trouble with ackley

[Caleb85]

I have a 22-250 Ackley with a Lilja 3 groove 12 twist and I can NOT get this thing to be consistent! I have tried different bullets, powder and brass and it will shoot and then it wont. For example the other day I had a load of :
Winchester brass
60gr. Berger FBHP
36 gr. 8208 XBR
WLR primer.
And it was printing three shot groups at 300 yards at or under 1/2". Went to try the same load in Lapua brass and it shot about 2". One day later tryed again and shot 3/4". What's the deal way can't I at least get this thing consistent ?

 

[stacy]

THAT A 3 GROOVE LILJA FOR YA GOT ONE, TURNED IT INTO A DOOR STOP NEVER HAVE ANOTHER LILJA DAN WAS A JERK WHEN I SPOKE TO HIM ABOUT DONE WITH LILJA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO MORE NEVER DID GET MINE TO SHOOT.

 

[Eddie Harren]

I set 3 IBS records with Lilja 3 groove barrels. I've put a bunch on for customers and never had a bad one.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Using windflags?

 

[jonbearman]

Caleb85 tell us more about your rifle including what you are shooting off of and your cleaning method. How is the bedding on the rifle and what stock is it?

 

[butchlambert]

I question one thing.

And it was printing three shot groups at 300 yards at or under 1/2".

 

[LHSmith]

I question one thing.

And it was printing three shot groups at 300 yards at or under 1/2".

Ditto- that works out to .160" moa group(s). That would be amazing accuracy.....in fact unbelievable accuracy.
Use wind flags, and learn to read mirage. Lilja 3 groove bbls been very, very good to me also.

 

[LitLBoy]

+ 6 on the Liljas being GOOD!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Wind flags and a lighter bullet.

 

[Caleb85]

Ok to answer a few questions.
No on the wind flags.
Will not go with a lighter bullet, I have seen what the 12 twist can do with 60gr pills and I like it.
And no on the bedding, (to be done soon)
The rifle is the following:
Trued 700 short action.
26" Lilja 12 twist 3 groove sendero contour.
B&C M40 stock.
Walker trigger set at 2 lbs.
Leupold VXIII 6.5-20 × 50 MM LR setting in tally rings.
All shooting is done on the bench using protector rear bag and bald eagle cast iron sling shot in the front. And I can't upload pictures so if someone would sent me there email that can upload I will email you the targets and you could upload them. ;D

 

[LHSmith]

No on the wind flags.

There-in lies the problem.

 

[seymour fish]

Caleb, What is the difference in case capacity between your Win and Lapua brass? Seymour

 

[Brians356]

I question one thing.

And it was printing three shot groups at 300 yards at or under 1/2".

Ditto- that works out to .160" moa group(s). That would be amazing accuracy.....in fact unbelievable accuracy.

+1.

Three-shot groups barely qualify as "groups" at all. One shot more than a "pair". They're fine for node tuning like what Erik is doing. But the change from day to day is so dramatic, it leads me to:

Changing brass is a major change (that you went to Lapua is irrelevant.) Why would you expect a load not to change dramatically after changing brass?

Finally, isn't 1:12 twist marginal for a 60-gr .224 bullet?

 

[Caleb85]

But I can't even duplicate it again with Winchester brass. .but you do have a point on the three shot groups. .I will switch to 5.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Shooting consistently well is very much dependent on wind reading. The sooner you come to that realization, and start using flags, the better of you'll be.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Shooting 2 more shots wont make the group any smaller. If the first 3 arent promising no need in wasting components. Looks to me like you need:
1. Wind flags
2. Lighter bullet
3. Consistency in testing (not changing brass trying to find a problem- unless the brass is the problem. Way too much capacity variance therefore load differences)
4. Bedded action. (Another large contributor to flyers)
5. Wind flags.

 

[bheadboy]

Bullets up to 63 are ok in the 12 if the length of the bullet is not expended by configuration, flat base vs boat tail, you are pushing the load, most AI I have had (6) gain no more than 6% only the 7-08 and280 gained 7-8%

back off on the load and check your water capacity between the two brands of cases you are using, your pressures are most likely very different --

do a ladder test start with a 4% increase in powder vs max recommended and work up, you may be surprised at the node you find being in the 6-7% increase - also I suggest you use a .020 jump until you find that node then test seating.

Bob

 

[Brians356]

As you are just getting started with this cartridge work-up, I would stay with 3-shot groups, back off to 100 yards, and follow Erik's method "Long range load development at 100 yards" method to get in the correct ballpark:

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3814361.0