Ok guys, I have been trying to get a load developed for my cousin's 222. everything was going just fine then yesterday I couldn't keep it on paper. I went to 55sbt, sierra bullets, which had shot somewhat decent in the past (1" or so). I tried some of the same powder, as well as others yesterday. I couldn't hit crap with it. I thought the scope had gone bad. I took a ziess off of a gun I had been shooting, knowing it was working fine. same problem, except a few more rounds hit paper. My next thought was dirty barrel. I came home and cleaned it really well. but honestly it wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. I even used JB in case there was carbon build up. For the amount of fouling/dirt that was in it, I cannot see that accuracy would drop off as much as it did. I checked the bases & rings, they appeared tight to me. any ideals on this????
.222 HELP!! accuracy gone & it's back-results in last post-THANKS
- Thread starter FryeGuy
- Start date
.222 HELP!! accuracy just gone
rem 700, factory barrel. round count unknown, but appears to have been shot very little. In fact, the blueing is still on the rifling, it usually comes off pretty quickly I think. no pits, etche bolt face is really clean, rear of the lugs appears that is hasn't been shot much at all. In fact when he bought it, had it not had bases, rings. and a trigger and bedding job done, I would have told him less than a couple of boxes thru it, which could still be the case. I believe it is a 14 twist. I am going to take it out of the stock tonight and check the bedding job. I also think I am going to put weaver bases and warne rings on it. then I don't have to worry about the leupold dovetail not being tight enough.
rem 700, factory barrel. round count unknown, but appears to have been shot very little. In fact, the blueing is still on the rifling, it usually comes off pretty quickly I think. no pits, etche bolt face is really clean, rear of the lugs appears that is hasn't been shot much at all. In fact when he bought it, had it not had bases, rings. and a trigger and bedding job done, I would have told him less than a couple of boxes thru it, which could still be the case. I believe it is a 14 twist. I am going to take it out of the stock tonight and check the bedding job. I also think I am going to put weaver bases and warne rings on it. then I don't have to worry about the leupold dovetail not being tight enough.
ab_bentley
I fix stuff, sometimes....
.222 HELP!! accuracy just gone
Have you tried a different bullet and have you changed lots of bullets recently? Adam
Have you tried a different bullet and have you changed lots of bullets recently? Adam
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
.222 HELP!! accuracy just gone
Fryeguy,
Even a wore out .222 is better then a inch rifle, I would do as already suggested, check the crown, all screws, check the twist for sure, make sure the stock isn't touching anywhere it shouldn't be.
You should be able to load a case with blc-2, H-322, H-4198 and any decent 50-55 grain bullet and shoot 5 in 1/2" or under with that rifle, best of luck to you.
Wayne.
Fryeguy,
Even a wore out .222 is better then a inch rifle, I would do as already suggested, check the crown, all screws, check the twist for sure, make sure the stock isn't touching anywhere it shouldn't be.
You should be able to load a case with blc-2, H-322, H-4198 and any decent 50-55 grain bullet and shoot 5 in 1/2" or under with that rifle, best of luck to you.
Wayne.
.222 HELP!! accuracy just gone
I have been trying some different bullets lately. I even bought a partial box of factory loads just to get the brass. rem 50spt. dang if they haven't shot better than my loads. that box produced some 14" groups at 100yds. best luck I have had was 52hp mef bergers. they would shoot really tight. I am going to load some more and check them out as well.
I have been trying some different bullets lately. I even bought a partial box of factory loads just to get the brass. rem 50spt. dang if they haven't shot better than my loads. that box produced some 14" groups at 100yds. best luck I have had was 52hp mef bergers. they would shoot really tight. I am going to load some more and check them out as well.
.222 HELP!! accuracy just gone
I have a 700 in .222 that had been really abused, i.e. pitted bore, bolt showed mega cycling all from the previous owner I might add but it shot 1/2 MOA all day with factory Remmys even after loping the barrel off to 181/2" for a truck gun. I saw one of the big chain sportsman's stores that starts with a "C" had HSM loads at a better price and they had a hollow point that resembled a "sewer pipe" but were silver in color This was many years ago in my reloading infancy and I did not know why they were silver but they shot 1/2 MOA and cheaper so they were the load. After 150 rds of that stuff and not cleaning the bore, because with the Remmys it never required it to improve the accuracy, my groups suddenly went to 1 1/2" MOA. I cleaned the bore, what I thought was clean, and no difference. I spoke to guys at the range, cleaned again and nothing. Finally read on line about this magical Moly stuff and it made the bullets silver but required special cleaning processes or would cake! Finally something to go on! Well let me tell you is that stuff ever a bugger to remove if you didn't start with a clean bore. I think the space shuttle tiles are made from it. Well sorry to ramble but you induced a reoccurring nightmare! In the end it's back to 1/2 MOA with Berger 52gr. Match FB and VV N-133 in Lapua cases and no more Moly for this old boy! BTW mine will only shoot FB bullets due to the rough bore and I thought about re-barreling but it just continues to group well. Is it the caliber? Be my guess!
