Would moly coated bullets help my 222

[Tozguy]

My CZ 527 in 222 with 14'' twist shoots 45 grainers very well but is less accurate with 50 and 55 grainers. Would moly coated bullets in the 50 to 55 grain range be an option in order to get more velocity and maybe results comparable to 45 grain nude bullets?
I have maxed out the loads using H322 for the 50 and 55 grainers but they still don't compare to the 45ers using 23.5 gr. of H322. I would prefer to be shooting the heavier bullets but not if they are less accurate. Thanks for any comments that would help.

 

[cmillard]

what you probably have is an unstable bullet with the 50-55 weight range. the 14" twist is not stabalizing the bullets. i tried the 52 grain berger FBs out of a 14" twist .22 hornet and got like 3" groups at 100 yards. backed the bullet weight back down to 45 grains and bingo.

 

[Tozguy]

Sounds a lot like what is happening in my case. The improvement in accuracy with 45ers was remarkable for me too. It would be fun to discover a safe way of getting 55 grain bullets too stabilize properly with the 14'' twist. I'm not quite ready yet to throw in the towel on this.

 

[fdshuster]

Tozguy: Both my 222's are 1-14 twist ( a Hart and a factory Rem 700BDL) and the consistant favorite load is 22.2 grs. (Hodgdon recommended) of H322 with any quality 50 gr. bullet. Sierra 53 gr. also "good", but I can see a slight opening up of the 5 shot groups at 200 yds. I did briefly try 55 gr., but group sizes opened up-- a lot. Both barrels "like" .020" of jump. PM being sent for more info as it relates to moly.

 

[cmillard]

another good point there. all barrels shoot different. you could have two identical barrels of the same manuf., same twist and all. one might not shoot the heavier .22 bullets, while the other barrel might only like the heavier bullets.

 

[fdshuster]

Cole: Another good point, as verifed by the article in the Nov. "Precision Shooting", page 81, titled "Shock and Yaw". A 1-14 (or any twist) could be a 1-14.5 or a 1-13.7, or ???? Gotta try each bullet in your individual barrel, and at different velocities.

 

[Dimwit Flathead]

You say you have a CZ527. Before you go absolutely nuts on load development have a look at the bedding. The factory job is a POS and most of the time the walnut is a bit too soft to get good dimensional stability. I was going bonkers with a 527 until I took it to a smith and had it pillar bedded, etc. It shoots like a house on fire now!

Don't know what powder you're using, but give Reloader 7 a try. My 222 barrel steadfastly refused to shoot the stuff that current wisdom recommends. I stumbled across an article about bench rest shooting from back in the day and discovered that Reloader 7 was highly desirable for accuracy loads. It turned out to be what made my rifle shoot 52 gr bullets quite well. Use a good bullet, the best you can afford. A 222 can be a remarkably accurate rifle.

 

[Tozguy]

You all have given me lots to think about, thanks. My CZ527 American was bought new. I used bullets in the 50 to 55 grain range (left over from my 22-250 days) for a breaking in period of around 100 rounds. Even match grade bullets gave disappointing results in the 52 & 53 grain variety using H322. H322 seemed like a good choice, fills the case, meters well, burns clean. 50 grain Hornady spire points were used while working on different issues (cases, scope, bedding, dies, seating depth) Not that I was happy with myself. It didn’t quite feel like I was doing my part. It was fun discovering how the nut holding the gun could be improved too! After 300 rounds it seemed like most things were sorted out but that 3 shot groups of 1’’ at 100 yds (3 times out of 4)was about it. It was only out of idle curiousity that I bought some Sierra 1310s (45gr) to try. What a surprise. All 3 shot groups were below an inch and several below a half inch. All of a sudden I love this gun!
BTW I seat all bullets .010’’ from the lands and hand feed the 527 all the time. I use the Lee collett neck size die and Lyman BR micrometer bullet seater.
My moly question seems a bit premature now because there are a few other naked bullets to try. I have avoided top notch bullets because the 527 is no bench rest gun but now I might just try a box to see what happens.
Waxing bullets is my next research project, what do you think?

 

[brand692]

Would moly coated bullets in the 50 to 55 grain range be an option in order to get more velocity and maybe results comparable to 45 grain nude bullets?

Common misconception about Moly is that you get better velocity. Moly bullets have less resistence going down the tube. Consequently, they move easier, not faster, and the same pressures are never built up. Norma estimates it 3-5% less pressure, with velocity decreases in the .5-1.5% range. To get the same velocity out of a moly bullet you will need to increase the charge.

Take a look here: http://www.6mmbr.com/normamoly.html.

I shoot moly, and my advice to the casual shooter is to avoid it. It can be pretty labor intensive. You need to have a couple fouler shots to get the bore "loaded" with moly before the groups improve, then cleaning it takes more effort than shooting naked bullets. I've found that I can go longer between cleanings, but the cleaning cycles are more intense.

On the upside, barrel life is extended.

If you are looking for higher velocity and better accuracy, my vote goes to shooting the 45 gr naked projectiles with different powder and avoid moly. I think you will be happier in the long run. Just my .02.