Trying to find a load for my Rem .223 VSSF

[Archermike]

I bought a Remington .223 VSSF a couple of months ago, and up to now I have been shooting factory loads,50gr & 55gr Remington, 52gr BlackHills, 40gr, 50gr, 55gr Federal) All the factory ammo shot from .4 to 1" at 100yrds. in a mostly round group

I started handloading some rounds to find what would work the best,of-course) I started with four different loads

#1 52gr Sierra HPBT with 24.5grs/H322 Fed primers
#2 52gr Sierra HPBT with 24.5grs/H322 CCI BR-4 primers
#3 53gr Sierra HPFB with 24.5grs/H322 CCI BR-4 primers
#4 60gr Varminter 27.5grs/Varget CCI BR-4 primers

All the groups were 5 shots at 100yrds

I didn't get groups from the factory loads that was strung out from left to right like my handloads. What is causing groups like this? Is it due to the powder, bullets, ect... ? I was shooting almost straight into the wind. I then shot my 22-250 and they were strung out from top to bottom, so I'm thinking it wasn't the wind causing the .223's to shoot left-right.

What do I need to try and change first with my reloading?

 

[Archermike]

I'll attach a picture of my 22-250 group

 

[Archermike]

Can someone PLEASE help??? I'm wanting to load up more bullets but I would like to get some info on what I should try so I can fix the left to right shooting.

I'm thinking it might be the powder, since all the bullets shot about the same. But then again what about the Varget load?

 

[Sarge]

Archermike-I have the same model 700 vssf in 223 cal. 23.0 gr. N-133 behind 52gr. Berger's seated as long as reasonable shoot in the 2's for me. That load has worked in every 223 I've tried it in. It chrono's at 3050 to 3100 depending on weather conditions.I realize thats kind of slow for 52's but man it shoots great groups for me. Try torquing your action to 65 inch pounds. That torque setting helped my rifle be more consistent. I also only neck size approximately 1/2 the length of my case necks. Good luck!

 

[Archermike]

Thanks for the info. I'll try some of the other tips.

I did torque the action to 65 inch pounds before I started.

 

[Forum Boss]

Archer,

When I see horizontal stringing like that, two things come to mind--assuming you're correct that wind isn't the simple explanation.

#1 Varying cheek and hand pressure,or even slapping the trigger) can cause the effects you're seeing. When you shoot next time, try extra hard to be consistent in terms of how much side load you place on the gun with your cheek or hand.

#2 Check the alignment of the rear bag. Give the stock a couple good wacks to seat it down in the ears. Make sure the slot between the ears is properly aligned. Look at the bag after each shot--if it is rotating one way or another, even slightly, then you're out of alignment.

Lastly, to quote friend Boyd Allen "if you ain't using wind flags, you're wasting ammo". If you are not doing so already, get a couple stakes with surveyors tape. You won't be able to dope all the small shifts, but at least try to shoot in the prevailing condition.

 

[slay]

I found no luck at all with 322 and was told by other shooters it only worked best for them with light bullets and they were right.
I went to benchmark and in a cooper 21 found 25.5 for 52 grn.
and 28.8 super accurate, out to 200 where I like to set my loads at.

 

[Archermike]

I'm going to try some different powders this weekend. I'm looking at H335, AA-2015, H4895, Viht N133. I'll be happy with <.600" I'll do flips if I'm in .4's and post pictures of me doing the flips and my groups.

A BIG Thanks to all the input
Archermike