They don't mix....

Well feeling like .. for the last two days I have played hookie from work and gone to the range to test out loads for my new Savage 12 BVSS...

I bought this rifle for the one in 9 twist it has..

For load developing, I decided to just pick the standard 55 grain bullet weight and am going to test about 15 different powders to see what gives me the best accuracy....

ONE of the most accurate bullets I have used in 223 based on cost is the SPSX from Hornady....

So I loaded up 50 rounds... 10 each of 5 different types of Hornady powder...Go to the range and nothing on the target for the first 10 shots ( 5 at each target)...

Rats.. the scope must not be zeroed...

So I take a bunch of 55 grain FMJ loads laying around and make sure the scope is zeroed again...

10 more shots of the Hornady load... NOT on the paper again... Frustrated! Pack up, go home..

At home.. check out the rifle.. Load some more ammo to test...Check out everything is tite on scope....

Go to range the next day... back to not on the paper.... RATS! Again...Re zero the scope.. it seems fine....Shoot 10 more SPSX rounds.. NO bullet holes! Dam it!

Get a friend to shoot the rifle for me while I observe behind him...ONe bullet hits the dirt way off to the left.. next bullet hits way off to the right.. next 3 bullets, no hits in the dust or on the target!

Dang it dang it dang it...

Rezero the scope again with a batch of left over 55 grain Winchester SP rounds.. ONE ragged 270 sized hole! What is going on???????

Finally it dawns on me.. time to go home and call Hornady's tech line...

Lets see.. 55 grain SPSX traveling at 3300 to 3400 fps out of a 26 inch barrel with a one in 9 twist.....

Cut to the chase.. that bullet is meant for about 3500 fps out of a one in 12 or one in 14 twist... that means a bullet spin of about 180,000 rpms...

Shoot it at 3400 fps out of a one in 9 twist and the bullet is turning about 275,000 RPMS... and is considered a light fragile bullet....

The one in 9 twist was VAPORIZING the bullets out of the barrel and what was left of their core was just flying whereever....

and Double

So if you get a new Savage with a one in 9 twist.. don't stock up on SPSX bullets from Hornady....

Good thing seafire owns other 223s, with the one in 12 twists.... I hate when I pull a HOMER like that.. bout drives ya nuts!

cheers and good shooting ( non vaporizing bullets!)
seafire

quote:

VAPORIZING

Yes????

The sierra Blitz bullets will do that too but the speer TNT will survive this torture and is a seriously cheap but good varmint bullet.

D'oh !

And here I have been saying ( based on my experience ) that 223's wont disintegrate bullets, for many years.

Never tried the SPSX though...

I have launched 40 grainers through my 1:8 twist 20 " BBL. without any problems.
The Federal 40 must be a tougher bullet ?

Good to know, thanks Seafire !


Travis F.

How do you like your new model 12? I have one on layaway, and can't wait to shoot it!

At the range yesterday my cous. gave me 40 rds of Win. 45gr. jhp Varmint .223. Ugh store bought ammo*** To humor him I fired 3 rounds in my 12BVSS-s. I didn't think I could still shoot that good.I fired 10 shots into a 3/8" group at 50 yds and am hording the remaining 30.

John, where can I find some of that Hornady powder?

FYI ,John, the 60 gr. HP Sierra #1375 pushed by 24gr. of accurate 73, avg. 3065fps. 3/8", 6 shot grp. at 50 yds. Heavier bullts latter. roger

SF, I had that happen many years ago with a rem 700 22-250. I knew about the self destructing nature of the SX bullet. I chose a load the would be under the majical velocity level of 3300 fps by about 150 fps. IIRC the twist rate on that rifle was 1-14, so that wasn't the issue. Neither was the velocity. But at that time I didn't have a chrono.

Anyway my stepson was going to shoot it at a game we call a jug shoot. Gallon milk jugs are hung from a wire at from 50 to 100 yds, then shot off-hand. He's normally a pretty good shot, so when he was missing the 50 yd jug repeatedly, I started watching from directly behind him. The ones that came apart looked like a smokey rope strung out to the jug! One of the jugs looked like it had a disease! Sort of dimpled by some jacket fragments and or melted lead!

