Gave the Matrix 190 VLD's a go through the 7mm WSM today.

[jjhunter]

I'm getting 2860 with 66 grns of H1000 behind a 168 berger and Federal 215 match primers.   Single digit ES and extremely accurate out of a 26" Krieger.  Wanted more velocity, but ran into pressure signs.   Used a short throated reamer so I could jam and still fit the box mag.   I'll just grab another minute.....

Where do your Bergers prefer to be seated? I know some chambers like them jammed, but alone with that sometimes comes strange flyers. Some like at least .020 jump. What has worked for you? Have you tried it both ways?

I  jammed them .02 and started at 63 grns and worked my way up 67 grns.  Shot every charge very good between 63 and 67 grns.   At 67, the bolt was a little too sticky for my liking.  I backed off a grain and chrono'd.   I was disappointed with 2860 fps, but with groups hovering in the .3s and single digit ES, I figured that I would stop while ahead.   

I threw a #4 Kreiger on a Kimber Montana and bedded, so it is a little pencil barreled thing.  Shoots better than I thought it would.   Killed two mule deer bucks and a bunch of 'yotes this year and drops them like Thor's hammer!

[rbros]

like I mentioned earlier, I currently am trying to get all the licensing with the county dialed in....it sounds like we are all on the same page now. I am doing bedding work as well as lots of other stuff, but until the licensing headache is completed I am stuck with same day service stuff. I am whipping up some mini barrels and threaded caps to distribute to a few shops around here to show the type of work that will be coming out of our shop. they all seem to be happy to see a machine shop type smith here instead of parts changers. its a slow transition for me since its is all being done out of pocket and all my tooling is being paid for in cash, and I am sure travis and any others will agree, that number seems to grow expotentially every day. I shook hands on a stock duplicator last week with a retired smith and as soon as he can have it ready to ship...I am going to try my hand at wood. I have always wanted to build guild quality wood/blued pre 64's and mausers, but the stock work has been too expensive...but, if I can pay myself $.25 an hour.....

I guess that was a long drawn out answer to a simple question....lol

It gets worse my friend.  Tooling is expensive as hell and its a never ending purchasing cycle.  I have around $10k in chamber reamers now alone.  Lathes, mills, blasting/painting setups, its all adds up very quickly.  Especially when you are paying for everything in cash!

FWI, I was running the 180's .010" off the lands with 69gr of H1000 to get 3000fps in a 26" barrel.  This is about the top end for sure.  My brother is running 162's at 3200 in a 26" barrel using H4831SC.  This is real data based off actual drops out to 1500yds.  I have not played with the 7mm Matrix bullets yet, but the 6mm's were almost identical to the Berger version BC wise.  I have some 7's in the shop, just haven't had time to play with them yet.  Will run them through my new 7mm Wildcat when its finished up.  It should push them at the 3150-3175 range.

[Biggerhammer]

This based off your drops or your bro with a short plumber holding the dumb end of the tape?

[MDGrand]

Not to hijack the thread here.. but I have some questions about the Matrix bullets. Perhaps a few of you can answer...

I loaded up some 210 VLDs for my 300 RUM and from everything I have ready, they have a static BC of 0.7525... which is "static"... this means what exactly? That this is the BC in a vacuum, not the BC out of a barrel?

Also.. they seemed to have just ripped off Berger.. using the same ogive and J4 jackets... are these just really Berger 210 VLD clones? What is the real difference here?

Thanks!

[Biggerhammer]

"Static" Exactly? Not in movement , as it sits in design. The purpose of a static BC is rather comical. BC's change at distance and at different velocities. Matrix does use the j4 jacket, Cauterucio uses the Sierra jacket. As for "Ripped off" it's all on how you look at it. Matrix and Cauterucio bullets all come from one die for each particular bullet as compared to Bergers 7mm 180 VDL coming off of 6 or so separated individual dies. Which when the top half or bottom half wear they hardly replace the whole die as a complete set, they replace the top or the bottom. As anyone knows when it comes to those type of tolerances, that isn't the thing to do. Replace the whole die, but that would cost them more of the money you paid them for their product.

So it may matter to some or not at all, when you open a box of Matrix or Cauterucio bullets they all were hand made through one die. When you open that box off Bergers you have bullets off multiple dies in one box. Does that matter with the average shooter with a factory barrel. Most often than not NO. due the fact the average shooter with a factory rifle in hand, is not capable of driving the bullet to it's accuracy potential. For the guy who has 3-6 K wrapped up in a complete custom fine tuned package and is very capable of slapping the trigger. Yes , it matters.

By the Bob Cauterucio purchases his jackets straight from Sierra, obviously Sierra doesn't feel ripped off.

[Biggerhammer]

Got a little range time in today in between the fog rolling in and out. Guess it just made me cool my barrel longer. I loaded up 10 each with the 190gr Matrix, .010 jammed, .010 jumped, .020 jumped and .030 jumped. Same charge of 66.8grs of H1000, fired 3 of each at 100, 200 and 300 yards. The loads jumped .010 and .020 sucked! Still shot moa but not even close to what I am looking for. The load jammed .010 stacked them in there at 300 yards but I had a snug bolt lift on all three and will have to back the charge off or just live with destroying brass. Just to do it right I'll back it off, even though H1000 is fairly temperature tolerant. If I'm having those type of issues now, I can count on real issues come 80-100 degree weather. The .030 load came in at a close second, just under a 1 1/2 @ 300 yards.

Scrubbed the bore good and shot, the remaining singles from each load into a 100 yard target and left.

This is the best group of the day at 300 yards with the 190 Matrix jammed .010. Came in at just under 5/8"



Waiting for the fog to clear, couldn't even see the 200 and 300 yard boards.

[carpsniperg2]

Looks like a great start. When you get that thing warmed up and broke in I am sure you will get it tacking

[high country]

not too shabby at all for a non bedded rig in those conditions.

[Biggerhammer]

not too shabby at all for a non bedded rig in those conditions.

It's going to sit for a little while now, I pulled the barreled action and sold that HS-Stock. The Pacific Tool And Gauge detachable mag bottom metal form the long action should be out any day. As soon as I get it, I'll send the stock, it and the barreled action off to be bedded. Then run the AICS Lapua mags, I also think I'll have them cut the throat out a bit more .030 or so.

[rbros]

This based off your drops or your bro with a short plumber holding the dumb end of the tape?

The 180's are based on my drops......the 162's are based off his.  I know when we shot it in Montana out to 1k, it matched up also to 3200.  Plumbers can't read tapes...you should know that!

[Wazukie]

I just absolutely love the 105 VLD in my .243 AI, best bullet I've found and I'm looking forward to trying it in my 300WSM

[Biggerhammer]

This based off your drops or your bro with a short plumber holding the dumb end of the tape?

The 180's are based on my drops......the 162's are based off his.  I know when we shot it in Montana out to 1k, it matched up also to 3200.  Plumbers can't read tapes...you should know that!