I'm having problems finding a decent load for these bullets in my Tikka T3 Lite .223 Rem (1 in 8 twist). The bullet is not stabilizing and is keyholing at just 50 yards. Its a very long bullet, so I'm thinking seating depth might be a problem. Thoughts ? Suggestions ? Loads ?
.224 Hornady A-Max 75 grain loads ?
- Thread starter CV32
- Start date
8" twist should be enough to stabilize it unless, perhaps, you're loading them REALLY mild. Having a bore that's too large could also cause keyholing, but I doubt that's the case in any modern gun. Does it stabilize anything else?
Seating it closer to the lands might help - how are you seating them now? I never seat anything based on OAL specs, I either seat right into the lands, or maybe 1/4 turn of the die back from the lands.
Seating it closer to the lands might help - how are you seating them now? I never seat anything based on OAL specs, I either seat right into the lands, or maybe 1/4 turn of the die back from the lands.
ricciardelli
CGN Regular
- Location
- Montana, USA
You don't mention the loads you have been trying.
You will have to keep the velocity up around 2800 to 3000 FPS.
H-4895 From 19.3 grains to 24.5 grains
Remington 7-1/2 Primer
You will have to keep the velocity up around 2800 to 3000 FPS.
H-4895 From 19.3 grains to 24.5 grains
Remington 7-1/2 Primer
I use 24.1 grains of BL-C2, with a CCI BR4 primer.....very good results, out 600, and around 1 MOA at 800 - I'm shooting it out of a Savage with a 1 in 9" twist and loading to 2.510, which is about 20 thousandths off the lands in my firearm.
I have not chrony'd it, however figure I'm getting 2800 FPS.
I have not chrony'd it, however figure I'm getting 2800 FPS.
CV32 said:
1-8 twist should stabilize this bullet. Seating depth within reason should not have this effect. You can't cure this by more or less powder either, within reason again.
Is it really 1-8?. ..., sounds more like 1/12, or 1/14.
Try a 55 gr bullet, if it doesn't keyhole, then bingo its not a 1-8 twist.
NormB
Thanks for the replies. My rifle is definitely 1 in 8 twist, and has no problem with other bullets, but in any event I think you have pointed me in the right direction ...
OAL was an issue, because I had no idea what it should be. The only guidance I had was a tip that testing length for these bullets might have been 2.39. So I tried 2.37. Also, I think mild loading was a problem in my testing. I used 21 grains of IMR 3031 (which was 0.8 less than the maximum compressed charge listed by IMR for the 75 JLK VLD, a different bullet altogether, I know).
Any tips on powders, loads and OAL is very much appreciated.
OAL was an issue, because I had no idea what it should be. The only guidance I had was a tip that testing length for these bullets might have been 2.39. So I tried 2.37. Also, I think mild loading was a problem in my testing. I used 21 grains of IMR 3031 (which was 0.8 less than the maximum compressed charge listed by IMR for the 75 JLK VLD, a different bullet altogether, I know).
Any tips on powders, loads and OAL is very much appreciated.
Forget about 'OAL' - it's a meaningless spec. What you want to do is seat the bullets such the the ogive is making light contact with the lands (or a hair back from the lands). When you seat bullets this way, the OAL will vary depending on the exact bullet used, as they have different ogives. What I mean is that, for a 75 VMAX, your OAL might be something like 2.5" with light contact to the lands. With a 50gr VMAX also seated so that it touches, the OAL might only be 2.3."
So here's what you do:
1 -seat a bullet as far out of an empty case as you possibly can
2 -drop the (un charged) case into your action, and try to close the bolt. *DONT FORCE IT* - it probably won't chamber.
3 -dial your seater down a twist, and try again.
4 - repeat steps 2 & 3 until the bolt closes with minor force. Then back the seater off 1/4 turn, and you're good to go.
Or buy an OAL gauge (like the stony point ones that let you use your own bullets) and follow the directions. Make sure you use it with the bullet you're intending to load for.
The optimal OAL will vary between firearms, as it depends on freebore and throat lenght.And as the barrel wears and the throat erodes, the OAL will grow.
So here's what you do:
1 -seat a bullet as far out of an empty case as you possibly can
2 -drop the (un charged) case into your action, and try to close the bolt. *DONT FORCE IT* - it probably won't chamber.
3 -dial your seater down a twist, and try again.
4 - repeat steps 2 & 3 until the bolt closes with minor force. Then back the seater off 1/4 turn, and you're good to go.
Or buy an OAL gauge (like the stony point ones that let you use your own bullets) and follow the directions. Make sure you use it with the bullet you're intending to load for.
The optimal OAL will vary between firearms, as it depends on freebore and throat lenght.And as the barrel wears and the throat erodes, the OAL will grow.
