Then get better brass to hold up, or buy more of the Hornady to accomplish something, but don't limit a high-dollar rifle's potential and ability to shoot on $50 worth of brass. The op states in the beginning "this rifle should shoot very well given all the parts I used...", and then it didn't. And apparently his buddy's that was built at the same time with the same reamer by the same gunsmith didn't either. If Remington made factory 6.5 SAUMs, it would likely shoot better than this from factory ammo if it was available. So, if we give the gunsmith and the high-dollar precision rifle he built the benefit of the doubt, and the op is building his own ammo, what does he have left in his control that he cannot "out-shoot"?
Again, once the barrel has enough rounds down the tube to begin hard, meaningful micro-load development @ 100 yards like he's trying...
#1-shooter error (assuming he can before he shelled out a mint for a custom)#2-reloading tools/skill (assuming he had that covered before shelling out a mint for a custom that you
pretty much have to reload for)
#3-components (enough quality brass, same lot primers/bullets/powder to last the barrel life of 2500+ firings)
Like a three-legged stool, knock one of them out, and the whole thing falls apart.
There has been an entire reloading room of relatively great advice being given him, but has the process really been approached with the above covered?
Is his buddy using the same reloading components off the same bench?
Based on all that has been disclosed, I know where I would start...
Sounds like time is getting critical to get this to shoot, so I would knock out one leg at a time...
-Order a small sample of ammo made by someone else TODAY:
http://coppercreekammo.com/product/65saum-143eldx/
Website says they have 5 boxes of 20 left made from Norma brass for $99. Order two boxes, 2-day Priority Mail to your door.
Before shooting, measure the base to ogive and write it down, measure the weight of all 40 rounds to get an average of total round weight and write it down, because IF it shoots awesome, you at least have some weights and measures to duplicate it.
Go shoot 10 at 100 yards without sighting the scope in; if it groups, awesome.
Zero the scope in using the remaining 10 (if available use some sort of shoot thru or shoot by chrono, like a Labradar), if not then}}} use a strap-on chrono for 5 shots for your dope. DONE. You now have 15 or 20 ELD-X hunting rounds that are not seating-depth sensitive to use for your hunt, and your ready to go.
If it shoots better, then you know that you're not the problem and your rifle is not the problem.
If it doesn't shoot better, you'll know its likely not a component issue (I've shot C4 ammo and it shoots great), shoot the rest of them and you'll have 40 total pieces of quality brass that's been neck-turned and is ready for your reloading expertise.
If I sound hard, I'm not, I'm just really focused in helping with what your title is asking for by the shortest (and hopefully and cheapest) measure, and not going in ten different directions based on little more than assumptions.
Feel free to call or email if you have any questions. I've been shooting this caliber successfully in two custom rifles.
S. Grasseth
360-513-1235
[email protected]