I have a 700 in .222 that had been really abused, i.e. pitted bore, bolt showed mega cycling all from the previous owner I might add but it shot 1/2 MOA all day with factory Remmys even after loping the barrel off to 181/2" for a truck gun. I saw one of the big chain sportsman's stores that starts with a "C" had HSM loads at a better price and they had a hollow point that resembled a "sewer pipe" but were silver in color This was many years ago in my reloading infancy and I did not know why they were silver but they shot 1/2 MOA and cheaper so they were the load. After 150 rds of that stuff and not cleaning the bore, because with the Remmys it never required it to improve the accuracy, my groups suddenly went to 1 1/2" MOA. I cleaned the bore, what I thought was clean, and no difference. I spoke to guys at the range, cleaned again and nothing. Finally read on line about this magical Moly stuff and it made the bullets silver but required special cleaning processes or would cake! Finally something to go on! Well let me tell you is that stuff ever a bugger to remove if you didn't start with a clean bore. I think the space shuttle tiles are made from it. Well sorry to ramble but you induced a reoccurring nightmare! In the end it's back to 1/2 MOA with Berger 52gr. Match FB and VV N-133 in Lapua cases and no more Moly for this old boy! BTW mine will only shoot FB bullets due to the rough bore and I thought about re-barreling but it just continues to group well. Is it the caliber? Be my guess!
.222 HELP!! accuracy just gone
FreyGuy: I have 2 chamberings in 222 Rem.: a factory Rem. 700 BDL and a Sako/ Hart barrel, both 1-14 twist. 45 to 50 gr. bullets are excellent, 52 very good, but groups start to open up noticabely with 55, so I never use them anymore. Not all barrels are really their advertised twist rates. Your cousins could be a little slower, like a 1-14.5 or a 1-15. I had an old Sako L-46, all factory in 222 Rem. Magnum with a 1-16 & it would not shoot anything heavier than 40 gr. Try staying with 45 to 50 gr. bullet weights & see if that helps.
FreyGuy: I have 2 chamberings in 222 Rem.: a factory Rem. 700 BDL and a Sako/ Hart barrel, both 1-14 twist. 45 to 50 gr. bullets are excellent, 52 very good, but groups start to open up noticabely with 55, so I never use them anymore. Not all barrels are really their advertised twist rates. Your cousins could be a little slower, like a 1-14.5 or a 1-15. I had an old Sako L-46, all factory in 222 Rem. Magnum with a 1-16 & it would not shoot anything heavier than 40 gr. Try staying with 45 to 50 gr. bullet weights & see if that helps.
.222 HELP!! accuracy just gone
FD,
I think this may be the issue. I have noticed the lighter the tighter. I think maybe the combination of several trips to the range, and a dirty barrel may have just mad it more noticable. I am going to start with the 52hp, and go down from there. I went thru everything last night, couldn't find a thing wrong with it.
FD,
I think this may be the issue. I have noticed the lighter the tighter. I think maybe the combination of several trips to the range, and a dirty barrel may have just mad it more noticable. I am going to start with the 52hp, and go down from there. I went thru everything last night, couldn't find a thing wrong with it.
.222 HELP!! accuracy just gone
Fryguy, most 222 bbls have a 14 twist, and at the velocity available, the bullet weights that are really stable are in the 53gr or less. the 55 gr bullets are longer, longer means more twist or velocity or both necessary.
as an example the 55gr Sierra blitzking is .025" longer thanthe 55gr sbt. the sbt will stabalize in most 14 twist but the sbk will not, it requires at least a 13 and prefferably a 12 twist. with 22-250 velocityies
load some 50/53 gr pills and i think you will solv your problem
those 55gr you are loading are too long and too slow to make it in a 14 twist, some 14 twist may make me a liar but that is my experience and i have had a lot of conversations with tech's at Sierra as we shoot pd together.
