Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
Agree. I had my 22-250 AI rebarreled. Kept the old barrel and had it rechambered to match the new barrel. It's a switchlug, so I screw the old bbl on for initial fireforming. Saves the new 1:8 barrel for more important things!On another note, the gentleman I bought my rig from, actually fire formed his brass in a separate barrel. When I got it,it only had three hundred actual bullets through the bore. My bore, and throat are in excellent condition. It really likes mono bullets, but shoots Fowler match bullets very nicely. Also likes Sierra Blitz Kings also. Groundhogs, not so much!
Actually, I said that to show some of the differences with some more than others. IF things are to get better it will be across the board. Linear. Someone should test all of these calibers that are improved to see what we have gained.
With respect to the OP, you might want to consider starting your own thread, so responses are geared specifically towards your current goal/situation. There are a few .338 NMI owners here that can chime in and help you. Good luck!
If, you are fireforming with a bullet, it's better, to be in the throat, but, if when you resize you brass, if you leave a little dimple at the base of the neck, it creates a false shoulder, and keeps the base firmly against bolt when firing. That's critical, otherwise you'll have excessive headspace. If you have a lot of free bore, that may be best option.
Your right Feenix I just thought this was well related to the thread but it is specific to my situation.
It is, but when people do a search/query later, whatever information shared here "might" not pop up because it is buried too deeply. As noted, it also maximizes responses specific to .338 NMI. When the post is titled accordingly, it will have more results, but that's just me.
MooseChaos/hunter67wa - been on the road and just got back home to look up my records for 6.5x55 vs 6.5x55AI. Average grains of water increase (Lapua to Lapua fire-formed AI) was 5.0 gr which is an increase of about 8.5%. As a qualifier, I load for accuracy and fairly conservatively- my safe and proven 6.5x55 load with 130gr Sierra GameChanger or Nosler AB gives velocity of 2750 fps (23" bbl). I worked up my load for 6.5x55AI thinking the max equivalent AI load would be approximately 2750 +8.5% = 2984 fps (about +200 fps) with same bullets. I started with max standard 6.5x55 SE loads and worked up. I found an accuracy/velocity node at 2925 fps and stopped there with no indications of pressure. I've been shooting this load for about 15 years and it's performance has literally been outstanding. In a strong modern action I'm sure you could safely get these numbers or better with 140-145 gr bullets. I just haven't pushed the envelope as I use this rifle for coyote, antelope and deer. While I'm sure it would do the job on bigger game, elk/moose, I prefer my 300 WSM for that. These loads still use RL22 which was the powder of choice at the time I first started with this and I'm comfortable with the performance for my use. However, given some of the new powders esp RL26, I think you could get outstanding performance from this AI with some of the newer and heavier 6.5 bullets. JME - hope it's helpful.
PM sent...I have a Christensen Ridgeline I may be convinced to part with.
