Here's the first range session. It was hot, over 100 degrees by 10 am, so I only shot one series. This is 142 gr SMK's seated 10 thou off the lands, virgin Lapua brass, Fed match primers, H-4831sc ranging from 49.0 to 51.0 grs in .5 gr increments. I loaded 5 rounds each, and fired 5 shot groups. I swabbed the bore after every other group (after 10 shots).

Here's the "evidence", groups are in order from left to right in picture (49.0, 49.5, 50.0, 50.5, 51.0). Group 2 has a tumbled bullet through the bottom rt corner from my neighbor's handgun at the range (public range). Group 5 has a called flyer because I didn't hold the rear bag properly on the 2nd shot.

The 50.5 and 51.0 gr loads will get loaded up in 25 round test batch and shot over my chrony (which I didn't bring this time), to see what velocities they run, but they sure show promise!



I have the same loads to try with the bullets "on" the lands, and also 20 thou off the lands, but will have to do those on another range day.

It sure is nice to have your very first groups through a new barrel look like that -- and I'd definitely say it looks like you have a keeper.

I can't wait to see your groups once you find its preferred load(s) and get a few more rounds down the tube.

nice roger

Slim, I'd sent a PM before I saw this range report... Wow, there is hope yet! LOL

Don't be afraid to ty different seating depths for the final adjustment.