55 gr vmax and 1:9 twist in 223

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iceman2

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I had sighted in my Edge with another scope and rem fmj 55gr bullets. I installed a Vortex Diamondback and zeroed it a 50 yds using the remaining Remington FMJ. It was grouping very nice a 50 yds using thee bullets.
I backed up to 100 yds and tried my test loads using H335 and Hornady 55gr Vmax. Nothing on the paper!! I couldn't see any hits anywhere. Moved back to 50 yd and nothing on paper again. I blamed the scope and returned home. Quick tests show crosshairs tracking ok bore sighted looked ok so now I thinking by bullets were flying apart due to fast twist rate of 1-9. I bought some 60 gr V max and they say on the box good for twists of 7 to 12 per foot so I assume slightly heavier jackets. I also bought some Rem accutip in 55 gr to see if the problem exists with them.
On my next range trip I will also bring along another scope with rings already installed in case the scope is fubared.
Anybody experience this issue with Hornady V max in 55 grains? Updated on post 19.
 
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My thoughts too but I figured I'd ask anyway. I just remembered that I used a FCD die to crimp these rounds (no crimp groove) maybe I overstressed the jacket. I'll make up a few with out crimp just for fun.
If it was easy anybody could do this. lol
 
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I just did the math to get bullet rpm interesting results.
223 at 3100 fps 1:12 twist = 186000 rpm
223 at 3100fps 1:9 twist = 247380 rpm
22-250 at 3500 fps 1:12 twist = 210000 rpm
Interesting results.
Open for comments
 
My CZ 527 Kevlar with a 1 in 9" twist prefers the 55gr ballistic tip above all other loads.It does almost as well with the 50gr v-max.My Sako 85 with a 1 in 8" twist preferred the 50gr v-max above all else,but the 55gr v-max was close.
I was driving the 50gr v-max at 3350fps out of the 1 in 8" Sako,so the bullet rpm is well above what you are producing.The 55gr v-max was being driven at 3200fps out of the same gun.
 
Thanks stubblejumper for the info. I think I'll try with my other scope first, then try the Vortex, I guess my first thought of a fubared scope. I'll keep you in the loop but because of work it won't be until next week.
 
My Tikka T3 1:8" .223 will not shoot 55 grain bullets under 2 inches at 100m. But 69gr BTHP's and 60gr Ballistic Tips both shoot .25-.75" 3 shot groups consistently. Tikka Lite barrel so I stick with 3 shot groups.
 
My Tikka T3 1:8" .223 will not shoot 55 grain bullets under 2 inches at 100m.
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My Sako 85 Varmint Laminate Stainless 1 in 8" twist would consistently put five 50gr v-max in 1/2" at 100 yards.However,the rifle was throated so that any load that shot well,was too long to fit the magazine.I didn't see the point of having a magazine,yet having to use the rifle as a single shot, so I sold the Sako, and bought a CZ527 Kevlar to replace it.The CZ is almost as accurate with the 55gr ballistic tip,but all bullet weights from 50gr to 69gr group into less than 1" for five shots,and all loads fit the magazine.Just for kicks,I might even try some 40gr bullets on my next trip to the range.
 
I use the loaded I getting great groups with the 55gr with H335. It's my go to gopher load. I'd check and make sure all the bolts on the rifle is torqued and scope base and screws are torqued correctly as well. Never had one come apart
 
JasonS said:
My Tikka T3 1:8" .223 will not shoot 55 grain bullets under 2 inches at 100m. But 69gr BTHP's and 60gr Ballistic Tips both shoot .25-.75" 3 shot groups consistently. Tikka Lite barrel so I stick with 3 shot groups.
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Really? My tikka shoots 55gr vmax under .75" (usually right around .5") all day long. 223 varmint. Odd to say the least!
 
canucklehead said:
Really? My tikka shoots 55gr vmax under .75" (usually right around .5") all day long. 223 varmint. Odd to say the least!
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Check your twist rate, is it also 1:8" like mine? The fast spinning 1 in 8 inches were a separate model. Someone can correct me but the usual was 1 in 10 or slower. Great for light bullets from 55gr and under.

I purposely wanted the fast spinner for heavier bullets with better BC's to shoot on windy days if I had to. And they hold a lot more jam way out at longer ranges.

Edit: I found that T3 Varmints have either a 1:8 or 1:12 inch spin rate.
 
I don’t have any experience with 1:8 barrels. Is that a fact that they don’t do well with lighter bullets?

My T3 has a 1:12 barrel and shoots 50, 55 and 60 gr under 1 MOA. It wouldn’t shoot well for anything over 60 gr.

The 55 and 60 gr VMAX serve me well up to 300 yards which is all I am looking for.
 
I have shot 36grn Barnes Varmint Grenades and up to 77grn Nosler Customs out of my 1-9 twist Remington without any problems.

The only bullet that I had problems with was the Barnes 70grn TSX. All the rest have shot under 1" at 100yds.

Ace
 
I went out this morning and did some very informal testing. Everything works well. I guess the 55fmj I was using was much different than my reloads in POI. I rezeroed my recticle before shooting and adjusted my poi at 25 yds, readjusted at 50 and tried it at 100 yds. 55gr about 2" high and 60 gr about the same. This was just resting over my 4 wheeler nothing super solid, but with the 60gr I had 2 touching and the other at about 1 inch away to the left. I might have pulled that one. Now all I need to do is fine tune my loads off a bench and give the coyotes heck.
 
thats awesome you got things figured out. i bought a savage model 10 pred in a 223 with a twist of 1:9 and for me the PMC FMJ didnt want to group that well either. i started to reload for it, and now i shoot 50gr varmint grenades and 46 gr Winchester bullets with 29gr bl-c 2 (i think 29 gr) and i can consistently shoot three shot groups so that they are all touching. and about giving the coyotes some heck, i am planning on going out next week to hunt some of those critters. cant wait!
 
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