I wanted to go shooting at the Club last week, but didn't have enough reloads, so bit the bullet and bought some "Field and Stream" 55 grain factory ammo at Dicks's Sporting Goods (on the way to the range).
Got to the range and it was rented out to the State Police, despite it being listed as available on the Club's Webpage. "Ship" happens.
I went home and the road down back to my little range was too muddy to use, so put my range gear away, but had the bright idea to check out some of the factory rounds and seat some good Sierra 55 grain semi-pointed bullets. Checking the powder charges showed only a 1/10 grain variation in 20 rounds! That's outstanding for inexpensive factory ammo!
Yesterday, I went out back to try the ammo, even though it was a bit breezy from 10:00+/_. I experienced a FTF with one of the factory rounds, even trying it twice. The firing pin strike was light, indicating short-sizing IMHO. I fired about 15 more factory rounds and averaged about 0.8" groups and some smaller groups of 3 in each group. Not bad, considering cheap factory ammo.
Then, I tried a 5-shot group of my 55 Grain handloads, using the 55 Grain Sierra Spitzer and 25 grains of Varget in Hornady cases. Those, as shown on the attached target, grouped 3/10" for 4 shots!!! WOW! Not bad for a factory, Picher-tweaked/bedded/floated Rem 700 ADL!!!.
(The only thing that spoiled the day was when I was back in the house, sitting in my easy-chair and a tick came waltzing out of my tee shirt...onto my shoulder area!!! It didn't bite, so I brushed it off, onto the floor and stomped it.)
Now, I think that rifle deserves a nice after-market stock. What do you think?
JP
Got to the range and it was rented out to the State Police, despite it being listed as available on the Club's Webpage. "Ship" happens.
I went home and the road down back to my little range was too muddy to use, so put my range gear away, but had the bright idea to check out some of the factory rounds and seat some good Sierra 55 grain semi-pointed bullets. Checking the powder charges showed only a 1/10 grain variation in 20 rounds! That's outstanding for inexpensive factory ammo!
Yesterday, I went out back to try the ammo, even though it was a bit breezy from 10:00+/_. I experienced a FTF with one of the factory rounds, even trying it twice. The firing pin strike was light, indicating short-sizing IMHO. I fired about 15 more factory rounds and averaged about 0.8" groups and some smaller groups of 3 in each group. Not bad, considering cheap factory ammo.
Then, I tried a 5-shot group of my 55 Grain handloads, using the 55 Grain Sierra Spitzer and 25 grains of Varget in Hornady cases. Those, as shown on the attached target, grouped 3/10" for 4 shots!!! WOW! Not bad for a factory, Picher-tweaked/bedded/floated Rem 700 ADL!!!.
(The only thing that spoiled the day was when I was back in the house, sitting in my easy-chair and a tick came waltzing out of my tee shirt...onto my shoulder area!!! It didn't bite, so I brushed it off, onto the floor and stomped it.)
Now, I think that rifle deserves a nice after-market stock. What do you think?
JP