Legionnaire
Contributing Member
As I've hinted across a number of threads, I recently picked up Bergara Premier HMR Pro in 6.5 PRC. I added a 5-round (actually only holds 4) Accurate Mag magazine for bench use as the 7-round mag that came with the rifle is a bit unwieldy. Also added an Area 419 Hellfire brake. I cleaned the bore, mounted and bore sighted a Nightforce NXS 5.5-22X50, and headed to the range today.
Good day to be at the range. Sunny, 61°, light wind from 2 o'clock. Sun on the field put up significant mirage, but not insurmountable. No hand loads this time out; rather, a single box of Hornady 143gr ELD-X ammo with a rated muzzle velocity of 2,960 fps.
I was impressed. I fired a total of 16 rounds: one to get on paper, then five three-shot groups. The Hornady ammo averaged 3,100 fps from the 26-inch 8-twist barrel. The single shot low and right was the first shot. The 0.729 group just above and to the right of the single shot was the first group. Group lower left (0.602) was second; two shots through the upper hole. Third group was best: upper left, 0.309. Fourth group, upper right, 0.580. I'm disappointed with the final group in the center (0.836): first two shots were touching, and then I dropped the third. Knew it when the trigger broke.
Still, 0.611 five group average first time out. I wanted to shoot the trigger "out of the box," so didn't weigh it before the outing. Definitely heavier than my 22-250, though. When I got home I weighed it at 4#. My 22-250 AI is set at 3#. Easy to lighten the Trigger Tech trigger, so it is now at 3# as well. Hopefully that will help me tighten things up a bit. Oh, I really like the Hellfire brake!
I am very pleased. I have dies and components, and the Hornady hunting ammo gives me a good baseline. Looking forward to seeing what hand loading can do!
Good day to be at the range. Sunny, 61°, light wind from 2 o'clock. Sun on the field put up significant mirage, but not insurmountable. No hand loads this time out; rather, a single box of Hornady 143gr ELD-X ammo with a rated muzzle velocity of 2,960 fps.
I was impressed. I fired a total of 16 rounds: one to get on paper, then five three-shot groups. The Hornady ammo averaged 3,100 fps from the 26-inch 8-twist barrel. The single shot low and right was the first shot. The 0.729 group just above and to the right of the single shot was the first group. Group lower left (0.602) was second; two shots through the upper hole. Third group was best: upper left, 0.309. Fourth group, upper right, 0.580. I'm disappointed with the final group in the center (0.836): first two shots were touching, and then I dropped the third. Knew it when the trigger broke.
Still, 0.611 five group average first time out. I wanted to shoot the trigger "out of the box," so didn't weigh it before the outing. Definitely heavier than my 22-250, though. When I got home I weighed it at 4#. My 22-250 AI is set at 3#. Easy to lighten the Trigger Tech trigger, so it is now at 3# as well. Hopefully that will help me tighten things up a bit. Oh, I really like the Hellfire brake!
I am very pleased. I have dies and components, and the Hornady hunting ammo gives me a good baseline. Looking forward to seeing what hand loading can do!
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