Trouble getting 80.5 Bergers to shoot in my 223

[Gary in MD]

I've been shooting the 80.5 Berger in a 22-250 lately. It's shooting decent for me out to 400 & 500 on steel. Trying to refine it a little at 100 yards today.

 

[Firearmsunlimited]

OP what neck tension are you using?

 

[rebs]

OP what neck tension are you using?

three thousands neck tension

 

[kyotekiller25]

I never got any Berger VLD style bullet to shoot well with more than .005" jump. Slight jam to just touching the lands is what mine likes. Also 24.5 varget.

It's not a VLD bullet, it's a tangent ogive design. Should be far less picky about seating depths unlike the secant VLD types.

 

[Old Navy]

I have a Savage 12 barrel 30" with 1/7 twist on a Savage right bolt left port single shot action with a target accu trigger with red blade.. I am having a hard time finding an accurate load for it with Berger 80.5's and Varget. I have loaded 20 off the lands with 24.4, 24.5, 24.6, 24.7 and 24.8 of Varget, At 24.7 I get a nice round group but not very small. What should I try to shrink the group size?
Does this bullet like more jump or closer to the lands?
I forgot to add this barrel has about 500 rounds through it.

Savage barrel? How small is it shooting?

 

[kyotekiller25]

I'm going to be trying this bullet from a 223 Wylde with .080" freebore and a 28" 8 twist Bartlein with N540. Hoping for 2900-2950fps and under 3/4 MOA 10 shot groups. Will be used as a 1K trainer on steel.

 

[Firearmsunlimited]

Phil Hoham is your direct connection to Berger. He will discuss your issue with them and get some input.
Tel: 660-460-2802

 

[rebs]

Savage barrel? How small is it shooting?

yes factory Savage barrel 30" bull 1 in 7 twist
24.8 of varget seated at 1.983 which is 5 off the lands. 24.7 had verticals so I went to 24.8 to stop the verticals and will shoot them tomorrow

 

[RabbitSlayer]

When you take larger samples you will likely find it takes more change in charge weight to make a difference. I do .3 at a time in a .223 case and .5 in a creedmoor size case.

I use the method outlined by eric cortina. Find pressure and back off so you know it will be safe while testing seating depth. Find jam and back up about .010 to .020 or max mag length to ensure you never stick a bullet\feed issue. Back it up .003 at a time. Then do powder, cuz seating depth changes case volume. Im no pro, but it has worked for me.

 

[Chilly807]

I'm using them in a 223 8 twist Tikka Varmint at 5 thou off the lands. 23.8 grains of N140 gives me about 2750 fps or a little better.
Any more than 24 grains and it's a compressed load with the SAAMI or CIP chamber in the Tikka.
I tried them at 25 thou for a while, 5 thou is more consistent.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Without knowing how big the groups are, and at what distance you are shooting, this post has turned into nothing but click bait. People want to help.

 

[rebs]

24.8 of varget at 1.983 opened up the groups

 

[Clancy]

I’ve shot thousands of 80.5s and despite a LOT of other opinions I’ve read…. If you aren’t between touch and .005 off they likely aren’t gonna shoot dots… I’ve seen it in 6-7 barrels now from 22 dasher to 22 Creedmoor. They just want to be close if you’re looking for .1s.

 

[rebs]

at 24.8 the groups opened up more

 

[DLT]

I don’t know much but I have learned sometimes a barrel, bullet and powder don’t get along. Even if they are premium components. Change something

 

[C.E.Smith043]

at 24.8 the groups opened up more

Have you thought to try 23.5gr. - 24.5gr area?

If 24.8 opened up, keep going to 25 and up. Watch for pressure signs though

 

[rebs]

at 300 yds the group with vertical is about one and a half inch. adding more powder opened up the group, is it possible less powder could tighten the group up ?

 

[rebs]

24g of Varget and 77/80g bullets is a pretty standard load... You may be a little on the warm side... maybe.

what would the average velocity be ?

 

[JT27]

2810fps avg w/23.9g of Varget out of a 24”bbl is what my chrono told me.

A buddy of mine is getting 2860fps with 24g of Varget 26” bbl.

 

[Cfshooter]

I’m right about 2900 out of a 26” 1/9 with 24.4 of Varget.