.30 Bellm - first impressions

[helobill]

Just fired the .30 Bellm barrel I bought specifically for Illinois deer season. First impression is this is going to be a shooter! The guys at the indoor range I went to looked at it like a dog with 3 eyes, but then wanted to try it. I love the reaction you get after they pull the trigger the first time, the big silly grin and the stare at the gun :eek: , the laugh :lol: , then the question, "What is this again and where did you get it?"
I'm using the CNC ammo shooting 130 grain bullets at 2250 fps. Recoil is less than my super redhawk in 44 mag.
Anyone work up handloads for this yet? Once I get some of the packing boxes emptied I'm thinking of getting back into handloading (gave it up over 20 years ago when my Dad passed and I joined the service, but since this is my last duty station might be the time to start again.)
I think I'm going to like this contender thing. :grin:
Helicopter Bill

[Gregory]

Mike will tell you what the 130 gr. CNC load is using, I know it uses RE7 powder and I can check for sure when I get home for the charge weight, but from memory it's 27 gr.

I'm loading for an 13" Encore 30 Bellm, so my loads are too hot for your Contender,  I'm getting 2400 fps with the Nosler 125 BT and 2100 fps with 150 Nosler BT.  I'd say accuracy for me is a work in progress at this point.  I can get tight three shot clusters, at 100 meters, but can't hold it for larger groups sizes.  I've had two different Burris 2-7X scopes on it.
I've got one more experiment to try: cleaning the barel after every three shots, for nine shots, and seeing if the first shot after cleaning form there own group.  

At what distance were you shooting Bill?
Greg

[helobill]

I was at an indoor range so only able to go to 30 yards, I've got an older 2.5-7X Burris scope with Signature Zee rings and the Bellm 6 screw Weaver base with a 13.5" barrel. Going outside this Sunday to a 100 yard range with better rest. First shot was just to feel the recoil and start the Virgin Valley required break-in process (we could have a whole discussion about the relevance of that, but it's required for their accuracy guarantee). Next 4 shots at 30 yards from a rolled up towel, cleaning between each shot, measured .42" I'm happy so far. Did one 3 shot group and then let the range guys each have a shot (since they didn't charge me for the range time). 3 shot group again from a questionable rest put 2 shots in the same hole and one .3" away. That's better than I usually shoot, so I'm guessing the concentration level was up. I'll let you know about 5 shot groups next week (if the weather holds this weekend).
Helicopter Bill

VV's requirements are (worst part is the 10 minute wait between shots):

BARREL BREAK-IN & CLEANING PROCEDURES

First 5 Shots – Clean the barrel after EACH shot*

Next 50 Shots – Clean the barrel after each 3-5 shots*

Your new barrel is now Broken-in

* ”Cleaning the Barrel”  Means:
         
           Using a plastic coated cleaning rod, a good quality bronze brush and patch tip, flannel patches and a quality bore solvent.
            (1)  Saturate a patch with bore solvent, Run the patch thru the bore (from breech end ONLY) twice to remove powder fouling and wet the bore.
            (2)  Saturate the bronze brush with solvent and make 20 passes through the barrel (10 Cycles).
            (3)  Let the solvent soak in the barrel for 10 minutes.
            (4)  Saturate the brush with solvent again.  Make 20 more passes (10 cycles) thru the Barrel.
            (5)  Push 3 clean patches thru the barrel to remove excess solvent and loosened Fouling.

Barrel cleaning is now complete.  To insure the highest possible barrel quality, you should repeat this cleaning procedure every 20-25 shots.  Failure to do so could result in excessive build up of fouling in the bore causing accuracy to deteriorate.  Our accuracy guarantee does not cover excessively fouled barrels.