Poper
Member
Ok, so in a previous thread I asked a question regarding the possible differences in primers because I believe a change from one mfr to another may have affected the accuracy performance of a previously proven load in a .308 Winchester chambered rifle. I haven't been able to find where someone else has performed a similar test for comparison, therefore, I have decided to devise and perform a test to determine if there is a measurable difference in primers of the same class. I.E. Large Rifle primers.
The setup:
To keep this as simple as possible, I have elected to use a slightly used Weatherby Vanguard bolt action rifle chambered in .30-06 with a 22" barel that has been fitted with a Boyd's "Prairie Hunter" pre-finished walnut stock. Said rifle is equipped with a Redfield 3-9x40 scope in Warne Maxima rings on a Warne Maxima one-piece base. Said rifle has fired less than 200 rounds.
The load is one that has not been fired in this rifle before, so how it will group is anyone's guess, which is exactly why it was selected and exactly why the data gathered by the chronograph should illustrate the differences, if any. It also is slightly higher than the starting load for this bullet and powder combination in the Berger manual but is well below the maximum load for this combination.
All cases will be new, unfired Remington brass, fully prepped, including full length sized, trimmed to length ( 2.484"), chamfered, deburred, primer pockets uniformed, and the flash hole deburred.
Bullets are Berger 155 grain VLD Hunting.
Powder is 53.5 grains of IMR4350.
Cartridge overall length = 3.340"
Loading to be done using a single stage RCBS "Rock Chucker II" press, Redding bushing style full length die, RCBS Competition Bullet Seating Die, RCBS Charge Master 1500 powder dispenser and all charges will be weighed. Primers will be seated using a RCBS Universal Hand Priming Tool.
The Test
To measure the performance as accurately as possible with an amateur's tool box yet with a little bit of sophistication (if that is possible ), I have elected to keep everything as identical as possible with the only variation being the primer manufacturer.
A string of ten test rounds of each primer will be fired over a Shooting Chrony Beta Model chronograph. That data, and that data only, will be used to determine the performance differences, if any. The bore will be be allowed to cool between strings and will also be cleaned between strings. The barrel will be fouled with two rounds prior to firing each string.
I'll endeavor to illustrate with photos if/when practical. With a little luck, I'll be able to run this test this weekend. Stay tuned!
Poper
The setup:
To keep this as simple as possible, I have elected to use a slightly used Weatherby Vanguard bolt action rifle chambered in .30-06 with a 22" barel that has been fitted with a Boyd's "Prairie Hunter" pre-finished walnut stock. Said rifle is equipped with a Redfield 3-9x40 scope in Warne Maxima rings on a Warne Maxima one-piece base. Said rifle has fired less than 200 rounds.
The load is one that has not been fired in this rifle before, so how it will group is anyone's guess, which is exactly why it was selected and exactly why the data gathered by the chronograph should illustrate the differences, if any. It also is slightly higher than the starting load for this bullet and powder combination in the Berger manual but is well below the maximum load for this combination.
All cases will be new, unfired Remington brass, fully prepped, including full length sized, trimmed to length ( 2.484"), chamfered, deburred, primer pockets uniformed, and the flash hole deburred.
Bullets are Berger 155 grain VLD Hunting.
Powder is 53.5 grains of IMR4350.
Cartridge overall length = 3.340"
Loading to be done using a single stage RCBS "Rock Chucker II" press, Redding bushing style full length die, RCBS Competition Bullet Seating Die, RCBS Charge Master 1500 powder dispenser and all charges will be weighed. Primers will be seated using a RCBS Universal Hand Priming Tool.
The Test
To measure the performance as accurately as possible with an amateur's tool box yet with a little bit of sophistication (if that is possible ), I have elected to keep everything as identical as possible with the only variation being the primer manufacturer.
A string of ten test rounds of each primer will be fired over a Shooting Chrony Beta Model chronograph. That data, and that data only, will be used to determine the performance differences, if any. The bore will be be allowed to cool between strings and will also be cleaned between strings. The barrel will be fouled with two rounds prior to firing each string.
I'll endeavor to illustrate with photos if/when practical. With a little luck, I'll be able to run this test this weekend. Stay tuned!
Poper
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