Look what I did!

F

Fyn

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
191   0   0
Location
Strathroy, ON
I know this isn't a precision rifle, but I'm really really stoked about this group. I was out doing some load development today and 200 yards. I know, I know, it's just a 3-shot group, but it's by far the best group I have ever shot. And the best part is, it was with my completely FACTORY Stevens 200! I bought the gun a few months ago for two reasons: 1) I wanted to start a build with it as I want to get into precision shooting (I've owned a few other Savages, a 10 BATS-K, a 10 PC, and a 10 FP, as well as some other sporters, but I wanted to build my own) and 2) I was just beginning to handload so I wanted a good base to learn on. I found this gun locally in 22-250, and I just slapped a Weaver base on it with a Bushnell 10x40. I'm so happy to get positive results, I have maybe 200 rounds under my belt that I've loaded myself. I ordered a new MDT LSS chassis for the rifle, and I have a Timney on the way too. I was planning on rebarreling, but I'm wondering if maybe I should just keep shooting with the factory bbl for now? Anyways here's a pic of the group.



Here is some other groups from today at the same distance. Overall I'm very happy with these results, especially considering it's a $300 rifle!






Can't wait to get out and do some proper 5 shot groups! I'm guessing it will only get more consistent with the chassis and trigger at this point.
 
for $300 looks like your off to a good start!!

Fyn said:
Can't wait to get out and do some proper 5 shot groups! I'm guessing it will only get more consistent with the chassis and trigger at this point.
Click to expand...

as your new to precision iv got some advice- dont rely on your equipment to shoot the groups! practice practice practice is what will make for accurate and consistent shooting. dont get me wrong, good adjustable stocks /chassis and "target" triggers are nice! and do let the shooter focus on what they are doing more then what the rifle is doing. but a solid base will make the money on those parts better spent!

the rifle definatly shows some potential and if all your hand loads are the exact same as you can get them, then your groups should be too. in each group it looks like youve got 1 flyer then really opens things up, my guess(s) would be , if its the 3rd shot your started to get excited and letting the basics slip a bit, or if the shot is just random, how much shooting prior to these groups? some times its good just to get up, and away from the rifle and let your body and eyes rest from being in the same position
 
Good job!

By the way, all your groups are a full .224" smaller than you thought!

Good news eh?!

You are measuring the extreme spread, but not the center to center dimension normally used.

What ever you choose to do good luck, and hopefully you can improve the already great results!
 
Thanks for the comments guys! :)

dthunter said:
Good job!

By the way, all your groups are a full .224" smaller than you thought!

Good news eh?!

You are measuring the extreme spread, but not the center to center dimension normally used.

What ever you choose to do good luck, and hopefully you can improve the already great results!
Click to expand...

Yep, I figured I would just post the pic with the caliper like that, thank you though!

ultimate_monkey said:
for $300 looks like your off to a good start!!

as your new to precision iv got some advice- dont rely on your equipment to shoot the groups! practice practice practice is what will make for accurate and consistent shooting. dont get me wrong, good adjustable stocks /chassis and "target" triggers are nice! and do let the shooter focus on what they are doing more then what the rifle is doing. but a solid base will make the money on those parts better spent!

the rifle definatly shows some potential and if all your hand loads are the exact same as you can get them, then your groups should be too. in each group it looks like youve got 1 flyer then really opens things up, my guess(s) would be , if its the 3rd shot your started to get excited and letting the basics slip a bit, or if the shot is just random, how much shooting prior to these groups? some times its good just to get up, and away from the rifle and let your body and eyes rest from being in the same position
Click to expand...

Yep, I'm really trying to get more trigger time. I honestly didn't expect the gun to shoot this well (basically I bought it for the donor action), but it has been a great learning experience to both my loads and shooting. The flyers I can pretty much take responsibility for. I've been trying to take breaks every group (or few) to let things cool down, and find center. Really trying to work on my breathing. I do get excited, when I see good results I just want to rush and finish the group. I do find the trigger pull to be a little heavy for my liking, and I feel like some of the pulled shots are a result of the trigger pull (5-6 lbs). I think I should start weighing each of my charges as well? I've been using a Lee powder measurer, and while it seems to be fairly consistent, I feel like I might get better results by weighing each charge and eliminating as much powder weight deviation as possible. Thank you for the advice!
 
Good shooting! For rifle ammo, I weigh every single load (usually around 40-50rnds for the most) to the same weight. I try to keep my brass the same brand as well or at least the 5rnd string that I'll shoot. One time I weighed each bullet and used the ones that were within 0.2grain of each other but my skill level isn't good enough to see if it made a difference.
 
