Freebore question:6.5 Creedmoor

[Hiwayman92]

I have a Tikka CTR in 6.5 Creedmoor. When I run the 143 ELD-X as long as I can fit in the mag 2.901", the gun shoots lights out. However, the cartridges do not reliably feed at this length. The COAL to the lands is 2.940. That seems rediculously long, right? SAAMI is supposed to be 2.80. I get no accuracy as I stuff the bullets back into the case to fit the mag. As depressing as it is, I'm going to rebarrel a 1/4 minute gun to make it usable.

My question is, does this COAL sound normal for a high quality SAAMI spec reamer, or did Tikka go way long? If this length is common, I will have to have a custom reamer designed. I'm looking for insight from guys that have used quality Reamers with SAAMI specs, and curious to know their COAL with the 143 ELD-X. I'd prefer to use a JGS SAAMI reamer, but am scared to end up in the same boat all over again on the new barrel.

 

[Edd]

I have a 6.5 Creedmoor chamber that was cut with a JGS SAAMI reamer. A 143gr ELD-X contacts the lands at an OAL of about 2.905 inches.

 

[Hiwayman92]

That sounds better! Still a pretty long though right?

 

[L.Sherm]

Saami has .199 freebore

 

[Hiwayman92]

I know that is the spec. What I need to figure out is what that means in terms of overall length for the 143 ELD-X. It seems the saami reamer leaves something to be desired for magazine shooters.

 

[L.Sherm]

It sure does in a SA

 

[L.Sherm]

A 140 berger seated at the neck shoulder junction to the lands is about .160 freebore

 

[L.Sherm]

I'm not 100% sure but if I remember correctly 2.93 or there abouts is what the 140 berger is but that doesnt do you any good if you can find any bullet dimension on the 143 like berger has you can figure it out

 

[Edd]

I know that is the spec. What I need to figure out is what that means in terms of overall length for the 143 ELD-X. It seems the saami reamer leaves something to be desired for magazine shooters.

Tell me what you want your COAL to be and how far from the lands you want your bullet and I can tell you what free bore you need.

 

[Hiwayman92]

I'd like my coal to be 2.85 or so. I think that would feed ok in the Tikka CTR Mag. I'm kicking around changing the bottom metal to AI mag style, but I think they're even shorter?

 

[MNbogboy]

All three of my savage barrels are close to each other with 143eldx hitting the lands when new at 2.880, 2.882 & 2.888. These chambers are saami .199. After 3 or 400 rounds they all are at 2.890 or just a tad less.
If your barrel truly shoots great it might be wise to set it back and rechamber with a known reamer.

 

[Hiwayman92]

I thought about that, but it's a 20" barrel which is pretty slow. I'm going to try a 26" Bartlein 5r 7.5 twist in Remington Varmint contour. With Reloder 26 I should be able to be in the 2,900 fps range.

 

[BULLBLASTER]

Is that tikka action the same as the t3? If so just get a long action bolt stop and 30-06 magazine and seat the bullets long as they need to be.

 

[Hiwayman92]

It's s T3x. The problem is, it's got the CTR bottom metal and DBM, which is a wider inlet footprint. If I didn't have a Manners EH1 for it I wouldn't Ming changing.