Hi guys new to the forum. Now im usre you all know already this question as been asked on numerous occassions. Im new to reloading around 6 months now, and am trying different loads, ie powder bullet heads etc etc. I ahve a tikka t3 lite.223 in 1:8 twist and up until last night i was takaig out foxes at an average 180 yards, and this was with a light load, 55g speer HP. Changed my powder and bulle head to a 60gr v-max and the results were not very good to say the least, missed everything. Does this happen? So, what reliable data "load" do any off you use with info i have given. I will be using H322,whish was the powder i loaded with to try out, H335 OR H380 will be used as well, depending on bulled weight, i also usse Lapua cases and was using standard rem 7 1/2 primers, going to change to CCI Magnum, is this a wise choice. Sorry for going on a bit, but really confused why shots went to hell last night, scop wasnt knocked stored same night after 1st success, oh and i will add this, the rifle got a pul through with the boresnake the same night, which i think might have contributed to the end result.

mayfly .....

I trust you re-sighted the rifle after your load/powder/bullet change?

H-322 & H-335 well-suited for this cartridge & bullet weights.

Remington 7 1/2 primers an outstanding choice in this cartridge.

Cleaning a bore after fouling it while sighting-in, IMO is a BIG No-No, although I'll admit the Bore Snakes IME are the one quick clean method that doesn't appear to make too much (if any) difference in bullet impact for me (unless it's been soaked with oil or barrel solvent - I use mine dry). Opinions will vary (siginifcantly) regarding this issue.

Shooting high (impact) the traditional "Oil" shot, though.

If you don't have a reloading manual, you need to get one.

believe it or not i have 2. I now believe it was dwon to me not sighting in the new load before going to the field

Have a look at this site.
It might be handy for you.

http://stevespages.com/page8.htm

Cheers bob, used steves pages before, Lost the link, so heads up.

The thin skinned "expolosive" varmint bullets and many HPs are not going to shoot well above 2900 fps out of that 8" twist barrel. They willbe spun to fast and will come apart outside the barrel between the muzzle and 40-50 yards.

You really should get a quality reloding manual and read it.

Larry Gibson

quote:

not sighting in the new load before going to the field

mayfly,

Do your range work diligently and then you'll be back on track whacking those Foxes ......

I don't "think" that the V-Max should be blowing up yet. Like others have said, nothing wrong with your components. I prefer H4895, but all you have listed should be quite fine.