Recently I have been struggling in my pursuit with good accuracy with these bullets. I have been using CFE 223 with mixed results, anything from 1in to 0.300 at 100. I am after 0.125 at 100 so I can dial it in with my 1/8 MOA scope. I have achieved this with a number of loads just not with this one! Any suggestions on how to improve this, perhaps a ladder? I can't quite narrow it down to seating or charge weight. But I have only go from minimum to maximum in 0.5 increments. The rifle is a R-700 VSSF with a jewell Trigger, 1/12 twist, chambered in 223 Rem. Thanks, Josh.
53gr V-Max
- Thread starter DLH_
- Start date
Josh , I'm surprised you're getting 0.3 to 1.0 inch Groups with a 1:12 Twist Barrel . The 53 Vmax is a very long Bullet and I think you will need a "Faster" Twist ..... something like 1:9 .
redrockranger
Silver $$ Contributor
Go with the load the rifle likes. CFE must not be the powder.
If you are consistently shooting .125 groups with other loads, why don't you just stick with those? You do realize with that gun and load you will win every benchrest competition you enter.
If you insist on experimenting, try the power/seating depth method detailed in Tony Boyer's book and discussed at length in a post here by Tim Singleton.
Might want to try some N133 powder too. You might even shrink those .125 inch groups.
If you insist on experimenting, try the power/seating depth method detailed in Tony Boyer's book and discussed at length in a post here by Tim Singleton.
Might want to try some N133 powder too. You might even shrink those .125 inch groups.
DogBuster
Silver $$ Contributor
are you stuck on CFE 223 ?? Have any H4895..IMR8208...H335...W748....Benchmark...V133....most 223's aren't fussy...I use 53 V's in 9T 223 AI...Benchmark or IMR8208...as mentioned the new 53V is a long sleek sucker...your 12T may be the issue...keyhole ??? Have any 55 NBTs...55 BKs ?
CFE does seem like a slow powder choice for the 53 V-max. I'd recommend Benchrest, 322, or H335.
The 53 V-max shoots fine from my 1:14 222, but I'm at 5000ft too, so that helps stability.
IMR-3031 might be a great powder to try too.
-Mac
The 53 V-max shoots fine from my 1:14 222, but I'm at 5000ft too, so that helps stability.
IMR-3031 might be a great powder to try too.
-Mac
The 53 VMAX shoots pretty well from my 1 in 12 .223 at sea level, so I doubt twist rate is the problem. I'd switch powders. I've seen good results with Varget and H4895. I work up the load by trying four powder charges to find the most accurate, and then tweaking the OAL in convenient steps. The Rem 700 has a long throat and magazine length is not a problem either, so they end up on the longish side.
I think the 53 VMAX is a desirable bullet, because it is the highest BC bullet that will be stable in a 1 in 12 twist near sea level.
I think the 53 VMAX is a desirable bullet, because it is the highest BC bullet that will be stable in a 1 in 12 twist near sea level.
I talked a Hornady tech about the 53 gr V-Max. He stated that it required a 12 twist - nothing slower I suspect that every barrel rated for a 12 twist may not actually be exactly that from the forms I have read. I chose to get these based on their rated BC, but may be trying to force the gun to "make" it shoot them well. Will see in the next few weeks.
Chuck
Chuck
I am measuring my groups at the widest point and subtracting the bullet diameter. These groups are shot regularly but only say 4/10 attempts. My shooting ability being the limiting factor. I thought about trying a different powder, my rifle seems to love N133 so I have to give that ago, especially in the 50-55 bullet range. I am a stickler for velocity so VARGET is not really an option. Have you got any data for H4895?
Josh, try your ladder in .2 increments you may have missed a node easily by trying .5 increments. Plus i had a finicky .223AI custom that I could not get to shoot after 150 some rounds and 5 different powders. Switched from Fed. 205 Match primers to CCI BR-4's and that woke my rifle up. Now I can use 2-3 different powders no problem. Plus I would recommend 8208 powder if you can source some.
Frank
Frank
I'd try a faster powder then CFE223. Many of my 1-9 twist .223s have liked a 52-55 grain pill with CFE223. But my most recent barrel absolutely hated CFE with several bullet and primer types. I figured I'd go to the other end of the spectrum and used 8208XBR and it turned into a solid .5 MOA 10 shot ar15 upper when the nut behind the trigger is on his game. The other powder I like as well is Benchmark but I run that in lighter weight bullets generally.
53 Vmax has a G1 of .290, which is pretty good.
Swampy's 52 and 60gr low drag JLKs will both work in a 1:12 twist.
G1 bc of the 52gr LD is .309
G1 bc of the 60gr LD is .339
http://www.swampworks.com/jlk/
I'm a bit skeptical of those BCs. Have they been verified by being measured by independent sources?
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