280 AI project revisited

[stagpanther]

I ordered a Howa barreled receiver from them and have been quite happy with it, though I have not so far been able to get a barrel off a vanguard/howa 1500, so it's a one-shot deal, so to speak. I like the looks of the 700 style bergara action and have considered getting one, but I can't tell if the barrel is reasonably replaceable by the end-user.

 

[MarkCO]

I don't know either. But Bergara will rebarrel and Cerakote for $500. Not bad all things considered.

 

[stagpanther]

That includes the flexibility to specify barrel type, length, chambering etc.? That would be nice--I assume it would have to go out-bound to Spain for a rebarrel? (sorry to ask so many questions, but very interested in your experience)

 

[MarkCO]

That includes the flexibility to specify barrel type, length, chambering etc.? That would be nice--I assume it would have to go out-bound to Spain for a rebarrel? (sorry to ask so many questions, but very interested in your experience)

All done in GA. If they have the reamer and the blank, yes.

I have a R700 with 8900 rounds on the .260 barrel. Cut and set back three times. I am contemplating sending it to the Bergara Pro Shop for a new fast twist .243Win barrel when the lands run away from me again.

 

[stagpanther]

All done in GA. If they have the reamer and the blank, yes.

Oh really? I didn't know BPI had set up their own in-house USA capability--which tells me they must also be bringing in blanks from Bergara--VERY interesting.

 

[MarkCO]

Only premier line and Pro-Shop assembled in GA. The B14s are still imported.

Now I am not sure about the Wilderness, which is Cerakoted, fluted bolt. I guess that could be a barreled B-14 action imported and put together in GA, but not sure.

 

[stagpanther]

Nice. I look forward to reading about your rifle when its done.

 

[Nathan]

I decided to slap the Howa 300 win mag receiver into it this morning just for grins, to make matters more challenging its blowing over 30 mph into a quartering headwind @ 184 yds where I shot this morning. I honestly was expecting lousy results, but instead got this. Go figure.

Good shooting!

 

[stagpanther]

Good shooting!

You get partial credit since I had abandoned the stock as a good one.

PS--just when I stumbled upon a pretty good load using magpro--I just ran out of the last pound I had. I couldn't believe my luck when I googled for it and up it popped available at powder valley!! I mean these days that's like winning the lottery.

 

[stagpanther]

Parts finally came in so I can continue working on my 280AI--but the 300 win mag diversion was fun, and I think sticking the howa receiver in the Bell and Carlson stock gives me hope to find some good loads. Here are the very last 5 cartridges I could muster together as the powder and 180 VLD's ran out--might be a while before both return. As usual, I did the obligatory spazz/pull on one of the shots, but otherwise this is promising group at 189 yds, would have been around .5 were it not for the flyer.

 

[sako2]

Stag have you chronoed your load with magpro?

 

[stagpanther]

Stag have you chronoed your load with magpro?

Not this particular load in this particular rifle. I'll see if I can find something in my labradar data--though I do intend on getting some chrono data later when I get more powder and bullets.

Quickload has it pegged at about 3,150 fps and in general it is very close to what I actually record.

So far I've had this combo stay well under MOA out to 370 yds, the 82.7 grs of magpro and 180 VLD has done very well in two different rifles of different manufacturers.

 

[sako2]

I would be interested in the es and sd. I'm using magpro in my 6.5 prc my es and sd aren't that good.

 

[stagpanther]

I would be interested in the es and sd. I'm using magpro in my 6.5 prc my es and sd aren't that good.

I've read that magpro can be erratic depending on temperature, most of the shooting above was done in cold to cool conditions. I couldn't find a specific test in my labradar data for this load (it might be mixed in with other load tests)--but I do have a note in my load data spreadsheet that I got 9fps SD for 82 grs. I suspect that 82.7 is a good node for my rifle since 82.6 and 82.8 also groups well. I haven't been able to find the 180 gr elite hunter vld's anywhere, I do have some more magpro on order but these days it could be weeks before I actually get it.