Well, my Timney showed up last week and I managed to get out to the range to do some proper 5-shot groups this time around at 200 yards. I only had an hour before it got to dark to shoot, and I was rushing quite a bit (I was shooting the Stevens while working up a 44 magnum hunting load in my Ruger), but I'm happy with the results. Botched two groups by pulling a shot (my first group, which I shot after walking back from the 200 yard line, and my last one which was getting quite dark out), everything has been nice and consistent though.

The only bad part was, I have now run out of the Sierra 60 grain HP's I worked this load up for, and they appear to be back ordered now :( . Anybody have any recommendations on a new bullet to try?





 
Hey, great best group! I too get the flyers - probably more from disbelief when I get a great group ;) Any reason for testing at 200 instead of 100 first (not that there's anything wrong with that if you want to)?

Me personally, I'm not big on the 5 shot group thing, except for the forum 'boast' or you're doing a competition build - if you have to take 5 shots at an animal hunting, then... :ar15:

Unless you have a heavy quality barrel (i.e. varmit, target, competition), most light sporter barrels aren't going to shoot a 5 shot group or more before the barrel heats up and groups start opening up. That means long breaks cooling the barrel - then what's the point of a 5 shot string (competitions have time limits). IMO 5 shot groups can work against you because I know sometimes...most times...I fudge the 5th shot, not the rifle. So this can make the rifle or load dev look less accurate, when it's not. Like some others posted, the shooter is key, so gets lots of trigger time. Once you've found the sweet spot in load dev, then that factor can be taken out, leaving the shooter (assuming you're starting from a solid rest, scope rings tight... etc, etc).

A 3 shot group might be the perfect zone for your rifle before letting the barrel cool for a while. Then do another 3 shot string - for load dev keep doing this at different powder levels, then start over (total 6 shots at each level but done in 3 shot strings). You'll most likely find the best zone this way. I load to bullet ogive and for me find a 4 shot string perfect - most target bullets I found shoot best .010" INTO lands and Barnes TTSX/LRX for hunting shot best 0.010" OFF the lands but won't fit in the mag, so single shot only with SAAMI length rounds waiting in mag for follow up ;)

Amaxs are great lower cost target bullets (aside from more expensive Bergers/Sierras). You'll want to get the right grain zone for your barrel twist, which means more load dev.

If you're going to be shooting target or competition, you'll definitely want a heavier match barrel. Curious why you would also spend a lot for the other rifle build components and start with a Stevens instead of Savage or Rem700? I've had the 10FP and 10PC too, loved them and made me a Savage fan BUT both the factory Rem SPS Tac's I owned kept giving me better groups!!!! So I switched to Remmy for now but a fan of both Savage & Rem700.

If you're not loading to bullet ogive, then just stick with tweaking your powder loads to find the right harmonics for your barrel (which you first group was probably there). You can get a low cost digital powder scale from Amazon that will give great results if you check EVERY charge (and manually correct). Precision loading is addictive as you probably know :) All the best!
 
Last edited:
miykael said:
Hey, great best group! I too get the flyers - probably more from disbelief when I get a great group ;) Any reason for testing at 200 instead of 100 first (not that there's anything wrong with that if you want to)? [ /QUOTE]


Short answer. (As I'm on my phone). Shooting at 100 yards tells you almost nothing . Except how that load will shoot at 100 yards . It's to close to see any real vertical dispersion except that caused by shooter error . Might looks like a great group at 100 but at 3-4-500 you might be getting 5-6-7" of vertical dispersion . The further you can shoot to develope a load the better . The. Closest I will load develop for a 223 is 300 yards , 500 for and thing bigger
Click to expand...
 
I know what you're saying but 100 is a great starting point before moving on. If newbies haven't been consistent at 100 and haven't been into long range shooting, 100 is a better place to start. Seeing groups that touch also build confidence AND make you feel really good...really really good ;) imo

It's also hard to find true long ranges to shoot at (i.e. over 600y). Here in the BC lower mainland, Mission has a 300y but unless you compete at Volkes or go to Kamloops, you're not going to get long range testing done anyway (unless you get in the woods somewhere).

ultimate_monkey said:
miykael said:
Hey, great best group! I too get the flyers - probably more from disbelief when I get a great group ;) Any reason for testing at 200 instead of 100 first (not that there's anything wrong with that if you want to)? [ /QUOTE]


Short answer. (As I'm on my phone). Shooting at 100 yards tells you almost nothing . Except how that load will shoot at 100 yards . It's to close to see any real vertical dispersion except that caused by shooter error . Might looks like a great group at 100 but at 3-4-500 you might be getting 5-6-7" of vertical dispersion . The further you can shoot to develope a load the better . The. Closest I will load develop for a 223 is 300 yards , 500 for and thing bigger
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
[The only bad part was, I have now run out of the Sierra 60 grain HP's I worked this load up for, and they appear to be back ordered now :( . Anybody have any recommendations on a new bullet to try?

