Big_R
July 18, 2005, 10:58 AM
I've been reloading for a long time, and usually have good success. However, every once in a while, I meet a rifle that confounds me. So is the story with my sporterized (numbers matching) Swede 6.5 X 55. I acquired this rifle in trade from a guy who desperately wanted to get rid of this thing because in his words, "it don't shoot worth a darn". He was right.
I had decided this rifle was going to be used for varmints, etc. I have enough big game rifles, so I only wanted to use Sierra Match King HP's. After a thorough cleaning, mounting a vintage Weaver V7-2 scope, I headed out to the range with some factory ammo. Yep, 5.5" groups for three shots at 100 yards. Disappointed. Next step, replace scope to rule it out, 5.5" groups again. Install original scope, bedding the action, and free floating the barrel (standard things I do). Groups drop to 2.5". Acceptable, but not where it should be. Now I have enough brass to do some loading.
First load was Sierra 140 gr Matchkings over a moderate charge of AA 2520. Groups at 2.0", slight improvement. Try different powder charges, and different seating depths (starting at .010" off of the lands). No improvement.
As a last resort, I try some 85 gr Sierra HP's that I borrowed off a friend. Moderate load of AA 2520 (had to use a magnum primer to prevent sooty cases) and the first 5 shot string went into a little over an inch. A little load tweeking put 5 shots into a little under an inch.
I guess even though I've been doing this for a while, now and then I get surprised. To this point, I hadn't seen a rifle that didn't like Sierra Matchkings. Learn something new every day.
Ryan
I had decided this rifle was going to be used for varmints, etc. I have enough big game rifles, so I only wanted to use Sierra Match King HP's. After a thorough cleaning, mounting a vintage Weaver V7-2 scope, I headed out to the range with some factory ammo. Yep, 5.5" groups for three shots at 100 yards. Disappointed. Next step, replace scope to rule it out, 5.5" groups again. Install original scope, bedding the action, and free floating the barrel (standard things I do). Groups drop to 2.5". Acceptable, but not where it should be. Now I have enough brass to do some loading.
First load was Sierra 140 gr Matchkings over a moderate charge of AA 2520. Groups at 2.0", slight improvement. Try different powder charges, and different seating depths (starting at .010" off of the lands). No improvement.
As a last resort, I try some 85 gr Sierra HP's that I borrowed off a friend. Moderate load of AA 2520 (had to use a magnum primer to prevent sooty cases) and the first 5 shot string went into a little over an inch. A little load tweeking put 5 shots into a little under an inch.
I guess even though I've been doing this for a while, now and then I get surprised. To this point, I hadn't seen a rifle that didn't like Sierra Matchkings. Learn something new every day.
Ryan