223 REM W/52 GR BERGER FB AND H335 Powder Test

[Pawnee Bill]

Here's the set up: Savage 110C with IBI 24 in SS barrel. Wylde chamber with EC Tuner Brake set at 0. 52 gr Berger FB Target seated at .020 off lands. Temp 90F with Dew Point at 75, Heat Index 100. Beginning load of 23.5 gr (No. 1) and ending load of 25.9 (No. (9). Does this show anything worth further testing or do I need to try another powder? All are 3 shot groups with cooling time every 9 shots.

 

[Bronsin]

Seating depth can fix some of those 2 and 1 groups. I like to start at .005 off, but that's just me. What other powders do you have?

 

[SecondsCount]

Seating depth can fix some of those 2 and 1 groups. I like to start at .005 off, but that's just me. What other powders do you have?

I agree. Seeing a lot of vertical in all the groups.

 

[Sniper338]

Id just go to a different powder.

 

[Pawnee Bill]

Seating depth was going to be my next step.

 

[screaminweasil]

Retry 25.0, 25.5, and 26.0

All three at touching lands, .oo5" off, and .010" off.

H335 is money....it's not the powder. I find .010" off jam works best for me with that combo. One hole 5 shot groups with 25.8gr H335 and 52gr speer HPs at .010" off lands.

Please report back.

 

[BoydAllen]

I suggest that you do a powder test starting low, with steps of .3 gr. and with bullets .006 longer than actual touch (Wheeler method preferred). I also suggest that you have some things with which to gauge the wind between you and the target.

 

[Raydee]

Have you played with the Tuner yet? I am shooting a Savage action with 55gr Vmax bullets using H335 and was having similar results as you. Over the chrono I was getting the most consistent velocity at 24.1-24.2gr so I loaded a bunch at 24.1 and wasn't really happy with the groups so I started playing with the tuner and once I got to nine I was shooting them all in the same hole so I stopped there.

 

[AckleymanII]

.020 off the lands is your first problem.

I have bullet seated .003 off the lands, but there is no way to tell you exactly what to use, every barrel is different. I am using IMI brass which was made by lapua.

We have no idea what was going on with the wind on that day

Lot # can vary, I am shooting 26g of H335 with 55's, which gives very good barrel life compared to some other powders.

Screw the tuner all the way to the rear, work up loads from there, then start tuning, should be very easy.

Are you shooting off a rifle rest or a Bi Pod?

What is the twist rate in your barrel?

 

[searcher]

I'd try several powders. I have a Remington 700 Varmint with factory barrel (though trigger and bedding were changed) and it has shot some incredible 5-shot groups using that Berger with Accurate LT32. Reloader 7 is almost as accurate though pretty temperature sensitive. Others that might do you really well are IMR 8208 XBR or TAC. Ones that always do "good" (but never best in any of my rifles) are Varget, Exterminator, 10X and Benchmark.

I have a few kegs left of surplus "8208" military pull-down powder that is better than any other powder in another .223 (an A/R) which will easily do 1/4" MOA. LT32 not even close in that rifle., though I have yet another A/R that also loves the LT-32. You need to try as many powders as you can - at least that is what I'd do. I'd not shoot 100 rounds of each powder - but rather a limited ladder of (3) 5-shot groups with about 1/2 to 3/4 of a grain apart, stopping 5% under the max load in the manual. Will give you a good idea of what your gun likes and what powders are worthy of further experimentation with another ladder narrowed down in 2/10 increments so you can see when your accuracy window starts and fades.

Good luck.