Pleasant surprise .223 bolt and 77gr SMK

[JackWagon]

I just picked up a new Howa 1500 (Not the Mini) with a 20" 1-8 Heavy barrel. Started my load development yesterday and was happy to find SW Precision did better than Varget in the limited testing. I still need to find a good varmint stock as those Hogue's are pathetic.

Varget
24.2 = .824 group
24.4 = .531

Precision
24.2 = .417
24.4 = .301

I sure hope it continues down that path as I have 16 pounds of the stuff. My chronograph took a dump so I can't post any velocity data but if memory serves in my 308's I usually lost about 40-50fps using precision vs Varget.

 

[SecondsCount]

It took a while for SWP to gain traction but now it has taken off. I've had some success with it behind the 75 ELD in my 223AI.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I just picked up a new Howa 1500 (Not the Mini) with a 20" 1-8 Heavy barrel. Started my load development yesterday and was happy to find SW Precision did better than Varget in the limited testing. I still need to find a good varmint stock as those Hogue's are pathetic.

Varget
24.2 = .824 group
24.4 = .531

Precision
24.2 = .417
24.4 = .301

I sure hope it continues down that path as I have 16 pounds of the stuff. My chronograph took a dump so I can't post any velocity data but if memory serves in my 308's I usually lost about 40-50fps using precision vs Varget.

I’m pretty sure Bell and Carlson out of Kansas makes stocks for the Howa.

 

[6Creed73]

I recently got a Howa 223 mini action with 1:8 twist heavy barrel and Oryx chassis, and it's been nothing but frustrating so far. I can't get it to group under 1 moa.

I've tried Varget, CFE-223, N135, and A2015 with a mix of bullets ranging in weight from 62gr to 77gr. I bought some Hornady Match ammo as well to try...nothing groups well. I switched scopes and rings hoping that was the issue, no luck. Today I broke everything down and re-torqued everything. I'm going to take it out one more time, if it still won't perform I'm sending it in.

 

[SecondsCount]

I recently got a Howa 223 mini action with 1:8 twist heavy barrel and Oryx chassis, and it's been nothing but frustrating so far. I can't get it to group under 1 moa.

I've tried Varget, CFE-223, N135, and A2015 with a mix of bullets ranging in weight from 62gr to 77gr. I bought some Hornady Match ammo as well to try...nothing groups well. I switched scopes and rings hoping that was the issue, no luck. Today I broke everything down and re-torqued everything. I'm going to take it out one more time, if it still won't perform I'm sending it in.

That would get frustrating.

I had a Mini in 223 with the sporter barrel that was a disappointment at first but shot better everytime I took it out. I sold it to a customer and the last time we shot together, it was putting 5 shots on to a 1" square. Not bad for a $350 gun with a lightweight barrel.

If it isn't shooting under an inch soon, I would definitely give Howa a call.

 

[Zero333]

I recently got a Howa 223 mini action with 1:8 twist heavy barrel and Oryx chassis, and it's been nothing but frustrating so far. I can't get it to group under 1 moa.

I've tried Varget, CFE-223, N135, and A2015 with a mix of bullets ranging in weight from 62gr to 77gr. I bought some Hornady Match ammo as well to try...nothing groups well. I switched scopes and rings hoping that was the issue, no luck. Today I broke everything down and re-torqued everything. I'm going to take it out one more time, if it still won't perform I'm sending it in.

Get some Factory 69 gr Federal Gold Medal Match ammunition. If that doesn't shoot at 100 yards, then you know you have a serious problem.

 

[6Creed73]

That would get frustrating.

I had a Mini in 223 with the sporter barrel that was a disappointment at first but shot better everytime I took it out. I sold it to a customer and the last time was shot together, it was putting 5 shots on to a 1" square. Not bad for a $350 gun with a lightweight barrel.

If it isn't shooting under an inch soon, I would definitely give Howa a call.

Yeah, especially since it has a sub-moa guarantee.

 

[6Creed73]

Get some Factory 69 gr Federal Gold Medal Match ammunition. If that doesn't shoot at 100 yards, then you know you have a serious problem.

I'll give it a try...thats exactly what I tried to do with the Hornady Match ammo...which shoots great in my other rifles.

 

[Zero333]

I'll give it a try...thats exactly what I tried to do with the Hornady Match ammo...which shoots great in my other rifles.

The FGMM is Always Accurate and very consistent. I always have some boxes of 223r and 308win on hand just in case a rifle is not shooting as it should. So I use the FGMM to determine if it's the loads.

 

[JackWagon]

I never had a Mini and didn't want to get one but I do have 13 of the 1500's including a Mossberg and S&W 1500 and have learned a few things about them. Extremely picky on ammo but when you find the right combo it's a thing of beauty for a factory rifle. I only had two of them I could not get to under .5 MOA with my hand loads and those got sent down the road.

ANY torque from the stock will effect them so check that in your Oryx

This is my 3rd in .223, the other two are 1-12 twist. With the 52gr SMK's and 25.1gr of N133 both are .3 guns. All of my weekly shooters are 1500's including my 6BR's

Get your seating depth off the lands for the factory barrels.

 

[JackWagon]

I’m pretty sure Bell and Carlson out of Kansas makes stocks for the Howa.

Yes sir, they do and was looking at them but I'm a wood kind of guy for target shooting. I was looking at Bobs Gun parts and I like the looks of their Varmint stock.

 

[William Vogel]

I recently got a Howa 223 mini action with 1:8 twist heavy barrel and Oryx chassis, and it's been nothing but frustrating so far. I can't get it to group under 1 moa.

I've tried Varget, CFE-223, N135, and A2015 with a mix of bullets ranging in weight from 62gr to 77gr. I bought some Hornady Match ammo as well to try...nothing groups well. I switched scopes and rings hoping that was the issue, no luck. Today I broke everything down and re-torqued everything. I'm going to take it out one more time, if it still won't perform I'm sending it in.

Is this gun using a standard SAAMI 223 rem chamber?

 

[6Creed73]

Is this gun using a standard SAAMI 223 rem chamber?

Yes

 

[chromatica]

The SMK 77 is known to exhibit dynamic instability. I registered for a wind clinic and the instructions warned us not to bring ammo using that particular bullet. Try another projectile.

 

[chkunz]

The SMK 77 is known to exhibit dynamic instability. I registered for a wind clinic and the instructions warned us not to bring ammo using that particular bullet. Try another projectile.

I think this will be news to a lot of people that have found the 77 SMK an excellent choice for XTC 200/300/600 yard competition. It is easy to obtain an accurate load with several powders and works well in 1:8 twist or faster.

 

[jelenko]

I think this will be news to a lot of people that have found the 77 SMK an excellent choice for XTC 200/300/600 yard competition. It is easy to obtain an accurate load with several powders and works well in 1:8 twist or faster.

^^^ This.

 

[rdremsek]

77 smks are one of the most accurate bullets out of my 223 1x7 twist barrels load to ar mag length with varget i also shoot them in my national match ar 1x8 twist with excellent accuracy.

 

[Pawnee Bill]

Berger 77gr OTM's are hard to beat!