no worries Report post Posted September 25, 2018 After purging a bunch of gear to replace a 12 year old vehicle, I got a postponement. Jesus (mechanic, not the one upstairs) applied some bad aids and shes back on the road. Sooo, I made an executive decision to use a couple of those car payments for another rifle. Here’s what I ended up with. (Gunbroker is a dangerous website BTW) started with a new CZ 557 trued action and tune the trigger to 2.5 pounds add a #5 Bartlien straight fluted barrel chambered in 280AI ( 8 or 9 twist ??) finished at 24 inches action and barrel were surface hardened using nitrading process ( some kind of science beyond my pay grade) professionally bedded into a Manners carbon fiber stock I don’t have any info on the smith or what reamer was used. The ad included a pic of a 3 shot group that appeared to be 1/2 inch or so. No verification or notes on the target pic. The rifle was built for Tom Mack who is part of CZ skeet shooting team, which explains the choice of a 557 action. I spoke with him and he said the round count was less than 40 and it was a “shooter” with 168s. The rifle looks and feels like a brand new one. Action is a little stiff and needs cycled. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
More D Report post Posted September 25, 2018 Beautiful! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
452b264 Report post Posted October 6, 2018 How does it shoot? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
no worries Report post Posted October 8, 2018 Hopefully will have some time next week to give it a try. I’m not set up to reload yet, I dropped off a box of Nosler brass and a box of 162 eldx at a buddy’s house to start with. Its a 9 twist 24 inch # 5 custom barrel, I’m guessing it will like the 160-175 bullets. Ill post some targets/load data and ask for advice as I go thru load development. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
no worries Report post Posted December 11, 2018 Reviving my thread with some updated info. I really wanted to shoot the ELDX 162 but the rifle had other preferences. My reloading buddy gave it a few attempts and just never got any promising results. He wanted to go with a lighter bullet but I already have rifles that shoot 143 ELDX really well. We went with the Berger 168 hunters and 4831 SC seated 50 thou off the lands. Ended at 58 grains with a sticky bolt but the 3 groups (3 shot each) were .42, .28 and .41 MOA. Speed average was 2940 FPS with ES of 13. I’m a little concerned about being on the hot side but it’s shooting better than the lower charges did. 58 grains does seem to be inline with what others are using. Anyway, took if out for some field testing and killed a Coues. The 168 was extremely lethal at 410 yards. Very happy with the performance, but might need to work on the sticky bolt issue. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZAV8ER Report post Posted December 11, 2018 What are you planning to do with the brass that was maxed pressured ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
no worries Report post Posted December 11, 2018 Don’t really have any plans. Right now it’s rolling around in the bed of my kids Tacoma. Do you have a use for it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted December 11, 2018 How bad does the brass show pressure? Ejector marks? Case head swipe? Loose primer pockets? Resize it and check the primer pocket. If the primer pocket is good and still fairly tight, reload it. I always run brass to the point of pressure in a ladder test. It is always fine as long as I stop on the first or second load that shows pressure. How sticky is the bolt? And was it with virgin brass? You could very well not have pressure on a once fired fire formed case with proper headspacing. To be honest, a 168 Berger @ 2940fps does not sound too hot in a .280AI. I run a 160 TMK @ 2991 and a 175 Berger @ 2975 with no pressure. I checked my load workup when I was trying 168 HVLDs over H4831, and I started @ 58.0 and did not hit pressure until I hit 59.5gr H4831. I know each rifle is different. What primers are you using? I use Fed GM210M, and not a magnum primer which will increase pressure and speeds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
no worries Report post Posted December 12, 2018 Thanks for chiming in Lance. I’m using the 210M primers as well. The sticky bolt is bad enough that you need to whack the bolt handle with your open hand to cycle it. Possibly a real aggressive normal operation would work , but I just smack the bolt up with my palm. All the brass I’m using has been fired in the rifle. I’ll include a pic of a few, keep in mind these have rolled around in the truck bed for a month. I’ll fire some fresh ones when I get a chance. Thanks Jim Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZAV8ER Report post Posted December 13, 2018 On 12/11/2018 at 2:06 PM, no worries said: Don’t really have any plans. Right now it’s rolling around in the bed of my kids Tacoma. Do you have a use for it? No, but thanks for the offer. I should have asked "What is your comfort level with reloading brass that ran a little hot?" Not asking to bust your balls more interested in others perspective. But we got a good real world experience from lance so looks like he answered the question. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
firstcoueswas80 Report post Posted December 13, 2018 That is where I would back off about .2 and see what happens. I run my 28 Nosler at about as high of pressure as I am comfortable with, and that's short of sticky bolt. That has always been a stopping point for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
