Where to go from here-6.5x55, 127gr LRX

[warpig602]

Got a few loads on paper this week. First time loading 127's.

I have a good idea of what I want to try/explore but would like to get some opinions. Really on whether I should keep adding powder or experiment with one or two of the loads I have here. To some extent im questioning the shooter or the loads, most of the groups I seem to be able to get 2 close and one further out. Id almost be happier if all the shots were scattered so I could say it was the rifle definitively. I could also go to 5 shot groups but the Finnlight heats up pretty quick.

H4350
Lapua brass
CCI BR2 primer
Barnes 127gr LRX


Charge Weight 43
Extreme Spread: 7
Standard Deviation: 3
Average:2661


Charge Weight 43.3
Extreme Spread: 22
Standard Deviation: 11
Average:2675

Charge Weight 43.6
Extreme Spread: 14
Standard Deviation: 3
Average:2698


Charge Weight 43.9
Extreme Spread: 29
Standard Deviation: 14
Average:2719


Charge Weight 44.2
Extreme Spread: *
Standard Deviation: *
Average:2744



Charge Weight 44.5
Extreme Spread: 25
Standard Deviation: 13
Average:2763


Charge Weight 44.8
Extreme Spread: 10
Standard Deviation: 6
Average:2777


Charge Weight 45.1
Extreme Spread: 18
Standard Deviation: 9
Average:2793







Here is 43.6, measured .357




43.9, measured 1.141

[warpig602]

Finally made it back to the range. Not really sure what to think. Not really happy with the 5 shot groups. Id really like to get them consistently at .75 or better.

Only thing changed on these loads was OAL, there were 3.065, which should be .105 off, the first batch was 2.975 or .195 off the lands.

I can either play with seating depth a little more on the 44.2 and 44.5 load(the first 3 out of this one are the ones closest to each other, the 4th shot is the high one), try Varget or H4831SC, push velocities to the 2850 range and see if things tighten up?

On the bright side the temp when shooting the first loads was 80 degrees, the 2nd batch was shot at 15. H4350 kept avg velocities within 5 fps.

[warpig602]

Time for a new powder or new bullet? No luck on getting any of previous loads to repeat themselves. Took the 44.2 loads that came in under an inch last week and it came up 1.7in. Also tweaked the seating depth on the 44.2 loads with a couple for 3 shot strings and it didnt help, got worse actually. Due to the random flyers, I figured Id clean the barrel before this range session. Shot 2 foulers. Shot a 3 shot string of 45.4gr to see if boosting the speed would tighten things up(this group shot .7). 5 shot string of 44.2, then 3 shots each of 44.2 with different seating depths. If the 44.2 lao would have held 1moa I could have least used it as a fall back. Now Im pretty much back to square one.

Ive got about 5 boxes or LRX left, 20ish in the open box. Here are my conclusions:

1. The Sako simply doesnt like the LRX bullet
2. The powder bullet combo are off or this is as good as it gets.
3. The shooter is off, always possible, but, I usually have another rifle with to shoot between shot strings and I can stack holes with those.
4. Something is not quite 100% consistent witth the rifle.

Possible solutions:

1. Try a new powder(pretty much where im at...thinking H4831SC or Varget) I have 20 LRX left in the open box, could shoot 6-3 shot strings and see if anything pops.
2. Try a new bullet(have 140gr Bergers, Amax, Nosler CC, SMK) basically, see if the rifle is capable of even shooting the consistent .75 or better groups Im chasing. If it cant do it with match bullets, maybe its just not a shooter.
3. Stop shooting 5 shot groups. My though is, if it can shoot small 5 shot groups consistently, it will shoot even better 3 shot groups. Ive also seen that small 3 shot groups are sometimes not repeatable with this rifle.
4. Perhaps the Sako could benefit from bedding or new stock. Nothing to confirm this, just guessing at this point.

On the bright side, the loads themselves have been very predictable and repeatable from a velocity, ES and SD standpoint. Duplicate loads are with a FPS of each other on all accounts.


Now what?


I wrote 42.2 on the board, it was 44.2



The 45.4 load avg 2810fps

[Corjack]

I use 45 grains H4350 with a 140 bullet. I am thinking you might be able to go up to 46-46.5 grains with the 127 grain LRX. Your 45.4 load had a nice symmetry to it. I would go up a couple tenths and see if it tightens up.

[Corjack]

You might also try loading up a few Sierra 140 grain btsp . Easiest bullet to get to shoot I have ever pulled the trigger on. If your rifle does not like those, at least you know you got other issues.

[warpig602]

I shot a 5 round group of the 45.4 loads, opened up. I really dont need more than 2750 for my intended use. Only reason I tried the higher charges was to see if I could shrink the groups a bit, even though I didn't have much luck with them in my initial round of testing.

If you look at my fir string of 3 shot groups it seems I more often than not had 2 close or touching and 1 flier. Brings me back to wondering if there is an inconsistency with the gun or possibly scope/mounts.

[warpig602]

You might also try loading up a few Sierra 140 grain btsp . Easiest bullet to get to shoot I have ever pulled the trigger on. If your rifle does not like those, at least you know you got other issues.

Thats kind of my thought right now. I have a few different match bullets. Starting to question if the gun is even capable. Was going to try a 140 match bullet and see if it will shoot.

[Corjack]

I think .105 is too much jump, even for Barnes bullets. Try seating a few at about .050 off lands.

[Corjack]

You might also try loading up a few Sierra 140 grain btsp . Easiest bullet to get to shoot I have ever pulled the trigger on. If your rifle does not like those, at least you know you got other issues.

Thats kind of my thought right now. I have a few different match bullets. Starting to question if the gun is even capable. Was going to try a 140 match bullet and see if it will shoot.

The 140 I am suggesting I should just a hunting bullet that is cheap. It has always been extreme kind to me.

[warpig602]

I think .105 is too much jump, even for Barnes bullets. Try seating a few at about .050 off lands.

Yeah, ive read anywhere from .50 to .100

[warpig602]

You might also try loading up a few Sierra 140 grain btsp . Easiest bullet to get to shoot I have ever pulled the trigger on. If your rifle does not like those, at least you know you got other issues.

Thats kind of my thought right now. I have a few different match bullets. Starting to question if the gun is even capable. Was going to try a 140 match bullet and see if it will shoot.

The 140 I am suggesting I should just a hunting bullet that is cheap. It has always been extreme kind to me.

I already have some of the match bullets on hand, so I dont mind sacrificing them. If it wont shoot SMK' s into little groups, probably no hope for it.

[warpig602]

I think .105 is too much jump, even for Barnes bullets. Try seating a few at about .050 off lands.

Yeah, ive read anywhere from .50 to .100

I did try some extreme depths just to see with 44.2 load, says 42.2 but its not:

[BorisZ]

[/quote]

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[Ringo]

I'd shoot a promising charge at 10, 30, 50, 75, and 100 thousandths off. The LRX is bit finicky, to be sure.

Your consistency is terrific. Have you checked concentricity of your loaded rounds? It seems to matter a whole lot more on boat-tailed bullets.