Accuracy Ramblings... your thoughts

[DLT]

Ok, I'll do my best to describe what I'm doing.
Components are Lapua brass, CCI primers and Berger 80.5's over Varget.
My SDs are low teens with my ES in the 40s. From what I have read that's about "nomal" for 223.

My reloading process is..
Decap
Anneal
Tumble in Rice
Full length resize, Forster die, no expander.
Clean pockets, chamfer necks, brush inside of cases.
Mandrel case necks
Trim to length
Tumble in rice (again).
Prime
Drop charges on FX120 scale
Seat projectiles.

I know people have trouble keeping es sd down on 223 but I don’t have any trouble

 

[DirtySteve]

The barrel is most likely the limiting factor. Barrel nut or shouldered barrel makes no difference. Jackie S. Took his bench rest rifle, and modified the barrel to be a barrel nut fit and it shot the same as when it had the shoulder.

 

[Webster]

So I shoot pretty much 1 distance, 200Y. At the conclusion of last season I shot a average in the .4s. I didn't think it was 2 terrible for caliber 223 and a Savage action, criterion barrel and just a bit of work done to the action.

In the name of smaller groups I made some changes this season. Out went the Savage action to be replaced by a Zermatt Origin. Same Criterion Barrel and MDT chassis (just Remington pattern). Went from a Jart to a Trigger Tech. Finally traded up from a Midas Tac to a Athlon 15-60. So now I can see those 223 holes at 200Y just fine.

Heading into July my accuracy has not improved. Granted it has been a bit more windy this year.
Tried a few different loads and nope... the pet one seems to still be my best bet.

So for those still reading this what am I getting at? Discounting myself as the weak link I feel the Criterion barrel is at its accuracy limits.

I'm getting ready to purchase a new 30BR barrel for this rifle. Would it be a poor decision to go prefit vs having a smith turn me out one? I mean should say a Shilen prefit 30BR barrel shoot nearly as good as another name brand?

Thanks guys!

Forum Boss: The OP has posted that he is referring to 0.4 MOA. He is NOT claiming 0.4" groups at 200 yards.
Accordingly Webster's post below may not be fully applicable.

OP wrote: MOA. I wish my groups avg for the season were .4xx"s.

Webster: I would think you should be happy with .400" at 200 yards, especially if you are not shooting serious competition. An average of .400" is extremely good. If you want better, I would think you would need a $5000 plus custom bench rifle plus an expensive scope, wind flags and a $1200 front rest. Plus, years of improving technique. Most top short range BR shooters seem to be using Kreiger or Bartlein barrels.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Flags?

 

[TommyD11730]

I know people have trouble keeping es sd down on 223 but I don’t have any trouble

Care to describe your loading technique?

 

[DLT]

Care to describe your loading technique?

I don’t believe I do anything different. But my last 3 loads has been
24.2 varget 77smk
24.6 n140 77smk
22.5 xbr 8208 77 smk
All set off with a cci 450 magnum primer
Lapua brass annealed each firing, brush the necks, full length rcbs die with ball removed and then a .222 mandrel. I had same results using the expander ball just part of me wants to think the mandrel is better so that’s why I do it. Have not compared mandrel and expander ball side by side on paper but at distance I can’t shoot the difference

5 round samples was under 25 es and shot great out to 700yds out of my rifle

 

[sw282]

The 223 is easy to shoot and load for, but very tedious to load exceptionally well. The CBI button barrel can and will shoot as well as you can load and hold. But in general long skinny cartridges are much more difficult to load to exacting standards compared to short fat ones. So the difference you'll see from the 30br is not from the action or barrel. Maybe consider the 222rem as well.

Yes! 222Rem.