01 November 2009, 08:22
Rine Everett223 load choice?
I loaded 40 rounds up (8 groups of 5). The groups measured center to center are listed below out of a Sako 75 varmint 223 1:12 toped with a Simmons 6.5-20x44 pushing 55 gr BT. Powder was IMR 4895. Remington 7.5 Small Rifle Match primers. Winchester brass. Distance 100 yards 5-10 mph wind. The mirage was horrible. Harris notched bipod. The 3 shot group (4 on 24.7) was the smallest 3 shot group out of the 5 shot group. 24.7 was a raged hole. There is only 1/10 of a grain diffrence from each load starting at 24.0 through 24.7. What load would you pick and why? Or am I being to anal retentive?
load ___ 5 shot ____ 3 shot____ prior
_______ group ____ group ____ 3 shot group
23.7 ____ ------- ____ ------- ____ 1.467
24.0 ____ 0.901 ____ 0.597 ____ 0.584
24.1 ____ 0.992 ____ 0.297 ____ 0.710
24.2 ____ 0.673 ____ 0.284 ____ -----
24.3 ____ 1.049 ____ 0.326 ____ 0.890
24.4 ____ 0.811 ____ 0.776 ____ -----
24.5 ____ 0.994 ____ 0.305 ____ 0.419
24.6 ____ 1.024 ____ 0.476 ____ -----
24.7 ____ 0.576 ____ 0.216 ____ 0.620
24.9 ____ ------- ____ ------- ____ 1.113
25.1 ____ ------- ____ ------- ____ 1.059
25.3 ____ ------- ____ ------- ____ 1.000
01 November 2009, 19:55
Doctor Dquote:
Originally posted by Rine Everett:
I loaded 40 rounds up (8 groups of 5). The groups measured center to center are listed below out of a Sako 75 varmint 223 1:12 toped with a Simmons 6.5-20x44 pushing 55 gr BT. Powder was IMR 4895. Remington 7.5 Small Rifle Match primers. Winchester brass. Distance 100 yards 5-10 mph wind. The mirage was horrible. Harris notched bipod. The 3 shot group (4 on 24.7) was the smallest 3 shot group out of the 5 shot group. 24.7 was a raged hole. There is only 1/10 of a grain diffrence from each load starting at 24.0 through 24.7. What load would you pick and why? Or am I being to anal retentive?
load ___ 5 shot ____ 3 shot____ prior
_______ group ____ group ____ 3 shot group
23.7 ____ ------- ____ ------- ____ 1.467
24.0 ____ 0.901 ____ 0.597 ____ 0.584
24.1 ____ 0.992 ____ 0.297 ____ 0.710
24.2 ____ 0.673 ____ 0.284 ____ -----
24.3 ____ 1.049 ____ 0.326 ____ 0.890
24.4 ____ 0.811 ____ 0.776 ____ -----
24.5 ____ 0.994 ____ 0.305 ____ 0.419
24.6 ____ 1.024 ____ 0.476 ____ -----
24.7 ____ 0.576 ____ 0.216 ____ 0.620
24.9 ____ ------- ____ ------- ____ 1.113
25.1 ____ ------- ____ ------- ____ 1.059
25.3 ____ ------- ____ ------- ____ 1.000
The one that made a circular pattern. There is not enough difference in weight of charge to make any difference in velocity, but a circular pattern shows what the rifle likes.
01 November 2009, 20:23
kcstottI'd say your powder measuring is a little on the fine side. When I was reloading for my .223 I was bumping the load in half grain increments and only getting 100 or 200 fps gain.
01 November 2009, 23:03
Jpatquote:
Originally posted by kcstott:
I'd say your powder measuring is a little on the fine side. When I was reloading for my .223 I was bumping the load in half grain increments and only getting 100 or 200 fps gain.
I would agree! I usually find starting w/ 1/2 gr charges and then refining the best 1/4 up and down works best. Are you building a match load or hunting load? You may find a load that stablizes at 200 yards+ that will be a true killer. It could be your 24.5 gr load. I would also try a 45..50gr bullet. Both of my 1:9 like 55gr bullets. I run them up to 65gr.
01 November 2009, 23:43
rolltopchange the powder to BL-C(2) and start with 25 grains and work up to 27.5 in 1/2 grain increments.
Drop the three shot groups as they are deceiving and just fire 5-shot groups.
Statistically the groups you have posted are all the same!
The .223 typically will shoot .75 MOA from a lot of rifles and you're not quite there.
Use a good 50 or 55 grain bullet from Hornady or Sierra or Nosler. Even the TNTs from Speer will show excellent results.