PS__I just scoured my supplies and discovered an extra pond of magpro tucked away in a hidden nook--as well as 4 extra vld's--so I'll throw some together and get a crony reading for you. ; )

 

[stagpanther]

I just got back, unfortunately I couldn't get all 4 shots recorded--my ^%$#%&*& Caldwell (UN)stable table wobbled and hit my tripod holding the labradar knocking it off aim for the last shot. Probably not very helpful, but here's what little I got. I've grown to hate that table--it's almost guaranteed to reduce your control/accuracy. If I had the room for it I would simply weld the whole thing together.

 

[sako2]

Thanks. The lowest i got my es was 51 with a sd of 14. Do you know if your load is compressed. I'm 4 tenths over published data. I have no pressure sign. I'm going to go a little hotter and see if that helps.

 

[stagpanther]

Thanks. The lowest i got my es was 51 with a sd of 14. Do you know if your load is compressed. I'm 4 tenths over published data. I have no pressure sign. I'm going to go a little hotter and see if that helps.

I made a mistake with the first estimate I gave you--that was with 26" barrel length input in QL when the actual barrel length is 24", so my actual velocities exceed what QL forecasted. I don't have anymore 180 gr elite hunters--but I do have some 185's; though they are not as "slick" in BC. I did get a 9 fps deviation when I tested just 82 grs but I can't find the actual labradar data; I might have inadvertently erased it or mixed it in with other cartridges tested. I'm seating my bullets as far out as my magazine will allow; around 3.55, but that is still a ways off from engaging the lands the way my freebore is cut. That's 100.2% case powder capacity but according to QL still a ways under max pressure, which QL says is around 83.8
grs for what I'm using. I have seen no signs of pressure in my 300 win mag cases using magpro either, it seems to be a good powder for attaining good velocities in medium weight bullets in my 300 wm.

 

[sako2]

I'm able to touch the lands in my gun with a 140 gn bullet. My velocity is a little lower than the data say's it should be. I'm trying to get the sd down because i plan on shooting this gun to 1700yds. I don't have QL.

 

[stagpanther]

So sako, I went out and shot a few 4 shot groups with me "newly discovered" stash of magpro but using the 185 VLDs instead instead of the 180 elite hunters. I actually stepped up to warmer loads since the bullet is shorter and doesn't take as much case capacity. Magpro seems to work well with these medium bullets because the max loads seem to converge right around 100% case powder capacity. I have noticed in almost every group I've shot there always seems to one ED shot way out there that seems to throw the SD and consistency off for the entire group. Why? I don't know--unless I've started choking at the loading press in addition to choking while shooting.

Despite being only 5 grs heavier, the bullet design seemed to result in markedly heavier felt recoil as well as muzzle blast. My labradar was a foot to the side and 6 inches back, but the muzzle blast blew the battery compartment cover off repeatedly as well as blowing the cable connection to the battery off the labradar couple of times. The cases and primers show no signs of stress at all.

The best group I got was also the max charge weight of 83.2 grs. The first shot blew the battery capable loose so it wasn't recorded--but it's the impact just right of the bull's. Unfortunately, I did one of my "spazz" moves and let the rifle butt slip on the rear rest as I pulled the trigger and totally blew the last 4th shot--but it also was within a reasonable deviation since it was recorded. I will go out and try this one again with 5 shots.

 

[stagpanther]

Not to veer too far off subject--work continues on my 280 AI; here are pics showing my forend extension progress. I know it's ugly as sin compared to the rest of the rifle--plus it adds a good 1.25 lbs weight--but it's rock solid and that's what I was aiming for. The steel cost me $11, the Brazilian hardwood 2" x 2" (which actually turned out to be 1.3 x 1.3) cost $2.89 and I used a bit of C7 to epoxy some pieces together. The most expensive parts were the silly little M-Lok screws and nuts, of which I needed 9 pairs.

The FDE paint I ordered was due last week--but apparently has been beamed up into the USPS's collection of space junk circling the earth, so I don't know where it is or when it will be delivered, maybe this week. I did a test painting with Krylon sand--nope, looks awful and will repaint when the FDE finally splashes down.