300 Norma Mag build, finally shooting

[Deleted member 25294]

I put an ELR Elk rifle together and had a series of disappointments getting it to shoot..
I wanted to use the 225 ELDM's but they were terrible in my barrel, and copper fouled badly.
Switched to 215 VLD's and finally found a good load with Retumbo, I'll be extremely happy if this load continues to shoot.

Here's the specs
Mesa Crux Ti action
26" MGM 8 twist varmint contour "Remage" barrel
Beast Ti brake
Manners EH1
Leupold MK5 HD 5-25x56
weighs 9.75 lbs without bipod.

 

[elkaholic]

That's a nice combo! Try some 230 Bergers in it and utilize that case capacity. Shot this today with mine

 

[IdahoCTD]

That will work. Did you try getting to the next node. That is about where a .30 Nosler shoots them. I would think you could get up over 3100 with the Norma.

 

[Deleted member 25294]

That will work. Did you try getting to the next node. That is about where a .30 Nosler shoots them. I would think you could get up over 3100 with the Norma.

Yeah I shot 89.5 grains for 3020 the other day and it went 1/2 moa but bolt lift was VERY heavy.
It was kinda weird because at 88 grains the first shot was easy lift, the next 2 were heavy..
The last 2 rounds also chambered hard so I'm a little puzzled.
Lapua brass BTW

 

[IdahoCTD]

All new brass or once fired?

 

[Deleted member 25294]

That's a nice combo! Try some 230 Bergers in it and utilize that case capacity. Shot this today with mineView attachment 135057 View attachment 135058

That's pretty incredible with a good deal less powder!
I might give the 230's a try, I struggled to get the 225's over 2950 with retumbo

 

[Deleted member 25294]

6th firing
I only have 20 from a box of loaded ammo

 

[elkaholic]

That's pretty incredible with a good deal less powder!
I might give the 230's a try, I struggled to get the 225's over 2950 with retumbo

I shot 85 grains at 3166' today just to test it. Don't know that I could run it there but 3050' runs very nicely. I figure I'll get about 8 firings on the PRC brass.
My barrel is 28""

 

[Brush buster]

How do you like the scope?

 

[Deleted member 25294]

How do you like the scope?

It's awesome!
I had it mounted on a 6.5 SAUM while building the Norma and I've shot with it quite a bit.
Tracking test was flawless up to 50 MOA, eye box is very forgiving, glass is excellent, and the turrets are great.
The PR-1 MOA reticle is really nice too.

 

[Brush buster]

Hmm I'm trying to decide between this and a couple others. You make it sound awfully tempting....

 

[Rhovee]

If the round is showing hard closing, you'll have bolt lift coming up. Your either
Not sizing the shoulder enough or your die isn't sizing the web.

 

[highdrum]

6th firing
I only have 20 from a box of loaded ammo

With 6 firings, I bet your web dimension is large and not getting sized down enough. With higher psi loads guys are seeing web sizing issues w/ 3 firings. Some are taking a body die and machining off the top to size a bit lower. There is a lot of variation in chambers it seems. A custom die that sizes the base smaller is also an option.

 

[Deleted member 25294]

With 6 firings, I bet your web dimension is large and not getting sized down enough. With higher psi loads guys are seeing web sizing issues w/ 3 firings. Some are taking a body die and machining off the top to size a bit lower. There is a lot of variation in chambers it seems. A custom die that sizes the base smaller is also an option.

Thank you!
I'll do some measurements this weekend and see if it's a sizing issue at the shoulder or web.