First shots, MRC X2 26 Nosler

[26NosFan]

Well I finally made it to the range today. Unfortunately I left my shooting bags at home and had to make due with the crude front rest supplied by the range and my Otis cleaning kit on the back. 140gr AB factory loads no chrony. First shot at 50 to check my boresight job was just high and left of the 10ring(a called pull as it was the first shot and I really didn't know what to expect), second just inside the ring high left. I made 4 clicks adjustment on windage knob and the third shot landed squarely at 12 o clock on the edge of the ring. I let it cool and ran a clean target out to 100. After an eternity the barrel was cool to my satisfaction and I loaded another. I proceeded to shoot 2 more and produced a .75" group, an equilateral triangle 2" high. First 6 shots in a brand new rifle and factory fodder, I am happy with that.
Recoil is very manageable, less than my 300 WSMs I think, but is likely due to the very well designed stock and cushy pad. The trigger is very nice and crisp and the scope is super clear and sharp making it easy to be comfortable and making a good shot. I am ecstatic actually as no gremlins showed up to ruin the christening of my new rifle. My conclusion is with a better resting position on a proper bag I feel that this rifle is really going to shoot well. I will tell you that the barrel heats up FAST, and that the 140 Nosler loads are hot. Next time out I am going to wait longer between shots to try and tighten this up and also try the 129gr ABLR factory loads. Stay tuned.

 

[FOTIS]

 

[26NosFan]

Man fotis you're harsh!! JK. I'll try and snap a pic of the target just for you.

 

[truck driver]

Boy Fotis you are in a creative mood today :lol:

 

[SJB358]

Very nice. Sounds like it's ready to hunt. 140ABs would be my preferred bullet with that demon as well.

 

[26NosFan]

As promised here are the targets Fotis. For reference the 10 is a 2" circle and the successive rings are 1" wide.

 

[SJB358]

Looking very decent.

 

[26NosFan]

Warm barrel and the makeshift rest didn't help. I will try again with proper bags and letting it cool longer between shots.

 

[SJB358]

It looks pretty hunt able as is. I'm sure it's only going to get better from here on out.

 

[JD338]

Looks pretty good for the first shots.
Try wrapping the barrel with a wet rag between shoots, it will cool faster.
Works well when I am shooting my 338 RUM.

JD338

 

[joelkdouglas]

Eh, shoot it hot and fast!

Okay, maybe not, unless you like getting new barrels.

I typically dry fire between shots just to slow myself down. And a couple three rifles really helps too.

Those groups look mighty fine. If you can center your shots around your aim point you're good to, what, 500 yards? Or further than I would want to shoot anyway!

 

[26NosFan]

Update...
Second trip to the range with the 26. Waited longer between shots to allow barrel cooling and had a decent set of bags for a more steady and consistent rest . Shot (4) 3 shot strings, that is all the time I had unfortunately, all at 100yds. Nosler factory loads.

The 140gr AB load continues to give either a equilateral triangle .75" to 1" or 2 in and 1 out(this could be me). load shows slight signs of being hot in my rifle, but not every shot. there seems to be a consistency issue to me.

The 129gr ABLR load is very pleasant and groups much tighter, .5 to .75, but stringing horizontally. This is most likely me. No signs of pressure or variance I'm seeing with the 140gr load.
Both the 129 and 140gr loads POI is nearly identical between 2.5 and 2.75 high respectively. This puts zero at 300 for both loads by my calculation.

The rifle has a 1:8.5" twist and is hand lapped. the first cleaning showed almost no copper fouling at all, a very slight blue on the patches using CR10. Carbon was minute. We will see at this next cleaning.

I have two boxes of the 142 ABLR factory load ordered so that will be next up. Stay tuned.