New Berger .224 Bullet

[1911mag]

New Borden action on the way to upgrade FTR set up for my new shooter. Looking forward for results of these. Still a fan favorite of the 90’s as those have been good to me last 3 years.

 

[skiutah02]

OK- I can see from the picture that you've taken care of Drew Rutherford's order. Hopefully everyone's else's are in the pipeline .

Guess my week just got a little more interesting.

 

[Ned Ludd]

What happened to the rest of them?


Hope they tune in well for you! Let us know what you think.

 

[skiutah02]

What happened to the rest of them?


Hope they tune in well for you! Let us know what you think.

Wasn't planning on shooting the 223 in NE next Sat, but maybe just one match....either way will definitely report back here.

 

[garandman]

 

[garandman]

Guess my week just got a little more interesting.

View attachment 1132800

Curious… did you buy these "sight un seen" never having tested them?

That's a lot of bullets to buy hoping they will group well....

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Got y'all beat!

Edit: Loaded up a batch of 50, from 23gr to 24.8gr of Varget, loaded .020" off.

I'll shoot them over the LR, and post the results tomorrow.

No issues with seating using the factory seating stem in a redding micrometer die.

 

[garandman]

@MikeMcCasland .... nice !

 

[skiutah02]

Curious… did you buy these "sight un seen" never having tested them?

That's a lot of bullets to buy hoping they will group well....

Yep, did buy sight unseen, but I've had terrific luck with Berger Bullets through the years and have always gotten them to group well without exception (in nearly every caliber i use (224, 244, 264, 308) and many weights) and have always regretted buying less than 1000 to test. If nothing else, can use to fireform brass for my 90vlds and use for "fun" matches. . Drew

Disclaimer: Berger (aka Capstone) is a strong supporter of the US FClass Team of which I am a member, but I've been buying their bullets for 4 years prior to that. I've also gotten every Hornady and Sierra bullet to group well.

 

[garandman]

@skiutah02 ... I also have had good luck with Berger in 223 , 6.5 CM and 338 Norma. So I get what you're saying

 

[skiutah02]

@skiutah02 ... I also have had good luck with Berger in 223 , 6.5 CM and 338 Norma. So I get what you're saying

Haven't gone past the 308 yet, but 20VT,204R,223R,6BRX,6.5CM (gasp!),6.5x284, 6.5x47L,6.5WSSMAi, and 308W have all been doable. Some easier than others, to be honest.

 

[eric n]

For sure!
Should have some data in a couple weeks.

FWIW: I was told to keep the barrel under 26” and not push them “too hard”. Well, barrel is 23.5” and planning to drive them to 3200 +\-.

Right on! Thanks.
Good luck with it, hope they work well.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

At the range now. I'll post up final velocities later, but the gun definitely doesnt like .020 off.

2-2.5 in groups at 200 so far.

.169 ISSF reamer 28" 1:7 bart 5r with 1k rounds on it.

 

[Ned Ludd]

At the range now. I'll post up final velocities later, but the gun definitely doesnt like .020 off.

2-2.5 in groups at 200 so far.

.169 ISSF reamer 28" 1:7 bart 5r with 1k rounds on it.

Mike - in my hands, the Hybrid ogive bullets almost always want to be closer to the lands than that (-.020"). I'd be sure to include seating depths somewhere in the -.006", -.009", -.012" range in the testing process.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Warning: If you don't have a .223 with a .169/ISSF chamber, this load data will be way too hot. Please only use for reference material, and work up in your own gun.

If you're unsure what chamber you have, consult Berger/Capstone directly.

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Just a little reference info about what generated the data and groups above.

Gun:
Blueprinted 700
28" HV Bartlein 5R 1:7
.169 ISSF
1,000 Rounds
borescoped prior to shooting today; everything looked pretty good.

Brass prep:
Unturned Lapua .223 brass
4-5x fired
Annealed each firing; AMP Aztec code 140
Sized down with an expanderless Whidden FL sizer; bumped .002" from fired
Mandreled back up to .223
Giraud trimmed to 1.750
Had redding dry neck lube in the necks.
Bullets seated on a redding comp seater


Greg - You're spot on. I plan to go test these much closer to the lands. Given the trouble I had with the 90 VLDs, I'm playing it pretty conservative with these 85.5s, even though they should be easier to tune in.

My goal for today was just to set everything .020" off, and find my charge node.

I'll go back next week and do seating depth from lands to ~.040 off, in .005 increments....that's the plan anyway.

 

[Jdne5b]

Can you get enough N140 in the case to go higher?

 

[MikeMcCasland]

Can you get enough N140 in the case to go higher?

At .020 off with 24.6 you were right on the edge of being compressed (lightly at that). I bet you could get 24.8-25 in there if you were careful with the pour, especially if it likes being shot closer to the lands.

 

[Jdne5b]

Thanks. Mine are in the mailbox at home. Hopefully the wind will cooperate this week for a session.

 

[OldManTA]

Mr. McCasland,
Thank you for your generosity.
Tom Alves