I figure why bother with the SX, when their v-max is a better bullet and just as explosive!

I like the idea of a bullet on the verge of coming apart. No worries on bouncing bullets.

I seem to remember when the SPSX bullets came out, Hornady recommended them for all of the single shot pistols (TC's, XP's et al.) and not for high veocity rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by NEJack:
How do you like your new model 12? I have one on layaway, and can't wait to shoot it!

Working her in.. have 185 rounds thru it so far...
Still working up loads, but I like the accutrigger, but was disappointed as the stock should not have made it thru QC... I am going to return the stock to them for replacement...

I have two Remington and One Ruger Heavy Barrel 223s now.. and I like each one of them.. would not pick one over the other.. that is why I have all of them.. The Savage is a good addition....
Kind of like kids.. they are each different, but you love them all...

It won't disappoint ya!

good luck with it..
cheers
seafire

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
At the range yesterday my cous. gave me 40 rds of Win. 45gr. jhp Varmint .223. Ugh store bought ammo*** To humor him I fired 3 rounds in my 12BVSS-s. I didn't think I could still shoot that good.I fired 10 shots into a 3/8" group at 50 yds and am hording the remaining 30. Roge: I find that normal with those 46 grain HP bullets.. they are real accuracy sleepers.. It is my 223 and Blue Dot bullet combo of choice...

John, where can I find some of that Hornady powder? The ones that vaporize the bullets???

FYI ,John, the 60 gr. HP Sierra #1375 pushed by 24gr. of accurate 73, avg. 3065fps. 3/8", 6 shot grp. at 50 yds. Heavier bullts latter. I have some 60 grain HPs and 60 grainSp Hornady's waiting their turn,, along with 75 grain A Maxes and 75 gr BTHP Hornady's... I also have 5 boxes of 60 grain V Maxes and 3 boxes of 55 grain V Maxes.... roger

I am also looking to upgrade the scope from an 8 x 32 Tasco to a more expensive one.. I am looking to see if the Springfield Armory Scopes are still made.. of something in the $500.00 to $700.00 range for this rifle...

cheers
seafire

quote:

Originally posted by grizz:
SF, I had that happen many years ago with a rem 700 22-250. I knew about the self destructing nature of the SX bullet. I chose a load the would be under the majical velocity level of 3300 fps by about 150 fps. IIRC the twist rate on that rifle was 1-14, so that wasn't the issue. Neither was the velocity. But at that time I didn't have a chrono.

Anyway my stepson was going to shoot it at a game we call a jug shoot. Gallon milk jugs are hung from a wire at from 50 to 100 yds, then shot off-hand. He's normally a pretty good shot, so when he was missing the 50 yd jug repeatedly, I started watching from directly behind him. The ones that came apart looked like a smokey rope strung out to the jug! One of the jugs looked like it had a disease! Sort of dimpled by some jacket fragments and or melted lead!

I figure why bother with the SX, when their v-max is a better bullet and just as explosive!

grizz;

I tried the SPSXs because out of my other 223s they have proven to be a very very accurate bullet.. as accurate as a Ballistic Tip or Match King etc...

They have their place, but not in a Savage or a rifle with a twist faster than 1 in 12....

cheers
seafire

quote:

Originally posted by rickt300:
I like the idea of a bullet on the verge of coming apart. No worries on bouncing bullets.

Rick
good point.. ricochettes are not going to be a problem!

cheers
seafire

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
At the range yesterday my cous. gave me 40 rds of Win. 45gr. jhp Varmint .223. Ugh store bought ammo*** To humor him I fired 3 rounds in my 12BVSS-s. I didn't think I could still shoot that good.I fired 10 shots into a 3/8" group at 50 yds and am hording the remaining 30.
roger

Damn, I can only get consistant 5/8" with them.
But then my barrel is about as thick as a MCDonalds straw and not much longer.
When I went to get some more my "mate" had sold them on me.
John L.