Help! How does this crown look?

[VikingCruze]

I’m at the end of my rope here with the Grendel caliber. On paper the Grendel is everything I want it to be but I can’t seem to get a consistent load developed consistently. I’ve tried 7 bullets and 4 powders. I tried bumping the case shoulders back anywhere from .003” back to factory lengths. I’ve tried seating my bullets on the lands, if capable, and setting back from .010-.030”. I’ve tried three different primers. I’ve done extensive brass prep such as uniforming/ deburring flasholes, uniforming primer pocket depth, chamfering inside and outside, weight sorting brass, and trimming to equal lengths. I’ve tried AA, Hornady and Starline brass. I’ve tried using scopes from other guns that shoot sub 1/2MOA without luck. It seems like everything I shoot I’ll get something that looks promising but I’m never able to reproduce that load with the same results.

I’ve never had an issue before when loading for .223(AR15), 300BLK(AR15), .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm Remington Mag, 300 Win Mag, and 22-250. I’m using a Redding T7 press with a Redding sizing die (.286/.285). I’m using a Hornady seating die and get between .002”-.004” of runout if I turn the bullet 1/4 turn twice while seating.

My set up: Midwest Industries upper and lower. Midwest Industries 15” hand guard. SA clamp on adjustable gas block, black nitride gas tube, Giessele 2 stage trigger, JP bolt headspaced and purchased with high dollar barrel (unnamed). Luth AR rifle length Stock. 6-24 Vortex HST with Vortex AR Mount. I’ve tried with my Flash hider and SilencerCo Harvestor suppressor and without.

Today I looked closely at the crown and am wondering if this may be a problem. It’s not very smooth IMO but I’m not a gunsmith

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated


Edit 7/11 to add link to a better picture below
https://www.flickr.com/photos/68382999@N...ted-public