Built a .222 high twist benchrest rifle

[watrob]

You can measure this one if you like? 3 shot group at 100yds, 22 PPC 70 VLD projectiles.

 

[watrob]

These at 200 yds, but were test loads. These are 222, 60 gr Bergers

 

[LHSmith]

 

[222 rem]

What powder are you loading?

 

[watrob]

In the heavier barrelled .222 rifles I am using ADI Benchmark 1 (close to Viht N133) with 60gr Berger's. The lighter barrelled Sporter Class .222 rifle I am running ADI 2206H (same as H4895) with a compressed powder load with the 60 gr Berger's.

With the 22 PPC I have tried Benchmark 8208, ADI 2219 (same as H322) but Benchmark 2 is the most accurate with 70 gr VLD bullets, have found the 70 gr VLD bullets from Copperhead Bullets out shoot the 70 gr VLD's from Berger, they use the same jackets but the Copperhead version is .030" longer and they go to sleep very quickly so they end up shooting very well at a 100 yds.

My next rifle I will have ready by this weekend, same build spec as the 22 PPC, that is with a Pearce Action, Krieger Match SS 1:9" twist 26" HV .264" barrel with a specially altered 6.5mm Grendel Reamer, handmade Carbon Fibre stock, March Scope. The Grendel cartridge is PPC based with the 30deg shoulders blown forward and necked up to 6.5mm which results in 4 grain extra powder capacity, his gives it close to BR velocities

Will run with the Norma 100gr 6.5mm BTHP match grade bullets which will put me in the SG=1.50 range running at around the 2950fps to 3150fps depending how hot I load.



Bullet seated to the shoulder of case with a OAL of 2.320" touching the lands?

 

[ChrisT]

Nice rifles, are they Steve Blaine stocks?

 

[MarkS]

Watrob very nice rifles..very cool running the fast twist and heavy bullets...I have been wanting to try a 1-8 in a .223



FJIM,
I had a 223AI barrel on a Savage LRPV. I shot a few zero's off bi-pods at 100. I shot mostly for Egg Shoots and long range Steel matches. It loved 80 gr. VLD Berger's and Varget. The fast twist 22 cal are alot of fun to shoot.

Mark Schronce

 

[Frankr]

Thanks mark I am playing with a 1-7 twist 16" barrel AR15 lol....I have witnessed I few guys hitting steel at 1K using factory 77 OTM's..I am hand tuning 75 and 80 VLD's And I don't mean they hit it once or twice they were drilling a 10" steel plate dead center at 1K..kind of impressive...I want to do it...working on getting my rifle set up to do it..

 

[MarkS]

Thanks mark I am playing with a 1-7 twist 16" barrel AR15 lol....I have witnessed I few guys hitting steel at 1K using factory 77 OTM's..I am hand tuning 75 and 80 VLD's And I don't mean they hit it once or twice they were drilling a 10" steel plate dead center at 1K..kind of impressive...I want to do it...working on getting my rifle set up to do it..

I shot mine at Bangsteel.com, a range close to me. I hit steel out to 1200 yds. At Bangsteel you have to spot your on shots. The 223 does make much splash at 1000 yds, the only down fall, but there is very little recoil.
Mark

 

[Cuando]

Yes, thanks for the insight. I have an old Rem 788 in .222 that I think I actually wore out [it has well over 3000 rounds through it]. It now shoots 1 MOA or worse and I've been thinking of rebarreling it.

You really think this is the case? I've got over 11,000 rounds down a .223 that still shoots 1/2" groups. Hard to believe a .222 would be done that soon. Might take a closer look man.

 

[watrob]

Nice rifles, are they Steve Blaine stocks?

They are made by Bob McMillan, Sunshine Coast Qld, they are made to order, come blank and need to be prepped and given a two pack clear.

 

[rifleman700]

Why 3 shot groups??

 

[watrob]

Why 3 shot groups??

Its load development & rifle development, 5 different benchrest rifles, different classes, 100 & 200 yard target ranges, different climate conditions, if it shoots 3 shots touching it will shoot 5 as shots 4 & 5 comes down to the shooter and not the rifle or load

Except for the Grendel which has not been tested yet, the other 4 rifles have had barrels shortened, chamber necks tightened, throats shortened, new bolts made, stocks injected for harmonics, re-bedded again and now glued into place, all bullets are Boron coated as are barrels so there are no flyers.

Once I have the Grendel rifle & load data shorted I will move to 5 shot group practice on all 5 rifles?

 

[rifleman700]

How do you get an idea of ES and SD with such a small sample? Do you establish powder charge first and then do seating depth testing?

 

[watrob]

How do you get an idea of ES and SD with such a small sample? Do you establish powder charge first and then do seating depth testing?

Powder charges are double weighed, seating depth and oal are set at which I am now happy with, jammed, on the lands & off etc testing has been done. The 3 shoot groups maybe a small sample but each rifle has had close to 70 of those 3 shot groups shot during testing to get to this point. An extra 2 shots on 70 groups plus sighters is another 160 rounds plus per rifle.

We are not only testing the above but also for different powders, different primers etc and the cases needed at least 3 or 4 loadings to bring them into a standard for competition use.

The SD & ES is fine because each of the 3 shot group now is the same as the last 3 shot group subject to the conditions they are shoot in. Am only shooting 100 & 200 yards if the groups can be repeated I am happy enough that the my SD & ES are ok.

 

[centershot]

I thought that I knew about powders. Never heard of these. Where do you purchase them?

 

[watrob]

I thought that I knew about powders. Never heard of these. Where do you purchase them?

These powders are made by ADI in Australia, ADI Australia also produce powder for Hodgdon.

ADI Bench Mark 1 is very close to N133

ADI AR2219 is H322 (Hodgdon)

ADI Bench Mark 2 is Benchmark (Hodgdon)

ADI Bench Mark 8208 is close to IMR 8208 XBR

ADI 2207H is H4895 (Hodgdon)

 

[Jonathan Zimmerman]

I think you're doing great, good job loading and shooting!

 

[watrob]

Finally finished the LV 6.5mm Grendel, Pearce Action, Carbon Fibre Stock, Jewell Trigger, 10-60x52mm March Scope, 26" Krieger SS Barrel with tight neck and long leade to lands, weight is 10lb-7-1/2 ounces. (front rifle in image is the Grendel).

Middle rifle is the same build but in 22 PPC, rear rifle with Tuner is .222

 

[pacificman]

Awesome group of rifles right there! and all shooters too.
If ya ever get tired of any one of them let me know....LOL