25 wssm Range report
- Thread starter ricky_arthur
- Start date
3 or 5?
204 AR
Well-known member
Any updates, Ricky? I went back out yesterday, and today, both times with terrible results. So you're not alone, I don't get it man. Back to the drawing board.
Today I even tried seating the bullets out to within 10 thousandths of the lands, no good. Changed scopes, no good. I have noticed the 100 gr Hdy's copper foul a little more than the 75's did, but still not bad. I can't even get 2 moa out of it now. The weird thing is that the weather is pretty much the same, same temps within 10 degrees or so, of when everything looked good.
One thing I'm sure of, though. A fairly heavy Shilen select match barrel WILL shoot, we just have to figure out what it likes. I've gotten too many good groups to think the bad ones are because of a problem with the upper. You've had inconsistent results with varget, I'm starting to wonder about RL 17, time to try something else I guess.
The good news today is that old reliable, my 270 wby (with a shilen barrel), shoots like it always has. 510 yard group measured 3 3/4", and right where it should be. That load with Retumbo and 140 gr TSX has shot like that for 7 years now, and that's what I'd like to see out of this wssm!
Today I even tried seating the bullets out to within 10 thousandths of the lands, no good. Changed scopes, no good. I have noticed the 100 gr Hdy's copper foul a little more than the 75's did, but still not bad. I can't even get 2 moa out of it now. The weird thing is that the weather is pretty much the same, same temps within 10 degrees or so, of when everything looked good.
One thing I'm sure of, though. A fairly heavy Shilen select match barrel WILL shoot, we just have to figure out what it likes. I've gotten too many good groups to think the bad ones are because of a problem with the upper. You've had inconsistent results with varget, I'm starting to wonder about RL 17, time to try something else I guess.
The good news today is that old reliable, my 270 wby (with a shilen barrel), shoots like it always has. 510 yard group measured 3 3/4", and right where it should be. That load with Retumbo and 140 gr TSX has shot like that for 7 years now, and that's what I'd like to see out of this wssm!
ricky_arthur
New member
204AR, I feel your pain man. I did go shoot yesterday. I took my daughter out to shoot 4 different rifles to choose which one to use for her deer hunt on Saturday. She choose the Kotonics 6.8SPC since she has already taken 2 deer with it, however she did say she would like to take the 25. WSSM out if we were going to be sitting in an open area.
At this point I'm really at a loss as to what to try. I'm starting to think that I'm going to have to decide if 1.25-1.5MOA will be acceptable because I sure can't seem to get my 5 shot groups under that mark.
I've tried,3 different scopes,
Varget, IMR4350 and H380
100 gr Nosler partition
100gr Nosler Ballistic tip.
100gr Hornady Interlock
100gr Sierra Pro hunters
100gr Sierra Game kings
90gr sierra HPBT
85 gr Nosler Ballistic tip
I'm going back over the targets right now and see a couple hotter loads that I might try again that had 3 shot groups at about an inch. I also might try a vihtavuori powder. Keep me posted as to your progress, I will probably hit the range again on Tuesday unless I can sneak out tomorrow.
Ricky
At this point I'm really at a loss as to what to try. I'm starting to think that I'm going to have to decide if 1.25-1.5MOA will be acceptable because I sure can't seem to get my 5 shot groups under that mark.
I've tried,3 different scopes,
Varget, IMR4350 and H380
100 gr Nosler partition
100gr Nosler Ballistic tip.
100gr Hornady Interlock
100gr Sierra Pro hunters
100gr Sierra Game kings
90gr sierra HPBT
85 gr Nosler Ballistic tip
I'm going back over the targets right now and see a couple hotter loads that I might try again that had 3 shot groups at about an inch. I also might try a vihtavuori powder. Keep me posted as to your progress, I will probably hit the range again on Tuesday unless I can sneak out tomorrow.
Ricky
Last edited:
BBsteel
New member
Are you ever going to try the 115 grain nolser partions I've mentioned several times? I had great results with these and IMR 4350.
Aside from getting more powder in the case, I've found that ALL my AR's are not too picky about seating depth when it comes to accuracy. Load to mag length and have at it.
Aside from getting more powder in the case, I've found that ALL my AR's are not too picky about seating depth when it comes to accuracy. Load to mag length and have at it.
mikeinlouisiana
Member
Or the 117s. I'm having great results.! Hate to see all that suffering.
Mike
Mike
ricky_arthur
New member
Originally Posted By: mikeinlouisianaOr the 117s. I'm having great results.! Hate to see all that suffering.
Mike
117 what? Berger? What velocities are you guys getting with the superlong bulets given the magazine length limits? I have avoided the heaviest bullets because once they are seated to magazine length case capacity is reduced, but I'm open to try them. I should be near a place I can pick up another box of bullets to try tomorrow. Which ones should I try?
