New guy, new gun, and one big smile!

[blacksheep]

Hello everyone,
     
                     After sitting quietly in the corner for the past 8 weeks the UPS lady left a much awaited surprise on my porch Monday evening!  This is my first attempt at a precision gas gun and I must admit that I have rarely been so excited to finish a build. Over the past few weeks I have been preparing my first ladder loads with a few of the powders that I am interested in using. This process was very enjoyable thanks to this forum!  So I thank all of you involved in making such detailed instructions so readily available. 

                     That being said, I did have a quick question on seating depth. I have decided to run the Berger 95gr hunting VLD. So after the barrel was installed I set out on taking my measurments. The numbers I came up with on my total length to the lands was 1.746" (ogive). The maximum length I can run out of my ASC magazines reliably is 1.719" (ogive) or 2.290" COAL. This leaves me with .027" of jump to the lands. So, my question is...  is this typical with the 243 LBC? Does this cartridge prefer a closer or further jump? Is there another bullet that you prefer over the one I have chosen?  Thank you all in advance for your feedback and opinions. 


Rifle Build Notes

Sighttron S-TAC 3-16x42 MOA Reticle
Leupold 20moa Unimount
Anderson Upper Reciever, BCG/type 1 bolt, and Adjustable Gas Block
20" BHW Standard Profile 1x8 twist
Fortis RED 7.62 Muzzle Brake
YHM SLR Slant cut
Aero Lower
Geissele G2S Trigger
Magpul MOE Rifle stock and Grip

[blacksheep]

Quick update:

I couldn't wait any longer. So after work this morning I loaded up and went to the farm. It was a breezy 28 degrees with a heavy frost. By the time I got set up with my chronograph and got some rough sight in loads ran, the sun was burning the frost and making for some wicked mirage. My groupings weren't what I had hoped for, but I was mainly there to get some velocities. 

I ran 7, three shot strings, of 3 different powders. CFE223, H4895, and IMR 8208. I started fairly low and worked up in .2 grain increments. Starting velocities for CFE and 4895 were around 2550 and 8208 started around 2650. 

After increasing the the charge by only one grain I could see the groups tightening up! H4895 finished up at 2652fps average and SD of 5. CFE 223 landed at 2672fps average SD of 2. Neither of these loads were showing pressure signs. 

IMR 8208 topped this ladder at 2762FPS with a SD of 3. This load was staring to show pressure in the form of ejector marks. The primers still looked perfect so I will probably push this one a little bit further and see what comes from it. 

All and and all I am impressed with this little guy. Despite the mirage and lack of sleep I still got a few groups around 3/4" and some just over 1/2". The potential is there! Can't wait to get a load tuned in so I can stretch this things legs!

[GLSHOOTER]

That's good news. The jump will be OK depending on what bullet you use. Many chambers out there don't let you get closer than 0.100!!!

The newer ASC mags will let you load a bit longer BTW. Keep us posted on how it goes.

Greg

[blacksheep]

I was able to get a little bit more length out of my mags. I managed to get .020 off the lands. I'll play with this more later. I've put my 8208 loads on the back burner because I wasn't liking the pressure signs on the ejector swipe. 

My CFE223 loads are coming along nicely! Sorry I didn't mark the targets but here are some groups. 

This is 31.4 grains of CFE. 2860FPS average. 

This was 31.8 grains of CFE. 2890FPS average. 

Prolly could have tightened those up a bit but I'm barely an average shooter 🙃. As soon as I find all my pressure and velocity limits I will get some good 5 shot groups. 

[blacksheep]

Mar 17, 2017 6:32:22 GMT -8 GLSHOOTER said:

That's good news. The jump will be OK depending on what bullet you use. Many chambers out there don't let you get closer than 0.100!!!

The newer ASC mags will let you load a bit longer BTW. Keep us posted on how it goes.

Greg

Holy crap! I misread the chamber comment!  How do the groups look being that far off the lands!?!

 I have a pretty limited knowledge as far as reloading goes. Only been at it around 5 years. But in my bolt guns I'm always under 15 thousands. I suppose my 450bm would be close to .100 off with a 200gr XTP but I've never really measured it. But I'm also happy with 1.5-2" groups with that load 😌

[l3outdoorsstx]

Try the Berger 95gr Classic Hunter if you are wanting less jump.