55 gr vs heaver 223 bullets revisited

[kennedy759]

In a thread below I asked about bulk 55 gr bullets and the consensus was I should try a heaver bullet, but since I have 4000+ 55 gr I think I will make them work, here is my target today 5 shot groups at 100 yds, shooting my older Armilite M15A4 from the 1990`s, it has a 3x9 leopold on top. 20 inch heavy barrel and JP trigger, shooting off sandbags. The scope was not zeroed(thanks brother in law) now it is. I am happy with the results, I am sure the gun and ammo shoots better then this 69 yr old.

 

[patience0830]

We never said 55's wouldn't shoot. Depending on twist, the heavier bullets might shoot better. Especially at distances over a couple hunnert yards.

 

[Indy574]

If you want to tighten the groups up more, try other powders. Try seating depth as well.

 

[2in1evtime]

Keep shooting might get better

 

[kennedy759]

Keep shooting might get better

you are so right, first time shooting this gun in over 10yrs(got into shooting trap). the plan is to become proficient in my guns I would use if the SHTF.

 

[Robert Richardson]

I found a big difference in accuracy when I went to just a 62gr bullet. Group size was cut in half. All I load now are 62s.

 

[Michigan Slim]

I found a big difference in accuracy when I went to just a 62gr bullet. Group size was cut in half. All I load now are 62s.

Same here. I have a Colt Match Target with the 1:7 twist. I shot 55 grain bullets for years and they did great. Then I tried 62 grainers and, wow, what a difference.

 

[kennedy759]

went thru my stash and found a box of 69gr match kings, going to load a few loads and weigh the powder by hand rather then my lee auto disc. see what happens

 

[tsilveus]

I will reload the last of my 55's and when they are gone, all I will reload in the future will be 62 gr / 69 gr and 75-77 gr. These all shoot way better (even in my 1 in 9 twist guns).

 

[55fairlane]

55 grainers are fine for plinking or mag dumps, my short line (100 yards) is 69 SMK, my medium range (200 &300) is Hornady 75eld my 600 yard stuff is 77SMK.
Do the following, in .2 grain load from the max down. 10 shots (1 each ) such as 23 grains, 22.8,22.6,22.4 you get the idea, run these thru your chronograph. You will see 3 shots on the low end with nearly identical velocity & 3 on the high end with nearly identical velocity. The lowest powder charge on the high end, this is your accuracy load.

 

[Leo]

The weight of the bullet is certainly a factor. The quality of the bullet cannot be overlooked. Most bulk bullets are mil spec, designed for Minute of Man accuracy, not Minute of Angle.

I fooled around with bulk 55 grain bullets and got frustrated. They never printed groups like a 69gr Sierra MatchKing. A 22-250 fan suggested that I try the 52 gr Sierra MatchKings. Of course they were a lot more money. The harder I pushed them, the tighter they grouped. My rifles were 7 twist, 7.7 twist and 8 twist, which are not what you usually see on a light bullet rifle. I ended up with a compressed load of Varget under the little 52gr Sierra's and a ten shot group could be all touched with a dime. Never could do that with combat bullets.

 

[kennedy759]

The weight of the bullet is certainly a factor. The quality of the bullet cannot be overlooked. Most bulk bullets are mil spec, designed for Minute of Man accuracy, not Minute of Angle.

I fooled around with bulk 55 grain bullets and got frustrated. They never printed groups like a 69gr Sierra MatchKing. A 22-250 fan suggested that I try the 52 gr Sierra MatchKings. Of course they were a lot more money. The harder I pushed them, the tighter they grouped. My rifles were 7 twist, 7.7 twist and 8 twist, which are not what you usually see on a light bullet rifle. I ended up with a compressed load of Varget under the little 52gr Sierra's and a ten shot group could be all touched with a dime. Never could do that with combat bullets.

shooting off hand, I am happy with minute of man

 

[kennedy759]

55 grainers are fine for plinking or mag dumps, my short line (100 yards) is 69 SMK, my medium range (200 &300) is Hornady 75eld my 600 yard stuff is 77SMK.
Do the following, in .2 grain load from the max down. 10 shots (1 each ) such as 23 grains, 22.8,22.6,22.4 you get the idea, run these thru your chronograph. You will see 3 shots on the low end with nearly identical velocity & 3 on the high end with nearly identical velocity. The lowest powder charge on the high end, this is your accuracy load.

I like your methodology, but why is the lowest powder charge on the high end the most accurate? do you double check by shooting groups?

 

[55fairlane]

You can, but there is no need. This method was not come up by myself, however , I personally know the method is correct as well as others I know & respect. You may find a better explanation if you Google 6.5 guys load development test.
Old way was load in .5 grain lots and shoot for groups. Then take the 2 charges that looked best and load in .2 lots , shoot for groups, then take the best looking and run it thru the chronograph.
I have a spot on load I developed that way. I double checked (via blind test) I had a buddy load & clock the load (in my rifle) and data was right on, the method works.

 

[55fairlane]

I like your methodology, but why is the lowest powder charge on the high end the most accurate? do you double check by shooting groups?

Here is one of my data cards, 22-250 IMR 4046, 69 SMK. Brand new 1-8 twist barrel. If you look closely you will see going from 32.9 to 33.1 the bullet velocity slowed down.
And you can clearly see the 3 lower charge "nod" & the 3 higher charge "nod"

 

[kennedy759]

Here is one of my data cards, 22-250 IMR 4046, 69 SMK. Brand new 1-8 twist barrel. If you look closely you will see going from 32.9 to 33.1 the bullet velocity slowed down.
And you can clearly see the 3 lower charge "nod" & the 3 higher charge "nod" View attachment 379840

so is 33.3 your winner?

 

[55fairlane]

so is 33.3 your winner?

33.5 reason 33.5 & 33.7 velocity nearly identical.

Now if I were loading for 100 range, I might load using the low end "NOD" and see how it groups.

I shot a match last night, and was talking reloading/ accuracy test with a couple noobs (and about 30 well seasoned competitors) all the well seasoned guys do the load down in .2ths test. Or at least most of us do

 

[kennedy759]

33.5 reason 33.5 & 33.7 velocity nearly identical.

Now if I were loading for 100 range, I might load using the low end "NOD" and see how it groups.

I shot a match last night, and was talking reloading/ accuracy test with a couple noobs (and about 30 well seasoned competitors) all the well seasoned guys do the load down in .2ths test. Or at least most of us do

what does NOD mean? and how do you select which load? trial and error, mathematics, ballistics?,

 

[55fairlane]

what does NOD mean? and how do you select which load? trial and error, mathematics, ballistics?,

A) I sent you a PM
B) NOD simply put just a term meaning the velocity values that are similar/ all most identical
C) how do I do what?

 

[kennedy759]

how do you know out of each nod which is the more accurate load? and why is the most accurate have to be part of a nod?