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Post by campguy308 on Apr 18, 2015 21:51:18 GMT -8
I recently received my BHW 264LBC 20" Type 1 barrel that I have been waiting on. I am using my handloads with the 123 Amax and FL sized Hornady brass. I checked my chamber with the amax's, and at an OAL of 2.235" the 123 amax is jammed into the lands. At 2.230, the bullet is not jammed into the lands. I had originally started at 2.245, and when I tried to extract an unfired round from the chamber, the bullet got stuck in the throat and the brass came out along with the powder spilling all into the rifle. I read that the Hornady factory 123 Amax rounds are about 2.245. If that's the case, they will not comfortably chamber in my barrel without the bullet being jammed. I have read many threads about throat lengths in the Grendel/264LBC chambers and am aware of a lot of variation. However, from what I've read, it seems my chamber is a bit shorter than most. Should I just load to fit my chamber, or does this seem out of spec? Thanks.
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Post by GLSHOOTER on Apr 19, 2015 11:05:07 GMT -8
My distance to lands using the Sinclair tool on the AMAX is 2.318. My factory AMAX is 2,241 that I just measured. Several of us are shooting it a 2.251 The COL is a good thing but it's really the location of the ogive that makes the difference. On my distance to ogive was 1.745 at 2.318 using a Hornady tool. You can see as much as 0.010 variation in COL in a box of bullets and still not see ogive measurement chances
These chambers are cut to shoot factory ammunition. Have you shot the barrel yet?
Greg
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Post by campguy308 on Apr 19, 2015 13:57:46 GMT -8
Yes I have shot about 50 rounds through it. I am now loading my 123 Amax's at an OAL of 2.230, as they touch the lands at 2.232 or so. I understand that the ogive is what matters, but from everything I read, I should be able to at least go out to 2.250 OAL or so and still not be into the lands with that bullet. If I try the factory 123 amax hornady loads that you say are 2.241 OAL, they will be jammed into my lands significantly since my handloads are touching the lands at about 2.232 OAL.
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Post by GLSHOOTER on Apr 19, 2015 15:02:08 GMT -8
Load to the chamber if that's what you are gettng. If you get some hands on factory stuff color up a bullet and check sit in the lands. I have not seen any BHW 264 LBC's that have touched with factory loads. How have your hand loads been shooting? Do you have a Hornady head space shoulder measurement by any chance?
Greg
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Post by campguy308 on Apr 19, 2015 16:00:41 GMT -8
My 100 yard 5 shot groups have been running about 1-1.25 inch. I had reasonable success at 500 yards on a 10" steel plate also. I am using IMR 8208 XBR powder, but plan to try some others when time allows. I am using Lee dies and a 7.62x39 bolt from tactical ambush. I'm sure the groups will probably improve with some experimentation. I will try to pickup a box of the factory Hornadys if I can find some. I do not have a head space measurement. Thank you for taking the time to reply to me.
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Post by campguy308 on Jun 5, 2015 10:32:22 GMT -8
Just wanted to update this thread with some new developments. I sent the barrel back to BHW, and they took more metal out of the throat. They repaired the barrel and got it back to me quickly free of charge. Factory ammo is no longer jammed into the lands. I tried some factory 123 amax today at 100 yards and got very good results. The handloads that I threw together have not yet shot as well as the factory Hornady. I am going to try some different powder soon. I am extremely satisfied so far and BHW gave me A+ service.  |
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Post by GLSHOOTER on Jun 5, 2015 10:40:30 GMT -8
That's some good shooting. Now you have a baseline to work against.
Greg
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