. If that throat becomes a problem for you, I'd be happy to lengthen it out. Let me know.

Jeff-Thanks for the offer. That's going above and beyond -- especially considering I did not inquire about throat length when I bought the barrel. I was just so thrilled to see it there and to see the price that I wanted it then and there!

Heck, the way it shoots, I may leave it as-is for a while. A few minutes ago, I fired a 3-shot, 200 yard group of 1.05 with the 85 grain BTs after tinkering with the powder charge. And the barrel is still wearing that 6x Burris. I like that scope for hunting but may put something else on it for load development.

Bobby,

How much difference is there between the .25x30-30Imp and the .25-35 AI?

2700 fps seems pretty much achievable with a 100 gr. Does 2500 fps with a 120 gr seem reasonable?

There's only .02 difference in the neck length. According to Jeff at MGM, all other dimensions are the same (with the particular reamer they use.)

Yes, 2700 with 100 grainers is no problem. My current load is doing 2733 fps with the 100 grain BT and is mild. The 85 grain BT is doing 2941 fps and is also mild. Both loads are with Re-15 (32.5 grains with the 100 grain bullet and 34 grains with the 85 grainer).

Today I torture-tested one case, loading it 12 times with the 32.5 grains Re-15/100 grain BT combo. The primer pocket is still tight, and, after simply squaring up the case mouth after fireforming, I didn't trim again until after the 7th total go-round (counting the fireforming round). Granted, there are different means by which one gauges pressure in the Contender, but for certain I know that I am not stressing the brass at all.

Even my fireforming loads using H4831SC and the Hornady 120 grain HP are right at 2400 fps. In standard loads and formed brass, 2450 to perhaps even 2500 fps is not out of the realm of possibility.

When I finally settle on a do-it-all load, I expect it will be the 100 grain BT and that velocities will be right at 2800 fps, giving me .250 Savage performance in the convenience of the Contender. And if not the 100 grainer, it will be an 85 or 87 grainer in the neighborhood of 3000 fps.

Thanks Bobby!

I thought you could be right at 250 Savage performance with a .25-35 AI. That will make a really nice round in a Contender or a 336 Marlin.