[beastieboy78]

Thought I would post an update on this.  I spent a bit of time reading articles and forums about the primer issues I was seeing.  Again, thanks for the help!!  I read in a few places that folks were having issues with virgin Lapua brass showing flat primer signs and other over pressure signs.  The reccomendation was to full length size the virgin brass.  I had a few virgin  cases left so I decided to test out this theory.  I resized 5 cases and loaded them with the same load and primer as before.  I also loaded 5 virgin cases, again with the same load and primer.  I was able to get to the range last week.  Temps were lower than when I had the first issues but it was still over 80 degrees.  I did not have flat primers on the 5 resized cases.  I did have flat primers on 4 out of the 5 virgin cases.  Although, not as flat as the first day.  So, I found my issue.  The question is, why?  My thought is that Lapua brass is thicker and it fills up the chamber.  But I don't know that full length sizing reduces the outside diameter of the case.  If anyone can explain, I'm always willing to learn. 

[beastieboy78]

Thanks for the info Rancho.  I have not been able to get back out but I have loaded up more test loads with CCI primers.  Thinking that will help.  I looked back through my brass, which was virgin Lapua, and did not find extractor marks, web esxpansion, cracks, gas leaks around the primers or loose primer pockets.  I wonder if the long coal I am using along with the thicker Lapua brass has added more chamber pressure.  Or it's just the primers.  I won't know until I get back out to be range.  I agree with you on the longer barrel. If my CTR didn't shoot as well as it does, the barrel would have beenreplaced with a 26 in Bartlein a while ago. 

[beastieboy78]

The standard mags will not work in the CTR.  In my mind, it's the only bummer regarding this platform.  Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

[beastieboy78]

Thanks for the info on this.  Does the each volume cover different topics?  Or Is the first volume more of an overview while the second edition is more in depth?  Thanks.

[beastieboy78]

Eric,

I bought my first set of Seekins matched rings 3 years ago.  I now own three sets.  One of their best features is that they do not need to be lapped.  They have not scratched or marked my high dollar (for me) scopes.

You can easily swap the scope onto another rail without loosening the rings on the scope, Only if your rails have the same spacing in between slots.  I have an AR rail on my 6.5 Grendel that has wider spacing than my tikka rails.  Otherwise, Swapping  scopes with these rings between my tikka rifles is a breeze.

Two of the sets I purchased through vortex.  They buy Seekins rings then stamp them or have them stamped by Seekins with the vortex logo.  Vortex almost always has them in stock.  The Seekins stamped set that I ordered from their website took a couple weeks to arrive. 

I'll buy another set for my next scope.

[beastieboy78]

Awesome.  Thanks for the input and the links.  Much appreciated. 

[beastieboy78]

Thanks Jason.  I'll eat the pie!  Glad that you are working hard to bring these products to us.  I appreciate it. 

[beastieboy78]

Very nice! 

[beastieboy78]

Why do they tease us?  This sort of thing kills me.  I believe that tikka could sell way more rifles in the states.  Seems like they just don't want to or don't care to.  I have had so many people ask me about my tikka rifles.  I have let many shoot them.  They all walk away thoroughly impressed, as they should.  They are damn good rifles.  I see the ruger precision rifle flying off shelves and I think to myself, I can buy a tikka and an aftermarket chassis and end up with a better shooting (and looking) rifle with a better/smoother action for around the same money.  Sorry for the rant. Maybe I am just ticked/jealous that I don't have access or as much access as others, to some of the Tikka models.  Maybe there is a good reason that more models aren't brought over to the states.  If there is, I am sure you all will inform me.  I have had humble pie before, I'm sure I'll have it again. 

[beastieboy78]

Excellent info gents.  I have been using Federal 210 match primers with new Lapua brass. Dog, I have a bunch of the CCI primers.  Ill load some up to see if that helps. Thanks.

As far as markings on the cases go, I did not see anything unusual.  I have been seating the hornady 143 grain eldx to a 2.90 coal.  I used the hornady coal measurement tool to get a baseline.  I know that this tool is not exact.  I believe I have backed off .40 from my measurement.  Maybe I am seating the pills to far out?  Thoughts?  I do know that my 260 really shoots well at that coal with that pill.  I have tried .05 increments starting from 2.85 up to 3.05.  I believe that the 3.05 coal rounds were touching the lands.  They performed badly, by the way.  I also shot test loads with reloader 19 and h4831sc at the same coal, the primers looked great.

Eric, what does excessive web expansion mean?  Sorry for my ignorance. 

Another factor could be the heat as Eric pointed out.  It was a hot and humid 90 degrees in Wisconsin yesterday.  I tried to keep my rounds in the shade. I also let the rifle cool for at least 10 minutes in between 5 round test batches.  This is my first time using Hodgon H4350 so I am not sure how the heat impacts that powder/primer combination.  I guess there could be a few factors in play here. 

I should be satisfied with the 43.5 grain load that shot 2700 fps.  It's a vast improvement over the 2570 fps I was getting with h4831sc.  But hey, if I can get to 2750 fps with a 20 in barrel and pills that have a .610 BC, well that would just make me smile.

Thanks again!!  Really appreciate all of the advice and suggestions. Let me know if you have any other thoughts. 

[beastieboy78]

Dog Down. 

This is a little off the topic of your thread.  Sorry.  I just wanted to say thank you for your input a couple months ago.  I purchased a stainless lite in 300 wsm.  You suggested that I should have the barrel threaded and install a brake.  I did so about a month ago.  Was able to get it out to the range today.  I am so impressed with the difference that the brake makes.  The fat boy shoots like a 308 now. Was able to bang steel out to 650 yards today with good results.  Thanks again for the input, I appreciate it. 

[beastieboy78]

Thanks for the load info Dog. 

[beastieboy78]

Appreciate the update.  I have yet to start loading for my tikka 300 Wsm.  Have you used the Nosler lr on big game? 

[beastieboy78]

I've shot about 100 rounds of the 6.5 mm 143 eldx out of my 260 CTR.  30 of them were test or development rounds.  The rest have shot well from 200 to 700 yards.  I have been impressed with consistency of weight, total length and length to ogive.  Last time I was out, I was able to shoot 1.25 moa at 700 yards with them.  Hoping to tighten that up and enter a local match or two later this summer.  Biggest concern I have had is finding them. 

[beastieboy78]

Nice.  I have been toying with getting one or more of mine done.  Thanks for the info.