I just received a new rifle from my gunsmith.
It's a 6 Norma BR, 25" KS Arms barrel, custom contour- 1.250" at the breech tapered to 1.1" at the muzzle. I put a KS Arms muzzle brake on it as well as March HM scope. I skipped the sophisticated stock though to keep this new project within my budget and decided to go with the oryx chassis. I have a .272 no neck turn chamber and freebore based on 105gr Berger Hybrids.
Today I brought the rifle for the first time to the range. I did my first load development for the rifle using VV N140 Powder and 95 gr Berger VLDs. I hate VLDs, because they are very jump sensitive, but I have them on stock, so in currect situation you shoot what you have.
I followed the Erik Stecker's manual
https://bergerbullets.com/getting-the-best-precision-and-accuracy-from-vld-bullets-in-your-rifle/Load 24 rounds at the following COAL if you are a target competition shooter who does not worry about jamming a bullet:
1. .010 into (touching) the lands (jam) 6 rounds
2. .040 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
3. .080 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
4. .120 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
however I was unable to finish the testing. I gave up after the second .040 off the lands group, since at 10.00 am in the morning we had 27 degrees Celsius at the range. The barrel was freaking hot after 10 shots, so I gave up on the load testing. Will finish that during my next visit.
I pretty much agree with Gale McMillan's position on barrel break-in
https://www.6mmbr.com/gailmcmbreakin.htmlbut nonetheless decided to perform voodoo procedure at the range by cleaning the barrel after each 5-shot string.
Here are the initial results at 100m:
6-shot group
4-shot group:
the rifle:
