Hi Side-burn,
I wrote a piece earlier this eveing in answer to a similar thread and Bill is close to the mark. Perhaps in this discussion, we should start by asking Eley the obvious question - why for example, does Eley 'advertise' their speed deviations and others such as Lapua - do not see the same need.
Interestingly, Eley say (on their web-site) that their ammo speed is rated at 1085 fps but I've never seen anything close to that. The best we've seen here is 1071 fps and as low as 1044 fps. Its obvious that the manufacturing processes of which Eley are so proud, do in fact, produce such a spread of results (i.e. in speed) that instead of attempting to fix the obvious problems, they've decided to use that as a marketing edge. Are we all that stupid to just ignore this obvious fact...
I would suggest that their manufacturing is in fact - by their own published evidence - incapable of delivering a consistent product. Of course the reverse is true for Lapua and we'll never know what sort of spread (in speed) they produce other than recognising the odd good 'batch'. I'm sure we all experience the odd dropped shot or two per box which would (generally) indicate a slower round.
I have a Anschutz BR-50 which when new, showed a liking for Eley Match but as it's become 'seasoned', has shown a distinct liking for the Lapua Midas Plus and if as suggested above by Pete, becasue the longer barrel seems to suit it.
Perhaps someone could ask Bob Collins to explain this difference between published speed and reality which given their modern manufacturing excellence, I find quite strange and indeed, in any other field of manufacturing - this 'range' of finished goods and poor quality control, would be totally unacceptable.
I think we should start there and I'd love to hear from the maufacturer but won't hold my breath.
Cheers from downunder
Cary