Mike
117 what? Berger? What velocities are you guys getting with the superlong bulets given the magazine length limits? I have avoided the heaviest bullets because once they are seated to magazine length case capacity is reduced, but I'm open to try them. I should be near a place I can pick up another box of bullets to try tomorrow. Which ones should I try?
204 AR
Well-known member
It looked like Mike was using 117 sst's and 117 prohunters.
Mike have you used those loads with vv560 for several years with the same results? I wouldn't be against trying that combo if it's been consistent for you.
That's what I'm looking for, consistency. I can kill stuff with any of the bullets mentioned. I just can't pin down what is causing my inconsistency, brass, bullet or powder, or a combination.
Right now I've got some loads loaded with 80 gr ttsx, and Big Game powder, which was Barnes most accurate load, and I happened to have some. Loaded them to .050" off the lands, which is what they recommend. That leaves the oal at 2.340", which is possible by cutting out the front of your mag. Too windy to shoot today, but after I try them I'll let you guys know.
Mike have you used those loads with vv560 for several years with the same results? I wouldn't be against trying that combo if it's been consistent for you.
That's what I'm looking for, consistency. I can kill stuff with any of the bullets mentioned. I just can't pin down what is causing my inconsistency, brass, bullet or powder, or a combination.
Right now I've got some loads loaded with 80 gr ttsx, and Big Game powder, which was Barnes most accurate load, and I happened to have some. Loaded them to .050" off the lands, which is what they recommend. That leaves the oal at 2.340", which is possible by cutting out the front of your mag. Too windy to shoot today, but after I try them I'll let you guys know.
mikeinlouisiana
Member
Yup with the 117 Hornady SST and Sierra Prohunters. I load at 2.260" and been using same combo since 2005. I just starting expirimenting with a hotter deer load this weekend, shot a 3 shot group with 45.5gr N-560 with the SST and all 3 bullets were touching. That is the hottest I loaded but the primer was not showing signs of pressure. Will load more and to see if I can duplicate. Sorry but left chornagraph home by accident but brought the tripod. lol
Ricky, I get pretty close the same load and performance out of eith Prohunters or SST.
Mike
Ricky, I get pretty close the same load and performance out of eith Prohunters or SST.
Mike
Allright guys, made it out to the range sunday with 8 different loads to try in my 25. Results weren't to bad. Definitely room for improvement but they were not the most ideal of conditions to shoot. Had a 20+ mph cross wind. It was tough to really keep everything steady. All 8 loads were shot from 100 yards.
I decided to go with 3 round groups just to get started so I don't burn through as much ammo. At least 3 shot groups until I decide I'm on to something. With all but a couple groups everything was pretty consistent. Alway had one hole that was a little off. I will probably go with the 3 or 4 best groups here and tweak them a little, then go from there.
All these OAL's were loaded to 2.257 as I have not altered my mags at all. At least try this and if it doesn't work then try to alter the mag to increase the OAL. I will keep posting as I get back out to the range.
I decided to go with 3 round groups just to get started so I don't burn through as much ammo. At least 3 shot groups until I decide I'm on to something. With all but a couple groups everything was pretty consistent. Alway had one hole that was a little off. I will probably go with the 3 or 4 best groups here and tweak them a little, then go from there.
All these OAL's were loaded to 2.257 as I have not altered my mags at all. At least try this and if it doesn't work then try to alter the mag to increase the OAL. I will keep posting as I get back out to the range.
Last edited:
204 AR
Well-known member
Bummer Backy, I can't see your pics, looks like you deleted them in Photobucket?
Anyway, the wind died down, and since it's my day off I couldn't sit at home. I went out and shot the 12 rounds with the 80 gr Ttsx, and Big Game. Charges went from 48.5 to 50.5, which is Barnes book max. Very promising I think, when I overlaid the targets all 12 rounds were under 1.5", including the fouler shot. I wouln't be able to say that with any other work up so far, so maybe I'm on to something. Not gonna get excited yet though.
Anyway, the wind died down, and since it's my day off I couldn't sit at home. I went out and shot the 12 rounds with the 80 gr Ttsx, and Big Game. Charges went from 48.5 to 50.5, which is Barnes book max. Very promising I think, when I overlaid the targets all 12 rounds were under 1.5", including the fouler shot. I wouln't be able to say that with any other work up so far, so maybe I'm on to something. Not gonna get excited yet though.
ricky_arthur
New member
nope, no pics yet. They say they have been deleted.
