I just got my new Model 12 BTCSS to the range today and I have some observations and a question (I'm new to bolt action rifles, not new to guns).
Sighting in was a breeze, took 3 rounds. Fired a group, set gun on vise, lined up POA and moved the reticle to POI. 4th shot was perfect.
Now, on the the ammo observations. I was using PMC 55gr Bronze and getting about 1 MOA. Not bad but I was hoping for better out of this gun. I purchased some ammo from DeadZero Ammunition so it was time to try that. It's reload using once fired brass, Hornady 55gr V-Max with 24.5gr of TAC powder. They have new brass but this was $8 cheaper per 50. The results, CLOVERLEAFS! .325 MOA. I then tried some new Hornady 55gr JHP "Superformance" rounds. That was a mistake. The best I could muster was 2 MOA. It was horrible. Obviously the light bullet, hot load and the 1 in 9 twist in a 26" barrel are not a good combination. (Btw, I was using the shoot, clean, shoot, clean break in routine, well actually shoot 3, clean, shoot 3, clean......)
Here's the question, when I close the bolt on the PMC and Hornady ammo it's easy, smooth as can be. When I close the bolt on the DeadZero ammo it takes some effort. I immediately thought headspace but didn't have anything to use to measure. When I got home I measured the rounds and the only difference is the total length. The PMC is 2.224", the DeadZero is 2.264". The V-Max bullet also stays cylindrical for about .15" before it tapers, the PMC and JHP Hornaday start to taper almost immediately. Is what I'm feeling the bullet engaging the lands? Should I be concerned?
I sent a note off to the guys at DeadZero to get their opinion. I'm hoping its nothing serious because my gun REALLY likes their ammo and I really like the gun.
Sighting in was a breeze, took 3 rounds. Fired a group, set gun on vise, lined up POA and moved the reticle to POI. 4th shot was perfect.
Now, on the the ammo observations. I was using PMC 55gr Bronze and getting about 1 MOA. Not bad but I was hoping for better out of this gun. I purchased some ammo from DeadZero Ammunition so it was time to try that. It's reload using once fired brass, Hornady 55gr V-Max with 24.5gr of TAC powder. They have new brass but this was $8 cheaper per 50. The results, CLOVERLEAFS! .325 MOA. I then tried some new Hornady 55gr JHP "Superformance" rounds. That was a mistake. The best I could muster was 2 MOA. It was horrible. Obviously the light bullet, hot load and the 1 in 9 twist in a 26" barrel are not a good combination. (Btw, I was using the shoot, clean, shoot, clean break in routine, well actually shoot 3, clean, shoot 3, clean......)
Here's the question, when I close the bolt on the PMC and Hornady ammo it's easy, smooth as can be. When I close the bolt on the DeadZero ammo it takes some effort. I immediately thought headspace but didn't have anything to use to measure. When I got home I measured the rounds and the only difference is the total length. The PMC is 2.224", the DeadZero is 2.264". The V-Max bullet also stays cylindrical for about .15" before it tapers, the PMC and JHP Hornaday start to taper almost immediately. Is what I'm feeling the bullet engaging the lands? Should I be concerned?
I sent a note off to the guys at DeadZero to get their opinion. I'm hoping its nothing serious because my gun REALLY likes their ammo and I really like the gun.