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Me and my dirty barrel

3K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  EMC2 
#1 ·
Well, I'm happy enough to have 2 really good hunting loads for my 300 WSM. The first is a Barnes 168gr TSX load that prints really pretty on paper, and the second is the Hornady interbond that I wrote about in another thread.

The Barnes shoots as I wish them to from a spotless barrel, but the Interbond will only shoot under an inch after about 5 or 6 fouling shots. I want to hunt with the interbond this year, and I'll just end up leaving the barrel fouled till after the season.

I am considering this may be the case because of the higher (?) than average secant ogive of the Hornady profile, giving it less bearing surface on the barrel lands, possibly combined with a factory barrel being just a bit larger than spec. where the extra copper/powder in the barrel causes the bullet to have a good enough grip to remain concentric as it travels down the bore....guessing here, but?

Thoughts?
 
#2 ·
My thought? Yup, you're guessing! :)
(sorry, that was just too good a straight line to pass up)
Barrels are as individual as people are. Yours might well shoot the Interbond well only when the barrel is fouled. The barrel might shoot other cup and core bullets more accurately when the barrel is fouled, too- or not.
It is a good thing to know what your barrel likes, and you now know how to get the best accuracy out of 2 distinctly different bullets- and that's good. Whether you can make generalizations about what other bullets will do, only testing will tell you- and only for that barrel.
 
#3 ·
personaly i'd shoot the barnes load, but just the same you are on the right track with your thinking on the interbond load. i'll be honest with you, i don't clean any of my rifles until their accuracy starts to fall off. i live in a dry climate and don't bother with anything moly coated so it's not such a worry. i did the same back in the humid midwest and never had any trouble either.
 
#4 ·
EMC2, how ya doin'?

Well for starters I'd try some 180's as most but no all 300 mags seem to like a longer heavier bullet. If the Barnes is a solid copper bullet I'd guess it's longer than the 165 hornady and thus printing better on paper. I've had the same results with 165 Interbonds in my 300RUM.

RJ
 
#5 ·
Hi Recoil, I'm doing just fine, buddy thanks for asking and it's good to see your name again. I hope your feeling fine as well, and enjoying your big revolvers as much as I am mine.

Anyway, yes, I am guessing, but that's part of the fun I suppose. I just wish it was easy for me to do testing, but they closed the range closest to me and now I'm an hour away from my closest, and with two children too young to bring with me, well, it ain't easy for me to get out there.

Anyway, I use the ogive analogy because I have found both in .270 and in .308 the Hornady bullets are driven slower with the same powder charge than bullets with more bearing surface such as the Accubond. Moreover, I've experienced this in 3 rifles (1) Browning A-Bolt in .300 WSM, (2) Savage 110LE in .30 and (3) the Win Mod 70 in .270 Win. I just find the coincidence of the hornady preferring a dirty barrel in 3 rifles to be alarming.

Finally, I've already proved these loads, and to go out and find a new one would just be work... a labor of love, yes, but that could potentially be a reason for me to go out and get another caliber....:D
 
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