I got out for some shooting this evening. Me and 2 of my brothers mostly for pistols but I took the 25 wssm along and tried 4 more loads. One 3 shot load with 42.5 varget and the 100gr sierra game king went into .60 so I will be trying that one again with some 5 shot groups.
We shot steel targets with pistols playing H.O.R.S.E.. The local sheriffs dept were qualifying on the next range so we got a highway patrol buddie of mine to come shoot with us. Another elected to watch.
My youngest brother went out first then my other brother. Then it was down to me and HP. How it works is you take turns calling the shots. So I could say, "I will shoot Right handed at the middle and left targets." If I made the 2 shots, the next in line has to repeat if he misses he gets a letter, and if I fail to make it he can attempt the same shots and if he hits them, I get a letter. To make it funner I was switching between my carry glock 27 and my 1911. In the end I finally hit a double tap on 2 different targets left handed to win the match. It was super fun.
I got out for some shooting this evening. Me and 2 of my brothers mostly for pistols but I took the 25 wssm along and tried 4 more loads. One 3 shot load with 42.5 varget and the 100gr sierra game king went into .60 so I will be trying that one again with some 5 shot groups.
We shot steel targets with pistols playing H.O.R.S.E.. The local sheriffs dept were qualifying on the next range so we got a highway patrol buddie of mine to come shoot with us. Another elected to watch.
My youngest brother went out first then my other brother. Then it was down to me and HP. How it works is you take turns calling the shots. So I could say, "I will shoot Right handed at the middle and left targets." If I made the 2 shots, the next in line has to repeat if he misses he gets a letter, and if I fail to make it he can attempt the same shots and if he hits them, I get a letter. To make it funner I was switching between my carry glock 27 and my 1911. In the end I finally hit a double tap on 2 different targets left handed to win the match. It was super fun.
ricky_arthur
New member
Took that sierra game king load out this morning. I'm glad I live close enough to my range that I can drive over and shoot a single 5 shot group when necessary.
One fouler shot at the bottom left target then five at the middle. 42.5gr Varget 100gr Sierra Game King seated 2.290. This load shows some mild pressure signs.
about 1.10 Not too bad, I might play with this one a little more.
ETA and Backy, your pics are working now. Looks like there a couple there to try some 5 shot groups with.
One fouler shot at the bottom left target then five at the middle. 42.5gr Varget 100gr Sierra Game King seated 2.290. This load shows some mild pressure signs.
about 1.10 Not too bad, I might play with this one a little more.
ETA and Backy, your pics are working now. Looks like there a couple there to try some 5 shot groups with.
Last edited:
Kollincoyote
New member
When you say "fouler shot" that's the first one out of the barrel after cleaning the barrel correct?
If so, before I go out hunting I should shoot a round down the barrel after cleaning for the best accuracy?
If so, before I go out hunting I should shoot a round down the barrel after cleaning for the best accuracy?
ricky_arthur
New member
Originally Posted By: KollincoyoteWhen you say "fouler shot" that's the first one out of the barrel after cleaning the barrel correct?
If so, before I go out hunting I should shoot a round down the barrel after cleaning for the best accuracy?
Killincoyote, as you can see there is a slight difference in POI on the first round down the clean BBL. The difference is significant when doing load development, but probably not enough to have a practical effect in a hunting situation, each load and even each bbl is different, but I make it a habbit to fire a shot after cleaning.
If so, before I go out hunting I should shoot a round down the barrel after cleaning for the best accuracy?
Killincoyote, as you can see there is a slight difference in POI on the first round down the clean BBL. The difference is significant when doing load development, but probably not enough to have a practical effect in a hunting situation, each load and even each bbl is different, but I make it a habbit to fire a shot after cleaning.
ricky_arthur
New member
Well, I just bought
100gr Sierra game King
117 Sierra,
117gr SST
110gr Accubond and a lb of H4350.
wee will see it it will shoot the heavier bullets.
100gr Sierra game King
117 Sierra,
117gr SST
110gr Accubond and a lb of H4350.
wee will see it it will shoot the heavier bullets.
Kollincoyote
New member
Ok that's good to know, good luck with your next loads, I'll be checking back
Ricky,
When you reload, do you use new brass or do you used fired brass? I'm just curious as to how much this would affect accuracy. I started with all new brass but not am going to start reloading some of the brass I've already shot. Wondering how much this will affect loads I've already used. Anyone have experience with new and used brass affecting accuracy if the exact same loads are use from one to another?
When you reload, do you use new brass or do you used fired brass? I'm just curious as to how much this would affect accuracy. I started with all new brass but not am going to start reloading some of the brass I've already shot. Wondering how much this will affect loads I've already used. Anyone have experience with new and used brass affecting accuracy if the exact same loads are use from one to another?