keyholeing

[oldokie]

Hey guys been hangin around but just signed up and have a question. I have a Stevens .223 supposedly with a 1:8 twist. It's very accurate with 52 matches and 40 v-maxes but with Remmy premier match 69s it shoots patterns not groups. I obtained some 68gr bthps and laddered them over Varget. All powder weights keyholed at100yds and they were almost off the backboard of the target. Any ideas or should I just stick with the lighter bullets, I'm not huntin hogs or deer with the gun just would like a little more distance. thanks

 

[CatShooter]

Hey guys been hangin around but just signed up and have a question. I have a Stevens .223 supposedly with a 1:8 twist. It's very accurate with 52 matches and 40 v-maxes but with Remmy premier match 69s it shoots patterns not groups. I obtained some 68gr bthps and laddered them over Varget. All powder weights keyholed at100yds and they were almost off the backboard of the target. Any ideas or should I just stick with the lighter bullets, I'm not huntin hogs or deer with the gun just would like a little more distance. thanks

I have had 55gr softpoints keyhole at 100 yds from a 14"t 222 Magnum - the barrel was filthy from a full day of testing - cleaned it very well, and back to teeny groups.

 

[bheadboy]

clean it really well, then take a very tight patch on cleaning rod that has a free wheeling handle, push in about 4-6" and mark the rod top 14" + from the muzzle and at the muzzle,

then carefully push the patch forward letting the rod rotate until the top mark comes up top and mark it again at the muzzle, measure the distance between the 1st mark you put at the muzzle and the last one at the muzzle.

this will tell you if you have an 8" twist, I don't think you do.

Bob

 

[oldokie]

Dirty barrel is not the problem, I'm not a fanatic but I do keep it clean. I will try to measure the true twist rate. That makes more sense than anything to me, should have done it before. Thanks

 

[stacy]

PM SENT

 

[gilream]

I'm betting that your twist rate is a bit slower than 1:8.

 

[Raythemanroe]

Not stabilizing, probably do to twist

 

[Hosted]

I have a Stevens in 223 also and I believe they are almost all a 9 twist. Definitely sounds like they aren't stabilizing but I've had great luck with bullets up to 75 BTHP out to 500 yards in mine. A quick google search showed me there might have been some 12 twist Stevens made also. Unfortunately I can't really be any help but I agree with everyone else and sounds like a twist problem.

 

[oldokie]

Havin some trouble gettin a measurement I trust with the two rods I've tried. Gonna see what else I can come up with. Thanks for the input fellas.

 

[charlesasmith]

My friend suggested using a new brush to measure twist. Also, as mentioned, make sure that you have a freely rotating cleaning rod handle or it won't work.

Chuck

 

[jonbearman]

At best it is a 1in9 on a savage.

 

[oldokie]

Mystery solved, it's one of the 1:12's. Had it measured by a pro and that's what it turned out to be. Not a problem for me now that I know why it won't shoot the heavier bullets. I'm very satisfied with the accuracy I'm getting from the 52 bthp's altho I've got some work to do before I find the right powder for 40gn v-max's other than the light Blue Dot loads. Want to thank everyone for their input. oldokie

 

[Shynloco]

Hey guys been hangin around but just signed up and have a question. I have a Stevens .223 supposedly with a 1:8 twist. It's very accurate with 52 matches and 40 v-maxes but with Remmy premier match 69s it shoots patterns not groups. I obtained some 68gr bthps and laddered them over Varget. All powder weights keyholed at100yds and they were almost off the backboard of the target. Any ideas or should I just stick with the lighter bullets, I'm not huntin hogs or deer with the gun just would like a little more distance. thanks

I experienced much the same problem with my Savage Model 12 VLPDBM (1:9) in 223. She loves the 52's and 53's and hates the 68 & 69 grainers. Even the 55's showed signs of lesser accuracy and went down hill from there. I too am a clean freak and this rifle gets cleaned after every range trip with less than 50 rounds down the tube at each sitting. SO stick to the light weight bullets and enjoy that baby for what she shoot comfortably.

Alex

 

[oldokie]

Alex if you don't mind what powders are you using ? Was using Varget with the 52's as my go-to load but can't get it anymore.

 

[Hosted]

Glad you got it figured out, that would be frustrating after loading that ammo. There are lots of good powders for that range of bullets. My go to powder for lighter bullets is Benchmark and I've also had good luck with RL10.

 

[17VLD]

Since you have found its a 12 twist you should try 8208 and the 53 V-Max
as it has a great bc and its explosive on varmints.The 53 V-Max has a bc of .295 which is much better than the 55grn and 60 grain bullets of the past.It really will stretch your rifles abilities.
Matt

 

[wapiti25]

I have found in two 223's that Benchmark is the powder when shooting 50 to 55 grain bullets. The twist was 1:12 on these barrels. H335 is real good with 55's, work up the load to about 25 grs.

 

[CatShooter]

Since you have found its a 12 twist you should try 8208 and the 53 V-Max
as it has a great bc and its explosive on varmints.The 53 V-Max has a bc of .295[sic] which is much better than the 55grn and 60 grain bullets of the past.It really will stretch your rifles abilities.
Matt

The BC numbers of one maker is not comparable to another, because they do not use the same methods to derive their BC numbers.

The 53 V-Max (BC=0.291) has more drop (lower BC) in 400 yard drop tests, than the Sierra 55 BlitzKing. The 55 SBK has a higher ballistic efficiency, but they get their numbers in a completely different way.

 

[oldokie]

Small update guys, friend gave me a few 55gn Sierra matchkings bthp's. Shot very very well over 4895, one 3 shot group was a little over 1/2" center to center at 100yds. So she can handle 50 somethings well. thanks for the help

 

[Jeremy(WI)]

Why is it that 4895 keeps popping up now on 223 loads?