Bob
Fryguy, most 222 bbls have a 14 twist, and at the velocity available, the bullet weights that are really stable are in the 53gr or less. the 55 gr bullets are longer, longer means more twist or velocity or both necessary.
as an example the 55gr Sierra blitzking is .025" longer thanthe 55gr sbt. the sbt will stabalize in most 14 twist but the sbk will not, it requires at least a 13 and prefferably a 12 twist. with 22-250 velocityies
load some 50/53 gr pills and i think you will solv your problem
those 55gr you are loading are too long and too slow to make it in a 14 twist, some 14 twist may make me a liar but that is my experience and i have had a lot of conversations with tech's at Sierra as we shoot pd together.
Bob
.222 HELP!! accuracy just gone
I would recommend that you try some 50 Horn SX or Sierra Blitz (not Blitz King). These are a good weight for the 222 & are pretty short with great terminal performance. Also, how hot of a load are you shooting? Usually you will get better performance from a load on the warm side. And you need to look at seating depth to optimize any load. Unless someone has damaged the lead and/or crown cleaning the barrel, it oughta shoot 3/8-1/2" groups.
I would recommend that you try some 50 Horn SX or Sierra Blitz (not Blitz King). These are a good weight for the 222 & are pretty short with great terminal performance. Also, how hot of a load are you shooting? Usually you will get better performance from a load on the warm side. And you need to look at seating depth to optimize any load. Unless someone has damaged the lead and/or crown cleaning the barrel, it oughta shoot 3/8-1/2" groups.
BoydAllen
Gold $$ Contributor
.222 HELP!! accuracy just gone
My .222 varmint rifle has a short throat, so much so that I can load into the rifling with plastic tipped 40 grain bullets. The 40 gr. V-Maxes are great, accurate, explosive, and the increase in velocity is significant, with a BC that is the same as the 52 gr. HPs that I used to shoot.
My .222 varmint rifle has a short throat, so much so that I can load into the rifling with plastic tipped 40 grain bullets. The 40 gr. V-Maxes are great, accurate, explosive, and the increase in velocity is significant, with a BC that is the same as the 52 gr. HPs that I used to shoot.
.222 HELP!! accuracy just gone
well, the local store finally had some new bullets in. 50gr V-max, and 52hpbt matchkings. I will try these and the 52hp berger bullets.
I will now be testing these in two guns. I picked up my own 222rem yesterday in a bdl. little bit easier just testing the same loads in both guns. I will let ya'll know how they do. thanks for all the advice.
well, the local store finally had some new bullets in. 50gr V-max, and 52hpbt matchkings. I will try these and the 52hp berger bullets.
I will now be testing these in two guns. I picked up my own 222rem yesterday in a bdl. little bit easier just testing the same loads in both guns. I will let ya'll know how they do. thanks for all the advice.
.222 HELP!! accuracy just gone
ok guys, problem solved. thanks for all the advice. here are the results from the problem gun that I couldn't get to hit paper the other day.
50 v-max, N133 22.0, 3 shots, 0.485"
52hpbt, n133 21.0, 3 shots 0.653"
52hp berger, n133, 21.0, 3 shots 0.895
50v-max, imr4895, 0.963"
50vmax, imr4198, 1.090"
52hpbt, imr4198, 3-shots 0.746 (this was sight in group, moved scope over 6" then aimed at first hole.
now for the new toy I picked up monday evening, also a 222 rem
52hp berger, n133, 3-shots, 0.237" & another group of 0.368
52hpbt, imr4198 20.5, 3 shots 0.398"
52hpbt, n133 21.0, 3 shots 0.495"
50vmax, imr4198, 3 shots 0.860
50vmax, n133 22.0, 0.885"
50vmax, imr4895 24.5, 1.253"
thanks to all!!
ok guys, problem solved. thanks for all the advice. here are the results from the problem gun that I couldn't get to hit paper the other day.
50 v-max, N133 22.0, 3 shots, 0.485"
52hpbt, n133 21.0, 3 shots 0.653"
52hp berger, n133, 21.0, 3 shots 0.895
50v-max, imr4895, 0.963"
50vmax, imr4198, 1.090"
52hpbt, imr4198, 3-shots 0.746 (this was sight in group, moved scope over 6" then aimed at first hole.
now for the new toy I picked up monday evening, also a 222 rem
52hp berger, n133, 3-shots, 0.237" & another group of 0.368
52hpbt, imr4198 20.5, 3 shots 0.398"
52hpbt, n133 21.0, 3 shots 0.495"
50vmax, imr4198, 3 shots 0.860
50vmax, n133 22.0, 0.885"
50vmax, imr4895 24.5, 1.253"
thanks to all!!
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