.223 grouping problem

N

nick2010

Member
Been reloading for my .223 and I cannot get any good groups. Gun is a savage with a 1 in 9 twist. Been shooting mainly 50 grain nosler varmint BT's with also some 40 and 50 grain v-max's. The scope and everything is secure its holding the same spot it seem like and it cleaned after every 10 shots. When I shoot I have been shooting a bullet opening bolt and waiting 10 seconds or so and let it cool a little bit then repeat. Any suggestions? Here are some of the targets [img:center]
IMG_20110321_082750.jpg
[/img]
IMG_20110321_082609.jpg

IMG_20110321_082603.jpg
 
when you are working up loads are you starting at the min and then going up to the max. i usually start at the min then go up .5gr until i get to the max for that powder and bullet combo. i would also try a heavier bullet like a 60gr bt or a 69gr smk. personally my 223 and my buddies 223 like varget powder. i load a 69gr smk for my 1:9 twist.
 
More vertical than horizontal - I would be checking barrel fit, if it IS floating, then try a pressure pad. If NOT floating, relieve pressure.
Mark
 
I had a Savage model 12 in .223 with a 1/9 twist, it shot best with 60gr factory or handloads. Done well with 69gr too. My rifle was a heavy barrel
 
thanks, i don't usually clean it every 10 shots, just what i happened to do with those targets, shot 10 last night then cleaned it to check the barrel twist so it was clean for the others also.
 
How did you arrive at those powder charges? I would start looking at some different powder charges or different bullet weight, or different primers, or a different seating depth. Change one thing at a time.
 
Nick,
I'm going to assume those targets were shot at 100 yds. And If thats the case, you might consider increasing the weight of your bullets for testing. I use 52, 53 and 55 gr Sierras and they groups often overlap and use either Varget, VVN133 or even RE15. Some guys use even heavier than what I use. There are a few outfits on the web that sell "sample" bullets which means you can buy as few or as many as you'd like to test and of whatever brands they have which are usually several.
 
Thos are not the only groups I have shot....started with beginning loads and worked up to the max, have shot closer to 200 shells I would say atleast using 748, benchmark, h380, and some imr most have been done with 50 grain bullets, I didn't just randomly select loads and shoot. The reason the loads with imr and 40 grain vmax is my bro has same gun and he has been having good luck with that
 
EXACT same gun can still be more different than what you think.
Keep trying, something will settle in.
Use 3-5 of each load to not "Burn through" your components.
 
1 and 9 twist + heavier bullet = happiness..... There's a lot more factors in there but I would go with a 55gr Vmax and start there and work yourself up if those aren't doing the job...
 
Originally Posted By: jim87formula1 and 9 twist + heavier bullet = happiness..... There's a lot more factors in there but I would go with a 55gr Vmax and start there and work yourself up if those aren't doing the job...

+1 on Jim's post. The lighter (55gr and below) work best in the 1 in 12 twist barrels, I would start with a 55gr and work up from there and see if it helps any.
If you want to save yourself some work buy a few boxes of factory ammo and see what grain weight of projectile your rifle likes best, then start refining your loads.
I had to try 40-55gr projectiles from the Sierra 40gr HP's, VMaxs, BT's and some old 45gr SP Sierras that my F-I-L had left over from the 80's before I figured out what my rifle liked.

All of the comments regarding starting low on your charges and working up are 100% on the money. Pull out your reloading guide and start at the minimum and go up in .5gr increments until you get to max, then you just need to figure out which one shoots best and go with it. Just FYI speed kills (even with shooting). Not every booming max load (I know..not exactly booming in the 223) will shoot good, most of my loads are around 3000-3150fps with 40 and 50gr nosler BT's. Not terribly fast but they shoot magic in my rifle.

You might also want to check your rifle bedding and make sure your rifle is properly floated and fastened down right. Not all rifles shoot .5in groups just FYI. There is always the option of spending a ton of money on a stock, trigger, barrel and sight that can give you the potential of doing it, but that rifle may not be the one that can. I have one that I love above everything in my safe, an old pre-Garcia Sako L579 in .308, she is a grand old rifle and never has failed to bring in the bacon come hunting season...but the best I have ever got out of her is about .75in. Nothing wrong with that at all though, as many whitetail, hogs and sheep floating around in critter heaven can attest to.
 
I have a Savage in 223 with that same twist 1-9. It shoots 50,53 & 55 V-Max's real good with the 53 & 55 a bit better. Using H4895 & Varget for the 50's.

BUT... I know that it starts to shoot much better after 5 or so shots and keeps shooting real good. I wouldn't be cleaning after just 10 shots??

Kevin.
 
Ideal bullet weight should be around 55-60 grains with a 1/9 twist. I like Benchmark powder in the .223 Rem.

10 seconds is not very much cool-down time between shots. Give it a minute between rounds to see it the stringing is less. Some light profile barrels will show a lot of POI shift as they heat up. If you have a heavy contour or bull barrel it should not be much of an issue.

You may want to re-check the your bedding and the torque on the action screws. Also check the clearance around the barrel if it is free-floated.

Ive seen several rifles that don't group as well when they are too clean. As long as you don't change the bullet, you should not have to clean so often. Sometimes a few fouling shots need to be fired before you shoot for a group.
 
Back
Top