FIELD TESTING SHERMAN SHORT ADG BRASS

[257 Blackjack]

I'm sort of an impatient fellow, and reading threads like this make me really want to turn the computer off for a month or two so I don't have to dream about an SST for a couple months.

Glad the brass is turning out to be tough as nails. This is going to be a big win for LRH and for the ELR style PRS matches, and many of the older style matches in OK, TX, NE, and WY where it can go out to 1500-2100 yds and there's plenty of wind.

 

[elkaholic]

I'm sort of an impatient fellow, and reading threads like this make me really want to turn the computer off for a month or two so I don't have to dream about an SST for a couple months.

Glad the brass is turning out to be tough as nails. This is going to be a big win for LRH and for the ELR style PRS matches, and many of the older style matches in OK, TX, NE, and WY where it can go out to 1500-2100 yds and there's plenty of wind.

That's what I figure!

 

[eshorebwhntr]

I apologize if I missed this somewhere...since you guys are fireforming is this just SAUM brass with your headstamp on it with the plan to make actual dimensionally correct brass soon? Or is it the shallower shoulder version (sst?) of your 2 offerings and just finishing the shoulder forming?

 

[elkaholic]

It is shortened Saum brass that is properly head spaced to fire form. The sst is all but formed (just a little taper removed) and full loads can be fired immediately with accuracy. The SS head stamps come in the same form but should be fired with somewhat reduced loads to form the shoulder. All come with the proper case length so they will shrink to the correct length.

 

[elkaholic]

Awesome information, Rich! Any word on when the brass with upgraded SS dimensions will be available? (Crossing my fingers for mid August)
I'm impressed with how durable this stuff is. Can't wait to get my new rifle shooting this stuff!

Just to clarify; the updated dimensions you were referring to are the thinner necks, right? There won't be anything that already has a 40 degree shoulder this year.

 

[wilkup]

Just to clarify; the updated dimensions you were referring to are the thinner necks, right? There won't be anything that already has a 40 degree shoulder this year.

That is correct. Looking forward to it!

 

[SHRTSHTR]

Just to clarify; the updated dimensions you were referring to are the thinner necks, right? There won't be anything that already has a 40 degree shoulder this year.

 

[elkaholic]

The production brass will come similar to what the turned necks are now. We are shooting for .0145" on the 7 mm.

 

[elkaholic]

One of my PRS guys in Mo. was testing some ADG brass for me and reported 5 es with RL26 and a 142 JLK

 

[El Matavenados]

Today I fireformed 10 ADG cases in my 338 SS. Case lengths after necking from 7mm to .338 but before fireforming were between 1.939" and 1.945". 7 of them were between 1.940" and 1.942"

I loaded them with 60 grains or RL 22 behind a 225 grain Hornady interlock jammed into the lands, as this did a good job forming Norma brass. I did not do any neck reaming or turning prior to fireforming.

After firing, the bolt lift was much heavier than I expected, based on my experiences with Norma brass. However, there were no pressure signs. Primers looked fine, no ejector swipes, nothing unusual other than the heavy bolt lift.

Lengths after fireforming were between 1.931" and 1.937". 5 were between 1.933" and 1.935".

Next Saturday I hope to get the necks trimmed and turned, and get some real test loads sent down range.

 

[elkaholic]

So far so good. We wanted everything to be 1.930+ after forming so you could trim to 1.930'. Looking forward to your testing!

 

[ruby76]

Today I fireformed 10 ADG cases in my 338 SS. Case lengths after necking from 7mm to .338 but before fireforming were between 1.939" and 1.945". 7 of them were between 1.940" and 1.942"

I loaded them with 60 grains or RL 22 behind a 225 grain Hornady interlock jammed into the lands, as this did a good job forming Norma brass. I did not do any neck reaming or turning prior to fireforming.

After firing, the bolt lift was much heavier than I expected, based on my experiences with Norma brass. However, there were no pressure signs. Primers looked fine, no ejector swipes, nothing unusual other than the heavy bolt lift.

Lengths after fireforming were between 1.931" and 1.937". 5 were between 1.933" and 1.935".

Next Saturday I hope to get the necks trimmed and turned, and get some real test loads sent down range.

I'm interested to know what the neck thickness is after necking up to 338? Really glad someone is testing it out in the 338SS!

 

[El Matavenados]

I will put my ball micrometer on it tomorrow when I start my neck turning, and let you know.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I got out today to fire form my 6.5SS ADG brass.

I ran some decent loads of H1000 under both 140 HVLDs and 150 SMKs. Not too hot, but some fairly high loads that I use in my formed Norma loads. 57.0 H1000 & 58.0 H1000.

I am extremely happy to say, cases came out sharp, formed well, and not a single sign of pressure. I did not take my chrono with me, but looking at my previous loads with the same charge weights in formed cases, I would guess the 140s were between 3040-3100fps, and the 150s were between 3000-3060fps.

Shot at 200 yards, as we were sighting in a buddy's rifle for an upcoming elk hunt, and wanted a 200 yard zero. Plus, helps to show a bit better what the loads are going to do.

The far targets out by the back berm are 200 yards.


After I got home, started taking measurements. All 20 were within .0005" at the shoulder datum using the .420 Hornady headspace gauge. 1.565" to 1.5655"




My Norma brass 5 times fired and shoulder bumped to 1.5635" (.002" headspace)





Another loaded round



Fired case neck diameter



Loaded round (I use a .291" bushing)



Measured all 20 cases. Lengths after firing were between 1.953" to 1.956".









Not a single swipe or ejector mark that I can see. Primers looked good. A bit of cratering, but that is an R700 bolt for you. No sticky bolt lift either.



Shoulders look good.





Before



After



Sub-1/2 MOA from fire forming loads? I will take that. Not bad for 200 yards.