6 inches in 1 hour

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13 years 11 months ago #11352 by txlongshotb4
6 inches in 1 hour was created by txlongshotb4
Well I have officially pulled the trigger...Today I had my 24 inch Lilja barrel chopped down to 18 inches, re-crowned, re-threaded, and re-installed. From a portability standpoint, the loss of six inches has had a huge impact-the results of which I am very pleased with. I am planning on going to the range tomorrow to re-zero and group...here's to hoping that I get the time to carry out that plan, and that the results are good...I'll keep you all posted, wish me luck.

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13 years 11 months ago - 13 years 11 months ago #11355 by txlongshotb4
Replied by txlongshotb4 on topic Re: 6 inches in 1 hour
Well, I've returned from the range, and I am both satisfied and frustrated.

I showed up at the range this morning with a 50 round box of hand loads tht are all capped with Sierra 175 grn. Match King bullets. As most of you know, these are open tip match by design. I was informed by the RSO, as I am every time, that no full metal jacketed ammo is allowed on the range. This time, however, he wishes to inspect my ammo. So, I let him take a look, and he informs me that my rounds are classified as full metal jacketed bullets. I retort by saying that I've shot these same loads at this range hundreds of times, and he tells me that I have been wrong hundreds of times, that my rounds are not allowed.
So I go into the shop there at the range to find some suitable alternative. I tell the guy at the counter that I am looking for something close to 175 grn match in .308 Winchester to shoot on the range. He responds by offering me a box of Federal gold trophy match-which incorporates a Sierra Match King bullet-the same damn bullet I have in my hand loads. I then recite the conversation I'd just had with the RSO outside, and he informs me that any ammunition they sell in their shop is authorized on their range. So I grit my teeth, and buy four boxes. I get back outside, hold up a box in front of the RSO and ask if it is acceptable ammo, that I had just bought it in the shop. Without a second's hesitation, he tells me that it's fine. I had half of the mind to point out to him that it fires the same damn projectile that my hand loads fire, but that point had the potential to go either way...grrrr.
So anyhow, after that little set back, I got myself set up and sent three rounds downrange, to get my suppressor nice and warm and let the barrel re-seat into the reciever since I had pulled it off to cut it down. I was a little concerned at first, as the first three strung right and high as can be seen from the pic below.


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After a little bit of tweaking, my group started to tighten considerably. The start of the group is at the top of this jagged hole. I then started to slowly pull it down and left, pting to try and get the center of the group as close to the 9 o'clock position as possible, as this is the same place I had impact from Federal match the last time I shot it through this rifle. Im sure that chopping off six inches of barrel has done much to change that data, but hey...you've got to start somewhere.

So, all said and done, I suppose I should be pleased. I put 80 rounds of factory ammo through this hole, so at least I know it will group-and probably a lot better when I can tweak a load for it. I am, however, frustrated with the whole issue about what open tip match ammo I can or cannot shoot at my local range, based on the whim of an ill-informed RSO...I would have much preferred to leave the range this morning with a dead on bull seye zero.
Last edit: 13 years 11 months ago by txlongshotb4. Reason: picture didn't upload the first time

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13 years 11 months ago - 13 years 11 months ago #11357 by txlongshotb4
Replied by txlongshotb4 on topic Re: 6 inches in 1 hour
I almost forgot a major detail...a picture of the rifle!



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This is the new look, with six less inches of barrel and a new paint job that I stayed up way too late last night doing.
Last edit: 13 years 11 months ago by txlongshotb4. Reason: picture didn't upload again.

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13 years 11 months ago #11364 by 13fcolt
Replied by 13fcolt on topic Re: 6 inches in 1 hour
Were you able to measure the muzzle velocity difference going from 24 - 18? It will be interesting to see what 175smk can do for you with the shorter tube further out.

Last time I put up with a range that had an RSO went about like yours. I swear they are worse than mall ninjas. can't use my ammo, my suppressor is illegal, hey that sounded like full auto!, you can't shoot tracers here ( talking about ballistic tips). on and on, I don't know where they get these guys.

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13 years 11 months ago #11367 by txlongshotb4
Replied by txlongshotb4 on topic Re: 6 inches in 1 hour
I have never measured my MV. I don't even own a chronograph,but it's been on my to do list for years.

I was able to get 1,000 meter hits when the barrel was 24 inches, but I needed the suppressor to do it for the little bit of extra velocity it provides, and my Leupold was completely bottomed out on elevation to do it. One school of thought is that I might need a new mount with some MOA relief in order to get out to 1K with the shorter barrel, but another school of thought is that I have just drastically changed any muzzle droop issues I may have had with a 1 pound suppressor out on the end of a 24 inch barrel, but who knows. At the end of the day, I'll be fine with 800 meters. I don't really ever have a real world need to shoot to 1K...in the field it's always much closer...so I'll trade 200 meters worth of ability for a much lighter and shorter package.

As an added bonus I didn't really think about too much, I have some Lapua 200 grn. Subsonic loads that I like to play with, just because they are so damned quiet...makes my rifle sound like a pneumatic nail gun. This shorter barrel seems to throw them a lot better. My guess is that they had been running out of gas before they ran out of barrel when it was 24 inches. I used to have to set my elevation knob for 650 meter dope to get the subsonic to hit at 75 meters...now it's 400 meter dope for the same range...drastic change there.

Anyhow, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve to try. I might try to slim down to 168 grain match and see how that runs in the shorter tube...who knows? Stranger things have happened. I'll work up a new load eventually, but for all I know the load I had worked out might just do the trick...I don't know because the dill hole range safety officer wouldn't let me find out...still pissed about that.

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13 years 11 months ago #11373 by jtallen83
Replied by jtallen83 on topic Re: 6 inches in 1 hour
DAM'N I want a can!
Thanks for keeping us all posted, I sure hope I get a chance to put this info to work.

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13 years 11 months ago #11377 by Charlie
Replied by Charlie on topic Re: 6 inches in 1 hour
Sheesh! We can shoot any damn thing we want at the LDWF range as long as it's not full auto.

Aaaah! The pleasures of living in podunk :evil:

Charlie

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13 years 11 months ago - 13 years 11 months ago #11402 by Cleandean
Replied by Cleandean on topic Re: 6 inches in 1 hour

txlongshotb4 wrote: I almost forgot a major detail...a picture of the rifle!



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This is the new look, with six less inches of barrel and a new paint job that I stayed up way too late last night doing.

Good looking rig; It's shooting now, as tight as it's appearance
Last edit: 13 years 11 months ago by Cleandean.

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