You should give the 60 grain V-maxx a try they have always shot very well in any rifle I ever tried them in
 
miykael said:
Hey, great best group! I too get the flyers - probably more from disbelief when I get a great group ;) Any reason for testing at 200 instead of 100 first (not that there's anything wrong with that if you want to)?

Me personally, I'm not big on the 5 shot group thing, except for the forum 'boast' or you're doing a competition build - if you have to take 5 shots at an animal hunting, then... :ar15:

Unless you have a heavy quality barrel (i.e. varmit, target, competition), most light sporter barrels aren't going to shoot a 5 shot group or more before the barrel heats up and groups start opening up. That means long breaks cooling the barrel - then what's the point of a 5 shot string (competitions have time limits). IMO 5 shot groups can work against you because I know sometimes...most times...I fudge the 5th shot, not the rifle. So this can make the rifle or load dev look less accurate, when it's not. Like some others posted, the shooter is key, so gets lots of trigger time. Once you've found the sweet spot in load dev, then that factor can be taken out, leaving the shooter (assuming you're starting from a solid rest, scope rings tight... etc, etc).

A 3 shot group might be the perfect zone for your rifle before letting the barrel cool for a while. Then do another 3 shot string - for load dev keep doing this at different powder levels, then start over (total 6 shots at each level but done in 3 shot strings). You'll most likely find the best zone this way. I load to bullet ogive and for me find a 4 shot string perfect - most target bullets I found shoot best .010" INTO lands and Barnes TTSX/LRX for hunting shot best 0.010" OFF the lands but won't fit in the mag, so single shot only with SAAMI length rounds waiting in mag for follow up ;)

Amaxs are great lower cost target bullets (aside from more expensive Bergers/Sierras). You'll want to get the right grain zone for your barrel twist, which means more load dev.

If you're going to be shooting target or competition, you'll definitely want a heavier match barrel. Curious why you would also spend a lot for the other rifle build components and start with a Stevens instead of Savage or Rem700? I've had the 10FP and 10PC too, loved them and made me a Savage fan BUT both the factory Rem SPS Tac's I owned kept giving me better groups!!!! So I switched to Remmy for now but a fan of both Savage & Rem700.

If you're not loading to bullet ogive, then just stick with tweaking your powder loads to find the right harmonics for your barrel (which you first group was probably there). You can get a low cost digital powder scale from Amazon that will give great results if you check EVERY charge (and manually correct). Precision loading is addictive as you probably know :) All the best!
Click to expand...

I worked up the load at 100 yards previously, I personally just enjoy shooting at 200 (the furthest my range has to offer) because it makes the variations more evident and it also works on my shooting technique as well. I also find it more rewarding, and I'm very happy my $300 gun shot consistent 0.5-0.6 MOA 5shot groups at that distance with my handloads, especially being new to reloading.

I went with the Stevens 200 because I am a Savage guy. I've had a few (10FP, 10 BATS-K, 10PC, as well as an Axis and a 93r17) and they have always surprised me. I bought the Stevens because I like tweaking and building. I didn't see a point in spending more money on the same action when I know I will be replacing the barrel, trigger, stock, etc. anyway. I just enjoy making things my own.

I've since ordered a Shilen stainless select match from Jerry/Mystic in .223 with a 7 twist (which your dies will accompany lol) and I'm very excited to be getting into the heavier .224 cal stuff. I'm planning on upgrading my glass after I get back from deer camp in November as well.

r204 said:
[The only bad part was, I have now run out of the Sierra 60 grain HP's I worked this load up for, and they appear to be back ordered now :( . Anybody have any recommendations on a new bullet to try?

You should give the 60 grain V-maxx a try they have always shot very well in any rifle I ever tried them in
Click to expand...

Thanks! I actually tried to find some locally but came up empty handed. I did find some 60 grain Nosler BT's which shot decent on initial testing.
 
So, you're not a newbie ;) Post some pictures of your build, I don't know why I've never checked out MDT (they're local too). The chassis is what I was looking for before but now I'm committed to Archangel :) With the new barrel (1:7) you should be good for the really heavy, long bullets (won't fit in mag most likely). Great shooting and looks like you own a real nice build!
 
I sure will once the chassis and barrel gets here. I'm very excited, everyone seems to be quite happy with the rem700 version. The AICS 223 mags appear to have a COAL allowance of 2.550" from what I've found so that should give some decent room (mind you I haven't loaded for 223 yet, let alone for VLD loads). Thanks!
 
Sounds good, I threw in some .224 75gn Amax's bullets for you to try - only 10 but might give you a general ballpark. You might know of this site already, great info: http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/

Sorry for the grainy picture (phone) - comparing the 75gn AMAX to 55gn FMJ

224bullet75vs55_zps01c9b4f9.jpg
[/URL][/IMG]
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom