My terrible little reloads...

SeamusMac

SeamusMac

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
48   0   0
Location
Nova Scotia
Took a trip to the range today with my 12FVSS hoping that I could see some improvement over the 45gr. Walmart ammo I have been shooting thus far, NOT THE CASE.

The loads were between 25.0 - 26.0 grains of Varget topped with a 55gr. Winchester FMJ. I shot about 60 rounds at varying seating depths just to see if seating depths at the same powder charge would make a difference but I could have shot better groups with my .22 today! All the groups were terrible, with exception of one 3-shot group, which was certainly pleasing. After that I shot 2 other groups with the same charge and bullet seating depth to make sure it wasn't a fluke, and it turned out to be just that...

The rifle was quite clean, but fouling after almost 60 shots didn't show any improvement and I was lucky to see 2-3MOA groups. Am I using too much or too little powder for the 55gr. FMJ in a 1:9 twist? I'm not sure where to go from here...

Thanks guys!
 
The first step is to give yourself a chance and quit using those Winchester FMJ's. I remember shooting them in my .222 and getting 12" groups, and when my rifle was tweaked with a Gaillard barrel they shrunk to 4" groups. With the Gaillard barrel and MK's that rifle was a quarter incher.

Load up some Sierra MK's of the weight you like and you'll see that rifle perform.
 
Your answer lies in the first sentence of your post 55gr. Winchester FMJ. Probably one of the least accurate bulk bullets available. If you must use bulk bullets Hornady's are reportedly the most accurate of what is commonly available. However, don't expect much over/under moa even in a generally accurate rifle.

Sure, play around with different powders to see if you can find something that is at least suitable for plinking. There's tons of choice out there in terms of powder and bullet combinations but there's little joy in what you're trying to accomplish with the wrong bullet.

I'd be inclined to start with the bullet the lighter weight varmint or match grade bullets and go up from there. I've yet to hear of a good rifle that wouldn't shoot a 52gr. Sierra MK or Hornady A-MAX. Nosler 55 BT's were great in my Salvage when I owned one. Lots of choice here.

Once you've reached the point where you're ready to stretch things out farther, try some of the more commonly available 68-77 gr. match bullets if you care to do so.
 
I used some 77gr. Black Hills Ammo factory loads today but they didn't work out too well... Maybe too heavy for 1:9 twist? I think you guys must be right about the terrible quality of the bullets because my 12FV was a consistent MOA or less shooter with the cheap Walmart ammo. It costs me about 10 cents a round more to buy the walmart ammo, plus I get lots of 1-F brass from plinking with it. Thanks guys!

What ever will I do with all those bullets now... haha.
 
SeamusMac said:
Yeah, I was there today trying to get some decent groups, the scope adjusted properly unlike mine, but the groups were terrible...
Click to expand...

And you never called me up.... I'd bring that SPR out for you to play with...

I say the weather was a factor. Was pretty windy and wet...
 
I just started load development for my stevens200 in .223 and am finding some decent groups with 75grain AMax,69Gr sierras,55Gr sierras and useing Varget And BLC-2

75Grain Amax
DSC01777.jpg

69grain sierra
DSC01780.jpg

DSC01779-1.jpg

55Grain Sierras
DSC01778.jpg


Like I said I am just starting load devopment , No tweeking has been done and will be focusing on the A-max for the next little bit ,then the 69 gr
sierras ,then the 55's. With that said ,this is from a stevens 200 and those model 12fv's should in theory shoot a heck of a lot better than the stevens.
start low ,work up ,try different primers ,OAL etc......
 
I'm going to continue messing around with the 55gr. FMJs until I run out. I think I've got the OAL close to what it should be but I might have been too light on powder. I'll have some results by Monday.

Has anyone tried 68gr. Hornady HPBT's? I've read that the 69gr. Sierra is cream of the crop as far as precision shooting out of a 1:9 twist .223 but I'm hoping the Hornadys will work almost as well.

This is the best group of the day with 45gr. Winchester Walmart special ammo. For $22 (taxes in) for a box of 40 it's really not worth reloading my own plinking ammo haha. This wasn't typical of the groups I shot that day, most groups were MOA more or less. It shows what the ammo is capable of if I do my part. Plus I get all that nice Winchester brass!

24-03-08_1527.jpg
 
SeamusMac said:
All the groups were terrible, with exception of one 3-shot group, which was certainly pleasing.
Click to expand...

Here is the 3-shot group that I thought I found my load with! After shooting this one I shot another group with the same load and was rewarded with something close to 3 MOA hahaha. AT 50 yards!

Just for your amusement.

10-04-08_223.jpg
 
Has anyone tried 68gr. Hornady HPBT's? I've read that the 69gr. Sierra is cream of the crop as far as precision shooting out of a 1:9 twist .223 but I'm hoping the Hornadys will work almost as well.
IMG][/QUOTE]

I tried the 68gr hornady last year out of P14 with a smith barrel 1:9, and was getting 3\4 to 1 1\4 MOA. I know this is not very good but it was tighter than when I started. I do not have the best optics or rests, but am getting some this year, and I expect it to improve more. I was using varget and without going downstairs, I think my best results was with 26.2gr
 
I like heavier bullets too.

But if you are shooting 200 yards and under, try 52 gr SMK's over 25 gr H335.

That has shot well in all my 223's regardless of barrel twist.

This is a 5 shot 50 yard group shot by my 14.5" LMT with the above load. I pulled one high, but the rest pretty much hammered through the same hole.

rr2.jpg
 
Last edited:
SeamusMac said:
Here is the 3-shot group that I thought I found my load with! After shooting this one I shot another group with the same load and was rewarded with something close to 3 MOA hahaha. AT 50 yards!

Just for your amusement.

10-04-08_223.jpg
Click to expand...

Sounds like your OAL size isn't perfect or the same and that your powder load is different. Do you check your Lee Powder Dispenser often, like every 5 -10 rounds to see if the powder grain is the same? Also with the Lee, Give it a tap a few times, before you swing the arm down to drop the power in cases, just to make sure its all there...
 
The 52gr. SMKs seem to do the trick! Cheaper then 69gr. SMKs to boot.

RobertMcC said:
Sounds like your OAL size isn't perfect or the same and that your powder load is different. Do you check your Lee Powder Dispenser often, like every 5 -10 rounds to see if the powder grain is the same? Also with the Lee, Give it a tap a few times, before you swing the arm down to drop the power in cases, just to make sure its all there...
Click to expand...

I'm going to be checking my OAL with the next batch. Lee says that the max OAL is 2.260" so I'm going to use that. I don't use my Lee Powder Dispenser, I use my RCBS scale and re-check that its zero'd every 10 rounds so I'm sure that I'm putting in the desired amount of powder each time.

bill c68 said:
Funny, I have tried a few reloads with my 22-250, and was getting some great 1/2"- 1" groups but the Winchester 45Gn JHPs at walmart give me 1/4" to 3/8" groups.... why reload?
Click to expand...

I would use this stuff for plinking IF I could find any! I called 3 different Walmart locations this afternoon and they had none in stock, which seems to be the norm :(
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom