how is this possible ?

[rebs]

I shot five groups at 100 yds with 69 SMK, and 24.0, 24.4 and 24.8 of RL 15 powder in my Tikka Varmint 223. The 24.0 was one hole 3/8th inch, the 24.4 and the 24.8 were both 1/2 inch. No vertical or horizontal stringing. How can that much of a spread in powder all shoot the same ? How to I pick which load to use ?

 

[mikecr]

Well if you haven't earned it, and you would have known if you did, then it's simple luck.

 

[Tanker]

That seems to be a really wide node. Did you chronograph any of them?
Personally, I would love to have this problem.

 

[Webster]

I shot five groups at 100 yds with 69 SMK, and 24.0, 24.4 and 24.8 of RL 15 powder in my Tikka Varmint 223. The 24.0 was one hole 3/8th inch, the 24.4 and the 24.8 were both 1/2 inch. No vertical or horizontal stringing. How can that much of a spread in powder all shoot the same ? How to I pick which load to use ?

3/8" from a factory rifle. What's to worry about. As long as your happy with the fps 24.0. Try different seating depths. If you want more speed try 24.8 different seating depths.

 

[Rem06]

I shot five groups at 100 yds with 69 SMK, and 24.0, 24.4 and 24.8 of RL 15 powder in my Tikka Varmint 223. The 24.0 was one hole 3/8th inch, the 24.4 and the 24.8 were both 1/2 inch. No vertical or horizontal stringing. How can that much of a spread in powder all shoot the same ? How to I pick which load to use ?

just send a thank you letter to Tikka

 

[dolek]

I have never tried RL15 w/ 69 SMKs ,but I get wide nodes with them using H4895 in the Rem 700s...Tikkas are great guns for the money,your findings do not surprise me . I bet you have a lot of fun loading for that rig...off to a great start.

 

[joshb]

Tikkas are great guns. That’s how it’s possible! Enjoy!

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I look for 6/10 gr nodes because my powder thrower and scale are +,- 1/10 gr. Always happy to find a node over 6/10 without vertical spread. Shoot at 300 yards(groups consistent) and I have a good hunting load.

 

[K22]

And the problem is....?

 

[Uncle Ed]

I had a Savage .223 with a 1 in 9 twist and a throat longer than my AR15 rifles and could be loaded warmer than the short throated data in the loading manuals.

Many factory rifles today have chambers and throats big enough to fit the company lawyer in plus a long seated bullet.

Check your throat length and your twist rate, if your twist rate is not 1in12 or 1in14 chances are you will have a longer throat and can load warmer than the short throated .223 rifles.

Look at line "N" Throat Length below, the majority of .223 load data is for the shorter .0250 length throats and some of the throats below are over .0600.

At the link below it states the Savage .223 throat length is .0566 and longer than many AR15 throats.

HOLLIGER ON .223/5.56 CHAMBERS
http://www.radomski.us/njhp/cart_tech.htm

 

[SG4247]

Shoot the same test at 300.

 

[hambone1971]

Your shooting to close to tell. Go out to 200 or 300 yards. You'll see some difference...HB

 

[Bill K]

If it will repeat that 3/8 inch group most every time and keep the same MOA out to around 300 yrds, just stick with it, no matter the PFS. Accuracy trumps speed.

 

[rebs]

Thank you guys for the replies. I will be shooting 300 yds today or tomorrow depending on the weather

 

[ebb]

Whats the group look like at 23.7?? If it looks good go with 24.